Skoda Kamiq review

The slightly elevated driving position (you sit 40mm farther from the road than in a Skoda Scala, for example) means the Kamiq offers a genuine SUV experience. Just don’t expect to feel like you’re sitting up in the clouds like you do in, say, a Range Rover. 

The seat is comfortable and has adjustable lumbar support on all but entry-level S trim, while the dashboard is logically arranged with simple controls for the air-conditioning. An electrically adjustable driver’s seat is available as an option.

That elevated driving position helps give you a great view of the road ahead, and the relatively slim, upright windscreen pillars don’t block your vision too badly at junctions and roundabouts.

Rear passengers will find the Kamiq easier to see out of than many rivals, too; the tall side windows give even shorter folk a good view of the outside world – handy if your kids are prone to travel sickness. 

UK specs haven’t been confirmed so we still don’t know which trims will have parking sensors and a reversing camera as standard.

Go for entry-level S trim and you’ll get a 6.5in touchscreen infotainment system. The screen grows to 8.0in if you upgrade to SE trim and 9.2in (pictured) if you shell out for range-topping SEL trim. 

All three systems have Bluetooth, with Apple Carplay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring standard on the 8.0in system and above. Only the range-topping 9.2in system, which is easy enough to use apart from its occasional sluggishness to respond to screen prods, is available with Skoda’s new voice assistant, called Laura. Much like Google’s Alexa or Apple’s Siri, this can recognise natural speech as well as set commands, although in our experience it’s a bit hit and miss.

There are two new-style USB-C ports in the front and you can pay extra to have a couple more in the rear, allowing you to charge plenty of smartphones and other electronic devices on the move.

Perhaps the most impressive thing about the Kamiq is the quality of its interior. In its Seat Arona and VW T-Cross rivals, hard and unyielding plastics cover everything you touch regularly – including the dashboard and the insides of the doors. 

In the Kamiq, you’ll find plenty of squidgy, surprisingly appealing materials. It feels like an altogether more expensive car inside than its key rivals which, assuming that doesn’t turn out to be the case (prices haven’t been finalised), is deeply impressive. Bravo, Skoda.