SKODAKamiq (EU) 2019 - 2023

　　Skoda introduced the Kamiq lineup in 2019 as its most affordable crossover on the market, offering a car that could cover most needs of a regular family of four.

　　The Czech automaker created the Kamiq on the same platform as the Volkswagen T-Cross and its Spanish cousin, the Seat Arona. By sharing the same underpinnings with these vehicles and also with its sister hatchback Scala, the Kamiq could sit comfortably on the “affordable” side of the market. During the pandemic years, that was crucial, and the automaker managed to sell enough of them to stay afloat when the world had to shut down.

　　Skoda had its unique cubist design language that was used on all of its cars. As a result, the Kamiq carried over the same cues as those from the Scala, sporting a front fascia with eyebrow-like daytime running lights mounted at the edge of the hood above the fat bumper. The headlights, instead, were placed lower and had a trapezoidal shape. Between them, a black grille with vertical slats and a dent in its mid-section created a strong but not quite aggressive image for the vehicle. Lower, on the apron, the automaker added a broad air intake. As an option, customers could have the car with either halogen lamps or LEDs.

　　From its profile, the hatchback styling of the Kamiq resembled a Scala on stilts. The sculptured lines on the door panels and the ascending waistline ended into an upkick above the rear quarter panels were the same. A third glass area installed between the C- and D-posts enhanced the driver’s view. Finally, at the back, the raked forward tailgate sported part of the taillights that emerged from the rear fenders onto the rear fascia. Their angular design with narrower inner sides reflected Skoda’s cubist design language. As an option, and depending on the trim level, customers could get a set of underbody protections below the front and rear bumpers.

　　Even though Skoda was responsible for the creation of affordable vehicles within the Volkswagen Group, that didn’t mean that its products had to look cheap. Au contrary. Sometimes, they looked more upscale than other, pricier cars on the market. The Kamiq was available with a wide range of options, including sports seats for the front occupants, wrapped in leather and with integrated headrests. The base version, on the other hand, featured cloth upholstery and mundane-looking fabrics. Above the center stack, Skoda installed the 9.2” touchscreen for the infotainment system. Fronting the driver was either an instrument cluster with analog dials and a TFT display between them or a 10.25-inch Virtual Cockpit display.

　　The only downturn of this vehicle was that it was available exclusively with front-wheel drive systems and twisting beams at the back. This solution was adequate for most situations, although not the best available in the carmaker’s parts bin. Under the hood, Skoda installed a choice of three and four-cylinder engines, gasoline or turbo diesel, paired with six-speed manuals or seven-speed automatics (dual-clutch).

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