If you want a glimpse of the future of motoring, then pop your head inside a new Skoda Kamiq.

It might be the baby of Skoda’s SUV range, but it is packed with grown-up technology.

With digital instrumentation and a large central touchscreen controlling a host of car functions, the Kamiq is as clever on the inside as it is stylish on the exterior.

The twin screens replace the plethora of buttons which some cars sport and give a slick, sleek look to the smartly-trimmed cabin.

More important than the attractive looks is the remarkable amount of space provided in such a compact car, which is a true five-seater complete with a decent-sized boot.

Skoda prides itself on practicality so there is plenty of room in the large door bins, centre console box, tray and glovebox for the day-to-day bits and bobs that everyone likes to carry.

The Kamiq’s higher ground clearance, raised seat height and great overall view are obvious factors in the growing appeal of SUVs, which now make up more than one in three new vehicles delivered worldwide.

Skoda’s marketing blurb talks about its ‘emotive dynamic design’ and its attraction to ‘active, lifestyle-oriented’ buyers, but its draw is much more straightforward.

It is good-looking, but it’s also an economical car with some nice clever touches and older folk simply find getting in and out of the Kamiq much easier than a similar-sized, low-slung hatchback.

The Czech carmaker describes the Kamiq as a car for the city, but it is infinitely more capable than that. I took it on a 280-mile trip which it handled with unexpected ease. Indeed the combination of a smooth quiet ride, neat handling and surprising power made the journey itself a real pleasure.

Power on the test car came from the more powerful of the two 1.0-litre engines on offer which was perfectly matched with a silky-smooth six-speed manual gearbox. Other engine choices include a 1.5-litre petrol and 1.6-litre diesel.

Externally, the Kamiq uses some of the same design seen in the larger Karoq and their big brother the Kodiaq, with split headlights and daytime running lights above the main headlights.

Standard equipment on the SE model ranges from cruise control, eight-speaker audio, front and rear electric windows and light and rain sensors, to lumbar support on the front seats, remote central locking and rear parking sensors. The car also allows the audio system to seamlessly link to smartphones.

The car driven here sat on a £420 optional set of 17-inch ‘Propus Aero’ alloy wheels and came with a £1,230 voice-controlled satellite navigation system, £935 panoramic sunroof, £590 dual-zone climate control and £250 heated front seats.

The option list for the Kamiq is extensive and upmarket, with the likes of a 10.25-inch virtual cockpit, an electrically adjustable driver’s seat, a heated windscreen and steering wheel and keyless entry.

Standard safety equipment includes lane assist, front assist with city emergency brake and 

predictive pedestrian protection and multi-collision brake.

And as well as all the high-tech stuff, the Kamiq comes with plenty of those standard down-to-earth touches that make Skoda such an appealing brand – the integrated funnel in the lid of the windscreen washer tank, ice scraper in the fuel filler flap with a tyre tread depth gauge and the umbrella tucked away in the driver’s door.

Auto facts

Model: Skoda Kamiq SE 1.0 TSI 115

Price: £24,460 as tested

Insurance group: 11E

Fuel consumption (combined): 47.9mpg

Top speed: 120mph

Length: 424.1cm/166.5in

Width: 179.3cm/70.4in

Luggage capacity: 400 litres/14.1 cu ft

Fuel tank capacity: 11 gallons/50 litres

CO2 emissions: 116g/km

Warranty: Three years/ 60,000 miles