2024 Skoda Kamiq Monte Carlo review

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2024 Skoda Kamiq Monte Carlo

When it first arrived on the scene in 2020, the low price and overall polish of the Skoda Kamiq made it an instant favourite of the small SUV race. With a drive-away price of $27,990 back then, there was nothing that could touch it for overall appeal.

It was not a cheap car at a good price. It was a great car at an excellent price.

So much so, it was a two-time winner of Drive Car of the Year in the small SUV category.

As time went on, however, the price of the Kamiq crept upwards. And at the same time, there has been no shortage of new competitors in the small SUV space.

So while the Kamiq isn’t in the same dominant position as it once was, it still has some good appeal.

How much is a Skoda Kamiq?

We’ve got the top-spec Kamiq Monte Carlo in this review, from what is now a simple two-pronged range.

While the 85TSI Select keeps a sharply priced entry-level offering available at $33,990 drive-away, our Monte Carlo is quite significantly higher at $44,990 drive-away.

Along with stepping up from an 85kW/200Nm three-cylinder engine to a 1.5-litre four-cylinder with improved 110kW/250Nm outputs, you get some decent inclusions for the big $11,000 step in price.

There’s adaptive cruise control and upgraded driver assistance features in the Monte Carlo, along with a larger 9.2-inch infotainment system, upgraded 10-speaker sound system, 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, power adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats and heated steering wheel.

There’s also rear privacy glass, a panoramic sunroof (with electric cover), matrix LED headlights, electric tailgate, and interior ambient lighting.

And finally, it’s rounded up by a jump up from 17-inch alloys to 18-inch alloys.

How big is a Skoda Kamiq?

My usual test for interior space, which includes a rearward-facing child seat, yielded positive results inside the Kamiq. With a space-sucking infant’s seat installed in the second row, you’ve still got enough room to sit up front in terms of having (just) enough leg room to be comfortable.

For those who want a compact family car for one or two kids, this is big enough.

Up front, there’s a bit of a sporty theme happening with the seating materials and dashboard, and a pleasing mixture of textures and colours to break up the hard plastics and soft touchpoints.

The front seats are comfortable, but also bolstered with a carbon-fibre-look weave finish for threading through corners. Electric lumbar support will be appreciated by those with a dodgy back, and the combination of heating for the front seats and steering wheel will be helped on the colder days.

Although, there is no seat ventilation for the height of an Australian summer.

Twin USB-C power outlets handle your charging requirements, something that’s matched equally in the second row.

Along with having good amounts of space and power supply, the second row also enjoys its own air vents. That’s a plus for those hot days.

The big glass panoramic sunroof adds a premium sense to the interior, like the upgraded digital instrument cluster, and it lets plenty of sun and light into the cabin when you want it. But there is the benefit of having a closing sunshade for keeping interior temperatures down when parked.

In terms of storage, you’ve got small bins in the door cards, a small centre console with thin-feeling fabric cover, and good space up front below the infotainment display.

And, of course, don’t forget the handy umbrella hiding in the door.

A spacious second row could have a slight trade-off for boot space, which is listed at 400 litres in the Kamiq. This isn’t the biggest in the segment, but you could argue that it’s big enough for most requirements. For what it’s worth, I was able to squeeze a 50-litre cooler and 9kg gas bottle in the boot in preparation for a weekend barbeque.

Underneath the floor of the boot, you’ll find a space-saving spare wheel. It’s no full-sized spare, but it’s certainly better than a tyre repair kit.

Does the Skoda Kamiq have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto?

The upgraded infotainment display in the Kamiq Monto Carlo is welcomed, especially to justify the increased asking price. Like the smaller system, we’ve got wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth and AM/FM radio. The larger system adds satellite navigation too.

No digital radio reception could be a miss, however, for those who want extra channels and audio clarity in urban areas.

The upgraded sound system, with its 10 speakers including a subwoofer, could be disappointing for those who want a serious system. While it’s certainly not bad, it doesn’t carry a big step up in bass and volume that some might hope for. Adjusting settings helps, but there was no method of adjusting subwoofer output.

That Kamiq lacks a companion app, so smartphone-accessible features like remote locking and vehicle status updates aren’t offered on the Kamiq range.

Is the Skoda Kamiq a safe car?

A five-star ANCAP safety score – with an impressively high 96 per cent score for adult occupant protection – places the Kamiq in good stead with modern-day buyers. Although, 2019 testing wasn’t as stringent as what came into play in 2022. Current and future testing is an entirely different kettle of fish as well.

Child occupant protection is also high at 87 per cent, while vulnerable road users (pedestrians) fare a little worse at 80 per cent.

The safety assistance systems on the Kamiq, things like speed assistance, belt warnings, and the lane-support system, along with autonomous emergency braking, get a 76 per cent score.

What safety technology does the Skoda Kamiq have?

Compared to the latest and newest small SUVs that have recently lobbed onto the market, the Kamiq is missing a trick or two when it comes to safety equipment. The important bases are covered, however, including autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring and lane-departure warning.

Traffic sign recognition is missing, however, and driver attention monitoring is a less sophisticated setup. However, the flip side here is that this technology doesn’t impede your regular driving on town roads and highways.

Unlike other top-spec small SUVs at similar prices, this does unfortunately miss out on some additional safety features, as well as a 360-degree camera.

How much does the Skoda Kamiq cost to run?

If you’re able to pay for servicing upfront, there are some good savings to be made in terms of ownership costs. Five years of prepaid servicing at $2350 averages out to a reasonable $470 per year, while seven years brings even better savings at $2650. This averages out to $378.57 per year, and would certainly be the best way to go for anyone planning to own their vehicle long-term.

Although, it’s worth noting that after seven years you may need to add some additional service costs for things like brakes, tyres, wiper blades and other things that aren’t included in the service schedule. In other words, the service packs aren’t completely exhaustive.

In terms of insurance, you’re looking at a cost of $1622 per year. This is a comparative quote for a 35-year-old male living in Chatswood, NSW. Insurance estimates may vary based on your location, driving history, and personal circumstances.

Is the Skoda Kamiq fuel-efficient?

A claim of 5.6 litres per 100 kilometres is impressive, and puts the Kamiq not far off the efficiency pace of similarly sized hybrid SUVs.

However, our testing saw a less flattering figure of 7.0L/100km. This was gathered over around 600km, which had its fair share of long highway runs. It’s not a staggeringly good number, and those who spend more time in the ‘burbs would likely see a higher number.

It’s worth pointing out that the step up to the Monte Carlo’s 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine – up from the Kamiq Select’s 1.0-litre three cylinder – doesn’t come with a big efficiency penalty. Claimed consumption is at 5.5L/100km for the smaller motor, only 0.1L/100km less. And from our experience in the real world, somewhere around 7.0L/100km is average consumption.

In any case, you don’t have to look far for a more efficient small SUV, especially when there are hybrid offerings of the Toyota Corolla Cross, Nissan Qashqai and Hyundai Kona available.

What is the Skoda Kamiq like to drive?

While the increase in capacity, cylinders and outputs helps to underpin the difference between Select and Monte Carlo, it's not overly powerful in terms of feeling hot or warm.

Importantly, though, it's responsive with a nice punch of torque in the midrange that allows it to feel pliable and certainly less hard-working than the three-cylinder alternative. Although, there’s something to be said about the charming thrum of the smaller but willing three-cylinder engine.

This matches well to a pleasing driving experience overall, which feels balanced between the disparate desires of a comfortable ride, sharp responsive steering wheel and able body control.

Although, a full-blooded press of the accelerator can overwhelm the front wheels from take-off, so be a little more judicious with your inputs.

There is a nippy and zippy feel to the Kamiq overall, which lends itself well to urban and suburban driving. The short wheelbase yields a tight turning circle, and the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox adds an extra layer of responsiveness to the driving dynamic.

It’s fun to drive, both on a twisty mountain road or around town as you squirt your way through traffic. This is helped by the choice of driving modes, including an individual mode that can allow you to pick between two different steering and suspension modes.

Although, there isn’t a huge degree of variation noticeable between the two available damper settings.

What’s more appreciable is the sportier calibration of the transmission when you pull the shifter back once to go from ‘D’ to ‘S’. This quickly throws in some extra responsiveness, holding ratios longer and kicking down more eagerly. This is handy on take-off or overtaking. Or, enjoying that quiet country road.

The ‘DSG’ dual-clutch transmission has a trade-off for the crisp gear change, with some angst in its operation at low speeds. It’s also imperfect in stop-start traffic, where it feels a bit jerky and non-linear in its responsiveness. It's also not great at reverse parallel parking, especially on hills, compared to other automatic transmissions out there.

If you've come from a similarly natured dual-clutch automatic transmission, this won't so much of a shock. But if you're more experienced with torque converter or CVT automatics, this will take a little bit of getting used to. 

Can a Skoda Kamiq tow?

There’s modest towing capability on offer for Kamiq owners, with a 630kg unbraked towing capacity opening up the scope for small and lightweight trailers.

This number is lower than most others, however, with 750kg being the more common unbraked limit.

Its braked trailer capacity grows to 1250kg, which is still relatively light on.

Should I buy a Skoda Kamiq?

There’s plenty to like about the Skoda Kamiq, which could do the job of easy and comfortable transportation for a small family. There are some nice touches of technology and features in this top-spec model, but the quality of the base offering – and its significant savings over the Monte Carlo – would be hard to pass up.

A drive-away price somewhere in the mid-40s means this Kamiq is asking for top dollar in the small SUV world. And while the driving experience is fun and well-dialled, it is missing a few pieces of technology and spec compared to others in the segment.

And, of course, there is no shortage of impressive competition in this part of the world. Beyond the hybrid options that I mentioned before, options include the Volkswagen T-Cross, Kia Seltos, MG ZS and Honda HR-V. And while it’s noticeably smaller, a left-field alternative could be the Lexus LBX.

How do I buy a Skoda Kamiq? The next steps.

Like I’ve mentioned, the $11,000 jump up into the Kamiq Monte Carlo does require some mental gymnastics to justify. And if you’re happy to spend the best part of $50,000 on a small SUV, you do have a wide range of competitors to choose from.

The next step on the purchase journey is to check the Skoda website for stock of your preferred Kamiq variant. You can also find Skodas for sale at Drive Marketplace.

We strongly recommend taking a test drive at a dealership before committing because personal needs and tastes can differ. Find your nearest Skoda dealer via this link. We'd also recommend test-driving the Hyundai Kona, which is available with a hybrid powertrain and in top specification for a similar price.

If you want to stay updated with everything that’s happened to this car since our review, you’ll find all the latest news here.

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