The third SUV model from Skoda occurs

The first impression: A bit boring, but timeless.

That says the manufacturer: Skoda and the SUV - this is a success story for company boss Bernhard Maier. From the Kodiaq alone, the VW subsidiary has already sold more than 250,000 copies, despite all the discussions about the meaning or insanity of SUV defiance. Since there is also the Karoq, every fifth car that Skoda currently sells is an SUV. "With the Kamiq we are now rounding off the program," says Maier. The car should appeal to a new, younger and more urban customer group.

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The strange name - Kamiq - comes as well as the names of the two other SUV models from the language of the northern Canadian Inuit. There is Kamiq, as at least interpreted by the Skoda marketing, for something that fits like a glove, a kind of second skin.

We noticed that: The Kamiq really fits. And better than his platform brothers VW T-Cross and Seat Arona. Because Skoda has stretched the wheelbase opposite the VW by 10 and the length of the body by 15 centimeters, the Kamiq is noticeably more spacious, so that the backbenchers have enough space for their knees. And yet, the 4.24-meter-long Kamiq still remains compact and clear and fits in every parking space. That's important, after all, SUVs drive mostly in the city.

That's why Skoda was also interested in the extras that make everyday life easier. While all-wheel drive is not available, there is for the first time in this class an electric tailgate. There are also the usual pocket hooks at Skoda, the reversible mat on the trunk floor and numerous room dividers. This makes it even easier to use the 400-liter luggage compartment, which grows to 1395 liters when the rear seatback is folded down. Also useful is the door edge protection: a plastic panel that folds out and lays in front of the sheet metal when the doors are opened.

Take a look inside the Skoda Kamiq - with our 360 degree photo:

The Skoda feels great. But at least when starting the engine, he can not deny the origin of the small car corner. You then hear the typical chatter of a three-cylinder engine. Probably the best-selling engine is likely to be the 1.0-liter gasoline engine with 115 hp and 200 Nm of torque. Although the small turbo engine is not suitable for large sporting ambitions, but especially in combination with the dual-clutch transmission, the TSI is a good choice. He rolls relaxed, has enough reserves when overtaking and is with a standard consumption of 5.5 liters even halfway economical. What you can save on the other hand is the adaptive suspension. With the different driving profiles can be adjusted, which in turn is a superfluous extra in this car, which drives the price unnecessarily in the air.

You have to know that: The Kamiq comes in the fall in the trade and costs at least 17,950 euros. Thus, the car is 25 euros cheaper than a VW T-Cross and about 2000 euros more expensive than a Seat Arona. However, one must not conclude from this basic price on a bargain. With more powerful engines and a few extras, the price climbs quickly to more than 25,000 euros and in extreme cases even to more than 30,000 euros. Again, the Kamiq proves a new size among the small cars.

The Kamiq is initially offered with five engine variants. There is the three-cylinder from the test car in a slimmed-down version with 95 hp and the third gasoline engine a 1.5-liter four-cylinder with 150 hp. The only diesel in the program makes 115 hp. As the only alternative alternative, there is the three-cylinder engine with natural gas conversion and then 90 hp.

We will not forget that: the vain grip under the back seat in search of the lever with which you can move the row of seats. Clearly, "Simply Clever" details, for which Skoda is now known (such as the bin in the door or the LED flashlight in the trunk) are not always reinvent, as a Skoda spokesman admits. But the sliding rear seat Skoda would not have invented, but simply from the VW T-Cross can take over. Because she is standard.

Thomas Geiger is a freelance writer and was supported in his research by Skoda. Reporting is independent of this.

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