Skoda Kamiq Monte Carlo 2021 UK first drive

Monte Carlo. For most people, the name conjures up images of glamorous yacht harbour parties, snooty casinos and a veritable Mecca of motorsport history. 

For those more familiar with the more down-to-earth elements of the UK car industry (or maybe just motoring journalists), their mind might also think of Skoda and its use of the storied name as a high-end trim.

There might not seem like much of a link between the most exclusive district of Monaco and the Volkswagen Group’s value-oriented brand, but it’s actually a reference to Skoda’s enviable record at the Monte Carlo Rally. 

It’s also hugely popular. Many makers have seen sales of range-topping models rise thanks to the PCP boom making the cost of stepping up to higher trims appear more digestible, and Skoda is no different. Often, Monte Carlo trims are among the best-sellers across the brand's line-up. 

It’s no shock, then, that this trim level has been added to another one of Skoda’s latest range additions: the Skoda Kamiq. We’re trying what is currently the fastest and most expensive version of the crossover, combining the flagship spec with the 148bhp 1.5-litre TSI petrol unit.

Semi-sporting Monte Carlo spec also has another purpose: attempting to plug some of the holes that might have been properly filled by full-on vRS variants, had the firm not decided to keep the sub-brand exclusive to the Skoda Octavia and Skoda Kodiaq for the forseeable. 

However, that oversells this Kamiq quite a bit. Fundamentally, the sportiness is superficial because there are no mechanical changes over the regular model, save for the unavoidable effects of bigger 18in wheels. The gloss black contrasting elements do go some way to lift the desirability of what is otherwise a smart and well-proportioned but not visually distinctive design, though. 

The same is true of the inside, where racier black and red upholstery is teamed with sports seats that feature comfortable and decently supportive one-piece backrests in the front. There’s also a red-stitched handbrake and steering wheel, plus a line of red plastic trim across the doors and dashboard. Drastic it isn’t, but the detail changes do lift what is otherwise a cabin that prioritises ergonomics over design flourishes. We’ve driven full-on hot hatches with more subtle internal upgrades, so Skoda has done a sound job here. 

Although Monte Carlo trim is the most expensive, it’s not strictly a trim that takes all the kit from SE-L spec (one rung below). Some of the SE-L’s kit - such as dual-zone climate control, electrically folding door mirrors and keyless start - becomes optional, but items such as a panoramic sunroof and full-LED headlights with scrolling indicators are brought in. Which you prefer comes down to personal choice, but manual HVAC knobs on a near-£28,000 small Skoda seem a bit mean to us. 

This being a Skoda, it’s one of - or quite possibly the - most practical car in its class. It’s a full 10cm longer than the similarly positioned Seat Arona, with clear benefits to rear leg room. It’s also plenty roomy enough up front and the 400-litre boot shows that this is considerably more C-segment than B-segment in its usability.