Premiere Test: Skoda Kamic "1.5" style

Skoda completes its crossover set with the urban comic, which will sell for prices starting at NIS 125,000, slightly higher than the standard in the small Jeep segment; Do the comic qualities justify the price gap?

Skoda Kamik, half a click above competitors (Photo: Rami Gilboa)

Road test: Skoda Kamik (Photo: Rami Gilboa, Rami Gilboa)

I walked in the Skoda parking lot, searching for the test vehicle; I had no chance of identifying him among the rows of crossovers that went from bow to bow, all elevated, all visceral, all with the same family front. I had no choice but to go to the back of the line of cars and read the model names; Kodiak, Kodiak, Karok ... Here, here's my comic! A little smaller but completely and without a doubt, the crossover 'Skoda' properly.

Skoda Kamik will be marketed with two engines and two finish levels. The 'ambition' finish level with the 1.0 liter engine costs NIS 125,000, the 1.5 liter 'ambition' will cost NIS 131,000. The higher finish level 'Style' costs NIS 135,000 for the 1.0 liter engine and the test vehicle that came in the 'Style' finisher and 1.5 liter engine, cost NIS 141,000. These prices are slightly higher than the standard for B-SUV urban crossovers, but the comic also gives more - it's a few inches larger than the conventional category, more refined and sophisticated, and the 1.5-liter version is also quite muscular. Are its benefits compelling enough to settle for the category summit?

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Crossover Eskimo-Czech cross in Negev Shadot

Road test: Skoda Kamik (Photo: Rami Gilboa, Rami Gilboa)

With God's help

Someone at Skoda's management decided that the key to differentiating company models was by giving them content names (rather than a series of numbers, for example), but he also wanted to maintain a family feel; That is why the manufacturer's name SKODA was enlarged and placed proudly across the back of the cars. At the same time, the Czech manufacturer continues to give its crossover models Eskimo / Inuit names; The more I liked the name "Kodiak" the less I connected with "Caroque" and "Comic", but these are the trifles of marketing executives and advertisers. The main thing will be the letters K and Q, and we will keep the family look.

The comic extends the distribution of the Skoda family down to the dimensions of very common urban crossovers nowadays - Seat Aruna (half-brother in Spanish season), Renault Capchore, Nissan Jook, Peugeot 2008, Opal Crossland, Hyundai Kona, and more. All of these are included in the Urban B-SUV category (positioned below the family C-SUV group which includes models such as the Caroque, Sportage, Tucson, 3008 and the like).

The low waistline leaves plenty of window space, which is great for passengers in the back

Road test: Skoda Kamik (Photo: Rami Gilboa, Rami Gilboa)

The length of the Skoda Kamik is 4.24 meters, inches shorter than its direct competitors. Kamik maintains his brother's family look to the Volkswagen house, is elegant, introverted, solid - these are the accepted values ​​of the most successful European brand customers in Israel. One of the differences between Kamick and his older brothers appears in the headlights - the headlight is long and narrow and the bottom is more square. The LED units are designed and bright, the upper has a kind of inner texture, fine detail. The taillights come in full LED specifications, including dynamic signaling. The Style version comes with stylish 17-inch rims.

The comic's waist nest does not rise in the rear, as is common with athletic looks. It looks less dynamic but leaves plenty of window space for backers. The comic backside is square and decorated with a large SKODA logo, which we have already talked about. At the bottom of the buttocks are a vigilant protector and asylum, welcome to 2020.

The lighting units are stylish, with an interesting interior texture

Road test: Skoda Kamik (Photo: Rami Gilboa, Rami Gilboa)

Bring color to life

Kamik is handsome on the outside but he is no exception in his team, or in the Skoda family. The cabin, however, is particularly impressive. The 265-inch wheelbase is the largest in the group, and this is evident in the interior - front and especially rear, where there is excellent space for two grown-ups, and even three compact ones.

A revamped novelty is light-colored upholstery and ripples in the passenger compartment, a welcome change over the black pottery that characterizes Czech society models. There is extensive beige cladding across the dashboard and in the seats we found brightly colored Alcantara inlays. The plastic surfaces are pleasant to the touch and there are also cloth covers. This moderate color is pleasing to the eye and brings a young atmosphere to the passenger compartment. Anyone who wants even more light can order the comic with a panoramic sunroof. The interior design and the level of the Skoda Kamik's interior are higher than the standard for the relatively cheap urban crossovers. The leather cushion on the steering wheel is tight and comfortable to touch, has an 8-inch multimedia screen in Hebrew, and another 10:25-inch virtual cockpit - the latter comes in the senior-style version, as well as a red 'red' lighting.

The space in the back is excellent, the quality of the materials is good, the windows are large, there are air-conditioning ports

Road test: Skoda Kamik (Photo: Rami Gilboa, Rami Gilboa)

The passenger compartment has plenty of smart compartments (including an umbrella that is pulled out of the driver's door), and in the trunk are networks that hold the cargo in place, a lot of thought and investment in quality of life is evident. The Style version has a smart key, steering wheel levers, mobile wireless charging, and more trimmings. The cheaper "Ambition" version is also well-equipped, don't worry - there's digital climate control, rear air vents, and more. With a "net" volume of 363 liters, the trunk is relatively modest but is useful and packed with hooks, anchoring nets and even a rechargeable flashlight; His floor is relatively sunken.

Alright, we would do well with buttons instead of this touch screen

Road test: Skoda Kamik (Photo: Rami Gilboa, Rami Gilboa)

Although human engineering gets a high grade, not everything is perfect. I like the low position of the central multimedia monitor, but this structure pushes the air conditioner openings downwards, to a location that reduces their efficiency in the summer heat. The air conditioner is operated only through the central monitor, which is a pity that there is no separate physical switch for the fan power. There are four charging sockets for smartphones but ally, all are tape-C. I did not like the rigid operation of the interior lighting switches, but really, this is already a trifle for trifles.

Overall, the Camic passenger compartment stands out favorably in the urban B-SUV category - it is more spacious than most of its competitors, very high quality and well-equipped. Kamik has no extroverted pyrotechnics but is high-quality, comfortable and effective for the traveling family.

The 1.5 liter TSI is powerful and meaty, and even economical

Road test: Skoda Kamik (Photo: Rami Gilboa, Rami Gilboa)

Muscular and indulgent

As mentioned, Kamik will be sold in Israel with two turbocharged petrol engines, 1.0 liter 3 piston producer 115 kW, and 1.5 liter 4 piston producing 150 kW and 25.4 kg. At the European launch we tested the 1.0 liter and today, We took the bigger engine. The new 1.5 engine is featured in many Volkswagen car models. Here it is embedded in a compact vehicle weighing only 1,200 pounds and with the help of a 7-speed box it flies the camomic with uncharacteristic lightness, closing 100 mph in 8.4 seconds . For an urban crossover without sporting pretensions it is impressive, so are intermediate accelerations. The 1.5 engine can disable some of the cylinders during a calm cruise, and it is very economical: during the three test days we received an average of over 13 miles per liter, while on high-speed cruises we spent about 15 miles per liter of gasoline.

Alcantara and fabric combination, even in light shades

Road test: Skoda Kamik (Photo: Rami Gilboa, Rami Gilboa)

The comic is comfortable and insulated from road sickness, even though it did not have the adaptive suspensions we met at the European launch. With 205 / 55R17 tires, the comic obediently absorbs our tarmac tears, performs better than many of its competitors - only a particularly vicious battalion will get it out of the way. The choice of narrow tire improves comfort, agility, and fuel savings. The 1.0-liter versions lock 205 / 60R16 tires which should further enhance comfort. Although a few high-speed comics are relatively quiet compared to the category, the acoustic insulation leaves most of the noise outside.

Road test: Skoda Kamik (Photo: Rami Gilboa, Rami Gilboa)

The suspensions provide a very good compromise between comfort and restraint, and are clearly not 'sporty'. The other comic assemblies also do not encourage tire sharpening; The steering wheel is quite light and with aggressive driving, the vehicle sinks on the exterior front wheel. The gearbox is very satisfying, but even in the "sport" mode it doesn't respond immediately (there are four driving modes that affect the gear and steering map: normal, sport, economical, personal). The compromise is very well suited to the nature of the crossover that most of its customers are interested in the level of comfort and safety, more than its fiery performance. Despite these and certainly with the 1.5-liter engine, the comic has given me great pleasure in dynamic driving sections. It is eloquent and flowing, unsurprising, and copes well with the asphalt folds that rush at you in the midst of a quick turn.

The safety system is full and includes braking and keeping track of activity, alerting dead vehicles, and nine airbags. The indulgence section has a well-functioning adaptive cruise control. The sound system is good and there is connectivity to Android and iPhone, with mobile wireless charging.

Road test: Skoda Kamik (Photo: Rami Gilboa, Rami Gilboa)

Do we have a winning jeep?

The comic extends Skoda's crossover family, which is a highly successful Kodiak lead in Israel. Kodiak has proven that a European manufacturer can sell a high-quality product at a relatively high price, now we have to see if that logic will work in the urban market segment as well? Skoda Kamik costs several thousand shekels more than its direct competitors (including even a Seat Aruna that shares engines and gearboxes, and other assemblies). But the truth is that the comic sits half-way above the urban B-SUV - it is more spacious, high in usability, refined and comfortable for its passengers, it has a powerful 1.5-liter engine and elegant design. Skoda salespeople may have to work hard to sell the comic in its expensive versions, but at least they have a great product in hand.

Road test: Skoda Kamik (Photo: Rami Gilboa, Rami Gilboa)

Compulsory insurance from NIS 54 per month

By the insurance company WE SURE

On the technical side: the 1.5 liter Skoda Camic "Style"

Engine, propulsion: 1.5 liter turbo petrol, front propulsion
Volume: 1,498 cc
Power / rpm (kW): 150 / 5,000
Torque / rpm (kg): 25.4 / 1,500
Gearbox: 2-clutch, 7-speed

Measurements
Length (cm): 424.1
Width (cm): 179.3
Height (cm): 155.3
Wheelbase (cm): 265.1
Trunk Volume (liters): 363 / 1,358
Tires: 205 / 55R17

Performence:
0-100: 8.4 seconds acceleration
Maximum speed: 212 mph
Fuel consumption (km / h, test): 13.5

Price of test version (NIS):
NIS 141,000

Competing:
Citroen C3 Aircraft, Hyundai Buyer, Seat Aruna, Renault Capchore, Peugeot 2008