The popular Skoda Kamiq has been given a mid-life facelift to keep it fresh.
cently announced an expanded assault on the electric-vehicle market, with a number of new SUVs and even a proposed estate. But the Czech brand isn’t about to abandon its petrol-powered heartland just yet, and it’s treating its smallest SUV, the Kamiq, to a range of updates in a bid to keep it fresh against new rivals.
As is the norm with a mid-life facelift, the Skoda Kamiq doesn’t get any major changes to its sheet metal. But there’s still a distinctive fresh look to the front end, courtesy of a more upright, larger grille and slimmer headlights. Revised front and rear bumpers, with a wider intake at the front and a new diffuser at the back, complete a sensible overhaul of a model that has always been one of the more conservative but practical offerings in the class.
Skoda says the tweaks are designed to give the Kamiq a more “rugged SUV appeal” – though it remains unashamedly urban focused. The biggest change at the front, in fact, could well be the new matrix-LED headlights, available as an option on the Kamiq for the first time. But even as standard, the split lamp treatment has a different ratio than before, with an even slimmer upper element and a chunkier lower one.
For many, the most noticeable change at the rear may be the updated branding, with the Skoda name spelt out across the tailgate. This modest evolution is perhaps to be expected, given that the Kamiq has actually outsold Skoda’s other two regular SUVs, the Karoq and Kodiaq, over the past two years.
Under the skin, the refreshed model sticks with the A0 version of the VW Group’s proven MQB platform – as shared with the Scala and the current Fabia. The engine line-up will look familiar as a result, as Skoda eschews any electrification in a bid to keep the Kamiq competitive on price.
The Kamiq’s dynamics should remain largely unchanged, although it is being offered with the option of Sports Chassis Control, which lowers the ride height by 10mm and offers a couple of damper settings.
Inside, all versions of the Kamiq now get an eight-inch digital instrument panel as standard, with a larger 10.25-inch set-up available as an option. The central touchscreen, meanwhile, is an 8.25-inch panel by default, but buyers can upgrade to a 9.2-inch configuration, complete with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, if they order an optional navigation package.
The cabin gets two USB-C ports as standard, but this can be upgraded to four ports with faster charging potential via a technology pack, and an additional port in the rear-view mirror – ideal for hooking up dash cams – is a further option. The cabin trims and materials will be governed by ‘Design Selections’, curated combinations of colours and finishes, as seen on the Enyaq.
Other features new to the Kamiq include foot-gesture control for versions equipped with the optional powered tailgate, smartphone storage pockets in the front-seat backs, and a removable box on the central tunnel that also incorporates a cupholder.
We’re still waiting to see Australia specs but the trim level line-up should stay broadly in line with the current cars. The revised Kamiq should go on sale in early 2024.