Skoda Kamiq VS Fiat 500X
Skoda Kamiq
Likes
- Fun to drive
- Practical cabin
- Sips fuel
Dislikes
- Dual clutch can be fiddly
- Some minor spec trimmed out
- Priced alongside AWD or hybrid alternatives
Fiat 500X
Likes
- Fun looks
- Good interior
- Great safety package
Dislikes
- Iffy transmission
- Oddball ride
- Slow
Summary
Skoda Kamiq
The Skoda Kamiq might be one of Australia’s most underrated vehicles.
As you may or, more likely, may not know, the Kamiq crossover has always been positioned to compete with mainstream players like the Honda HR-V, Mazda CX-3 and Subaru Crosstrek in its own quirky way, which we’ve always quite liked here at CarsGuide.
That’s some tough competition, though, so what does this Skoda do differently to deserve your attention, what’s changed for this year’s update, and do we still think this Skoda should be on your shopping list if you’re considering those other cars?
Read more about
- Cut-price European car incoming: 2025 Skoda Fabia Select makes it $7000 cheaper to get into the Volkswagen Polo, Toyota Yaris and Mazda2 rival
- 2025 Skoda Epiq: New concept previews upcoming city-sized pure-electric SUV set to charge into battle against combustion competitors like Mazda CX-3, Kia Stonic and Toyota Yaris Cross
- 2024 Skoda Octavia wagon and sedan facelifted and updated to take on Mazda 6, Toyota Camry, Honda Accord when it comes to Australia
Read on and we’ll find out.
| Safety rating | — |
|---|---|
| Engine Type | — |
| Fuel Type | — |
| Fuel Efficiency | —L/100km |
| Seating | 5 seats |
Fiat 500X
Fiat's indomitable 500 is one of the great survivors - not even VW's recently deceased New Beetle could keep riding the nostalgia wave, partly because it made itself just that little bit out-of-touch by not being a car anyone can buy. The 500 avoided that, particularly in its home market, and is still going strong.
Fiat added the 500X compact SUV a few years ago and at first I thought it was a daft idea. It's a polarising car, partly because some people complain it's capitalising on the 500's history. Well, duh. It's worked out well for Mini, so why not?
I've driven one every year for the last couple so I was keen to see what's up and whether it's still one of the weirdest cars on the road.
| Safety rating | |
|---|---|
| Engine Type | 1.4L turbo |
| Fuel Type | Premium Unleaded Petrol |
| Fuel Efficiency | 5.7L/100km |
| Seating | 5 seats |
Verdict
Skoda Kamiq7.8/10
The Skoda Kamiq continues to be an overlooked gem. It’s cleverly designed and well equipped, even in base form, and what sets it apart from many other dull options in this segment is how fun it can be to drive.
Despite all of this and keen ownership terms it continues to account for a tiny number of sales in the segment, and I don’t think it’s destined to change as, value or not, its positioning remains the same in a small SUV space where it’s increasingly hard to stand out.
Still, for those who dare to choose something different, there’s a great little car to be found.
Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with travel, accommodation and meals provided.
Fiat 500X6.8/10
The 500X is a fun-looking alternative to the various options available from everyone else and is - overall - better to drive than its Renegade twin.Â
It packs a very good safety package which you can't ignore but does lose points on the warranty and servicing regime. But it's also built to take four adults in comfort, which not every car in the segment can boast.
Would you choose the Fiat 500X over one its better-known competitors? Tell us in the comments section below.
Design
Skoda Kamiq
The Kamiq's design is distinctly European for better or worse, but it stands out from its crossover rivals by looking (and feeling) more hatchback than SUV.
If you’re wondering what’s changed for this update, I don’t blame you, the changes are very subtle. Looking closely will reveal a tweaked front bumper and a new rear diffuser, as well as progressive LED indicators.
The style of the two variants has also been subtly altered with new wheel choices and the increase in the use of gloss black on the Monte Carlo, but there are more distinct changes on the inside.
Each grade gets its own theme for the highlight trim across the dash reflected in the seats, and honestly I don’t miss the leather, cloth seats are back in in a big way, and in both grades here they’re pretty rad.
Other new features include a tweaked set of multimedia screens, with the base car maintaining a set of dials, and the larger unit re-working its touch-based shortcut buttons.
As usual, the digital dash treatment (courtesy of Volkswagen Group) is well above par in terms of customisation and information.
Ultimately then, it’s not too different from how it looked and felt before, but there’s certainly an argument to be made that it didn’t need to change. The Kamiq has always been a distinctive and well-appointed choice in this segment.
Fiat 500X7/10
Look, I like the 500X, but I know why people don't. It's clearly a 500X in the way a Mini Countryman is a Mini. It looks like a 500, but get closer and you see the difference. It's chubby like a $10 weekend market Bhudda statue and has great big googly eyes like Mr Magoo. I find this endearing, my wife does not. The looks aren't the only thing she doesn't like.
The cabin is a bit more restrained and I quite like the band of colour stretching across the dash. The 500X is meant to be a bit more grown up than the 500, so there's a proper dash, more sensible design choices but it still has the big buttons, perfect for the meaty fingers of people who won't be buying this car.
Practicality
Skoda Kamiq
Practicality is one of Skoda’s big selling points. The deal is this. Skoda models sit between entries in the Volkswagen range to provide strategic alternatives to its parent company's hero brand.
The Kamiq, for example, sits size-wise between the T-Cross and T-Roc, although once you’re in the cabin it feels bigger than both.
A nice low seating position makes the roof feel distant, while massive windows grant excellent visibility. It's easy for me (at 182cm) to find a nice seating position thanks to plenty of adjustability, although some might find it feels a bit more hatch-like than other SUVs in this class which have taller seating positions.
The overall spacious feeling in the front is boosted by ample storage, including pockets and bottle holders in the doors, a triple cupholder in the centre console, a large storage bay under the climate unit and a small armrest console box.
Unlike rivals in this space which are quick to offer synthetic leathers as you work your way up the range, even the top-spec Monte Carlo has seats clad in cloth trims.
While this might not be great if you have kids prone to spilling liquids, I think design-wise the car is better for it and certainly no less comfortable.
Also notable is the commitment to dials for the climate unit, and a change for this model year is the introduction of fan speed buttons so this function no longer needs to be controlled through the touchscreen.
Interestingly, dials only appear on the smaller of the two touchscreens available on the base Select, while the Monte Carlo’s larger screen only has touch-based volume controls.
The back seat is enormous, offering me leagues of knee room behind my own driving position and the roof remains almost as distant as it is in the front seats.
It also feels wide enough and has decent amenities, like dual USB-C sockets, adjustable rear air vents and dual-tiered pockets on the backs of the front seats.Â
You also get a decent-sized bottle holder in the door and a drop-down centre armrest and the soft trims continue into the rear unlike some segment rivals which switch to hard plastic door cards.
The biggest downside for back seat passengers is the raised floor in the centre position (a platform restriction) which unfortunately makes it a bit squeezy for adults. Best leave this centre position for kids.
At 400 litres the boot punches well above its weight for this crossover segment, expanding to 1395L with the second row folded.
There’s a space-saver spare wheel under the floor and the Kamiq is also rated to tow, albeit at a limited 610kg or 630kg for an unbraked trailer and 1200kg or 1250kg (braked) for the Select and Monte Carlo, respectively.
Fiat 500X7/10
At just 4.25 metres, the 500X isn't big, but makes the most of what it's got. The boot impresses at 350 litres and with the seats down, I think you could reasonably expect to triple that figure, though Fiat doesn't have an official number that I can find. For added Italian feel, you can tip the passenger seat forward to get really long things in, like a Billy bookshelf flat pack from Ikea.
Rear seat passengers sit high and upright meaning leg and kneeroom are maximised and with that tall roof, you won't scrape your head.Â
The doors each have a small bottle holder for a total of four and Fiat has got serious about cupholders - the 500X now has four.
Price and features
Skoda Kamiq
In a quest to make its range more straightforward for buyers Skoda has simplified the Kamiq range down to two variants for 2025.Â
The bad news is it’s no cheaper. Actually, it continues its march up the price-scale, now starting from $32,890, before on-road costs, or $33,990 drive-away for the new entry-point Select.
The good news is, for the money Skoda has packed in even more standard equipment.
The Select is only available with the smaller 1.0-litre 85TSI engine and offers a pretty comprehensive list of stuff, including LED headlights, 17-inch alloys, an 8.0-inch digital dash with an 8.25-inch multimedia touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, dual-zone climate and keyless entry with push-button start.
There's also a leatherbound steering wheel with cloth seat trim and manual adjust front seats, four USB-C outlets, heated and power folding wing mirrors with an auto-dimming rear view mirror. It also scores some upgraded kit for the active safety suite, as well as drive modes and paddle shifters.
You can also option this grade with the 'Signature Pack', which adds adaptive cruise control and ‘Park Assist’, an electric tailgate, 18-inch alloy wheels, the larger 10.25-inch multimedia touchscreen, tinted windows, carpet floor mats, interior ambient lighting, chrome exterior highlights, an alternate interior trim with suede highlights, and rear privacy glass.
At the top of the range is the new Monte Carlo which starts from $42,690, before on-roads, or $44,990 drive-away.
It scores a larger 1.5-litre four-cylinder 110TSI engine, and adds adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist with lane guidance and park assist to the safety suite.
Standard equipment also includes 18-inch alloys, upgraded ‘Matrix’ LED headlights, ‘Sport Chassis Control’ suspension, the larger 10.25-inch digital dash and 9.2-inch multimedia touchscreen, a panoramic sunroof, 10-speaker premium audio, heated front seats with a heated steering wheel, sports front seats with power adjust for the driver, as well as black highlights on the exterior trim and soft-touch carbon-look highlight trims on the inside.
Both grades get some of Skoda’s ‘simply clever’ features like an umbrella integrated into the driver’s door, a ticket holder on the windscreen, a washer funnel integrated into the reservoir and phone pockets on the backs of the front seats.
According to Skoda, the slightly higher prices for both grades this time around are offset by several thousand dollars of increased value in equipment.
On the flip side, though, some gear has been removed from the Kamiq range entirely, including leather seats, wireless phone charging, heated rear seats, and voice control for the multimedia system.
Does it represent value compared to its rivals? It’s relative. Yes, even the base version is more affordable than any Subaru Crosstrek, but you can’t get all-wheel drive, while a Mazda CX-3 can be had for just $26,950, before on-roads, but doesn’t offer the same level of base equipment.
The HR-V is more expensive and offers less gear for the money. It seems ever-increasing prices are a segment-wide problem.
The biggest challenge is new Chinese rivals. Haval’s Jolion is physically bigger and can be had in hybrid form for less money ($32,990 drive-away), while the Chery Omoda 5 ($27,990) and MG ZST (from $26,490) are cheaper and a size-up. It’s easy to see the temptation for mainstream buyers.
Fiat 500X7/10
I drove the Pop Star, which is the second of the now-two model "regular" range, the other being the, er, Pop. I drove a Special Edition in 2018 and it's not clear if it is Special as there's also an Amalfi Special edition. Anyway.
The $30,990 (plus on-road costs) Pop Star has 17-inch alloys, six-speaker Beats-branded stereo, dual-zone climate control, reversing camera, keyless entry and start, active cruise control, sat nav, auto headlights and wipers, leather shifter and steering wheel and a space-saver spare.
The Beats-branded stereo speakers are supplied with noise from FCA's UConnect on a 7.0-inch touchscreen. The same system is in a Maserati, don't you know. Offering Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, UConnect loses points by shrinking the Apple interface into a lurid red frame. Android Auto properly fills the screen, for some reason which is ironic given Apple owns the Beats brand.
Under the bonnet
Skoda Kamiq
Two grades, two engine choices, doesn’t really get simpler.
The base Select is offered only with the smaller 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbocharged 85TSI engine (85kW/200Nm) paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, driving the front wheels.
Meanwhile, the top-spec Monte Carlo is only offered with the larger 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbocharged 110TSI engine (110kW/250Nm). It is also paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch auto and also only drives the front wheels.
These engine options are notable in the segment as they are both lean turbo units in a sea of older naturally-aspirated engines, and while some will rightfully have reservations around dual-clutch automatics, they’re certainly snappier and more efficient than torque converters or dull CVTs.
Fiat 500X7/10
Fiat's rather excellent 1.4-litre turbo MultiAir does duty under the stubby bonnet, making 103kW and 230Nm. Rather less excellent is the six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, which sends power through the front wheels only.
It's rated to tow a 1200kg braked trailer and 600kg unbraked.
Efficiency
Skoda Kamiq
You’ll note Skoda doesn’t offer a hybrid option in its range, although one of the benefits of its more complicated engine and transmission is a fuel consumption which falls between what a plug-less hybrid or naturally aspirated rival might score.
The official/combined consumption of the 85TSI engine is just 5.5L/100km and for the 110TSI engine it is 5.6L/100km.
On our lengthy drive program at the launch both variants seemed to be landing a little over 6.0L/100km, which is more impressive than many rivals, which score in excess of 7.5L/100km in our testing.
Perhaps to even things out a little, the Kamiq’s turbocharged engines require mid-shelf 95 RON unleaded.
Fiat 500X6/10
Fiat rather optimistically suggest you'll get a combined cycle figure of 5.7L/100km but try as I might, I couldn't do better than 11.2L/100km. What's worse, it demands 98RON fuel, so it's not the cheapest car to run. This figure us consistent with past weeks in the 500X and no, I wasn't thrashing it.
Driving
Skoda Kamiq
What immediately sets the Kamiq apart the moment you hop in the driver’s seat is how hatch-like it feels. While a lot of small SUVs and crossovers in this price-bracket grant a really high seating position to make them feel bigger than they are, the Kamiq lets you sit closer to the floor.
This has the effect of making it feel even smaller than it is, but also lends it a sporty feel from behind the wheel. This is reinforced as soon as you start driving by its lightweight, agile feel.
Keen steering in both grades is backed by firm suspension, making the Kamiq responsive and agile, and because both engines are turbocharged they offer something quite different in this space normally dominated by dull naturally-aspirated 2.0L engines.
First, the catch. The dual clutch transmission can be a bit fiddly, particularly in the 85TSI which comes with a fair dollop of turbo-lag.
This means you’ll have to factor in a moment of delay before acceleration arrives at T-junctions or green lights. It can be frustrating at times, but the trade-off is the small capacity turbo engine pairs with efficient ratios to make for lean fuel consumption.
The fun factor is also boosted. Once you overcome the initial laggy moment, the little turbo engines surge to life with an agreeable gruff tone, and the dual-clutch transforms from fiddly to snappy once you’re at speed.
This means when you’ve got a nice road to carve up, the Skoda is a hell of a lot more entertaining to drive than almost any rival in this space.
It doesn’t have the clumsy handling of Chinese rivals, nor does it have the lifeless drone of a bigger, less efficient engine paired to a continuously variable automatic. It’s a rare slice of excitement in a small SUV category dominated by average drive experiences.
The cabin manages to feel upmarket in most ways, and is relatively easy-to-use on the go thanks to a commitment to the dials and switchgear. It is a comfortable companion on a long journey.
While the suspension is keen and keeps the car agile though, keep in mind the ride can be quite hard. This Skoda doesn’t quite have the poise or breadth of ability of its VW relations. Large wheels in both grades don't help this equation.
There is also a notable amount of tyre roar entering the cabin, particularly on coarse chip or at freeway speeds which, to be fair, is a common trait in this part of the market.
To summarise, the Kamiq is a uniquely European drive experience in an otherwise dull segment, and despite some drawbacks, it’s a real stand-out as a result.
Fiat 500X6/10
Again, I shouldn't like the 500X but I really don't mind it. It's flawed, which might be why.
The dual-clutch transmission is dumber than a box of loose cogs, lurching from start and looking the other way when you expect it to shift. We know the engine is a good one and I think part of the reason it's so thirsty is the confused way the transmission goes about its business. I'd love to drive a manual to see what it's like.
The 500X initially feels worse than its Jeep Renegade sibling-under-the-skin, which is quite an achievement. Part of that is to do with the ride, which is very choppy below 60km/h. The first 500X I drove wallowed about but this one is a bit tauter, which would be good if you weren't punished with this bounciness.
The seats themselves comfortable and the interior is a good place to hang out. It's reasonably quiet, too, which is at odds with the old-school silliness of its conduct. It feels like Labrador let out of after day kept inside.
And that's where the car I shouldn't like is a car I do like - I really like that it feels like you're on Roman cobblestones, the type that make your knees hurt when you walk on them for a day. The steering wheel is too fat and is at a weird angle, but you kind of square up to it and drive the car like your life depends on it. You have to take it by the scruff, correct the shifts with the paddles and show it who's boss.
Obviously, that's not for everyone. If you drive it really gently, it's a very different experience, but that means going slowly everywhere, which is no fun at all and not at all Italian.
Safety
Skoda Kamiq
Safety equipment is mostly impressive, although there is a small catch.
While active safety gear on both grades includes auto emergency braking (to freeway speeds, with rear manoeuvre braking), lane keep assist, and blind-spot monitoring, only the top-spec Monte Carlo gets adaptive cruise control, the more proactive adaptive lane guidance and park assist features.
Both cars get front and rear parking sensors, however, and a rear view camera but there’s no 360-degree parking suite.
I was also impressed to find none of the active safety items were invasive to the drive experience, which certainly can’t be said for every small SUV.
The standard array of six airbags is present, and there are dual ISOFIX points and three top tether mounts across the rear seats.
The Kamiq range was awarded a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating in 2020.
Fiat 500X8/10
Out of the box, you get seven airbags, ABS, stability and traction controls, forward collision warning, high and low speed AEB, active cruise control, rollover stability, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, blind spot sensor and rear cross traffic alert. That's not bad for a $30,000 car full stop, let alone a Fiat.
There are two ISOFIX points and three top-tether anchors for baby seats.Â
The 500X scored a five-star ANCAP rating in December 2016.
Â
Ownership
Skoda Kamiq
Skoda is going to great lengths to try and challenge the idea that a European car can’t be as easy to own as a Japanese or Korean rival.
As a result, it is the first European brand to offer a seven-year, unlimited kilometre warranty, which is backed by a seven-year prepaid service pack.
This pack is reasonable. At $2650 it works out to $379 a year, which is not quite as affordable as Toyota or some Chinese rivals, but it’s also not expensive when you consider the service pricing of brands like Subaru or Kia.
It also offers a guaranteed future value program and the brand’s keen finance terms, on paper at least, make a Kamiq cheaper to own over five years than many of its competitors.
Fiat 500X6/10
Fiat offers a three-year/150,000km warranty, along with roadside assist for the same period. It's not great as more manufacturers shift to five years.Â
Service intervals arrive once a year or 15,000km. There is no fixed or capped-price servicing program for the 500X.