√Skoda Kamiq wins 2022 Drive Car of the Year Best Small SUV

This impressive small SUV makes it two in a row for a brand that so often flies under the radar.

In order to make the cut for Drive Car of the Year Best Small SUV, the finalists must embody a balance of practicality and value, and should ideally fit a range of uses from urban runabout to safe and comfortable family transport.

No small task then.

Therefore, it’s no small accomplishment to win this year, making it back-to-back titles for Skoda’s smallest SUV.

Among its key attributes to sway the judges is the impressively sized interior, which makes the Kamiq feel more like a car from the class above in terms of useable space for both passengers and cargo.

Beyond sheer size, Skoda also loads in a range of hooks and storage solutions that emphasise the utility – which is, after all, key to a car that describes itself as a Sports Utility Vehicle.

Our judging panel also noted a variety of attributes that gave the Kamiq clear air compared to its competitors. Everything from a “grippy front end that likes to get stuck into a bend” to “very nice cabin materials” and mentions of “supportive seats, good headroom” cemented the Skoda’s win.

Spacious and well-finished though it may be, to some eyes the practicality-focussed design doesn’t carry the flair or colour some younger buyers may crave.

As for Skoda’s ownership experience, the Kamiq couples a five-year warranty with an available (opt-in) five-year service plan for just $1500, making it incredibly strong value for money in terms of ongoing expenses.

Heading into 2022 with a 110kW, 1.5-litre, four-cylinder turbo petrol engine further boosts the Kamiq’s appeal. While the previous 85kW range-opener impressed, the wider availability of a more powerful engine makes the Kamiq more willing and more flexible across a range of driving situations.

At some points on the road, the Kamiq did betray a little additional road noise. Some rural buyers might find the suspension and brakes a little sharper than they need to be too – perhaps betraying the car’s European origins.

At a starting price of $32,990 drive-away (at the time of testing), you’d expect to find a healthy list of inclusions, and the Kamiq delivers. It also goes beyond what many rivals offer at the price, packing wireless phone charging, powered tailgate, dual-zone climate control, 18-inch alloy wheels, adaptive cruise control, and a digital instrument cluster on even the most affordable variant.

Read about the Best Small SUV segment

Read about all the other 2022 Drive Car of the Year categories and winners