WHY BUY CHINESE? This European small SUV is EXCELLENT VALUE! Skoda Kamiq 2025 review

[@stephenwhitworth7701]

Thanks Matt, a thorough and valuable review. I have a friend that purchased a Kamiq Monte Carlo a few months back and to be honest I drove it soon after and was amazed at just how comfortable and enjoyable it was to punt around. The 1.5 VW based engine is a gem, always on call, quiet but efficient. Skoda impress with the day-to-day use, everyone should put one on their test and use it as a benchmark to compare their other list, my bet would be more will buy the Kamiq. No I don't work for Skoda, but would be proud to say if I did.

[@adrianbetts3242]

Skodas are great cars. I got myself a Fabia back in April, absolutely love it and for under $40K drive away, the kit you get (you can only get the Monte Carlo variant in Aus) is an extremely good value proposition.

[@c.s2001]

Matt, your review is much much better than the Chasing Cars review which came out at the same time. Congratulations.

[@therightcar]

Thanks mate, but don’t be hating on Zak, we had some serious weather issues that morning! I had the advantage of shooting all of my stuff myself 🙏

[@c.s2001]

@@therightcar thought you’d like my comment. No need to reply.

[@Malc664]

Zak is fine and quick to the point, hence his video is half the length. Matt's videos are good too.

[@garrypointer]

Very Good all round package Matt ,great economy even thou no Hybrid .luve youf Honest review Natt ty .😂😂

[@therightcar]

Thanks mate!

[@dennisslater888]

Great little car , only thing missing in these reviews is the ongoing experience with the dealer networks of each brand … The Skoda dealer experience is among the worst , if any problems you are on your own and welcome to a painful journey getting satisfaction with warranty or known issues conceded.

[@danielmaglione6376]

Can you review the new facelifted VW T-Cross, interested to see how it compares to the Skoda.

[@therightcar]

I will be. Stay tuned! Launch event later this month.

[@psg5772]

Tcross is known as a Taigun here in India. Starts at around 20k australian dollars. it comes with 1.0 TSI engine & it is a wonderful car to drive.

[@RossLippiatt]

Bought 3 cyclinder in May 24, great package all round, very good handling and stearing, quick in every day city driving, good on trips. Great for my tall 193cm's and wife 155cm. Main hint; there is D1,2,3... for economy and S1,2,3... for better performance, shown on drivers screen. To switch in base level, just pull back selector when in drive and let it return to normal position for D to S and S to D. ( every time you start the car its in D1, easy). Loads of un-intrusive safety.

[@therightcar]

Thanks mate. Great feedback.

[@watchout4717]

Does it also solve the hesitant start as well? Thanks!

[@RossLippiatt]

@@watchout4717with stop/start off its better and combined with sport rarely noticeable. Where I see it mostly is going up a medium hill to a T intersection/giveway sign. Its possibly a coasting economy software, so coast past the giveway sign (as its clear) and start accelerating, it hesitates 1 sec. Its only 1200kms so engine will free up and possible software update will improve it. Still really enjoying the car.

[@RossLippiatt]

The car starts normally and quickly from stop/start stop, in case I miss read the question

[@rickdias1981]

Kamiq, Koraq and Octavia RS wagon are sooooo nice!

[@therightcar]

I’m with you

[@jefwisse1957]

I didn't know that they sell a Koraq.

[@Coastmac2001]

Far better vehicle. Give me a skoda over a Chinese built vehicle any day

[@shanechislett4005]

Hi Matt, I own a Skoda Kamiq Signature, and it has been a great little car - except for one annoying feature- excessive road noise at highway speeds on course chipped bitumen surfaces. Do you know of any other small suv’s that are quieter in the cabin over these types of roads? I will be purchasing a new car soon, and would appreciate your advice.

[@therightcar]

Thanks mate! If the budget allows, then the Lexus LBX or UX could be one to look at. Otherwise maybe a Subaru Crosstrek?

[@shanechislett4005]

@@therightcar thanks Matt

[@aravindajagannatha3505]

My 2020 base model Kamiq has Adaptive cruise, wireless charging, ambient lighting and electric tailgate as standard. I like the 85 tsi engine especially in sports mode. Edit: also 18 inch alloys

[@pbztex]

That is 2024, not 2025. And there are 3 versions. Essence, Selection and Monte Carlo. Essence is maybe not available in all the markets, but it exists. My father bought Essence this year, I bought Selection.

[@therightcar]

Not in Australia, buddy. Different markets have different spec line-ups

[@fred3527]

I recently started to understand why people are buying Chinese cars. I've driven many VW products in recent years but decided to try a Skoda after experiencing very poor after sales service with VW. What a huge mistake. Took delivery with 3 faults and it took about 3 months and 5 visits to resolve. The car is a 2023 model and I've already had another 2 faults needing attention. To say that Skoda's after sales service is shocking is an understatement. I now understand why Skoda's market share is so low. Purchase a Skoda at your own peril.

[@mindfreeze0838]

great review of this car ,the only Skoda thing this car is missing is the umbrella in the door. That aside I would recommend another car instead of this,the recently released Suzuki Vitara Beat(hope a review of that comes soon). It starts at 30k,has a 4 cylinder engine that isnt a slouch,excellent fuel economy,more usuable boot(the boot in the Kamiq has that figure because it has a deep lip which sucks if you have something heavy to carry),has 7 airbags as standard and it has a torque converter transmission (a manual is available) that will last a lot longer than that DSG. The interior is not as plush looking or feeling as the Skoda but it will last longer than the Skodas.

[@therightcar]

Thanks for that! Great feedback

[@NH-bz9jv]

Rubbish, I know many many cab drivers who own Skodas with the dsg gearbox and most of them have passed 100k miles with the dsg performing flawlessly. One guy I know is near 200k with the original dsg box. They are bulletproof.

[@mindfreeze0838]

@@NH-bz9jv well thats good for them but thats a drop of purity in a cesspool. There is a reason mechanics love those gearboxes,they put their kids through private schools.

[@NH-bz9jv]

@@mindfreeze0838 hahaha if you say so. Like I said, I know multiple people who have driven these cars for years and 100k miles with the dsg dry clutch and none of them have failed. Clearly they are very reliable then 👍

[@mihailyanchev1905]

An acquaintance of mine who was a mechanic at VW and who recommended my current DSG car to me, had a very high opinion of them. Also believed it protected the engine compared to manual cars driven badly.

[@NDHobart]

Great review thanks Matt, including the advice on the engines. So, if it were your money, would you go with the T Cross or the Kamiq?

[@therightcar]

Thanks mate. I really like the T-Cross Style. But I think for me the Kamiq Select with the Signature Pack would be the one.

[@NDHobart]

Thanks. I will definitely test drive both but always good to hear what those in the know would choose. Cheers.

[@ozmoll]

Good review. One correction mazda cx30 top specs for similar prices have had adaptive matrix lights since 2020

[@therightcar]

Cheers for pointing that out. Similar price for the underpowered dull 2.0L CX-30. Or $50k (driveaway) for the better engine.

[@johns2394]

I agree with you on this one, I'd rather a cheap Euro any day over any Chinese car. Sadly though, the way things are going with their auto industry it's likely to struggle continuing to make cars in Europe. The Chinese will dominate the auto industry and we may not have too much choice in 10 or so years anyway.

[@therightcar]

Thanks!

[@buncha5651]

Not a bad vehicle, base would be the way to go. I'm not a fan of Monte Carlo gigantic sun roof, i.e., sauna in summer, wheels not much rubber between the rim and road.

[@NH-bz9jv]

Roof has an electric sun shade which makes it no hotter than a normal roof.

[@Richard-sl8we]

Hi Matt, have these reached dealers yet?

[@17stjames]

The HRV EHV is in sale run out mode. Do you know if a new model is coming to Aus. this year or next?

[@therightcar]

I’d suggest you will see an updated model here by the end of the year. Expect some changes, maybe even a cheaper hybrid.

[@pereamadeus3621]

hace ya más de un año te pregunté como hiba el coche y tu respuesta terminó de convencerme y desde hace once meses disfrutamos en casa del 1.5 tsi 150cv dsg7 style y estamos encantados

[@Doug-tu3tl]

Did you mention premium fuel?

[@Doug-tu3tl]

Bought the Kona. More extras, space and looks great.

[@therightcar]

Yeah think I did in the efficiency section.

[@Richard-sl8we]

Yes, requires a minimum of 95 RON octane.

[@dointheokecoke5548]

@@therightcar nah ,how did you miss that

[@julzyin]

The value has gone down for there is no more power tail gate on this model.im very happy with my MY21 Kamiq.

[@therightcar]

You got a bargain. The early Kamiq models were loaded but Skoda had to get greedy in the COVID times

[@lucassitanggang5154]

Why last letter on Škoda brand Is Q? Like Kodiaq Kamiq Enyaq?

[@therightcar]

It’s a branding thing. E-Q models will be electric. K-Q will be ICE.

[@whatthe6532]

Nice little car. Shame it’s ruined by beam rear suspension. And why put cruise controls on a fiddly hard to see stalk when VW cars have it properly sorted on the steering wheel

[@therightcar]

It’s not ruined by the torsion beam. It’s actually good fun in the bends.

[@electronicland7214]

Very nice car as well as the t-cross Is there a similar car that does not use the dry DQ200?

[@therightcar]

Sadly not. The ID.2 compact EV won’t have a DSG! Haha

[@therightcar]

There is a Golf 110TSI or T-Roc 110TSI with the 8-spd auto, or the Skoda Karoq 110TSI.

[@NH-bz9jv]

The dry dsg is very reliable, some cars I know have gone way past 100k miles with the gearbox working flawlessly.

[@MarinaLee-y9s]

How this Monte Carlo’s glass roof behaves itself during summer’s hot weather? There’s not much isolation from the inside 🤔

[@therightcar]

It has a shade and is UV treated glass so it should be okay. But I can’t say for sure.

[@mihailyanchev1905]

I did a test drive at over 30 degrees on the highway and with the shade it seemed only slightly hotter than a normal roof.

[@agkadventuresaustralia3267]

Never I will buy a Chinese car again, parts are very hard to get (GREATWALL) caused my greatwall to be written off because of 2yr wait on parts that they can't guarantee it.

[@avghosh]

this is what people don't understand...and they go only by the cheap initial price..and argue why pay extra for the more reliable japanese brands, with lower features.

[@therightcar]

That sucks. When was that?

[@daweigo6851]

That's odd, massive company in China with lots of parts.....does not make sense? Was it during covid...

[@daweigo6851]

​@@avghoshgoogle vw group car know problems

[@garylab7934]

Definitely not my experience. Had an accident with mine and getting parts was no issue at all. I'll go GWM again.

[@bouncingyellowskull]

Good value

[@therightcar]

I reckon!

[@shrinidhvyas6094]

Is it the same size of vw golf?

[@therightcar]

Smaller in length!

[@rickb314]

You need Skoda Karoq for that, a half size bigger

[@jefwisse1957]

7 year warranty, my ass, wait until something gets broken.

[@GlowingTube]

This is a compelling vehicle. I'm not a fan of DSGs and in particular the dry clutch DQ200 gearbox that is in thus car. Yes, it's the DQ200 that had all the issues some years back. The good news is that it has been well and truly sorted now as long as you don't crawl in traffic you should be fine. Agreed, this makes a great case not to buy a Chinese vehicle.

[@mindfreeze0838]

there are two cars I would choose over this or any VAG car for that matter(not in the habit of funding private school for a mechanic's child im sorry). The first is the Suzuki Vitara Beat,its not at plush as this but will will last longer and starts at 30k. The second is the Haval Jolion,its larger than this and has a hybrid option in the same price range as this.

[@GlowingTube]

@@mindfreeze0838 if you want reliable go pay and wait and by a Toyota SUV. I’d only buy a VAG product if the cost difference is so vast as to give you a buffer in the event of issues. The Suzuki is very decent but I find it ugly, the Jolion is ok and had a big cabin but suffers from a jerky DCT, 2 way adjustable steering and a tiny boot. In the hybrid the boot is only 288 litres. It may be worth getting a 2 year old Jolion cheap and keep it for the warranty.

[@davidbernard7256]

it looks like MG excite!

[@marklearner3299]

MG probably copied it.

[@nsw72]

Why buy chinese anyway? Apart from pricing. Too much of an unknown, especially considering the questionable QC practices (not just cars but mostly anything that is actually Chinese made). Don't mistake European/American goods made there with products designed and made from scratch in the PRC.

[@Joe-dt4pm]

It’s basically a VW so after the warranty runs out get rid of it, dsg gearbox are crap the car looks old not much different to the old one 0 to 100 to slow compared to the oppositions by the time you add the bigger engine and packs it’s overpriced no longer cheap so your better going for the Kona.

[@therightcar]

Two years more warranty than a VW!

[@rickb314]

I'd buy a Skoda but not a VW, know why? Because Skoda take VW parts and build their cars better, that's why they have no issues offering a 7yr warrant to VW's 5 yrs... Skoda is a better VW and that's a fact.

[@NH-bz9jv]

Dsg 7 box is very reliable now, some cars I know have gone way past 100k and are working like new.

[@stendecstretcher5678]

Mazda CX3 Maxx Sport is cheaper and better.

[@rickb314]

Lol another aging product from Mazda I'd take a Kamiq any and every day over a CX-3, and my wife has a Mazda3 which is fine but it's a pure appliance with no driving joy whatsoever.

[@StevenG89]

Lol just no.

[@mindfreeze0838]

that car is way more cramped than this.

[@StephenFogarty2023]

🤡🤡🤡🤡

[@EuEu-re8lv]

Chinese SUV's are coming for half price😂

[@therightcar]

I don’t seen any $17k SUVs yet….

[@EuEu-re8lv]

@@therightcar Try Dacia Sandero Stepway...I know is not an SUV, but neither Kamiq...

[@ezy.from.now.on.]

Why choose European when you can have a Chinese one that looks better, has more tech, a more polarising design inside and out, is a lot more reliable then anything in the VW group, and just flat out cost so much less.

[@therightcar]

You clearly don’t understand what makes European cars better.

[@ezy.from.now.on.]

@@therightcar A slightly less amount of body roll and maybe some better handling is not enough to justify buying anything European since it'll be in the workshop every 3rd week. If you're buying European, you should be going for the more expensive ones that get you so much more power and a luxury feel. But a Kamiq just cannot justify itself when the Chery Omoda 5 GT exists

[@Steve-jx3mh]

Skoda might be part of the VW group, but ive never found an issue with them and most of the owners i know love them. They are also not as expensive to maintain as the VW's.

[@zzz-pe3mp]

@@therightcar Skoda is effectively the chinese car of europe and the gearbox will be toast by the time it hits 100k

[@rickb314]

​@@zzz-pe3mphello let me fill you in my friend...I own a 2010 Skoda Octavia RS wagon. It has a 6spd DSG transmission. It now has over 137,000kms on it, and is 14.5 years old. Guess what? It's been faultess. Not a single fault in over 14 years. In and out of the workshop huh? LOL you sound like someone who believes everything they read on the internet. What would I know though? I only own a Skoda and have had over 14 years of absolutely faultless motoring.

[@tonybennett638]

Its a VW 🤪

[@therightcar]

In some ways. But it is Czech built.

[@Richard-sl8we]

​​@@therightcar In my opinion, better quality than VW's - post Dieselgate.

[@rickb314]

​@@Richard-sl8we100% Skoda cars are higher quality than any VW, they just make better Volkswagens!

[@daveview1743]

If the Kamiq doesn't have a override facility on the Automatic Locking System it's a potential deathtrap.

[@therightcar]

This is one of the most random things I’ve seen in a comment on a new car review.

[@daveview1743]

@therightcar It's a fact .It took me 9 months to get Skoda to recognise the design fault and finally the tech team have created a method to reset the computer. Skoda removed the override which was on previous models .So if you are buying get the override applied so the driver can decide if he is locked in ,its definitely not a Safety Feature as they would want you to believe.Check it out you should know and be advising people.

[@chucknorris8704]

WOnder what the long term reliability is like. If its anything like my last 2 VW & Audis, then no thanks. Utter garbage cars after 8 years

[@zzz-pe3mp]

trash like every other vag product with the same gearbox

[@rickb314]

This is going to sound strange but hear me out...Skoda make better cars than VW or Audi. Same parts I know! But it's true, you talk to Skoda owners (and I'm one of them) the Czech brand simply builds better Volkswagens, as strange as that seems at first. I have a 2010 Octavia RS wagon and it's been faultess. It's got 137,000km and counting (and yes it's a DSG) and I would buy another one in a heartbeat.

[@nsw72]

If you want reliability it's a one way street. Japan.

[@jefwisse1957]

I bought a Skoda Karoq and within the first year I had two malfunctions. One of the malfunctions was fixed under warranty but I had to rent a car for a week (360 Euro's) and the other problem hasni't been fixed until this day. I love the car but I'm not very enthousiastic about the service.

[@garycusack9247]

why dual clutch shit auto's

[@therightcar]

That’s what they banked on for this generation of products.