Review of Skoda Kamiq 2021: 110TSI Monte Carlo

The Skoda Kamiq has impressed us since its launch. It won our recent light SUV comparison test, although the version of the Kamiq that outperformed the Toyota Yaris Cross and Ford Puma in this review was very different from the one you see here.

Because this is Monte Carlo. Those familiar with Skoda's history know that this means it gets some sportier trims inside and out, and should not be confused with the tea-dipping Australian Bikki.

But the 2021 Kamiq Monte Carlo recipe is about more than just a sportier look. Instead of visual flair - as we've seen in the Fabia Monte Carlo in the past - the Kamiq Monte Carlo whets the appetite with a larger, more powerful engine. 

It actually gets the same powertrain as the just-released Scala hatchback, but in a more compact package. But given that the base model Kamiq is the ultimate value proposition, does this new, more expensive option make the same sense as the base model?

Skoda Kamiq 2021: 110TSI Monte Carlo
Safety Rating	-
engine's type	1.5 L turbo
fuel type	Premium unleaded gasoline
Fuel efficiency	5.6l / 100km
Landing	5 Places
Price from	$27,600

Does it represent good value for money? What functions does it have? 8/10

The 2021 Skoda Kamiq 110TSI Monte Carlo is not a cheap small SUV. The company has a list price for this option of $34,190 (excluding travel expenses), but it also launched the model at a national price of $36,990, no need to pay more.

It's not what you'd call wallet-friendly for a car of this size, though it's worth reminding yourself that a front-wheel-drive Hyundai Kona costs $38,000 before road expenses! - and by comparison, the Kamiq Monte Carlo is extremely well equipped for the money. 

Standard equipment on this version of the Kamiq 110TSI includes 18" Vega black alloy wheels, power liftgate, LED rear lighting with dynamic indicators, LED headlights with cornering light and animated turn signals, fog lamps, tinted privacy glass, 8.0" Multimedia system touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring, wireless phone charging and a neat 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster.

It gets deluxe 18-inch wheels with black trim, while the standard Kamiq still rides on 18-inch wheels. (Image: Matt Campbell)

There are four USB-C ports (two in the front and two more in the back for charging), a covered center armrest, a leather steering wheel, Monte Carlo cloth-trimmed sports seats, manual seat adjustment, a space-saving spare wheel, and tire pressure. monitoring, a two-way cargo bay, push-button start, proximity keyless entry, and dual-zone climate control.

There is also a pretty strong security history, but you'll have to read the security section below for more details.

The Monte Carlo also features a number of aesthetic changes from the base model. In addition to other 18-inch wheels, there's a black exterior design package, a panoramic glass roof (rather than an opening sunroof), and the signature Sport Chassis Control setting that's lowered by 15mm, has an adaptive suspension and multiple driving modes. It also has black lining on the inside.

As for the media screen front, I also don't like that there are no knobs or hardware buttons on the side of the optional 9.2-inch screen installed in the test car. (Image: Matt Campbell)

If you still think you need more features, a Travel Pack is available for the Kamiq Monte Carlo. It costs $4300 and is replaced with a larger 9.2-inch media screen with sat-nav and wireless CarPlay, and also includes semi-autonomous parking, blind spot and rear cross traffic alert, heated front and rear seats (with cloth trim), and paddle shifters. . 

Color options for the Monte Carlo include an optional ($550) metallic finish in Moon White, Brilliant Silver, Quartz Grey, Race Blue, Magic Black, and an eye-catching Velvet Red premium paint for $1110. Don't want to pay for paint? Your only free option is Steel Gray for Monte Carlo.

Is there anything interesting about its design? 8/10

Not quite the usual appearance of an SUV, is it? No black plastic cladding around the bumpers or wheel arches, and the high-riding hatchback is smaller than most.

Indeed, the Kamiq Monte Carlo sits lower than standard thanks to a 15mm lower sports suspension. And it gets luxurious 18-inch black-trimmed wheels, while the standard Kamiq still rides 18-inch ones.

But there are other distinctive styling cues that those familiar with the Monte Carlo theme would expect, such as black exterior styling cues - black window surrounds instead of chrome, black lettering and badges, black mirror caps, black roof rails, black grill frame radiator. . All this gives it a more aggressive look, and the panoramic glass roof (non-opening sunroof), sports seats and sports pedals make it sportier.

Is it as attractive as the Ford Puma ST-Line, or the Mazda CX-30 Astina, or any other small SUV that stands out for its style? It's up to you to judge, but in my opinion, this is an interesting, if not traditionally stunning, small SUV. However, I couldn't make out the resemblance of the rear end to the first generation BMW X1... and now you might not be able to either.

The interior of the Kamiq Monte Carlo is clearly sportier than the cheaper version. (Image: Matt Campbell)

Based on official sales results, it's playing in the "small SUV" segment, and you can see why given its size. Kamiq has a length of only 4241 mm (with a wheelbase of 2651 mm), a width of 1793 mm and a height of 1531 mm. For context, that makes it smaller than the Mazda CX-30, Toyota C-HR, Subaru XV, Mitsubishi ASX and Kia Seltos, and not far from its cousin, the VW T-Roc.

Unlike many SUVs in this segment, the Kamiq features a smart inclusion of a power trunk lid that you can also open with a key. Plus, there's a surprisingly large amount of boot space - check out the images of the interior below.

How practical is the interior space? 9/10

The interior of the Kamiq Monte Carlo is clearly sportier than the cheaper version.

It's more than just some interesting fabric trim on the sports seats and red stitching on the interior. It's also natural light that comes in through the huge panoramic glass roof - just remember it's the wrong sunroof so you can't open it. And while it adds a bit of heat to the cabin in terms of appeal, it also adds a bit of warmth to the cabin because it's a huge glass roof. In the summer in Australia, it might not be ideal.

But the glass roof is an eye-catching element that is also an eye-catching interior design. There are fine touches, including the aforementioned standard digital driver's instrument cluster that stands out from its many competitors with partially digital information clusters, and the overall look and quality of the materials that have been used in the cabin are quite high. standard.

Some people may grumble a bit about the harder, cheaper plastics in some parts of the cabin, such as the door rails and some parts of the door skins, and the lower dashboard components, but the top of the dash, the elbow pads, and the tops of the doors are all of soft material, and they are pleasant to the touch. 

There's also a decent amount of storage space - it's a Skoda, after all!

There are cup holders between the seats, although they are a bit shallow, so be careful if you have a tall, very hot coffee. The front doors also have large niches with bottle holders. There is a storage cutout in front of the gear selector that houses a cordless phone charger as well as two USB-C ports. Both the glove box is a decent size and there is an additional small storage box on the driver's side to the right of the steering wheel.

Behind my driving position - I'm 182cm or 6ft 0in - and I can sit comfortably with an inch of knee and leg room. (Image: Matt Campbell)

The seats are extremely comfortable and although they are manually adjustable and not upholstered in leather, they are very well suited for this purpose. 

Most of the ergonomics are also on top. The controls are easy to find and easy to get used to, however I am not a big fan of the fact that there is no fan control button or dial on the climate control switch block. To adjust the fan, you either need to do so via the media screen or set the climate control to "auto" which selects the fan speed for you. I prefer to set the fan speed myself, but the "auto" system worked fine during my test.  

As for the media screen front, I also don't like that there are no knobs or hardware buttons on the side of the optional 9.2-inch screen installed in the test car. However, it takes some getting used to, as do the menus and media screen controls. And the 8.0-inch screen in the no-option car gets old-school dials.

The seats are extremely comfortable and although they are manually adjustable and not upholstered in leather, they are very well suited for this purpose. (Image: Matt Campbell)

In several previous VW and Skoda models with wireless CarPlay, I had problems connecting correctly and quickly. This car was no exception - it took a while to figure out that I wanted this phone to be connected wirelessly, however it maintained a fairly stable connection throughout my test period. 

In the back seat, everything is exceptionally good. Behind my driving position - I'm 182cm or 6ft 0in - and I can sit comfortably with an inch of knee and leg room, as well as plenty of toe room. Headroom is also good for tall passengers, even with the sunroof, and while the rear seat isn't as bolstered or well-sculpted as the front, it's comfortable enough for adults. 

If you have children, there are two ISOFIX points on the outer seats, and three points on top in the back row. Kids will love the directional vents, 2 USB-C ports, and seat back pockets, not to mention the large doors with bottle holders. However, there is no folding armrest or cup holders.

There is a storage cutout in front of the gear selector that houses a cordless phone charger as well as two USB-C ports. (Image: Matt Campbell)

The seats can be folded almost flat, in a ratio of 60:40. And the volume of the trunk with the seats up - 400 liters - is excellent for this class of car, especially considering its external dimensions. We manage to fit all three of our suitcases - 124L, 95L, 36L - in the trunk with room to spare. Plus there's the usual set of hooks and nets we've come to expect from a Skoda, and a spare tire to save space under the trunk floor. And yes, there's an umbrella hidden in the driver's door, and an ice scraper in the fuel tank cap, and you'll find recommended tire pressures there as well. 

What are the main characteristics of the engine and transmission? 8/10

Unlike the entry-level three-cylinder Kamiq, the Kamiq Monte Carlo has a four-cylinder turbo engine with a few more bees under the hood.

The 1.5-liter Kamiq 110TSI engine develops 110 kW (at 6000 rpm) and 250 Nm of torque (from 1500 to 3500 rpm). That's pretty decent power for its class and a significant step up from the base model's 85kW/200Nm. Like, it's 30 percent more power and 25 percent more torque.

The 110TSI only comes paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, and the Kamiq is exclusively a 2WD (front-wheel drive) option, so if you want AWD/4WD (all-wheel drive), you're better off moving all the way up to the Karoq Sportline, which will cost you about $7000 more, but it's a bigger, more practical car, but it's also much more powerful. 

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How much fuel does it consume? 8/10

For the Skoda Kamiq Monte Carlo model, the declared fuel consumption in the combined cycle is only 5.6 liters per 100 kilometers. This is what the manufacturer claims should be possible with mixed driving.

To help it reach that theoretical number, the Kamiq 110TSI version has engine start technology (turns the engine off when you're standing still) as well as the ability to use cylinder deactivation and run on two cylinders under light load. .

For the Skoda Kamiq Monte Carlo model, the declared fuel consumption in the combined cycle is only 5.6 liters per 100 kilometers. (Image: Matt Campbell)

Our test cycle included urban, highway, rural and freeway testing - the Scala delivered a fuel consumption figure of 6.9 l/100 km per gas station. 

The Kamiq fuel tank has a capacity of 50 liters and requires premium unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 95.

What safety equipment is installed? What is the safety rating? 8/10

The Skoda Kamiq has been awarded a five-star ANCAP crash test rating under the 2019 authorities' assessment criteria. Yes, you bet the rules have changed since then, but the Kamiq is still well-equipped for safety. 

All versions are equipped with Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) operating at speeds from 4 to 250 km/h. There is also pedestrian and cyclist detection operating from 10 km/h to 50 km/h and all Kamiq models come standard with lane departure warning and lane keeping assist (operating from 60 km/h to 250 km/h). XNUMX km/h), as well as with a driver. fatigue detection.

We don't like that blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are still optional at this price point, as some competitors thousands of dollars cheaper have the technology. If you opt for the Travel Pack with Blind Spot and Rear Cross Traffic, you also get a semi-autonomous parking system that includes the addition of front parking sensors. You get a reversing camera and rear parking sensors as standard, and the Skoda comes equipped with a standard rear auto-braking system known as "Rear Maneuver Brake Assist" that should prevent getting stuck in a parking lot at low speed. 

Kamiq models come with seven airbags - dual front, front side, full-length curtain and driver's knee protection.

Warranty and safety rating

Basic Warranty

5 years / unlimited mileage


guarantee

How much does it cost to own? What kind of guarantee is provided? 8/10

You may have thought about buying a Skoda in the past but weren't sure about the potential ownership prospects. However, with recent changes in the company's approach to ownership, these doubts may have dissipated.

In Australia, Skoda offers a five-year unlimited mileage warranty, which is par for the course among major competitors. Roadside assistance is included in the price during the first year of ownership, but if you have your car serviced by the Skoda workshop network, it is renewed annually, up to a maximum of 10 years.

Speaking of maintenance – there is a capped pricing program covering six years/90,000 km, with an average maintenance cost (service intervals every 12 months or 15,000 km) of $443.

However, there is an even better deal on the table.

If you choose to prepay for service with one of the branded upgrade packages, you'll save a ton of money. Choose three years / 45,000 km ($800 - otherwise $1139) or five years / 75,000 km ($1200 - otherwise $2201). The added benefit is that if you include these upfront payments in your financial payments, there will be one less item in your annual budget. 

If you know you're going to drive many miles - and judging by some used car listings, many Skoda drivers do! There is another service option you might want to consider. Skoda has released a maintenance subscription plan that includes maintenance, all supplies and other items such as brakes, brake pads and even tires and wiper blades. Prices start at $99 a month depending on how much mileage you need, but there's a half-price promo for the Kamiq launch. 

What is it like to drive? 8/10

The Skoda Kamiq impressed us with its overall capabilities in our recent comparison test, and the Kamiq Monte Carlo driving experience is also quite an impressive offering from the brand.

It all comes down to the engine, which - apparently with more power, power and torque - gives a more lively experience and helps justify the big jump in asking price...to a degree.

Do not misunderstand me. This is a good little engine. It offers high power and torque and feels more spicy, especially in the mid-range, than the entry-level three-cylinder unit. 

Personally, I would definitely test two engines in a row, because I believe that a three-piston engine can be a nice place for many customers who are not going to explore the potential of this transmission.

The Skoda Kamiq impressed us with its overall capabilities in our recent comparison test. (Image: Matt Campbell)

For more enthusiastic drivers, the 110TSI hits the obvious and expected highs. It pulls a lightweight (1237kg) Kamiq with no problem and the result is better acceleration (the 0TSI claims 100sec 110-8.4km/h while the DSG 85TSI is pegged at 10.0sec). It's hardly a 0-100 times speed demon, but it's fast enough.

However, in boring suburban driving and stop-and-go traffic or just when you're pulling out of a parking lot or intersection, the transmission can be difficult to handle. Combined with some low-end lag, the engine's start-stop system, and a slightly twitchy throttle, disabling a standing start may require more thought and thought than it really should. Be sure to get stuck in traffic or at intersections during a test drive.

The real star of the show is how this car handles. 

The Monte Carlo gets a lowered (15mm) chassis that includes adaptive dampers as part of the suspension setup. This means that ride comfort can be, well, very comfortable in normal mode, but the suspension characteristics change when you put it in sport mode, making it stiffer and more like a hot hatch. 

Driving modes also affect steering weight, suspension, and transmission performance, improving throttle response as well as allowing for more aggressive shifting, allowing the transmission to explore the rev range.

This is an extremely competent and fun little SUV. (Image: Matt Campbell)

The steering is quite excellent regardless of the mode, providing high precision and predictability. It's not fast enough to change direction to hurt your neck, but it turns very well in tight corners, and you can feel the Volkswagen Group's roots under the metalwork in how it handles on the road.

Look, you're not getting Golf GTI genes here. It's still a lot of fun and certainly exciting enough for the target audience, but there's some torque steer under hard acceleration - that's where the steering wheel can tug to either side when you hit the gas - and there's a bit of wheel spin, especially in the wet. road, but also especially in the dry. And while the Eagle F1 tires are sometimes pretty good for thrash, don't expect a level of traction and grip on the race track. 

There are a few other things that we hope can be improved: road noise is too much on rough gravel roads, so a little more soundproofing wouldn't hurt; and paddle shifters should be standard on all Monte Carlo models, not part of the package.

Other than that, it's an extremely competent and fun little SUV.

Verdict

The Skoda Kamiq Monte Carlo is a very competent and beautifully packaged small SUV. It has the intelligence we've come to expect from a Skoda, and because this second-class model has a bigger, more powerful engine and sportier driving dynamics than this chassis configuration, the Monte Carlo will appeal to those who want not only a cool look, but and hotter performance.

So Kamiq has two different perspectives on two different types of buyers. Seems like a logical approach to me.