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Skoda Kamiq Ireland Buyer Guide: Petrol-Only Since 2024, Five-Star Safety and What to Check

Skoda Kamiq Ireland buyer guide: the 2024 update, three TSI engines from 95 hp to 150 hp, Irish price from Skoda Ireland, motor tax band and a used Kamiq checklist.

Irish Auto Market
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White Skoda Kamiq 2024 parked by a river with a castle on the hillside

The Skoda Kamiq is Skoda's smallest SUV and one of the most sensible small family cars you can buy in Ireland, new or used. It arrived in 2019, was updated in 2024, and Skoda says it was the brand's best-selling SUV in 2021, 2022 and 2023, ahead of the Karoq and Kodiaq. This Skoda Kamiq Ireland buyer guide covers what changed in 2024, the engines you will find, what the current car costs new from Skoda Ireland, and what to check on a used Kamiq.

Quick Summary

  • Launched in 2019 on the Volkswagen Group MQB-A0 platform and built at Skoda's main plant in Mladá Boleslav.
  • The 2024 update brought a petrol-only range of three TSI evo2 engines from 95 hp to 150 hp, plus new trims: Essence, Selection and Monte Carlo.
  • Skoda Ireland lists the current Kamiq from €29,270, with a WLTP CO2 figure of 122 g/km for the quoted version.
  • Euro NCAP gave the Kamiq its maximum five-star rating, and up to nine airbags are available.
  • We found no Kamiq-specific entry on the RSA's 2023 to 2026 recall lists, but always ask a Skoda dealer to check the VIN.

Thinking of buying one? Browse used Skoda cars on EcoSteer to see what is available near you. If you need more space, compare it with the bigger Skoda Karoq, and if you would rather have a hatchback, see our Skoda Fabia buyer's guide.

Skoda Kamiq in Ireland: the key facts

The Kamiq sits below the Karoq in Skoda's SUV range. Skoda describes it as the entry-level model in its SUV family and the city SUV partner to the Scala hatchback. Both launched in 2019 on the MQB-A0 platform, and by February 2024 Skoda said nearly 410,000 Kamiqs had been built in the Czech Republic and sold in more than 60 markets.

For Irish buyers that matters in two ways. First, the Kamiq shares engines, gearboxes and many parts with other Volkswagen Group small cars, so servicing and parts are widely available. Second, there are plenty of 2019 to 2023 cars on the used market, alongside the updated version from 2024.

What changed with the 2024 update

Skoda announced the updated Kamiq in February 2024. The main changes were:

  • Design: a redesigned grille, new front and rear aprons and, for the first time, optional LED Matrix headlights.
  • Interior: an 8-inch digital instrument display as standard on all models, an 8-inch infotainment screen as standard, a 9-inch touchscreen with the navigation package and an optional 10-inch Virtual Cockpit. Upholstery and door panels use recycled fabrics and natural fibres such as hemp and kenaf.
  • Trims: a new structure of Essence, Selection and Monte Carlo, with six interior Design Selections.
  • Safety: Easy Light Assist and tyre pressure monitoring became standard, joining Front Assist with Pedestrian Monitor, Lane Assist, Traffic Sign Recognition, Driver Alert and Multi-Collision Brake.
  • Convenience: optional extra USB-C ports with up to 45 watts, a 15-watt wireless Phone Box with cooling, and a virtual pedal for the electric tailgate.
Skoda Kamiq 2024 dashboard with digital instruments, central touchscreen and manual gear lever
Inside the updated Kamiq. Photo: Skoda press image. Press photo of a left-hand-drive car; cars sold in Ireland are right-hand drive.

Engines and gearboxes

Skoda's 2024 press kit lists three petrol engines, all from the EA211 evo2 family:

  • 1.0 TSI, 70 kW (95 hp): 175 Nm, five-speed manual.
  • 1.0 TSI, 85 kW (115 hp): 200 Nm, six-speed manual or seven-speed DSG automatic. Skoda says it now delivers 6 hp more than its predecessor, and its peak power arrives 500 rpm sooner.
  • 1.5 TSI, 110 kW (150 hp): 250 Nm, six-speed manual or seven-speed DSG, with ACT+ cylinder deactivation that shuts down two cylinders under light load.

All Kamiqs are front-wheel drive. The updated range has no diesel or hybrid option, so if you are looking at a 2019 to 2023 car, check the logbook and the badge for the exact engine and gearbox, as older cars were sold with a different line-up.

For most Irish buyers the 1.0 TSI 115 hp is the sweet spot. The 95 hp version suits mostly urban driving, while the 1.5 TSI is the one to choose if you regularly carry a full load on the motorway.

Price, trims and motor tax

Skoda Ireland lists the current Kamiq from €29,270. Its model page lists the Essence with 16-inch steel wheels, manual air conditioning and rear parking sensors; the Selection with 16-inch alloys, dual-zone climate control, privacy glass and keyless start; and the Monte Carlo with 17-inch black alloys, Matrix LED headlights and sporty styling. Standard equipment varies by year, so check the specification of the exact car you are viewing.

Skoda Ireland quotes a WLTP figure of 5.4 l/100 km and 122 g/km of CO2 for its headline version. For a car first registered from 2021, 122 g/km falls in motor tax band B2. Cars registered before 2021 were taxed on a different basis, so always check the exact rate for that registration on motortax.ie.

Used prices move week to week, so compare current listings on EcoSteer rather than relying on an old price guide.

Safety

Skoda says the Kamiq achieved the maximum five-star rating in Euro NCAP testing. Up to nine airbags are available, including a driver's knee airbag and rear side airbags. Optional systems include Travel Assist with adaptive cruise control and adaptive lane assist, Side Assist, which warns of vehicles approaching from behind up to 70 metres away, and Crew Protect Assist, which closes the windows and tightens the front seat belts if a collision is imminent.

Recalls and known issues

We checked the Road Safety Authority's recall lists for 2023 to 2026 and found no entry specific to the Kamiq. That is encouraging, but it does not cover every year and it is not a VIN check. Skoda Ireland says it writes to the registered owners of affected vehicles, so a second-hand buyer should give the VIN to a Skoda dealer, or call Skoda Ireland's customer care on 1800 813 764, and ask whether any campaign is open.

Beyond recalls, treat the Kamiq like any small turbocharged petrol car: look for on-time servicing with the correct oil, smooth DSG behaviour on automatic cars, and no warning lights after a 20-minute test drive.

What to check on a used Skoda Kamiq in Ireland

  • Service history: stamps or invoices every year, with oil changes at the intervals in the handbook.
  • DSG automatic: smooth pull-away from rest, no shudder in slow traffic and clean reverse engagement.
  • Engine and gearbox: confirm they match the logbook and the advert, especially on 2019 to 2023 cars.
  • Driver assistance: test the cruise control, lane assist and parking sensors. Cameras and sensors behind the windscreen must be recalibrated after a windscreen replacement.
  • Infotainment: pair your phone, test wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto where fitted, and check the digital display.
  • Tyres and wheels: Monte Carlo cars on larger wheels can show kerb damage.
  • NCT and paperwork: check the NCT certificate and advisory notes, and for an imported car make sure VRT has been paid.
  • Recall check: ask a Skoda dealer to run the VIN.

Kamiq, Scala or Karoq?

Skoda built the Kamiq and the Scala hatchback as a pair on the same MQB-A0 platform, with the same engines and largely the same dashboard. By February 2024 Skoda had delivered more than 260,000 Scalas worldwide, against nearly 410,000 Kamiqs, which shows how much buyers preferred the SUV body. The Kamiq gives you a slightly higher seating position and easier access, which many Irish buyers value for child seats and for getting in and out on narrow streets. The Scala is the lower, more car-like option with the same mechanical parts.

The Karoq is a size up in Skoda's SUV range. If you regularly carry four adults, a large dog or a lot of luggage, test drive both before deciding. If most of your driving is around town with occasional longer trips, the Kamiq's smaller footprint is easier to park and usually cheaper to run.

New or used?

A used 2019 to 2023 Kamiq is usually the value choice, especially a one-owner car with a full Skoda service history. The 2024 update is worth paying more for if you want the standard digital instruments, the newer evo2 engines and the extra safety equipment. Whichever you choose, confirm the exact engine, trim and first registration date, because these decide both the motor tax band and how much equipment the car has.

Is the Kamiq right for you?

The Kamiq suits Irish buyers who want an easy, practical small SUV with proven Volkswagen Group engines and a strong safety record. It is a good first family car and a good choice for drivers moving down from a bigger SUV. If you need more space or four-wheel drive, look at the Karoq instead. If you want a hybrid or electric car, the Kamiq is not the one, because the current range is petrol-only.

When you are ready to compare, browse used Skoda cars on EcoSteer and take this checklist to every viewing.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Skoda Kamiq a good car to buy in Ireland?

Yes. It has a five-star Euro NCAP rating, proven petrol engines shared across the Volkswagen Group and a practical cabin. A used Kamiq with a full service history and a clean VIN recall check is a sound buy.

Does the Skoda Kamiq come in diesel or hybrid?

The updated Kamiq from 2024 is petrol-only, with 1.0 TSI and 1.5 TSI engines from 95 hp to 150 hp. There is no hybrid or electric Kamiq. Older 2019 to 2023 cars had a different line-up, so check the logbook.

How much is a new Skoda Kamiq in Ireland?

Skoda Ireland lists the Kamiq from €29,270. Prices vary by trim, engine and options, and the dealer price may differ.

How much is motor tax on a Skoda Kamiq?

It depends on CO2 and the date of first registration. Skoda Ireland quotes 122 g/km for its headline version, which is band B2 for cars registered from 2021. Check the exact rate on motortax.ie.

Has the Skoda Kamiq been recalled in Ireland?

We found no Kamiq-specific entry on the RSA's 2023 to 2026 recall lists. Ask a Skoda dealer or Skoda Ireland customer care to check the VIN of the car you are buying, because recall work is linked to the individual car.

Sources

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