Skoda Kamiq small SUV revealed

As the SUV boom compels every car-maker fill all conceivable gaps in their portfolios, Volkswagen’s Czech brand has finally released the 2020 Skoda Kamiq compact SUV.

Revealed ahead of its public debut at the 2019 Geneva motor show next week, the all-new small SUV measures 4241mm from bumper to bumper.

That makes it slightly smaller than the Mazda CX-3 (4275mm) and significantly shorter than the Mitsubishi ASX (4365mm), which were the two top-selling small SUVs in Australia in 2018.

The Skoda Kamiq will be one sale in Australian from around March 2020 and although pricing and specs have not been locked in for Australia the vehicle is expected to be competitively priced – potentially under $25K – and feature-packed.

Technology is increasingly becoming a key motivator for buyers in the entry-level SUV segment and Aussie vehicles are expected to be offered with all the bells and whistles, including the biggest 9.2-inch touch-screen infotainment system with Apple and Android phone mirroring.

There are also 6.5- and 8-inch touchscreens available, while a digital cockpit option comprising a 10.2-inch LCD screen will be available to replace the traditional analogue instrument dials.

In addition, there are loads of USB ports, ambient interior LED lighting and semi-autonomous driving aids, including active steering, braking and acceleration via active lane keep assist and adaptive cruise control.

Autonomous emergency braking (AEB) is expected to be standard on all Australian Skoda Kamiq models, while nine airbags, blind-spot detection, rear cross-traffic alert, high-beam and park assist, plus driver fatigue alert will be available.

Despite the vehicle's compact dimensions boot space is claimed to be 400 litres, expanding to 1395 litres, which is more than a Volkswagen Golf hatch.

The Skoda Kamiq retains the brand's SUV naming convention that all models must start with a K, such as the Karoq and Kodiaq, and the exterior design has parallels with the Skoda Vision X concept shown in early 2018.

The split-headlight styling is reminiscent of the Hyundai SUV design language seen on the Kona and Santa Fe, which create two distinct areas for the LED daytime running lamps and main beams.

Alloy wheels with diameters between 16- and 18-inches will be offered.

The Skoda Kamiq small SUV will be offered with a range of compact turbo engines, with the 1.0-litre, three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine a strong likelihood for the Aussie market. It bangs out either 70kW/175Nm or 85kW/200Nm, the latter state of tune tipped for Oz.

Other engine options include a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine, worth 110kW/250Nm, and a 1.6-litre turbo-diesel that generates 85kW/250Nm.

There is even a compressed natural gas (CNG) engine, dubbed G-Tec, which is a 1.0-litre turbo engine with 66kW/160Nm but is unlikely to come Down Under.

Gearbox options in Europe include a five- and six-speed manual gearbox while a seven-speed DSG is tipped to be the most popular choice for Aussie buyers.

Based on the same MQB platform as the Volkswagen Polo hatch and VW T-Roc compact SUV, not to mention the upcoming Skoda Scala compact due in Australia before the Kamiq from around February 2020, the compact SUV has every chance of becoming one of Skoda's top sellers in Australia.

Currently the Skoda Octavia is still the brand's top-seller in Australia, with 1794 of the vehicles finding homes in 2018, while the Kodiaq seven-seat SUV was the second most popular with 1346.

Skoda Australia's general manager of corporate communications, Paul Pottinger, told carsales.com.au that if it can get enough supply in 2020, the Skoda Kamiq could be one of its top sellers here.

"The Kamiq fills a gap in our SUV portfolio and the vehicle is hugely important.

"We've felt the lack of a small SUV in range and it will be an extremely competitive offering. But we're reliant on supply – we source all Skodas from Europe and already the factories are at production capacity," he said.