Has Skoda just launched its Irish best-seller? With the new Kamiq, it may well have done.
Prices from €21,300
The balance between sales of small crossovers and conventional hatchbacks and saloons is only moving in one direction, so the Kamiq is well-placed to take over from the Octavia (Skoda's current Irish best-seller) when that model is replaced in the coming months. Priced from €21,300, the Kamiq is actually only slightly more expensive than the Scala hatchback upon which it's based.
The Kamiq is also a bit of a bargain in the small crossover category, mostly because it's not small at all - in fact it's one of the largest cars in the segment, and Skoda's people will quietly admit that it's essentially the size of a Volkswagen T-Roc for the price of a VW T-Cross...
The engine range consists of three petrol options - 1.0 TSI 95hp, 1.0 TSI 115hp and 1.5 TSI 150hp with manual and automatic gearbox variants - and a 115hp 1.6 TDI diesel with a manual or auto transmission. Skoda says that the 95hp 1.0-litre petrol engine, in €23,300 Ambition trim, is likely to be the best-seller.
Premium-feel interior
From the outside, the Kamiq is very obviously part of the Scala family, and like that (and all new Skodas) gets the Skoda name spelled out in chrome letters on the back. It's 20mm longer than the long-lost, much-loved Yeti and has more interior space too. Skoda's also particularly proud of what it calls 'a premium interior atmosphere' with lots of soft-touch materials and nice seats.
363-litre boot
The boot can swallow 363 litres, and that can be expanded to 1,360 litres by folding the back seats flat. It gets nine airbags as standard, while Active and Ambition models feature the 6.5-inch 'Swing' touchscreen infotainment system and partially LED headlights and tail lights. Lane Assist, Front Assist with City Emergency Brake and Predictive Pedestrian Protection, and Multi-Collision Braking are also standard. Style versions receive the eight-inch 'Bolero' infotainment unit and full LED headlights with adaptive lighting and dynamic front and rear indicators.
Skoda Ireland Head of Marketing and Product, Ray Leddy, commented: "The Kamiq is another excellent product from Skoda. We are very ambitious for this new model and expect the Kamiq to follow in the footsteps of the Karoq and Kodiaq. The Kamiq has already seen unprecedented sales success on the continent; as a result, demand is expected to outstrip supply in many markets including Ireland. We would advise customers to order early to avoid disappointment."
As well as the starting price of €21,300, Skoda is offering a PCP finance package with a 2.9 per cent APR interest rate for the Kamiq.