What’s new?
Skoda’s SUV duo — Kodiaq and Karoq — has become a trio, with the addition of the Kamiq to the range.
Just announced as a finalist for 2020 New Zealand Car of Year honours, the Kamiq is built on the same VW Group platform as two other models tested in recent months — the Volkswagen TCross sport utility and the Skoda Scala hatchback. The choice of underlying platform dictates that, like the TCross, the Kamiq is only available as a frontwheel drive vehicle.
Although lower, narrower and appreciably shorter in overall length than the Kamiq, describing the new arrival as the smallest member of the Skoda SUV lineup isn’t quite accurate as in terms of wheelbase, the Kamiq is slightly longer than the Karoq.
There’s also considerable powertrain and price overlap between the Karoq and Kamiq, but that’s an increasingly
Overall: ★★★★
Design and styling: ★★★
Interior: ★★★★★
Performance: ★★★+
Ride/handling: ★★★★
Safety: ★★★★★
Environmental: ★★★★+
SPECIFICATIONS
Price: $42,990
Engine: 1498cc turbopetrol fourcylinder, max power 110kW, max torque 250Nm
Transmission: Sevenspeed DSG,
frontwheel drive
Brakes & stability systems: Front and rear disc brakes, ABS, ASC, DSC, BA, CBC, DTC
common phenomenon for carmakers as they add new crossover and conventional SUV models to meet blossoming global demand.
The Kamiq range is made up of the $30,990 85kW Ambition TSI, the $36,990 110KW Ambition Plus and the flagship $42,990 110kW Monte Carlo.
Safety: Fivestar Euro NCAP
Wheels & tyres: Alloy wheels,
215/45 R18 tyres
Fuel and economy: Premium unleaded,
5.8 litres per 100km, capacity 50 litres
Emissions: 135g CO2/km on combined
cycle
Dimensions: Length 4241mm,
width 1988mm, height 1553mm
emergency braking, a driver fatigue alert system, allround parking sensors and a reversing camera.
Keyless entry, standard cruise control, auto lights and wipers, power heated mirrors, an eightspeaker sound system, manual airconditioning, and 6.5inch central touchscreen with smartphone mirroring are also provided.
Moving up to the Ambition Plus nets a 110kW/250Nm 1.5 litre fourcylinder turbo engine. There are 17inch alloys, full keyless entry, dualzone climate control, fancier interior lighting, and an eightinch central touch screen.
The Monte Carlo justifies its $6000 price premium over the Ambition Plus with a fair haul of extra kit. It sits on 18inch alloys and slightly lower