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Skoda has a long-standing reputation for making sensible, affordable cars which major on practicality. The Kamiq is testament to this 鈥� a small SUV which is far more spacious than its dimensions would suggest.

However, there is a cheaper option out there which offers even more interior space. That would be the Dacia Duster, a handsome-looking thing which is available with four-wheel drive if you want to venture off the beaten track.

So which should you choose? Well our expert reviews team has spent plenty of time with both cars, so we鈥檙e going to compare the stats to help you decide.

Skoda Kamiq vs Dacia Duster: prices and deals

It鈥檚 not a subject to bring up at the dinner table, but we鈥檙e going to talk about money. Starting with the Skoda Kamiq.

Prices for the Skoda start from just under 拢25,000, and for that price you get a decent amount of standard equipment including a digital driver鈥檚 display, a 9.0-inch infotainment system with smartphone mirroring, LED headlights and a reversing camera.

*Prices correct at the time of writing

It鈥檚 even better value for money when you buy through 莲花直播, with savings of over 拢5,000 available at the time of writing. You can also lease a Kamiq for as little as 拢250 per month through 莲花直播.

The Dacia Duster is cheaper than the Kamiq, with prices starting from just under 拢22,000. You also get a similar amount of equipment, with basic cars getting 17-inch alloy wheels, a digital driver鈥檚 display, smartphone mirroring and a reversing camera.

*Prices correct at the time of writing

You can save just under 拢1,800 on a new Duster through 莲花直播 at the time of writing. However, it costs around the same as a Kamiq to lease 鈥� with prices starting from around 拢250 per month.

Skoda Kamiq vs Dacia Duster: interior and practicality

The Kamiq is the smallest SUV that Skoda makes, but despite that it鈥檚 still impressively spacious inside. There鈥檚 enough head and legroom for two adults to get comfy in the back, although it will get a bit cramped with three in the rear.

Boot space is also generous at 400 litres. That鈥檚 50 litres more than you get in a Toyota Yaris Cross, but it鈥檚 also over 70 litres less than the Dacia Duster has to offer.

It has a 472-litre boot, and the Duster is also more spacious in the rear than the Kamiq. This comes as no surprise though because the Dacia is physically longer and wider than the Skoda. That also makes it better for carrying three in the back.

As for the interior itself, the Duster has a rugged charm about it. There鈥檚 no attempt to pretend to be posh, so all of the plastics are hard-wearing and everything feels like it鈥檚 built to last. There are a few funky details to lift things as well, such as the different colours on the dashboard.

The Kamiq鈥檚 interior isn鈥檛 as cool-looking as the Dusters, but it does feel a bit more premium. You get soft-touch plastic on the dashboard and door tops, and everything feels nicely screwed together.

It鈥檚 a close contest, but the Duster edges ahead here. You get more interior space for less money.

Remember, you can buy a brand new or used car right here on 莲花直播. And you can sell your car, too. We鈥檙e here to help you through every step of your car-changing journey.

Skoda Kamiq vs Dacia Duster: engines and driving

There are three engines to choose from in the Skoda Kamiq. The basic 1.0-litre petrol with 95hp is best avoided unless you drive mostly around town, because it鈥檚 pretty lethargic on faster-moving roads.

Then there鈥檚 the 116hp 1.0-litre petrol, which is the pick of the range for most people. It鈥檚 nippy enough, and it鈥檒l return over 50mpg. There is also a 1.5-litre petrol with 150hp, and this is a great engine if you spend a lot of time on the motorway because it has plenty of punch for overtaking. All bar the 95hp engine are also available with an automatic gearbox.

The Duster gets a 1.2-litre petrol engine as standard with 130hp and a manual gearbox. Unlike the Kamiq, this is also available with four-wheel drive if you need to hit the trails from time to time.

You can also get the Duster with a 140hp petrol hybrid engine, something the Kamiq does without. This is the only way to get an automatic gearbox, and it can shuffle along at low speeds using electric power alone making it ideal for driving around town. It鈥檒l also return over 55mpg according to Dacia.

Out on the road, the Duster is comfortable over bumps and impressively refined on the motorway. That said, the Kamiq is slightly quieter at speed and it鈥檚 a bit smoother over rough roads.

If you need to go off-road, the Duster is the clear winner. It鈥檚 also the one to go for if you want a hybrid, but if maximum comfort is important to you then the Kamiq is worth a look.

Skoda Kamiq vs Dacia Duster verdict: which should you buy?

The Skoda Kamiq is an excellent small SUV. It鈥檚 spacious, easy to drive and well-equipped, plus the cabin feels impressively posh for a car in this class.

However, the Dacia Duster simply offers more car for less money. It鈥檚 bigger, more practical and it looks really cool as well. You can also take it off-road thanks to the four-wheel drive system.

The Kamiq will suit if you want something smaller to slot through tight city streets, but overall it鈥檚 the Dacia Duster which wins this test.

How I compare cars

As a motoring journalist and massive car nerd, I鈥檝e driven hundreds of different cars over the years and know what makes a good one. I鈥檝e spent time with both the Dacia Duster and the Skoda Kamiq 鈥� prodding around their cabins and driving them in a variety of conditions 鈥� and I found the Duster to be better value for money.

I鈥檓 6鈥�3鈥�, and in the back of the Duster I had room to sit behind my own driving position with ease. In the Kamiq it was doable, but a bit more of a squeeze. I also found the Duster to be a bit more characterful, so it鈥檚 the car I would spend my own money on.

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