WINNER
Skoda Kamiq
The Skoda Kamiq is quite an old car now. It was introduced in 2019 – and it’s nowhere near as flashy or technology laden as newer rivals such as the BMW X1 or Volvo EX30. But it won our best small family car award thanks to its ruthless value and shamelessly practical cabin.
The Kamiq’s bigger than all the other cars in its class, which means there’s more space inside for passengers. It has more leg and headroom than any of its rivals and, while it’s 400-litre boot might be smaller than the Ford Puma’s, it’s a lot more usable as you don’t need to lower items down into a big bin under the boot floor. With the Skoda, you simply open the tailgate and fire your clobber in.
But what really sets the Kamiq apart is how intelligently it’s been designed. The interior is crammed full of ingenious touches that are ideally suited to family life, including smartphone pockets on the rear of the front seat backs, a built-in rubbish bin for the front door pockets and luggage net on the underside of the parcel shelf. Oh, and did we mention that prices start from just £24,000?
How much would the Skoda Kamiq cost to insure?
Based on a 45-year old male the Skoda Kamiq would cost £466.28 to insure. Compare prices in less than five minutes at Parkerscompare.com
*Insurance quotes are from parkerscompare.com in October 2024 and are based on a 45-year-old, employed, married male living in Huntingdon with 20 years NCD and no claims or convictions. Insurance quotes will vary depending on individual circumstances.
To find out more, read our full Skoda Kamiq review
HIGHLY COMMENDED
MG4 EV
The MG4 EV won this category last year, but times have changed. Confidence in electric car technology is faltering among UK buyers, as most of us don’t have the spare cash to front the costs of the higher purchase price of the car and a home EV charger.
In fairness, the MG4 EV is a very affordable electric car – but the fact is that you’re getting more car for your money by opting for the Kamiq. That’s not to say we don’t like the MG4 EV anymore, though. It’s still great fun to drive, practical enough to hold a family of four and, if you opt for the Trophy Extended Range model, it’ll easily do 300 miles between charging stops.
To find out more, read our full MG4 EV review
Volkswagen Golf
Volkswagen launched the facelifted Golf in 2024 – and the tweaks made a mid-table entrant into one of the best options in its class. To be clear, there was nothing wrong with how the original Mk8 Golf drove, so the brand’s designers have rectified some of the glaring mistakes they made with the hatchback’s interior and drivetrains.
So, the pre-facelift Golf’s idiotic haptic steering wheel buttons have been swapped for traditional replacements – and there’s an uber-user-friendly 12.9-inch infotainment screen (pinched from the latest Passat estate) in place of the old car’s abacus. The Golf eHybrid is better, too, as it now has a maximum electric driving range of 88 miles thanks to an enormous new 19.7kWh battery pack. If you want a petrol-powered family hatchback, look no further.
To find out more, read our full Volkswagen Golf review
