We’re fairly acquainted with the 1.5-litre four-cylinder motor, supplied on all kinds of VW Group fashions. Even the 128bhp model pulls a Golf with conviction, so the 148bhp of this Kamiq makes for fairly brisk efficiency balanced with respectable effectivity.
It’s perky from the off and mid-range punch is efficient, which is sweet as a result of this isn’t an engine that rewards chasing the redline with a zingy observe and new-found verve. Moderately, it turns into fairly strained and intrusive past 5000rpm. It’s no vRS by any means, then, regardless of an excessively responsive throttle that takes a short time to get used to.
Usually talking, this engine and dual-clutch gearbox combo is a positive pairing. As soon as used to the abrupt throttle (and accepting that it isn’t as silky clean at low velocity as a standard torque-converter computerized), this tester skilled not one of the ‘kangarooing’ impact some readers have beforehand outlined, and with delicate to middling throttle inputs, it slurs adjustments properly sufficient and doesn’t maintain on to cogs unnecessarily.
You’ll be able to catch it out, nevertheless, in the event you aren’t in Sport mode and out of the blue demand full energy, when it typically throws a wobbly, drops one too many cogs then takes a good time to vary up once more and preserve the tempo. It is also a little bit of a disgrace that there are no of the same old wheel-mounted gearshift paddles within the Kamiq. You’ll be able to manually change up by toggling the gearshift, however it’s not as satisfying or straightforward.
That’s one in every of comparatively few gripes with the driving expertise, although. Feeling very like the raised-up Scala it primarily is, the Kamiq affords steering that responds naturally to inputs, and physique management could be very respectable for a crossover. It feels taut and composed in most conditions, though a Ford Puma is extra agile and entertaining nonetheless.
Granted, placing 18in wheels on a smallish automobile, one already extra stiffly suspended than the hatch on which it’s primarily based to account for the taller physique, is never fascinating from a trip consolation perspective. And, certain sufficient, there’s only a fraction extra low-speed bump-thump and consciousness within the cabin of the highway’s sharp ridges than we’d like. Some highway roar is noticeable at velocity, too.
Nevertheless, for probably the most half, the Kamiq Monte Carlo is a composed and complex steer and its damping improves with velocity to supply a tied-down really feel on undulating roads that one thing like a Peugeot 2008 couldn’t hope to match. We additionally suspect the non-obligatory adaptive dampers (not fitted to our check automobile), which drop the automobile’s trip top by 10mm, will assist take the sting off the nastiest potholes.
