Skoda Kamiq interior, tech and practicality

While the old Kamiq never felt especially budget inside, the 2024 update has moved things up a notch. For a start, SE Tech and SE L models get some cloth on the passenger side of the dashboard. It sounds like a small touch, but it really does improve the cabin ambience, and gives a hint of being in a fancy living room rather than a small SUV. Sadly, Monte Carlo models have this cloth replaced with some shiny carbon-fibre-effect vinyl.

Sure, some of the door plastics are hard and do feel a bit cheap, but the bits you touch – such as the door handles – have actually had some styling effort applied. The handles appear to float at one end, which again sounds like a small thing, but helps put a smile on your face when you get out.

Otherwise, the cabin is dominated by two digital screens (more on those below), and comfort is bolstered by a standard-fit centre armrest. The regular seats are comfortable, although not that supportive in fast corners. You get cloth-upholstered sports seats in Monte Carlo models, and these do a better job of holding you in place, while still not feeling like rigid bucket seats.

For 2024, Skoda's ditched the old touchscreen climate controls in favour of physical knobs that are easy to use on the move without taking your eyes off the road. A win for common sense – and whinging car journalists.

The 2024-onward Kamiq trim level is made up of three straightforward trim levels – SE Tech, SE L and Monte Carlo.

SE features 17-inch wheels, full LED headlights and LED daytime running lights, front and rear foglights and black roof rails. Inside, you'll find an eight-inch digital driver's display and an 8.25-inch infotainment screen with wireless smartphone mirroring. There's also black/grey cloth upholstery, a leather-wrapped two-spoke steering wheel, rear parking sensors, cruise control, keyless ignition and traffic sign recognition.

Step up to an SE L model and you get bigger 18-inch wheels, rear LED lights with sweeping indicators, chrome window surrounds, chrome roof rails and tinted rear windows. Inside, you get a 'microsuede' upholstery in black and grey, ambient interior lighting and an armrest for your rear-seat passengers. The infotainment screen goes up a size to 9.2 inches and features built-in sat-nav, while the driver's display goes up to 10.25 inches. You also get light and rain sensors, as well as electrically folding heated door mirrors.

Top-spec Monte Carlo models get sportier-looking bumpers, black mirror caps, a black grille surround, cornering fog lights and a reversing camera. You also get keyless entry, a drive mode selection and Sport Chassis Control, which lets you switch between firm and softer suspension. LED Matrix headlights finish the equipment list – these let you keep your main beam on more of the time, with the Kamiq's eight-segment lights automatically blocking out oncoming and parked cars from the beam.

The information below is for pre-2024 Kamiqs:

SE trim includes 17-inch alloy wheels, LED lights, a cool two-spoke steering wheel (leather wrapped, too!), cruise control, lane-keep assist and rear parking sensors.

SE Drive is next, and includes tinted rear windows, a height-adjustable passenger seat and a bigger touchscreen. Then it’s SE L, with heated front seats, two-zone climate control, 18-inch wheels, chrome trim and a rear-view camera.

Topping the range is the sporty-looking Monte Carlo, which gets darkened headlights, glossy black trim and two-tone wheels. Upgraded LED headlights, a digital instrument cluster and a panoramic glass roof are all fitted as standard as well – although the rear-view camera and heated seats are optional extras.

Cars built after October 2023 are slightly updated. The trim levels are the same – except SE Drive, which has gone – but they get more equipment. SE now features digital dials, two-zone climate control and keyless start, while Monte Carlo gets the reversing camera now fitted as standard.

All Kamiqs get a touchscreen infotainment system, with entry-level SE cars featuring an eight-inch screen (8.25-inch on 2024 cars) and higher-spec versions boasting a 9.2-inch screen. Skoda calls these ‘Bolero’ and ‘Amundsen’ screens respectively, with the latter including a little extra functionality such as built-in sat nav, voice control and the ability to pick up online radio stations. It's worth noting that the bigger system doesn't have a physical dial for changing the volume, leaving you prodding at icons on the edge of the screen or using the steering-wheel volume control.

Every version of the Kamiq gets Apple CarPlay and Android Auto so, if you have a compatible smartphone, you can use your phone’s apps on the car’s screen. On pre-2024 cars, you need to plug your phone in via a USB cable – in newer cars, the connection is wireless. Speaking of charging, the 2024 facelift of the Kamiq introduced fast 45W USB-C ports, and the wireless charging mat was upped from 5 to 15W, with active cooling to stop your phone overheating while in use. It's one of the best wireless chargers we've used thanks to that fast charging time, and the fact it's a really grippy rubber mat that keeps your phone locked in place while driving.

The infotainment system itself is easy to use thanks to big icons though, like most cars, you'll need to be stationary to use some of the more in-depth functions. A small lip beneath the screen helps keep your hand in place as you drive along.

The digital driver's dials that come standard in all Kamiqs from 2024 onwards feel quite similar to Audi’s fantastic Virtual Cockpit, as you can have the dials flanking the sat nav display – so all the information is right in front of your eyes. While not as configurable as Audi’s system, the graphics are crystal clear and the dial cluster is easy to follow without feeling busy.

The Kamiq feels like it has class-leading rear seat space. You’re sat quite low in the car, which means headroom is excellent, and the Kamiq’s relatively short body hides a surprising amount of legroom. There’s plenty of space under the front seats to slide your feet, so it’s pretty comfortable on long journeys.

A sliding bench, like you get in the Renault Captur and Citroen C3 Aircross, would arguably make the Kamiq even more versatile – but we suspect few owners would actually use it and it would only add cost.

What owners might appreciate more is the rear-seat ambiance. Some affordable rivals like the Vauxhall Crossland X give rear passengers very little in the way of creature comforts, but the Kamiq has the same fun material touches for the rear and front-seat occupants. There’s the option to add a pair of USB-C ports in the back of the centre armrest, allowing rear-seat passengers to keep their devices charged on the move. Skoda's proud of the seat-back phone pockets fitted to 2024-onward Kamiqs, and they are handy for stashing away thin snacks too… hello KitKat pockets.

The Kamiq is a great family option, and you certainly shouldn’t dismiss it for being too small. Wide-opening rear doors mean it’s easy to get kids in and out, and the Isofix points are clearly accessible with no awkward flaps – a joy if you’re regularly swapping child seats between a couple of cars. What’s more, a third set of Isofix points is optionally available for the front passenger seat, which is ideal if you want your baby right there next to you.

The Kamiq has a 400-litre boot – that’s fairly average for the class, matching the SEAT Arona but marginally less than the Nissan Juke and Peugeot 2008. It’s at least 20 litres more than the Fabia it’s based on, and more than many traditional family hatchbacks like the Volkswagen Golf and Ford Focus.

There isn’t much of a load lip to haul heavy shopping over, and the opening is nice and wide. Most bulky items shouldn’t pose a problem for the compact Kamiq. The boot space itself is a good square shape, and there are a couple of handy storage pockets and hooks to stop smaller or fragile items from making an escape.

Folding the seats down frees up another 1,000 litres of luggage, provided you don’t mind loading your Kamiq to the roof.

Interior storage is okay – the phone tray and glovebox are useful but the cupholders are a bit on the small side. Order a car with one of the Simply Clever packs – or find a used example with one fitted – and you’ll also get a 12V socket in the boot, storage drawers under the front seats and door edge protectors. As we write this, brand-new Kamiqs also get phone pockets in the front seatbacks and a boot net.