We purchased one of the first Kamiqs in NSW ( so early we had to park it for the first week - not on any insurers databases ) 85kw -3 cyl . It’s a great car ! Plenty of tech ( CarPlay is problematic every now and then ) , very comfortable and a surprisingly agile. We have averaged 5.8/100 over the 18mths we have owned it. We purchased (with 5 year service pack ) for 31.5k drive away. Great informative review as always.
Same me I have purchased Skoda Karoq Ambition model in 2019 with 1.5 TSI and DSG for 28K from dealer in Melbourne. Now all Skodas are overpriced, they are not anymore good value for money, with the new fabia for 38k they must be kidding 😂
Have had my Kamiq Limited Edition for just over a year now and it's been great. Long term fuel economy is around 6.5L/100km in mostly suburban driving. Drops to low 5s on country runs and have even seen as low as 4.3L/100km for entire trips a few times in perfect traffic conditions. Interior is very roomy however the boot space is deceptive as its mostly vertical space. You would have an easier time fitting a bike into a CX30 or XV for instance. Ride can also be a bit firm as well with the low profile tyres. Oh and can we please get boot dimensions such as length and width instead of soccer balls? Surely it's easier to carry a tape measure with you rather than 35 soccer balls :)
I bought the Skoda Kamiq Ambition in a manual, but paid for the the glass roof, and velvet red paint. I got lucky and made my purchase in September 2021, however the car arrived in March 2022. Over the past 6 months the car has been absolutely brilliant. I have taken it to the ski fields in Victoria twice, , but the day to day is around the inner suburbs of Sydney. The info-tanement system has been great, the cabin feels comfortable and spacious, and the car is easy to park. I cannot recommend the car enough. The only down side is I did not get t he detachable torch light in the boot (I assume this is because of the semi-conductor shortage).
We bought my wife the signature model in Dec 2021 as we needed a little more room than our previous hatch. Wow, Considering this car is about 100mm shorter than a Corolla, you certainly wouldn’t know it. It leaves the equivalent priced Corolla for dead in terms of space, performance, comfort, fit and finish, probably almost everything except fuel economy when compared to hybrid only, although it still manages 5.5 l/100kms on a trip without trying. And yes I’ve owned around 8 Toyotas in my lifetime including 2 Corollas. If you enjoy driving as i do, give this little gem a try !
Is that including all the extra add one you need to tick? Pretty sure the amount of options Skoda has definately limits their appeal. While having options for some things are nice Skoda has it for things like blind spot monitoring I would argue are a auto include at 40K+, but they don't have options for ambient lighting packs which while pretty are lower on the list of priorities for the informed buyer.
@@jamesking7946 for kamiq signature only normal options are paint....and panoramic roof. Blind spot is standard (actually on hold ATM for many new kamiqs due to shortage) I think the reviewe was slightly off fact in that regard
I just got the kamiq signature, it's a great car. Initially put down a deposit on a kia seltos GT line but was put onto the Kamiq by a friend. It just feels a much better build and was a much nicer car to drive. Also the 7 year service and 7 year warranty for $2100 made it a cheaper option.
@@sudharsanrajesh1897 both are fine. It's a super comfortable ride, to be fair I'm comparing to a GT mustang😂. Impressed by both the sound system and ride noise, I feel like reviews go into a level of detail that is super picky. The other thing I love is when you drive around you don't see a thousand other kamiqs.
@@ruthgreene1687 Haha that's for sure and another reason why I went for a Kamiq. Glad the sound system is good on the long term. Yeap, I noticed that as well. They were very picky about the DCT on Kamiq and also about the CVT shift on some other car as well. But when I did the drive test, couldn't find anything different with the DCT at all.
Nice review John. I moved to Australia during the lockdown last year and I needed a car quickly. The Kamiq and Scala were on top of my list but the dealers simply did not have stock for the top spec model. Eventually, I went for Kia Cerato GT instead, which had a similar driveaway price, and had immediate stock with choices of colours. Skoda has to improve their supply chain in order to sell more cars. A small SUV mega test would be great. Would it be possible to compare the small SUVs and the small cars too? They may be two segments from the industry's standpoint but the prices are getting closer and closer.
John, I own a Skoda Karoq. It is nearly everything I could ask for. Your review of the Skoda Kamiq just underlines the value for money the Skoda/Kodiak/Karoq/Kamiq offers. I agree with the Chasing Cars opinion about the Skodas. A damn fine vehicle. Thanks John.
We have ordered a Skoda Karoq fully optioned with 8 speed auto. Unfortunately, its a longer wait period than anticipated. Its nearly 6 months now and haven't heard any news from Skoda. Fingers cross,might get the facelift car which is due to be launched in the 3rd Qtr. Just wanted to know your thoughts and personal experience since you own this car?
@@jspanga not really. Infact, skoda cars are cheaper to service than other European cars and for a matter of fact even some Korean car manufacturers, for example Kia. Thats one of the reasons I short listed Skoda among the likes of Toyota, Nissan and Mitsubishi. You can avail 7 years capped price servicing ($2181.82) which turns out to be cheaper in the long run. I found the fit and finish in a Skoda to be excellent compared to other car manufacturers. I have driven most of the cars in the small to mid suv segment. For example when i drove the Kia Seltos Gti i found the gear box was a bit sluggish and lot of road noise in the cabin. With the new Mitsubishi outlander, there was a lot of road noise due to 19" inch or 20"inch rims, and while driving there was a blind spot at the rear resulting in poor visibility and the engine fell short of expectations. However the interiors were well designed. Some are good cars, some fall short of expectations. At the end of the day no car is perfect. Pick a car that ticks most of the boxes. Hybrids do save you a lot of money initially but so do 1.4 ltr engines mapped to 8 speed autos with torque coverters. Toyota hybrids give between 4.9ltr to 5.7ltr per 100km. Skoda Karoq gives 5.9ltr to 6.7 ltr per 100 km. So the difference isn't much roughly 2 ltrs more which is lets say $4. Pick a car that compliments your driving stlye. I really liked the Toyota Rav4 but found the back seat wasn't comfortable enough but the boot space was substantial. As i said, no car is perfect every manufacturer does try and cut corners somewhere. Afterall one does business not out of love.
Your review is superb, thank you! I just test drove this car and loved how quiet it was but yet to compare with others you have mentioned are not so good.
My 2021 Kamiq LE has just completed it's first 12 months on the road. I've enjoyed driving some longer road trips (Sydney-Melbourne-Tasmania and return X2) which did include some 100kms of unsealed forestry roads in southern Tassie. It was well behaved, comfortable and averaged around 5.6lts/100km. The heated seats, which we never thought we would use, were fantastic in the zero degree evenings. I also found the fog lights useful to increase road visibility in torrential rain. These also double as the cornering headlights. Great value for money but don't buy it if you want to listen to AM radio.
my 85tsi is 1 1/2 year now of ownership ,optioned with pano roof and front tinted windows which i bought for over 32 k . Still run like new and even smell like new and always put a smile on my face every time i drive it, 200 nm of torque is more than enough to pull this little beauty and returns an average of 5.6 k/l it does help with the the rising fuel cost.
Have had a Monte Carlo for 14 months. Drives really well and the motor suits it with the torque especially. Seats and steering wheel are really nice and the newer LEDs are better than the ones on the prefacelift Kodiaq. Gets hot in summer sitting outside with the roof blind open but 1st world problem. 770kms before the fuel light comes on on long trips and that's open road driving at reasonable pace 😉 Impressive.
I am having Kamiq Signature for few months now. Love the space and quality. Only complaint probably is the gear box. Still learning to get used with DSG.
Great review. Very informative. I am looking to downsize from a VW Tiguan R Line series, coming on 5 years old, been such a beautiful car. The Kamiq Signature looks like a winner. I do high km’s per year and require a comfortable, safe and innovative car. Most other small SUV’s do not have electric driver seat settings and lumbar support. This is a must for myself as I am in the car daily driving high km’s. I will look to add blind spot as this for myself is essential.
ive ordered the kamiq in the uk and looking at alot of reviews so i done my homework. should be here mid december so really looking forward to actually driving it. great review
I had a very bad experience with the Skoda Kamiq. I had a minor accident, the car did not stop on its own and deployed all the airbags which seriously injured me even though I was alone in the car.
The reason why Australians aren't buying these in any decent numbers, is because you simply can't get one and if you do decide to buy one, you're looking at 6 months or longer to actually take delivery of it. Skoda Australia just cant' get any stock and it's not just the Kamiq, but every other Skoda being sold in Australia, trying to get stock into the country is ridiculous. Having said that though, the Skoda Kamiq is no longer the great buy it once was, especially with all the price increases. The base model 85TSI Auto 'Style' is now $38,000 on the road, that's around $7,000 up on the price from this time last year. The mid spec Renault Captur Zen is actually a better buy, with it's bigger and more powerful engine and bigger boot, at a lower price.
@@StevenG89 Correct! And what's even more mind blowing, the reintroduction of the 85TSI Style Auto is the same price as the outgoing 110TSI Ambition Auto, so you're getting the same car, but with a smaller engine, but at the same price as the outgoing car! We ordered an 85TSI Auto in April 2021, in Brilliant Silver and with a 5 year Care Plan, for $31,000 on the road, but we were told delivery wouldn't be until Feb/March of 2022, as Skoda Australia no longer had any stock of the 85TSI Auto in the country and they couldn't give us a realistic delivery date. In August 2021 we received a call from the dealer saying Skoda Australia were no longer going to import the 85TSI into Australia and that we'd have to move up to the 'Monte Carlo' spec, which would've pushed the price up to around $38,000 ... we ended up cancelling the order.
It’s not just Australia 😁 I’m from Slovenia (Europe) and I waited my kamiq for eight months 😱 I ordered it in the mittle September and just today got the call from seller that my car has finally arrived 🤟
I bought a 2021 Kamiq Monte Carlo with Travel Pack. With negotiating the price was $40K. Back then it felt like an absolute bargain. I have always agreed there is room for a base model with 17" alloys, manual air conditioning, no power tailgate etc.. I think the case is stronger than ever seeing as you can get a base Octavia for less. I also think they should offer a simply clever pack as they do overseas. It usually includes an adjustable boot floor, removable boot torch and 12v socket. Better yet make it standard. You can blame ADR for the lack of rear cupholders. Australia's requirement for a third child seat tether point means no armrest and cupholders like NZ and the UK Kamiq spec.
@@cityplanner3063 we're the only country in the world that requires three tether points to be classed as a five seat vehicle. Since Australia (tho only country to do so) mandated that ISOFIX be used with top tether points (circa 2012). More and more vehicles have lost the rear ski hatch. Citreon is a notable example where they actually had to redesign the whole rear seat of the C4 Cactus for Australia. It did gain split folding seats though, but it was all delayed by 2 years for our market. Another more recent example is that Honda have chosen to make the new HR-V a four seater for our market rather than to reengineer and comply. It can be done, but it's expensive when we are the only market that requires it. Plus it is wholly unnecessary to require the top tether in addition to ISOFIX. I'd suggest reviewers start pointing it out and maybe manufactures will change.
We test drove most of the Kamiq's competitors and short listed down to this, Subaru XV and the Renault Arkarna. We really liked the XV with its great ride, drive and fit and finish but is let down terribly by its CVT and lack of power. The Renault has good performance, looks up to date and sporty but I found I couldn't get comfortable due to my knees rubbing against its hard centre console edge. The Kamiq has the best combined features of the others and is easily the best of the 3 to drive. The looks have grown on me and in the end it was a easy decision to go with it. The only thing a little disappointing is its missing some of its key safety features such as Xtraffic alert and blind spot monitoring due to the semi conductor shortages. We ended up buying the race blue Signature and can't wait till it arrives.
I have had this exact specification/colour/roof for 1 month and 2600kms 6.6L on 50/50 highway / city cycle so far. Goes under 5L/100km on highway. If that is too much on fuel then the reintroduced 85tsi engine will do even better. Purchased 7 year service/7yr warranty, no brainer. Feels like a European car with Japanese brand peace of mind with that warranty. No issues to report. Nothing major to improve. Dealer was really good. I drive up to 50000 kms a year so wanted best value for money and lowish running costs while actually liking the car I'm in. Perfect for work and weekends. Only thing I would take over this (and pay for) would be a Rav 4 Cruiser Hybrid, which is a different price/class. I couldn't wait a year for one so happily got this. The quality feels much better than a CHR and is great to spend long periods of time in. Have not been uncomfortable once. Turning circle is really good. Easy to park. Car feels much bigger inside than it looks. There are small improvements like any car but overall pretty happy . The gearbox takes some getting used to from stop starts but it's not bad. I would have preferred electric handbrake but oh well. The engine is very punchy and pretty meaty. I feel like the most valid of any criticism is the price. It's gone up, but so has every car brand. The Car market is whack so with that in mind it still (in my mind) present good value. (Would like to see mega test!)
@@jhref I was driving a lexus hybrid which needed 95. Admittedly that would do 5.2L in city and country. So in town now a little more. But on highway tiny bit cheaper. As i do more highway km in future should be better. Hybrids better in town but on country not much difference. The kamiq turns half the cylinders off so does slightly better on the highway Overall don't mind paying a bit more as I'm in it so much
@@jhref It would only be roughly $120 extra per year when compared to a car that only requires regular 91. However that's assuming that the other car also gets 6.5L/100km. In the real world, something like a 2L Mazda CX30 is probably closer to 7.5L/100km, in which case it would actually cost more to fuel the Mazda over the course of a year. Plus don't forget that Mazda's capped price servicing has 10,000km intervals and excludes a bunch of extras such as cabin filters and brake fluid so over 5 years you're looking at over $2,000 compared with the Kamiq's $1500 over 5 years. *based on 15,000km annual, $1.50 regular price and $0.12 premium for 95.
I don’t think pricing is the issue considering the inherent engineering quality. I do think the frontal treatment is a little polarising. There is still a consumer sense that SKODA is a VW light. The biggest issue is really a lack of advertising and a relatively poor dealership network, particularly outside of major capital cities.
Definitely considering the Kamiq Monte Carlo. I wish I got it before the price hike. I saw a silver version in the carpark and it looked very handsome.
I kinda don't understand the direction Skoda is moving ... These are cars that appeal to masses and there's isn't manual even on sport versions ... No diesel
The biggest reason people are not buying a Skoda kamic or many other Skoda’s is there are not enough dealerships in Aus. We are a big dam country and need a much bigger dealer network. In Melbourne there only a hand full of Skoda outlets. Not good enough. If you are serious about us then at least give us a few more places to actually walk in & buy one from. Seriously there is a Mazda or Toyota dealer on most street corners they are everywhere so a lesson for other manufacturers increase your reach with more outlets please.
Here’s some “ballsy” feedback. The soccer ball ⚽️ measure is completely irrelevant unless you can clearly see where this sits against competitors. As it stands, it looks decidedly silly. Otherwise go to shopping bags or medium suitcases.
Like the look of this. Looking for an economical car with enough room for golf clubs. Currently have a 3l VF commodore evoke but fuel isn't getting any cheaper.
I test drove this car and love it. The steering went a bit funny though at times like juddered which i am not sure was right. But the ride was wonderful. I love the look and would like to buy one but yet to compare with others Would love to know the comparison for value and the mega test you mentioned.
Judders. may well have been the lane correction, when you wondered over the white lines. It can be switched off and doesn’t operate if you signal first 🤔
Great review on a great little car. I think it’s almost perfect except for a couple of things. The dry-clutch CVT and torsion beam rear suspension. Also, is there a cover for the panoramic moon-roof? I’d hate to think of the UV entering the car without it 😞
Can anyone tell me, what happens when you have signed a contract to buy a new car with all options, in January and then, a facelift model is introduced in July with options packs at a slightly higher costs, is the manufacturer still required to uphold his obligations and deliver the facelift version with all bells and whistles for no additional costs or the manufacturer will only include items mentioned in the previous offering in the option packs and not provide any additional items as they were not part of the contract as previously stated? The car has not yet been assigned a production number or date . Lastly, what are rights as a buyer of a new car for non-performace of a contract within the stipulated delivery timesof 6-9 months as mentioned in the contract.
Here is the thing. The contract for purchase for a new car will have terms and conditions on it where they specifically mention the rights of the seller and buyer. In one of the sub-sections its specifically mentioned if there is a change in the production year and a new face lift is coming out, then, the dealer is only entitled to pass on to the Purchaser, an increase of up to and including 5% (can vary as per car dealership), of the Total Factory Price of the Vehicle. There is no need to approach a consumer lawyer for your basic rights as a buyer.
You probably won't get anything so you can relax 😂 I'm waiting 4 months for my kamiq monte Carlo already and the dealer told me that they are just waiting for the 8 months period to end and they will just return my money back 😂 They are just wasting your time
@@dantebg100 you are probably right. Here is the thing, if there is a model change like in the case of the new Karoq, the entire price hike is passed on to the buyer. However, if there is no model change but a year change only, then, the dealership cannot pass on the entire price hike to the buyer. Lastly, the wait period for a new car at Skoda is atleast 9 to 15 months depending the new car you order. Most of the car dealerships write in their contract delivery times between 6 to 9 months knowing fully well they won't be able to honour those time frames. So when you question them about your new car, they say you have the option to refund your money. So in all, they are the winners and not us buyers since for 6 months or more not only they benefitted with our deposit sitting in their bank accounts earning interest but also conveniently pass on any extra car price hike to the buyer. So its a win win situation for the dealerships. And best of all, ACCC and Department of Commerce can do nothing about it. So here's to 'Consumer Rights of New Car Buyers'.
@@jameshinchy7758 Nope, Skoda recently dropped the Ambition model and brought back the 85TSI for $37,990. For comparison, last year I bought my Limited Edition model with metallic paint, glass roof and 5 year service pack for $37.5k
@@jameshinchy7758 What's even worse is that you can get an Octavia for only $500 more than the Kamiq 85TSI. Or you can save $4000 and get a Scala 110TSI instead.
its a gutless dog of a car, yes it might be quite but unless your over 2k revs it wont go up a hill or get you out of danger on a motorway if your in 5th.
@@rahusphere Safety or no safety...rash driving will cause death. Companies are just minting money with the pretext of safety. This is India, hardly the speeds are above 60 in the city. Sitting in a so called car with safety will not make you immortal.
Cons T-Roc T Roc 1.4L engine is less efficient than the newer Skoda 1.5L. (they have same power) TRoc has more interior plastics Even spending ove $50k Troc cant get electric seats.... Skoda has cheaper serviving and option of 7 years warranty. I found the driving dynamics of the Kamiq better than the TRoc. More agile and sporty (vs mid spec Troc). Subkectively, Skoda looks as good on exterior, but interior a step above (leather seats /suedia is nice). Pros for Troc: Can get a 2l engine if fuel efficiency doesnt matter to you, which is faster. Can also get AWD at $6k more expensive Maybe? has better resaale - TBC More brand recognition than Skoda
We purchased one of the first Kamiqs in NSW ( so early we had to park it for the first week - not on any insurers databases ) 85kw -3 cyl . It’s a great car ! Plenty of tech ( CarPlay is problematic every now and then ) , very comfortable and a surprisingly agile. We have averaged 5.8/100 over the 18mths we have owned it. We purchased (with 5 year service pack ) for 31.5k drive away. Great informative review as always.
Same me I have purchased Skoda Karoq Ambition model in 2019 with 1.5 TSI and DSG for 28K from dealer in Melbourne. Now all Skodas are overpriced, they are not anymore good value for money, with the new fabia for 38k they must be kidding 😂
Have had my Kamiq Limited Edition for just over a year now and it's been great. Long term fuel economy is around 6.5L/100km in mostly suburban driving. Drops to low 5s on country runs and have even seen as low as 4.3L/100km for entire trips a few times in perfect traffic conditions. Interior is very roomy however the boot space is deceptive as its mostly vertical space. You would have an easier time fitting a bike into a CX30 or XV for instance.
Ride can also be a bit firm as well with the low profile tyres.
Oh and can we please get boot dimensions such as length and width instead of soccer balls? Surely it's easier to carry a tape measure with you rather than 35 soccer balls :)
If only the CX30 had the visibility of the Kamiq.. How is the sound system btw?
I bought the Skoda Kamiq Ambition in a manual, but paid for the the glass roof, and velvet red paint. I got lucky and made my purchase in September 2021, however the car arrived in March 2022. Over the past 6 months the car has been absolutely brilliant. I have taken it to the ski fields in Victoria twice, , but the day to day is around the inner suburbs of Sydney. The info-tanement system has been great, the cabin feels comfortable and spacious, and the car is easy to park. I cannot recommend the car enough. The only down side is I did not get t he detachable torch light in the boot (I assume this is because of the semi-conductor shortage).
We bought my wife the signature model in Dec 2021 as we needed a little more room than our previous hatch. Wow, Considering this car is about 100mm shorter than a Corolla, you certainly wouldn’t know it. It leaves the equivalent priced Corolla for dead in terms of space, performance, comfort, fit and finish, probably almost everything except fuel economy when compared to hybrid only, although it still manages 5.5 l/100kms on a trip without trying. And yes I’ve owned around 8 Toyotas in my lifetime including 2 Corollas. If you enjoy driving as i do, give this little gem a try !
I don't know why reviewers say these are expensive. The top of the range Kia Seltos is $1,000 more on road. And yes please to a mega test!
Expensive for what they are and the cars that they are based on.... Now thats the entire segment and not restricted to just the Skoda.
Is that including all the extra add one you need to tick? Pretty sure the amount of options Skoda has definately limits their appeal. While having options for some things are nice Skoda has it for things like blind spot monitoring I would argue are a auto include at 40K+, but they don't have options for ambient lighting packs which while pretty are lower on the list of priorities for the informed buyer.
@@jamesking7946 for kamiq signature only normal options are paint....and panoramic roof.
Blind spot is standard (actually on hold ATM for many new kamiqs due to shortage) I think the reviewe was slightly off fact in that regard
its expensive than jetta but inside is basically same.
The amount of road noise makes you wonder if its worth it. Driven the 1.6 Gti, wasn't impressed.
I just got the kamiq signature, it's a great car. Initially put down a deposit on a kia seltos GT line but was put onto the Kamiq by a friend. It just feels a much better build and was a much nicer car to drive. Also the 7 year service and 7 year warranty for $2100 made it a cheaper option.
I’m getting mine delivered on 26th! Very excited. How’s the cabin noise in the vehicle and the speaker system for music?
@@sudharsanrajesh1897 both are fine. It's a super comfortable ride, to be fair I'm comparing to a GT mustang😂. Impressed by both the sound system and ride noise, I feel like reviews go into a level of detail that is super picky. The other thing I love is when you drive around you don't see a thousand other kamiqs.
@@ruthgreene1687 Haha that's for sure and another reason why I went for a Kamiq. Glad the sound system is good on the long term.
Yeap, I noticed that as well. They were very picky about the DCT on Kamiq and also about the CVT shift on some other car as well. But when I did the drive test, couldn't find anything different with the DCT at all.
Nice review John. I moved to Australia during the lockdown last year and I needed a car quickly. The Kamiq and Scala were on top of my list but the dealers simply did not have stock for the top spec model. Eventually, I went for Kia Cerato GT instead, which had a similar driveaway price, and had immediate stock with choices of colours. Skoda has to improve their supply chain in order to sell more cars.
A small SUV mega test would be great. Would it be possible to compare the small SUVs and the small cars too? They may be two segments from the industry's standpoint but the prices are getting closer and closer.
John, I own a Skoda Karoq. It is nearly everything I could ask for. Your review of the Skoda Kamiq just underlines the value for money the Skoda/Kodiak/Karoq/Kamiq offers. I agree with the Chasing Cars opinion about the Skodas. A damn fine vehicle. Thanks John.
We have ordered a Skoda Karoq fully optioned with 8 speed auto. Unfortunately, its a longer wait period than anticipated. Its nearly 6 months now and haven't heard any news from Skoda. Fingers cross,might get the facelift car which is due to be launched in the 3rd Qtr. Just wanted to know your thoughts and personal experience since you own this car?
Wouldn't servicing it cost you an arm an a leg being a European car in Aus?
@@jspanga not really. Infact, skoda cars are cheaper to service than other European cars and for a matter of fact even some Korean car manufacturers, for example Kia. Thats one of the reasons I short listed Skoda among the likes of Toyota, Nissan and Mitsubishi. You can avail 7 years capped price servicing ($2181.82) which turns out to be cheaper in the long run. I found the fit and finish in a Skoda to be excellent compared to other car manufacturers. I have driven most of the cars in the small to mid suv segment. For example when i drove the Kia Seltos Gti i found the gear box was a bit sluggish and lot of road noise in the cabin. With the new Mitsubishi outlander, there was a lot of road noise due to 19" inch or 20"inch rims, and while driving there was a blind spot at the rear resulting in poor visibility and the engine fell short of expectations. However the interiors were well designed. Some are good cars, some fall short of expectations. At the end of the day no car is perfect. Pick a car that ticks most of the boxes. Hybrids do save you a lot of money initially but so do 1.4 ltr engines mapped to 8 speed autos with torque coverters. Toyota hybrids give between 4.9ltr to 5.7ltr per 100km. Skoda Karoq gives 5.9ltr to 6.7 ltr per 100 km. So the difference isn't much roughly 2 ltrs more which is lets say $4. Pick a car that compliments your driving stlye. I really liked the Toyota Rav4 but found the back seat wasn't comfortable enough but the boot space was substantial. As i said, no car is perfect every manufacturer does try and cut corners somewhere. Afterall one does business not out of love.
Your review is superb, thank you! I just test drove this car and loved how quiet it was but yet to compare with others you have mentioned are not so good.
❤
My 2021 Kamiq LE has just completed it's first 12 months on the road. I've enjoyed driving some longer road trips (Sydney-Melbourne-Tasmania and return X2) which did include some 100kms of unsealed forestry roads in southern Tassie. It was well behaved, comfortable and averaged around 5.6lts/100km. The heated seats, which we never thought we would use, were fantastic in the zero degree evenings. I also found the fog lights useful to increase road visibility in torrential rain. These also double as the cornering headlights. Great value for money but don't buy it if you want to listen to AM radio.
How is the sound system btw?
my 85tsi is 1 1/2 year now of ownership ,optioned with pano roof and front tinted windows which i bought for over 32 k . Still run like new and even smell like new and always put a smile on my face every time i drive it, 200 nm of torque is more than enough to pull this little beauty and returns an average of 5.6 k/l it does help with the the rising fuel cost.
Have had a Monte Carlo for 14 months. Drives really well and the motor suits it with the torque especially. Seats and steering wheel are really nice and the newer LEDs are better than the ones on the prefacelift Kodiaq. Gets hot in summer sitting outside with the roof blind open but 1st world problem.
770kms before the fuel light comes on on long trips and that's open road driving at reasonable pace 😉 Impressive.
How was the sound system btw?
I am having Kamiq Signature for few months now. Love the space and quality. Only complaint probably is the gear box. Still learning to get used with DSG.
Solution - drive faster 👌🤣
Great review. Very informative. I am looking to downsize from a VW Tiguan R Line series, coming on 5 years old, been such a beautiful car. The Kamiq Signature looks like a winner. I do high km’s per year and require a comfortable, safe and innovative car. Most other small SUV’s do not have electric driver seat settings and lumbar support. This is a must for myself as I am in the car daily driving high km’s. I will look to add blind spot as this for myself is essential.
Good choice. I do high kms and it's been great
@@PH-kl5qq Does sport mode help with moving away from a stop at the lights with the dual-clutch transmission?
ive ordered the kamiq in the uk and looking at alot of reviews so i done my homework. should be here mid december so really looking forward to actually driving it. great review
I had a very bad experience with the Skoda Kamiq. I had a minor accident, the car did not stop on its own and deployed all the airbags which seriously injured me even though I was alone in the car.
Ive got the 2021 Kamiq Monte carlo love it!
Yeah I have one in grey it's the nuts, love it
When dos You ordered your Kamiq and when did the car arrive ? I've ordered mine in October 2021 and still waiting.
@@teodor-florinbotezatu1147 I got mine within a week back in august as it was already on the lot
The reason why Australians aren't buying these in any decent numbers, is because you simply can't get one and if you do decide to buy one, you're looking at 6 months or longer to actually take delivery of it. Skoda Australia just cant' get any stock and it's not just the Kamiq, but every other Skoda being sold in Australia, trying to get stock into the country is ridiculous.
Having said that though, the Skoda Kamiq is no longer the great buy it once was, especially with all the price increases. The base model 85TSI Auto 'Style' is now $38,000 on the road, that's around $7,000 up on the price from this time last year. The mid spec Renault Captur Zen is actually a better buy, with it's bigger and more powerful engine and bigger boot, at a lower price.
No 85 TSI any more, 110 TSI for the whole series
@@waynewang5154 Ambition 110TSI was recently dropped and replaced by the 85TSI for $37,990.
@@StevenG89 Correct! And what's even more mind blowing, the reintroduction of the 85TSI Style Auto is the same price as the outgoing 110TSI Ambition Auto, so you're getting the same car, but with a smaller engine, but at the same price as the outgoing car!
We ordered an 85TSI Auto in April 2021, in Brilliant Silver and with a 5 year Care Plan, for $31,000 on the road, but we were told delivery wouldn't be until Feb/March of 2022, as Skoda Australia no longer had any stock of the 85TSI Auto in the country and they couldn't give us a realistic delivery date. In August 2021 we received a call from the dealer saying Skoda Australia were no longer going to import the 85TSI into Australia and that we'd have to move up to the 'Monte Carlo' spec, which would've pushed the price up to around $38,000 ... we ended up cancelling the order.
@@StevenG89 That sucks
It’s not just Australia 😁 I’m from Slovenia (Europe) and I waited my kamiq for eight months 😱 I ordered it in the mittle September and just today got the call from seller that my car has finally arrived 🤟
Great review and a mega test is a great idea
I love my Skoda Monte Carlo in fire truck red :)
I love my 2012 Skoda Monte Carlo 5 speed manual white with black roof. Had it since new, still a pleasure to drive.
Road Noise seems to be an issue with many cars.
Important reminder:
Always test drive cars on course chip roads.
I agree, David. Low road is a must on my next new car
I meant '. Low road noise' is a must on my next new car
I bought a 2021 Kamiq Monte Carlo with Travel Pack. With negotiating the price was $40K. Back then it felt like an absolute bargain. I have always agreed there is room for a base model with 17" alloys, manual air conditioning, no power tailgate etc.. I think the case is stronger than ever seeing as you can get a base Octavia for less.
I also think they should offer a simply clever pack as they do overseas. It usually includes an adjustable boot floor, removable boot torch and 12v socket. Better yet make it standard.
You can blame ADR for the lack of rear cupholders. Australia's requirement for a third child seat tether point means no armrest and cupholders like NZ and the UK Kamiq spec.
Other brands are able to put rear seat cup holders?
@@cityplanner3063 we're the only country in the world that requires three tether points to be classed as a five seat vehicle.
Since Australia (tho only country to do so) mandated that ISOFIX be used with top tether points (circa 2012). More and more vehicles have lost the rear ski hatch. Citreon is a notable example where they actually had to redesign the whole rear seat of the C4 Cactus for Australia. It did gain split folding seats though, but it was all delayed by 2 years for our market.
Another more recent example is that Honda have chosen to make the new HR-V a four seater for our market rather than to reengineer and comply.
It can be done, but it's expensive when we are the only market that requires it. Plus it is wholly unnecessary to require the top tether in addition to ISOFIX.
I'd suggest reviewers start pointing it out and maybe manufactures will change.
Yeah, a small suv megatest would be great.
EXCELLENT EXCELLENT review.
10/10.
It seems like a wonderful car. I like the boxy , slightly wagon design compared to something like the T Cross
Great review!
Such a large gear stick in a compact SUV. Manual handbrake amazing!!
We test drove most of the Kamiq's competitors and short listed down to this, Subaru XV and the Renault Arkarna. We really liked the XV with its great ride, drive and fit and finish but is let down terribly by its CVT and lack of power. The Renault has good performance, looks up to date and sporty but I found I couldn't get comfortable due to my knees rubbing against its hard centre console edge. The Kamiq has the best combined features of the others and is easily the best of the 3 to drive. The looks have grown on me and in the end it was a easy decision to go with it. The only thing a little disappointing is its missing some of its key safety features such as Xtraffic alert and blind spot monitoring due to the semi conductor shortages. We ended up buying the race blue Signature and can't wait till it arrives.
I have had this exact specification/colour/roof for 1 month and 2600kms
6.6L on 50/50 highway / city cycle so far.
Goes under 5L/100km on highway. If that is too much on fuel then the reintroduced 85tsi engine will do even better.
Purchased 7 year service/7yr warranty, no brainer. Feels like a European car with Japanese brand peace of mind with that warranty.
No issues to report. Nothing major to improve. Dealer was really good.
I drive up to 50000 kms a year so wanted best value for money and lowish running costs while actually liking the car I'm in. Perfect for work and weekends. Only thing I would take over this (and pay for) would be a Rav 4 Cruiser Hybrid, which is a different price/class. I couldn't wait a year for one so happily got this. The quality feels much better than a CHR and is great to spend long periods of time in.
Have not been uncomfortable once. Turning circle is really good. Easy to park. Car feels much bigger inside than it looks.
There are small improvements like any car but overall pretty happy . The gearbox takes some getting used to from stop starts but it's not bad. I would have preferred electric handbrake but oh well. The engine is very punchy and pretty meaty.
I feel like the most valid of any criticism is the price. It's gone up, but so has every car brand. The Car market is whack so with that in mind it still (in my mind) present good value.
(Would like to see mega test!)
Premium fuel only?
@@jhref yeah 95 minimum
@@PH-kl5qq has that hurt at the pump? That's quite the price premium.
@@jhref I was driving a lexus hybrid which needed 95. Admittedly that would do 5.2L in city and country. So in town now a little more. But on highway tiny bit cheaper. As i do more highway km in future should be better.
Hybrids better in town but on country not much difference. The kamiq turns half the cylinders off so does slightly better on the highway
Overall don't mind paying a bit more as I'm in it so much
@@jhref It would only be roughly $120 extra per year when compared to a car that only requires regular 91. However that's assuming that the other car also gets 6.5L/100km. In the real world, something like a 2L Mazda CX30 is probably closer to 7.5L/100km, in which case it would actually cost more to fuel the Mazda over the course of a year.
Plus don't forget that Mazda's capped price servicing has 10,000km intervals and excludes a bunch of extras such as cabin filters and brake fluid so over 5 years you're looking at over $2,000 compared with the Kamiq's $1500 over 5 years.
*based on 15,000km annual, $1.50 regular price and $0.12 premium for 95.
I don’t think pricing is the issue considering the inherent engineering quality.
I do think the frontal treatment is a little polarising.
There is still a consumer sense that SKODA is a VW light.
The biggest issue is really a lack of advertising and a relatively poor dealership network, particularly outside of major capital cities.
That’s true. When I was looking to buy a new car didn’t even think of Skoda until I saw a review on it
Definitely considering the Kamiq Monte Carlo. I wish I got it before the price hike. I saw a silver version in the carpark and it looked very handsome.
I’ve had a Kamiq Monte Carlo in race blue for 3 weeks and it’s hands down the best car I’ve ever had. You won’t regret it👍
I have a monte Carlo in grey, it's a brilliant car, if you get one you won't regret it
Indian version of kamiq is kushaq with same engine Power and torque.
I kinda don't understand the direction Skoda is moving ... These are cars that appeal to masses and there's isn't manual even on sport versions ... No diesel
The biggest reason people are not buying a Skoda kamic or many other Skoda’s is there are not enough dealerships in Aus. We are a big dam country and need a much bigger dealer network. In Melbourne there only a hand full of Skoda outlets. Not good enough. If you are serious about us then at least give us a few more places to actually walk in & buy one from. Seriously there is a Mazda or Toyota dealer on most street corners they are everywhere so a lesson for other manufacturers increase your reach with more outlets please.
Hopefully will scale up. Skoda has been increasing so fingers crossed
Here’s some “ballsy” feedback.
The soccer ball ⚽️ measure is completely irrelevant unless you can clearly see where this sits against competitors.
As it stands, it looks decidedly silly.
Otherwise go to shopping bags or medium suitcases.
Which fuel does it need 95 Ron?
Felicidades, buen trabajo. Durante la prueba has notado algún crujido o ruido extraño en salpicadero o habitáculo mientras conducías, gracias
Love my Skodi!
My Octavia RS wagon is the cat’s pyjamas👍
Great review!
Like the look of this. Looking for an economical car with enough room for golf clubs. Currently have a 3l VF commodore evoke but fuel isn't getting any cheaper.
You wont regret it
I test drove this car and love it. The steering went a bit funny though at times like juddered which i am not sure was right. But the ride was wonderful. I love the look and would like to buy one but yet to compare with others Would love to know the comparison for value and the mega test you mentioned.
Judders. may well have been the lane correction, when you wondered over the white lines. It can be switched off and doesn’t operate if you signal
first 🤔
I'm working if you've tested the 6sp Manual?
how does it compare to a kia xceed? or mazda cx 30?
Is this any diesel varient option?
Smaller then cx30? Yea, outside.. but insade is the Kamiq larger..
Poor sales because there is/was no stock!!!! Also they got rid of the 3cyl turbo, WHY????
It's back now in base model Style
Didn’t these use to be $31k??? Do we get anything else for the price rise?
No!
A 7 year warranty
Great review on a great little car.
I think it’s almost perfect except for a couple of things. The dry-clutch CVT and torsion beam rear suspension.
Also, is there a cover for the panoramic moon-roof? I’d hate to think of the UV entering the car without it 😞
The glass filters out 100% uv. And yep there is a cover to block the sun light and minimise warmth. Feels like it blocks 95% light. I like it
Can anyone tell me, what happens when you have signed a contract to buy a new car with all options, in January and then, a facelift model is introduced in July with options packs at a slightly higher costs, is the manufacturer still required to uphold his obligations and deliver the facelift version with all bells and whistles for no additional costs or the manufacturer will only include items mentioned in the previous offering in the option packs and not provide any additional items as they were not part of the contract as previously stated? The car has not yet been assigned a production number or date . Lastly, what are rights as a buyer of a new car for non-performace of a contract within the stipulated delivery timesof 6-9 months as mentioned in the contract.
Best to ask a consumer lawyer these questions
@@chasingcars will do. Thanks.
Here is the thing. The contract for purchase for a new car will have terms and conditions on it where they specifically mention the rights of the seller and buyer. In one of the sub-sections its specifically mentioned if there is a change in the production year and a new face lift is coming out, then, the dealer is only entitled to pass on to the Purchaser, an increase of up to and including 5% (can vary as per car dealership), of the Total Factory Price of the Vehicle. There is no need to approach a consumer lawyer for your basic rights as a buyer.
You probably won't get anything so you can relax 😂
I'm waiting 4 months for my kamiq monte Carlo already and the dealer told me that they are just waiting for the 8 months period to end and they will just return my money back 😂
They are just wasting your time
@@dantebg100 you are probably right. Here is the thing, if there is a model change like in the case of the new Karoq, the entire price hike is passed on to the buyer. However, if there is no model change but a year change only, then, the dealership cannot pass on the entire price hike to the buyer. Lastly, the wait period for a new car at Skoda is atleast 9 to 15 months depending the new car you order. Most of the car dealerships write in their contract delivery times between 6 to 9 months knowing fully well they won't be able to honour those time frames. So when you question them about your new car, they say you have the option to refund your money. So in all, they are the winners and not us buyers since for 6 months or more not only they benefitted with our deposit sitting in their bank accounts earning interest but also conveniently pass on any extra car price hike to the buyer. So its a win win situation for the dealerships. And best of all, ACCC and Department of Commerce can do nothing about it. So here's to 'Consumer Rights of New Car Buyers'.
I like your watch.
Good video
Why, cause Australians are going for the Japanese and Korean build cars...
The models stock is pretty close to sold out lol
I wouldn’t buy econobox but with red/blue/orange because when the time comes to resell you will get punished.
Had Skoda lauched this car instead of Kushaq which looks much smaller than Seltos, it would've been a hit.
Value proposition has gone for sure
The 85kW model is coming back which will be around 30K probably
@@jameshinchy7758 Nope, Skoda recently dropped the Ambition model and brought back the 85TSI for $37,990. For comparison, last year I bought my Limited Edition model with metallic paint, glass roof and 5 year service pack for $37.5k
@@StevenG89 oh okay yeah that’s a bit rough
All cars are expensive atm
@@jameshinchy7758 What's even worse is that you can get an Octavia for only $500 more than the Kamiq 85TSI. Or you can save $4000 and get a Scala 110TSI instead.
Kamiq is the last best looking car we have. All cars now look like the designers were college interns
Please if its not leather do not use the word thanks
It's a bit expensive for what they are, not really an SUV, it's just a wagon.
Retro mindset of Skoda...selling cars without 360 camera and other new features. That is why they are losing market to others.
surprisingly they dont even learn.
Skoda cars are not as great value as they once used to be
Fair call
An umbrella that will never get used is the opposite of practical.
Err, I use mine all the time. Very practical actually.
I now own an umbrella thanks to this car lol 😆
@@PH-kl5qq same😉
its a gutless dog of a car, yes it might be quite but unless your over 2k revs it wont go up a hill or get you out of danger on a motorway if your in 5th.
No it's not lol, heaps of overtaking power , it's very light
Suzuki offers all features in India in a $12000 car
with zero safety lol
@@rahusphere Safety or no safety...rash driving will cause death. Companies are just minting money with the pretext of safety. This is India, hardly the speeds are above 60 in the city. Sitting in a so called car with safety will not make you immortal.
36 footballs.... none of this soccer stuff....
Tuckertrrr
how much does skoda pay you to advertise umbrellas in doors
Pros and cons of a T-Roc vs a Kamiq?
Cons T-Roc
T Roc 1.4L engine is less efficient than the newer Skoda 1.5L. (they have same power)
TRoc has more interior plastics
Even spending ove $50k Troc cant get electric seats....
Skoda has cheaper serviving and option of 7 years warranty. I found the driving dynamics of the Kamiq better than the TRoc. More agile and sporty (vs mid spec Troc).
Subkectively, Skoda looks as good on exterior, but interior a step above (leather seats /suedia is nice).
Pros for Troc: Can get a 2l engine if fuel efficiency doesnt matter to you, which is faster.
Can also get AWD at $6k more expensive
Maybe? has better resaale - TBC
More brand recognition than Skoda