2022 Skoda Kamiq 85TSI Style new car review

An award-winning SUV has made a triumphant return after a substantial absence, but it comes with an eye opening price tag.

The award-winning turbo three-cylinder Kamiq is back on sale, strong on specification and clever packaging. But does an $8000 price hike still make the small Skoda good value?

VALUE

A lot has changed since the Skoda Kamiq won our 2020 Car of the Year award.

Back then you could drive away a manual one for $27,990, or $29,990 with auto. Today? Entry to the Kamiq club is $37,990 on the road, fitted only with a dual-clutch auto transmission.

Skoda’s Kamiq is a sensible pick.

Value was a big part of its attraction, so this $8000 hike really tests the relationship. But with Kamiq supply tight, bulging waiting lists and increasing raw materials and transport costs, Skoda’s arguably just meeting the market, much like every car brand.

Pleasingly, this entry-level 85TSI Style scores 18-inch alloys, LED lights, an electric tailgate, digital instrument cluster, 8-inch touchscreen, wireless phone charging, leather steering wheel, ambient lighting and dual-zone climate. There’s even an umbrella in the door.

White is the only free colour – others are $550 or $1100. A five-year/60,000km service pack is a reasonable $1500 while the warranty is five-years/unlimited kilometres.

COMFORT

The Kamiq shares platforms with the tiny Polo hatchback but has more cabin space and a high-ish driving position.

The Kamiq’s cabin is loaded with clever features.

Seat material and cabin plastics are fine but not fancy, and you can have any interior colour as long as it’s black. The exterior design is also conservative but the build quality and driving position are great, while rear head and leg room are superb for a small SUV.

It has a larger than average 400-litre boot with myriad nets and a brilliant rubber floor mat, as well as lots of clever, spacious cabin storage. Well, apart from too-small centre console drink holders.

The rear space can handle older kids, who enjoy rear air vents and two of the car’s four USB-C ports.

Technology impresses, especially the 10.25-inch digital driver display. The central screen works swiftly and clearly, while wireless Apple CarPlay (only wired Android Auto) means we can overlook the lack of satnav.

Skoda’s Kamiq has ties to the VW Polo and Golf.

SAFETY

The Kamiq was awarded five stars in independent crash testing in 2019, scoring a 96 per cent adult occupant protection score, one of the best seen in a small SUV.

Seven airbags, front and rear auto emergency braking, lane-keep assist and adaptive cruise control are standard but there’s no blind-spot monitor or rear cross-traffic alert are key omissions.

Two Isofix points and three top tether anchors in the back seats make it a viable car for younger kids.

DRIVING

Other Kamiqs (the Monte Carlo is $41,990 and Signature $42,990 drive-away) use a gutsier 110kW four-cylinder petrol, but the Style’s three-cylinder isn’t without charms.

The turbo gives ample low-down shove for darting around the urban jungle but you must work it harder when joining highways or hitting the hills, especially with the family on-board.

Its dual clutch gearbox gives rapid shifts when up to speed, but in town and traffic – typical Kamiq ground – things can get tardy and jerky. Attempting quick three-point turns show it up the most.

The Kamiq is more expensive than before.

Otherwise it’s a superb urban SUV, dispatching bumps with minimum fuss and banishing the sounds of the city. Noise is more obvious at highway speed as the three-cylinder heavy breathes, but it belies its small size with comfortable cruising.

Show it a corner and it’s a fun, composed handler with solid, safe-feeling grip. Steering wheel paddles would be good to give greater control now Skoda’s removed the manual gearbox option.

We saw fuel use of 7L/100km against the official 5.4L/100km, and it demands pricier 95RON petrol.

VERDICT 3.5/5

An impressive small SUV, although recent price rises make it less compelling.

ALTERNATIVES

Kia Seltos Sport with Safety Pack, $33,790 drive-away

Good value, stylish, well-equipped and a great drive. Thirstier but larger inside.

Mazda CX-30 Pure with Vision Tech, $35,755 drive-away

Beautiful inside and out, drives with finesse, but smaller and thirstier.

Hyundai Kona Elite 2WD, $35,675 drive-away

Great all-rounder with leather seats and strong safety, but cabin and engine aren’t exciting.

SKODA KAMIQ 85TSI STYLE

PRICE $37,990 drive-away

ENGINE 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol, 85kW/200Nm

WARRANTY/SERVICING Seven-year/unlimited km, $1500 for five years

SAFETY Seven airbags, front and rear auto emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist

THIRST 5.4L/100km

CARGO 400 litres

SPARE Space saver

Originally published as 2022 Skoda Kamiq 85TSI Style new car review