You can argue that any small FWD SUV for $37k is too much, however I think if you compare it to it's competitors it is quite well priced. A similarly equipped Mazda CX30 G20 Astina is over $43k and has a gutless engine. Same story with the Subaru XV. Eclipse Cross and Kia Seltos with similar turbo engines and features both start in the high 30s as well. You can argue that those rivals are larger however even though the Kamiq is smaller externally than most, its great interior packaging means that it can hold its own against larger rivals. Another thing that needs to be considered is the cost of servicing. The Kamiq offers a 5 year service pack for $1400 which makes it cheaper than pretty much everything except for the Yaris Cross. The mechanically identical VW T-Cross is around $1900 for the same 5 years and the CX30 is also around $1900, however would be even higher if you do more than 10,000km a year. The XV would cost you $2500 to service over the same 5 years!
Great car. It’s not overpriced. Many competitor product at similar pricing. This small SUV category is very popular nowadays. Not everyone wants or needs a bigger vehicle. And this Skoda is very space efficient with good space in Row 2 and a decent sized boot. Many people r happy to pay $ 40 k so that they get a high amount of features with the vehicle. They want this sized vehicle, but not a base spec version of it.
DSG is not an issue, you just need to understand it and work with it. I have had DSG based VW and Skoda for a long time now and always know what the gearbox is doing. The tap on the accelerator should define how the DSG behaves and its upto the driver to ensure this.
As a mk7 golf driver I can agree with needing to understand and work with the DSG. I can pretty much make it do exactly what I want with my right foot. You need to know what gear your in and have precise and purposeful throttle inputs.
I do love all of the thoughtfulness features I.e the cup holder rubber has raised bits so you can open a bottle with one hand, the fact that the boot floor has carpet on one side and practical rubber on the other or that the cap for the rain washer filler also doubles as a funnel
Recently test drove one of these after watching this video and tried to emulate the transmission jerky take of from start and in heavy traffic but found it smooth and responsive. We test drove a number of its competitors and apart from the CX 30 found this transmission to be the best of them. As per price wise it compares well with the CX 30 sp20, Renault Captur, the XV Subaru, it’s VW siblings and all the Korean brands. Fit and finish it is better than most and we found it was the best car to drive. Picked a Race Blue one and waiting for it arrival in Oct 22.
@@khelgarironfist3301You need the larger mirrors on the CX 30 because the all round visibility isn’t as good as the Kamiq. This is partly due to the shape of the roofline and higher door lines making the cabin seem closed in. The CX 30 is a nice car but I found the ride a little to firm and the 2 ltr engine a little sluggish compared to the Kamiq. The 2.5 engine would be the better choice but adds another few k to the price. The transmission in the Mazda is the best of all the cars we test drove but over all we found the Skoda to be best drive. We just hope it will be as reliable as the Mazda in the long run.
I have the 1.0L base model Style Kamiq and I thought it had a lot included for the base model and significantly cheaper. I’m very happy with mine and glad I got the one I did opposed to spending the extra.
@@ahsanmalik1013 The jerkyness is because of it having dry clutches. The DSG7s in higher tier cars have wet clutches so they don't jerk that much. And the DSG6 was only available with dry clutches I think.
@@dannulik Dual clutch does jerk regardless of whether it is wet or dry. 6-speed dsg is wet clutch based on dq250 whereas you get tons of 7-speed dsg such as dq200 for dry clutch, and wet clutch for dq381, dq500 and pdk. Since it is computerized, it is unable to decide on low gear whether to move forward or reverse, park or neutral since even if you park without handbrake or parking brake, the car may roll since on low gear where the deciding factor is and reliant on computerized intelligent ratio.
@@ahsanmalik1013 You are right. Got the boxes mixed up (wet vs dry). I personally have not experienced any "jerkyness" when using different DSGs. Maybe I just didn't noticed them.
You’d use the key in the door lock if the proximity system fails - due to flat battery etc. Also those are roof rails (not roof rack). The rack(s) goes across the vehicle not along it and sits atop the rails. Also rails usually aren’t removable whereas a rack(s) are. Lol
Driven a few Skoda's in Europe. Found the best drive was to leave it in sports mode as the DCT lost the lag and yet there was no real change in fuel usage. Wonder if the Kamiq will be the same.
I have the 85tsi kamiq and like you said it's better value for money, the solid premium feel of the cabin and the ride and handling sold me instantly, I optioned it with panoramic sunroof. 3 month of owning it I kinda get used to the jerkiness on the lower revs.
The Dab+ thing is linked to a few other features like memory seats linked to individual keys. Same module that's not included in Australian cars anymore. The Karoq has had memory seats and Dab+ deleted for 2021 as well.
@@CarExpertAus I would love it if it worked in Sydney properly. Doesn't work in most tunnels, drops out on the Pacific Highway at Artarmon. Has done so since i've had a DAB car in 2015 - never improved. DAB+ sucks.
@@CarExpertAusIn Australia. DAB is non existent unless you live in a big city. I find internet radio via 4g is a much better option if you have some spare data allaowance.
Agree on the front lights. Can't compare price from UK, but most manufacturers are creeping their products up market, priced accordingly [+]. Useful review😊
I sat in one of these over the weekend. They're surprisingly well packaged in terms of interior space. SKODA have improved a lot over the last five years.
Compared back to back with VW T-Cross, and skoda had heaps more rear legroom; totally different cars only thing in common is the MQBa platform and Infotainment system
@@andyrobb18 Vw develops the engine, MQB platform, gearbox, and all other subsystems in the car . skoda and seat. are sister companies of VW, they just make small changes in interior layout and exterior panel and launch the cars . Skoda doesn't develop cars , it just uses Vw cars , makes some modifications to body panels and interior layout VW polo = fabia VW Vento = rapid VW Tcross = Kamiq VW Tiguan = karoq VW Tiguan all space = kodiaq VW Passat = superb
@@myt3734 Sure all the money goes to VW...not sure what that has to do with comparing vehicles? As I said I did back to back comparison, and they are very different vehicles...but hey what would I know
I had to reverse from an underground car park once (gate was broken, really steep to get back out) in a dual clutch Ford Mondeo diesel and it couldn't do it. It would either sit there burning the clutches or lurch backwards like it was dumping the clutch. Took me lot's of goes, it was appalling and embarrassing. But then, I also had an Audi A5 with a dual clutch and it was a much better gearbox though it still jerked a bit. Keep calling out issues like that. It's much appreciated.
I drive a SKODA Yeti 2012 1.8L turbo, 112TSI. Kamiq looks similar. I would not go back to standard automatic. Love it's DSG. I don't get any kind of shudder or sluggishness with it. In fact at traffic lights, if I am at the first car at the stop line, I take off much faster than most cars and by the time I touch 80kmph (the city speed limit in Abu Dhabi) others may be just picking speed. Love the ergonomics of Yeti - cruise control switch, wiper control, lamps, info display, phone / music control all in reach. All those boxes and compartments and hooks. Simply Clever. Yes a/c is a bit weak for the climate in ME. 8 years and 100k with 20k in desert / dirt track. It's Haldex has taken me out of soft sand and loose soil many times. So far no mechanical issues. I am sitting on the fence if to leave Skoda camp to VW Tiguan / Mazda CX5 /Jeep Compass OR pick a Karoq or Kodiaq.
Avoid the Jeep products. They're not there yet quality wise. The Kodiaq Scout is pretty good for off-road. Maybe consider a Subaru Forester as well for off-road driving.
Not the top model. The Monte Carlo is. It's a 7 speed DSG by the way. You are throttling it too hard off the line. Let the clutches engage and the turbo spool for half a second and your fine. Only a light touch on the pedal off the line then go for it. The haptic feedback works with a flat hand toward the base of the screen✋ not a finger flick. Thanks for the review though.
The MY21 range, including the Limited Edition, has deleted the cargo nets and the removable torch. The torch was replaced with a standard boot light. The MY21 does feature a better steering wheel though. It should be noted that even though it has the upgraded 9.2" display, it DOES NOT have the upgraded sound system. Very weird and disappointing decision by Skoda. The only way to get the 110 kw engine in a Kamiq and the upgraded sound system, which sounds amazing, is to get the Monte Carlo optioned up... You're talking $40k+ though! Otherwise, you option up a standard Scala to get a 110 kw engine + the sound system. EDIT: The MY21 does feature wireless Android Auto :)
Good video but learning that a lot of these features are costly options in the UK: Wireless charging? £245, electric adjusting seats? £500. Electric tailgate? £450. Parking camera? £230 The car comes out closer to £30k with all these extras.
Thanks for the review. I think it’s a great car but the dry-clutch DCT is a deal breaker. I don’t think a DCT is a bad fit for the Kamiq but must be wet-clutch.
I drove this car today. I liked it. However I felt it was under-powered, and it has a pronounced torque steering effect (to the right) when you accelerate hard. Apart from that, OK. But the panorama roof should be included for the asking price.
I think the reason manufacturers are putting the flip out keys on the key fobs is to unlock the car when the key battery or car battery dies but correct me if I’m wrong
I test drove one a few weeks ago and was impressed with a lot of the features but the stop start jerkiness with the transmission is the deal breaker for me
This would be worthwhile getting in a manual :D One of the few cars left isn't sport-oriented, that can be optioned with features (such as sunroof, leather seats) and still come with a manual transmission.
Great review as always Paul. I driven a few dual clutch VW's/Skoda's/Audi's. The only one I liked was in a TT. That initial hesitation and jerkiness is a pain. This car too expensive, car companies have cunningly gradually upped prices on Suv's leaving the lower priced better performing sedans in the wake!!
We got a Monte Carlo as still beat everyone else on the motor and interior. Only disappointment is the manual handbrake and no auto hold although we live in the sticks so don't have to stop much.
I'm totally agree with you. Base model is the best value for money. Also SKODA offer pretty good service cost if you pre-purchase for 5 years( It's cheaper than any other Korean and Japanese car company- except for Toyota)
We just bought a 2023 signature for a get around car our other car is a 2022 ram Laramie and have found its driving manners fantastic , its adaptive cruise unreal , very smooth and powerful engine and comfortable seats , it beat the Hyundai and Mazda hands down
Couple of things you can do with the physical key is to lock back doors for the child safety feature so they can't be opened from inside and also to open the boot from inside.
I gotta say, I think the Kamiq is probably the best in it's class. Compared to the Yaris cross, Puma and CX-3, I think it's a better package. The CX-30 is pretty good too but not sure if that is a class up?
@@cityplanner3063 Can't go wrong with either of those, great cars and best in their class for sure, but I'd only go for the 2.5 in the CX-30, not the 2.0.
@@cityplanner3063 Have you driven the CX-30 yet? How did you find the visibility in it? Its windows seem small from outside, but all the mirrors seem bigger than Kamiq's.
we have had 2 VW GTI's with DCT and have a Cerato GT with DCT and they are just great if you understand how to use them...People who complain about them are probably used to, and prefer an auto .. they are not the same - but they are more efficient than an auto and have much better "feel" for driving engagement...
Finally ... Long wait is over ... Thank u Paul... Lovely review as always .. lower trim levels are better value for money than Monte Carlo or one trim below that...
I have a Golf Alltrack with (I presume) the same 6-speed DSG. It can be jerky from a standstill if you tromp it but if you are gentle it is better - but not always. I have also found that if you use the Auto Hold it appears to eliminate that. Putting it in Sports mode also makes the shifts quicker but the trade-off is a lot more revs and noise. Best way overall is Manual mode - smooth and fun too!
"You're got a flip out key for some reason" "I can't see anywhere you would actually use that flip out key, so interesting" Best car review comments of the month. I do like to be informed and amused at the same time - so well done! Oh & I've been driving an Audi A5 with a dual cluck gearbox (after driving torque converter automatics for some time) and am not sure why you dislike them so much??
The equivalent trim in the UK is SEL and I’ve already decided that I almost certainly will be getting one. I don’t understand at all why yours doesn’t have DAB. It’s very strange. Exact same head unit as ours as well. As you sure you just didn’t spot it in the menu?
Would not touch a VW group car with a 10 ft stick, during my brief ownership of a new Skoda Rapid, the transmission cut off multiple times during high-speed driving, once on the freeway (engine still on, no response from accelerator input) and almost caused an accident. The handbrake as well as the park gear pawl failed, causing the car to roll down a steep driveway causing damage to my friend's garage door. The drain in one of the doors clogged and an impressive amount of water collected inside the door panels, did not realise until it started to slosh. Honestly, the list goes on, these s*boxes are 5k cheaper than their Japanese counterparts for a reason. On top of that, their resale values drop like a rock once it rolls out of the dealership, you've all been warned, avoid like a plague.
I really like the interior! It looks very premium. As many others I would consider this as a hatchback, not as a SUV. But still, I think it´s a great little car.
I think it's the best of both worlds. Has the ride handling of a hatchback when driving it, but with the taller stance it makes it a lot easier to get kids in and out of their car seats.
I will agree that the downside to the Kamiq is the DSG gearbox. I usually turn off the stop start tech and the lane keep assist which is very intrusive.
@@marcpacey Yes. I thought so. All Manufacturers are now so focussed on getting good fuel economy figures, so that they meet various legislative requirements etc, that stop / start is often very intrusive, and the gearbox is tuned to a point that whilst fuel economy is better, the actual smoothness and driving experience is not so good. It is a silly situation, that is IMO counter productive... I always turn off stop / start in my car, and often drive with gearbox in Sports mode.
Sorry but this guy hasn’t done his proper research on it. The key is for popping off the door handle cover to open the door when the key fob goes flat, plus, the swipe system on the infotainment works great he just doesn’t know obviously how to use it. I’ve got a 2020 RS245 Octavia wagon with a similar system and it works brilliantly. The Kamiq won car of the year and I can see why. Compare that to a Mitsubishi ASX and the Kamiq walks all over it.
Great review Paul.👍 It does have all the safety features that modern cars should really be having, the only thing missing as you pointed out is the rear center armrest with cup holders, which is useful for rear passengers on a long road trip. On the whole, it’s a good looking car but it’s not much bigger than a hatchback.
I think with the VW group cars the flip out key can unlock the drivers door if the battery is dead/disconnected - there's a key hole under a cover at the rear of the driver's door handle
Love your reviews Paul, and also love the podcast, informative and entertaining, but I do disagree on the dsg front, when you own one or drive them on a regular basis you learn how to drive them and they are fantastic, you have to remember that they are an automated manual not a torque converter auto and change up your driving style accordingly. I have owned both a Jetta tdi with the 6 speed wet clutch and currently own a mk7 gti with the 6 speed wet clutch, both reliable as well even though they are claimed to be unreliable. Also drive my mothers 2011 polo tsi dry clutch 7 speed and brothers 2009 tsi golf 7 speed regularly, all have been reliable as have had all the proper logbook servicing
There is a cover on the door handles that you can remove to use the key to open doors (still can't start it though), the key also is used to turn on/off the child locks on the doors. Pretty sure mine has DAS radio, the instrument cluster in front of the driver is also customisable as to what info you display which I like. The hard materials on the back passenger doors I am unsure as to if this is a positive or negative with children/pets both are easy to clean, would prefer if it was also same material. The rubber padding on the drink holders is non removable so a big pain to clean with all those rubber knobs! The upgraded speaker system has "Sound System" written on the speaker grill which just looks super cheap in my mind. It's like buying a premium bottle of wine that just has "White wine" written on it. You lose the sunglasses holder with the panoramic window which is $1200. You can also get a Electric release tow bar but it can not be added after you purchase car. I have the 85TSI and the stop start is TERRIBLE. Why include all this safety gear and then have a engine that is inconsistent with its take off's - you pull out into traffic and find no power. Engine also turns off when I am at give way signs and the car has barely even come to a complete stop with that feature enabled. Turn on car and connected mobiles in house starts playing spotify with no apps apparently running. Turn off car and android auto still playing music, have to restart phones - not sure if android - spotify - or skoda problem.
About the same price as it's competitors but with more "stuff" I thought. If you get the 85TSI and add both the packs (to match this car's list of "stuff"), it will cost the same as this one...but you only get a 3 pot 1L engine
I am fan of you Paul, but you need to get over the Dual clutch. I have lived with a Golf and love the dual clutch. I do feel the lag especially when you are stranded on an inclination but 99% of the time its alright. I can live with that 1% given the smooth and quick shifts you get like an expensive car. Benefit of doubt though, the gear box in Skoda is not the same as Golf. I test drove the scala and it's gearbox was garbage and pretty rough especially in sports mode. But my Golf is very smooth even in S mode. so definitely not the same gear box as VW. And yes its as price as a base model Octavia.
@@corkeymonster100% same. Infact my friend works in the skoda dealer and he said the same shit and once he drove my golf he was like yes Skoda feels like shit. It goes beyond just parts I feel, additional stuff that makes it far more nicer.
3:17 - Think this key would be the spear key to get into the car when the Battery in the key/car dies (you should talk about this when mentioning the keys as all of them have one) No reviewers ever really tell people about them.
@@CarExpertAus It is hidden, until you flip it out. Actually wish my Lexus key was like this. With the Lexus, you use 1 hand to hold the fob and depress a button, then you use your other hand to remove the key.
They are expensive for the size and I agree about dual clutch transmissions, they are quite frustrating to drive around town - I find the main issue I have is they are tuned for economy and alway seem to be in to high a gear and when you need power it has to downshift and can easily get confused resulting in a delay in power delivery
Not expensive for size, much bigger than more expensive similar cars like CX30, CX3, Puma, Kona - back seat and boot sizes are better than all of those and they're all, more expensive esp with the tech features. I buy the smaller suv for the economy much better than bigger cars, so you're not sacrificing size for higher fuel costs.
Hey Paul, are you being paid a commission every time a car you review is sold? Because you should! When it comes time for my next purchase I will be searching through all your reviews to get the right advice on the car that I want! Cheers buddy!
Hey Paul. Another Paul, here. Righteous review! When I am driving on expressway at 90 km/hour up a hill and need to pass another car, I want extra power. Does the Kamiq have the power? Am deciding between Kamiq and Seltos.
Great review Paul. Just wondering if you could provide some insight about resale value for Skoda suv in comparison with Volkswagen suv. I like Skoda but was aware the brand does not usually have good resale value compared with other mainstream brands. Thanks!
You get a Skoda for the pleasure, not resale. It's any day better than a VW as it's completely made in Europe and does not compromise like VW trying to appeal to the mainstream customer. All my life, I have been a VW fan boy and a single Skoda won me over.
Definitely Skoda Karoq, I bought a Skoda Karoq MY2019 from a dealer here in Melbourne as a demo with 1200km's on the clock, 3 months old for 28K drive away, well it is ambition not so many specs however it has everything what I need and after 2 years and 18K km's I can say good choice, drives very well, it is very practical and economical I need around 7.5L/petrol for 100km in the city and I have the 1.5TSI engine, the same one as people have in Czech Republic. Before Karoq I had 3 Octavias here in Australia from 2009 until 2019 no issues with them, they never let me down. And yes Skoda became more expensive as other brands as well, however Skoda is still good value for your money! My wife is Czech so we have at least a little piece from her homeland in our garage in Australia.
@@jeanvonbarberode2377 Mmm something to think of. They are quoting me 48k for a base Karoq with the 3 option packs which I think is a bit steep. Will try negotiating a bit more. Thanks for the info :)
@@maltaussie Well, I think in 2019was a little different situation, It was in July beginning of new financial year and mostly enough stock everywhere, which today is totally different, so it is better to negotiate demo car and basic one, more technology in the car, so it is the risk that something will get faulty.
@@CarExpertAus i watched your video and I have to agree about DCTs being bad in traffic. They aren't fit for bumper to bumper traffic. I don't like CVTs but they are better than DCTs in those circumstances. I prefer a good ol' manual and classic automatic ( torque converter). Not to mention they cost a bomb to fix if they go bad which they eventually do.
