Over the past 18 years or so, the motoring landscape has changed beyond all recognition, with the rise of the SUV. It makes sense, because SUVs offer a loftier viewpoint, a greater feeling of safety, and more practicality than traditional vehicles.
But things that haven’t changed in that time are the needs of family buyers, because people still need space, ease of use, and all those little touches that make living with a car from day to day that little bit easier. And that’s where Skoda has hit the nail on the head with its SUV range. There really is a Skoda SUV for you, no matter what you and your family’s requirements might be.
Skoda Kamiq
The word Kamiq comes from the Inuit language, and means “something that fits perfectly”, which accurately describes the car and its ability to seamlessly blend into your family life.
The Kamiq may be the entry point to the Skoda range, but it definitely makes a big impression, especially when it comes to interior space, because as our sister title What Car? says: “You’ll have no trouble fitting in the front of a Skoda Kamiq. Even if you’re a six-footer sitting behind someone else of a similar height, you’ll have a gap of several inches in front of your knees. And the Kamiq’s boxy shape means there’s a frankly ridiculous amount of rear head room.” Meanwhile, luggage is catered for thanks to a large 400-litre boot. So if you have a young family that’s growing faster than you can keep up with, a Skoda Kamiq is an ideal choice.
There are three engines available in the Kamiq, all of which run on petrol. The first is a 95PS 1.0-litre TSI, which is linked to a five-speed manual gearbox, and which can manage a remarkable official WLTP economy figure of 51.8mpg. Next up is a 116PS version of the same engine, which is mated to a six-speed gearbox. It has plenty of zing and can do 52.2mpg.
Finally, the 1.5TSI generates 150PS, which gives the Kamiq a real spring in its step. And yet it has an official economy figure of 48.0mpg (or 48.8mpg when fitted with the optional seven-speed DSG transmission).
The entry-level trim is SE Edition, but you wouldn’t know it, because it is so well equipped. For example, it comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and LED running lights, rear parking sensors and a rearview camera, dual-zone air-conditioning and keyless start/stop. Not enough? Well how about a 9.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a 10.25in virtual cockpit, plus four USB-C charging sockets, and front assist and lane assist systems.