The Skoda Kamiq Monte Carlo is a good choice if you want a handy SUV

I’ll be honest. It’s not a car that immediately comes to mind when I think of a small crossover. I think there are others that ring a bell more immediately.

I’m talking about cars like the Ford Puma, Renault Captur, the Volkswagen T-Cross and later also the Jeep Avenger and Citroën C3 Aircross.

I don’t know why. Maybe it’s because I haven’t driven one in a while and there are so many similarly sized cars in what we call the small SUV segment that it’s easy to pass it by.

But I think the “direct recall” will work better for now, since Skoda just gave the Kamiq a facelift.

More importantly, the test car further improved the already most stylish model in its class, the Monte Carlo.

Perhaps the midlife facelift had people with short memories like me in mind, because it gave the facelift a more robust appearance and therefore we remember it more easily.

And in the case of the Monte Carlo models, that means a host of badging, styling enhancements to the front, sides and rear, and more interior comfort features.

Yet, funnily enough, it wasn’t necessarily the fresher look and extra equipment that stuck with me the most.

It was all about how well the little 1-litre petrol engine performed and how the car behaved on both motorways and suburban roads.

I thought a bit negatively about it and was surprised when I saw that it cost around €35,000.

Where have car prices gone in the last year or two? In some cases, through the roof.

I’m not just talking about Skoda here. It seems to apply everywhere.

Before I inundate you with examples showing that this is not the case, let me say that there are exceptions, but prices have indeed risen.

As an industry observer recently said to me, “Sure, $25,000 doesn’t get you anything these days.”

Of course, but I think I know what he means.

The reality is that, in addition to making profits (which is what cars are made for in the first place), manufacturers are increasingly forced, through legislation or competition, to incorporate a large number of safety features into their cars.

A small sample of the Kamiq’s standard equipment illustrates this: forward collision warning including emergency braking, pedestrian recognition, traffic sign recognition, parking cameras and sensors, and so on.

A few years ago they were not standard in most mainstream cars. Now they are a must-have. And they cost money. Much of it in VRT and VAT. I will not go into the heavy tirade about safety tax that comes to mind.

But buyers are also looking for more luxurious features and technology and don’t seem to mind paying more for them.

I blame the proliferation of PCPs (personal contract plans) on the idea that a few thousand extra euros for more comfort and technology equates to only a few euros more in monthly repayments.

My test car had a lot on board and yes, it improved the driving experience, if the cliché is to be believed.

That’s the scary thing about it: you get so used to it that you have to have it.

The Kamiq now looks robust enough, but I wouldn’t want it to be macho. You can also have too much of it.

The Monte Carlo spec makes it stand out. It’s smart, the cabin is trendy, the materials felt good quality and the seats were comfortable.

The construction and design were good news for the occupants: there was plenty of space and the luggage compartment had a capacity of 400 litres.

I enjoyed my rides. I think that 1-liter engine (from the Volkswagen Group, of course) is one of the best out there. In the test car it seemed really well suited to how and when the gear changes were justified.

It was as sweet as a nut and believe it or not, it was more economical on fuel than the official 5.7 litres/100 km. I got it at 5.4 litres/100 km. Maybe that was because I was using the six-speed manual to shift more precisely than an automatic under my right foot would be.

Some of these small crossovers can look cute but not be all that great to drive. This combines both of those qualities in spades. It really suited most situations well.

I tend to agree with Skoda and think the Kamiq is an appropriate name for the small crossover and that it makes buying one a lot less risky.

Fact file

​Skoda Kamiq ‘Monte Carlo’ Small crossover, 1-liter petrol, 5.7 l/100 km, VAT € 200, 116 hp, 6-speed manual transmission.

​​​​​​​Price €34,250; as tested, €37,255.

Specifications include: 17-inch alloy wheels, Matrix LED headlights, heated sports seats/black cloth, Monte Carlo Exterior Pack: black grille surround, badges, panoramic sunroof, rear spoiler and reversing camera.

Extended pedestrian/cyclist protection, air conditioning, rear parking sensors. 8.25 inch t/screen display, 8 inch digital driver display