Škoda Kamiq VS Jeep Compass: Which Will Win?

Compass and Kamiq are 2 SUVs that are similar, yet different. 1 has 4×4 and the other is front wheel drive, so is the comparison fair?

In short, most SUVs, have the wit and charm of a Trump convention. They’re never challenged. Even those with capable off-road systems, never leave the tarmac. Suddenly the similarly-sized wagons Venn-Diagram themselves into a mutual orbit from which neither can escape.

Despite smallish differences is size, the cabins feel equally spacious, and although both claim a certain level of luxury, one would be forgiven for thinking those claims are stretching credibility to the point of no return.

Both have roof rails, electric tailgates, and smart proximity locking, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and excellent sound systems. In fact, equipment differences come down to a few personal preferences and some pretty serious nitpicking.

Compass has the butch look of a baby 4×4, but a serious one none the less. It has a wilderness-ready body, and an incredibly sexy set of wheels that look hewn from something deliciously futuristic.

Kamiq is cute, with its jewel-box LED headlights, perky bum, and a body that has been sculptured with DaVinci-esque skill.

Compass takes itself much more seriously. In many ways, there is a faint whiff of Grand Cherokee about it. The upper section of grille looks like mesh, but is solid plastic. Its LED projector headlights look the business, and from the side, you’d be hard pressed to find a crease aside from the one joining the doorhandles. It is all smooth and slippery, yet chunky and impressive.

After much manhandling and caressing, we decided we liked the cutting-edge look of the front of the Škoda, but the profile of the Jeep with its blackened paintjob giving it a menacing look, even if it was liberally sprinkled with rainbowesque glitter.

This Week: 2022 Škoda Kamiq VS Jeep Compass: Which Will Win? Full REVIEW

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ABOVE: 2022 Jeep Compass and Skoda Kamiq

When it came to the cabin, there wasn’t much in it either.

Jeep’s dark and brooding interior was easy to enter and comfortable to use. Neither David nor I could get the driver’s seat just right. It was firm and supportive, but felt as if made for a different body shape altogether. Despite the myriad of electric settings, it was not quite there. I was more comfortable than David for whom the steering had insufficient reach adjustment.

Škoda’s seats were softer, and the steering wheel pulled out sufficiently to offer long legged drivers oodles of space, even nitpicky ones like you-know-who.

Both offered the full suite of driver and safety aids including a digital driver’s display. Neither had a Heads Up, something which caused a right royal round of tisk-tisking. Both had physical spare tyres, because despite the claims of car makers that tyres don’t go wrong as they once did, we have been stuck with our fair share of uncooperative puncture repair kits. Being stranded on a dark and stormy night is not my idea of a fun time. Or, more particularly, if I am to be stranded on such a night, it had better be worth my while, one way or another.

The drive:

So far, the scores were as tight as a fish’s bum, so we expected a back-to-back drive to shake the rotten fruit from the vine, but alas, it did not.

It was a big ol’ bowl of horses-for-courses.

Kamiq’s 1.5 110kw/250Nm petrol turbo is frisky when matched to the 7-speed DSG. Steering was as tight as a drum, and the ride was downright posh. Kamiq is a front wheel drive, and even that modest drivetrain got the front wheels scrambling for grip in the wet.

It was delightful in corners, with a crispness of hot-hatch-worthiness. Kamiq drives more like a hatchback than an SUV, for which much thanks was given.

Compass has a range of 2 engines. Most have the 2.4L 129kw/229Nm non-turbo 4-pot, the other being a diesel. It feels slightly more leisurely than the Kamiq, but neither would have Nico Rosberg shaking in his boots

Steering had an ethereal feel, with that familiar vagueness that serious off-roaders insist on having. Tyres and suspension that cope ably with rocks, sand, and mud, rarely play nicely with the polish and finesse of a highway, even a rubbish NSW one. That’s just the way it is.

That’s not to say the Jeep isn’t comfortable on the open road, only that the Kamiq is more comfortable.

Off-road is where Compass is going to leave Kamiq in a sickening trail of cow poo and bulldust. The Jeep’s low range 4X4 engages without the driver knowing. It can be aided by several plucky programmes that will see off all but the worst of the hideousness the OZ landscape can throw at it.

I fear the city-centric Kamiq’s front wheel drive would be woefully inadequate here, but since most SUVs see nothing more challenging than the grassy slope of a pony-meet, it scarcely makes a difference.

Parking

Automated parking is a fad that most brands have banished, however Škoda and Jeep have installed decent systems. No matter how hard I tried, the Compass confounded me. It required some kind of selection procedure requiring more practice than my time and temper would allow.

Kamiq seemed less fussy, and simply needed activating. It found a spot, decided whether it was kerbside or not, then got on with business.

Conclusion:

In fact, the cars were closer than cream on a scone. The Jeep was ahead on ability and equipment, but Škoda was more comfortable, and cheaper by far. The Jeep had a slightly nicer cabin, but it couldn’t outweigh the hominess of the German.

Comparisons are funny old things, and when a mere sliver separates combatants, numbers cease to have meaning. You have to fly by the seats of your pants, and go with your heart. You have to breath in the atmosphere, touch the surfaces, and run your hands across the fabrics.

We will finish by admonishing Škoda for using the unforgivably tacky plastic on the rear doors, otherwise, for most people, the Kamiq wins.

It is decent value, and full of thoughtful touches like a brolly holder in the door.

There is one rider on our surprising statement, and that is: if you’re camp is further afield than a lightly muddy track, proper 4-wheel-drive is not only preferable, but essential if disaster is not to ensue. Having said that, neither car will cross the continent, besides, that’s a daft idea. Fly, then hire a driver when you get there. You won’t arrive to knackered to enjoy your break, and spend the entire week thinking of ways to break your leg so you don’t have to drive back.

We liked the Jeep, but we liked the Škoda more.

Details:

Jeep- brochure here: 

Kamiq- brochure here MY22 KAMIQ Pricing_and_Specification_Overview June 21-6052fa198f274c61b03ad27822f0621b

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