The Skoda Kamiq is a brilliant small SUV, but I’d still buy a Fabia instead

Some of my favourite cars on sale are small, cheap and have a manual gearbox, so when I turned up to the Carwow office and there was a Skoda Kamiq parked outside with three pedals I was dead keen to have a go.

The Kamiq is one of the small cars I would consider buying if I needed a sensible daily driver. For just £26,500 you get a spacious, comfortable and well-equipped SUV, and you can save an average of just over £2,000 on one when you buy through Carwow.

You can also lease one for as little as £220 a month, and used prices through Carwow start from just £14,000.

So it’s great value for money, but after driving it for a while I had one burning question: Why would you buy this instead of a Fabia? Let me explain…

Skoda Kamiq vs Skoda Fabia: quick facts

Both the Kamiq and the Fabia are available with a 1.0-litre engine with either 95hp or 116hp, and that’s available with a six-speed manual gearbox or an automatic. There’s also a more powerful 1.5-litre engine with 150hp.

The Fabia does get an 80hp entry-level engine, but this is best avoided because it’s a bit gutless.

Despite using the same engines, the Fabia is slightly more economical than the Kamiq thanks to its lower weight and more aerodynamic body. It’ll do up to 56mpg with the 95hp engine, whereas the Kamiq will do 52mpg.

But the Fabia is around £5,000 cheaper to buy than the Kamiq and, to my eye at least, it’s better looking as well.

So why would you buy the Kamiq?

The Kamiq is by no means a bad car, it’s a very good small SUV. I was impressed by how comfortable it is, and there’s a really good amount of space in the rear seats for such a small SUV.

The higher driving position is also nice for driving around town, and its boot is 20 litres bigger than the Fabia’s at 400 litres.

Then there are the leasing prices, which make it much harder to choose between the two cars.

A Skoda Fabia will cost you £205 per month through Carwow, and that’s over four years with a £2,808 deposit. The Kamiq is only £15 per month more, costing £220 per month over four years with a £2,988 deposit.

So over the four years the Fabia will cost you £12,648, while the Kamiq will cost you £13,548 – so the difference is only £900. That makes the slightly more practical Kamiq look like fabulous value for money.

Why I’d still buy a Skoda Fabia instead

And the Kamiq is great value, but the Fabia is still cheaper and it’s very nearly as practical. I also personally prefer a lower driving position, and I prefer the traditional hatchback styling.

The Fabia is also just as nice to drive as the Kamiq. I found it to be really good over bumps, and it’s refined on the motorway as well. It won’t set your world on fire through the corners, a Seat Ibiza is better for B road fun, but as a comfy, fuss-free car for wafting around town it’s brilliant.

If you’re after a small, practical and comfortable car, but you also have to have the raised driving position offered by an SUV, then the Skoda Kamiq is one of the best options out there. But if you’re not bothered about sitting a little bit further off the ground, I’d highly recommend checking out the Skoda Fabia.

Car change? Carwow!

Looking for a new set of wheels? With Carwow you can sell your car quickly and for a fair price – as well as find great offers on your next one. Whether you’re looking to buy a car brand new, are after something used or you want to explore car leasing options, Carwow is your one stop shop for new car deals.

Click here to follow us on WhatsApp, where you can keep up-to-date with all the latest news, reviews, advice guides and videos.