I'm thinking about a Kamiq for my wife. Reviews have stated that the Kamiq does not offer a significantly higher driving position, but for someone with occasional  back problems, is the seat any higher than, say, a new VW Polo (the other car I'm considering), to make entry/exit a little easier? I haven't been able to see both cars in the same location to compare.

 

Second question, is the 95ps engine a little sluggish, and is it worth going for the 110/115ps engine? I'd appreciate any feedback

I had 2 Yetis before my Kamiq and I have back and neck problems. It is significantly more difficult getting in and out of than the Yeti. I keep my seat set to the lowest possible position and so I manage but I lose the feeling of looking down on the road ahead when driving that I got in the Yeti. I did have a test drive before buying but didn't pay enough attention to this aspect so it's my own fault 🙂.

 

I can't comment on the 95ps engine but mine is now just over 2 years old with 3,600 on the clock and has noticeably 'loosened up' over the last 1,000 miles. It's very responsive and is always 'willing'. Together with DSG it's a dream to drive (and would be even more so if I could permanently switch lane control off).

2 hours ago, harrylime said:

I'm thinking about a Kamiq for my wife. Reviews have stated that the Kamiq does not offer a significantly higher driving position, but for someone with occasional  back problems, is the seat any higher than, say, a new VW Polo (the other car I'm considering), to make entry/exit a little easier? I haven't been able to see both cars in the same location to compare.

 

Second question, is the 95ps engine a little sluggish, and is it worth going for the 110/115ps engine? I'd appreciate any feedback

If you are going for the 1.0l get the 110ps upto 70mpg

I'd say the Kamiq is closer to a car than an SUV height wise.  Its certainly not as high up as the Karoq is.  I have to say though that I find it great.  You would probably find it slightly higher than the Polo ofr example.  Its a dream to drive, I have the 115 with Manual gears and its increadibly responsive and comfortable to drive.  I remember test driving the 95Bhp a few years ag on the New Ibiza and was surprised by how good it was but the 115/110 comes with the 6th gear on DSG which makes longer journeys so much more relaxed.  Fuel economy is very impressive but I am not sure there is much of a difference between them.

1 hour ago, harrylime said:

but for someone with occasional  back problems, is the seat any higher than, say, a new VW Polo

Can't help directly, but as someone with a stiff knee I can say that I find getting in and out of an actual car car easier than getting in and out of an SUV.

As always, go and sit in one and get in and out a few times, and see if you can get an extended test drive in the one that you fancy.

We are in our mid 70s and the karoq is ideal.

Just bought a Kamiq......after a KIA Ceed and many other cars.

Front seats are pumped high and with the DSG box on the 110 BHP engine.

It's much easier to get in due to the seat height compared to all 'normal' cars.

The doors open squarer to the body than most.

The 110 engine gives a remarkably good performance.

Seems to get voted top in all the comparison and individual reviews!

 

Good Luck😉

 

On 05/02/2022 at 10:35, harrylime said:

I'm thinking about a Kamiq for my wife. Reviews have stated that the Kamiq does not offer a significantly higher driving position, but for someone with occasional  back problems, is the seat any higher than, say, a new VW Polo (the other car I'm considering), to make entry/exit a little easier? I haven't been able to see both cars in the same location to compare.

 

Second question, is the 95ps engine a little sluggish, and is it worth going for the 110/115ps engine? I'd appreciate any feedback

 

I have a 95 SE and it's more than enough, this is coming from someone who used to own many hot hatches too!

 

More power wouldn't suit the Kamiq and I prefer the longer 5 speed 

On 05/02/2022 at 11:35, harrylime said:

I'm thinking about a Kamiq for my wife. Reviews have stated that the Kamiq does not offer a significantly higher driving position, but for someone with occasional  back problems, is the seat any higher than, say, a new VW Polo (the other car I'm considering), to make entry/exit a little easier? I haven't been able to see both cars in the same location to compare.

 

Second question, is the 95ps engine a little sluggish, and is it worth going for the 110/115ps engine? I'd appreciate any feedback

- Seat height : I'd say it's more like a regular car than a proper SUV, We also have a VW T-Cross, same platform but it is a lot easier to slide in without having to go down to much.

 

- Engine : I have the 1.5 150 on my Kamiq and the 110 PS on the T-cross, I have a better fuel economy and confort ( silence and vibrations ) out of the 1.5 150 Kamiq than the 110 VW, then again your mileage may vary but some friends that have the 4 cylinder as well share the same experience, it is smoother and quieter.

RIDC is the website to use to compare seating heights - https://www.ridc.org.uk/features-reviews/out-and-about/car-search  You can search by Make and then by model so you can compare your existing car seating height with any car you are thinking of buying.

I have the 1.5 DSG and it’s a great engine returning around 50 MPG.  We have a 1.0 on order for my wife, even though the out going Octavia has the 1.0 which is on its third turbo.  That’s a 19 plate with 10,000 miles !  

22 hours ago, Northam said:

I have the 1.5 DSG and it’s a great engine returning around 50 MPG.  We have a 1.0 on order for my wife, even though the out going Octavia has the 1.0 which is on its third turbo.  That’s a 19 plate with 10,000 miles !  

 

Ouch that's odd! We are on 5,5000 miles on our 21 plate 1.0 and had no such issues, they did slightly change the design in 2021 so I don't know if there was a fix in the revisions

14 minutes ago, AJ89 said:

 

Ouch that's odd! We are on 5,5000 miles on our 21 plate 1.0 and had no such issues, they did slightly change the design in 2021 so I don't know if there was a fix in the revisions

They did sa6 it was a slightly bigger revised turbo on the last replacement.  However on the first replacement it was leaking oil after we got it back.  Then on checking the oil it wasn’t topped up my the dealer.  Their excuse was that they don’t when they change a turbo ?  It was resolved in the end.