I’m trying to help my mum chose between these two cars, the salesman in the 2 dealerships really can’t give us enough information about the cars other than it has 4 wheels. You’ve really given the information/ review that I was looking for and I’ll certainly be back to choose between different cars in the future 😂 Thanks & Great work 🤙
We chose Puma because of the bigger boot space and availability. Škoda dealer told us that you are expected to wait more than a year to get a new Kamiq.
I just enquired about the availability of a new Kamiq at a Skoda dealer here in the UK. He said the wait is still around a year. He also said he had 27 Kamiq's on order on the day I enquired....
Great watching your review Tom. Always very balanced and love your suggestion of other options as alternatives, when offering your verdict on these 2 SUVs, which I think are both excellent, in the small SUV category.
Skoda provide more quality, practicality and spec for your money than just about anyone else. The Ford may look more interesting and take tight turns a bit better...but to live with every day, the Skoda will kick it's arse.
The incredible loud engine vibrations at low rpm in the PUMA made us get the Kamiq. Headroom in the Fiesta with the panoramic roof is terrible for people over 6 ft.
For me, you consistently miss 1 thing that I want to know for aus country drivers...ground clearance. Our storm drains in town plus state forest roads make this important.
Totally agree. Fiesta ST, Polo GTI or the incoming i20 N all make huge sense .... to us car people! Glad to see there are two peachy chassis under these grocery-getters as well, though. Good cars.
Wow a lot of out dated perceptions on 3 pot engines. This is not the 90s/ early 00s. These cars have more power and dynamics than the 4 pots of old. I have owned the Kamiq for almost a week in its 3 pot variant and surprisingly impressed with its power. Just managed a 6 hour round trip to Wilsons prom and it performed superbly. In regards to low rev speeds, the lag is almost non existent if you leave in sport mode and fuel economy is not really affected. Just one thing in regards to 2021 plated Kamiqs, they deleted the nets and detachable torch in the boot but the steering wheel has been updated with a bit of piano black and updated chrome buttons. I don’t regret not waiting for the 4 pot upgrade as 200nm of torque still provides plenty of punch and with such a quiet engine. Very happy Kamiq owner. Puma looks like something for a more youthful (20s) audience
Having had a turbo three-pot petrol in our family garage for almost three years, among other cars, they're bloody good modern engines. Torquey and efficient in the real world, not just on paper.
Spot on mate, I’ve spent a few days with T Cross loan cars when our VWs have been in for services 4 adults on board used sport mode and the in drive mode for 110 kph freeway driving,
Good comparison. Covered all points. Much waited one is comparison between all Kamiq 3 variants! I found that so many people are looking for this comparison. I am eagerly waiting that comparison from you as you do really good review and comparisons. Base, monte carlo and limited edition.
Look not attack on you ♥️ it's personal choice I personally think the skoda looks like a square box no style or performance .. it would be a boring world..but Sombody did say my Ford puma looked like frankensteins monster how very dare they. The Ford puma is very stylish comfy. I know I have the ST. I get the new 2022 plate Had no problems just so many tech on it at first a mind field. Over whelmed me I loved it people took photos of mine.. But saying that it is one of ford's limited edition pride rainbow colour worth £26.000. And after 3 years I got 19.000 due to low milage ..so bought new one last November pick up 1st September with plenty of pounds to spare.. For holidays... And prides up n down the UK.. But not knocking your choice..
Awesome review and comparison as always! Kinda like your comparison with CX-30 and T-Roc Sports...one better interior/features, the other better driving dynamics :)
Good review. The one thing I've noticed on other reviews is that the rear seats fold flat in line with the boot. There is also no lip which is not the same as the Kamiq cars in Australia.
Thanks for the Review! Please review the Kamiq Monte Carlo and Limited when they get released. I’ve been waiting for these models for a few months now. The limited version appears to tick all the boxes for a luxury small SUV at an affordable price.
The thing about the puma I just dislike is the high tailgate. I want to be able to get my dog in the trunk. Other than that it's one of the only crossovers I actually like. Maybe it's cause its not trying to be something it isn't.
Yes exactly. The 110 TSI kamiq is a model I would actually consider. The three pot doesn't have enough performance for my tastes. Apparently is was delayed due to s/w problems with the stop start system.
@@chasingcars that's great news, though not on their website yet. Good review by the way. Cheers (Edit just did a refresh and monte carlo model is there (available 2021) but can't use the build function at the moment.)
Can't help thinking that the Puma is just too much a Fiesta that's been down the gym a bit and popped on some sporty clobber! Sporty look wise it trounces most in this sector but if you drill down to what you really need a small SUV to do it lags behind.
@@lukehall3487 sorry buddy I own an st line x mhev 155 and the remote raising and hands free of the tailgate and the keyless entry are very common faults.
In the UK I choose the 155 ps ST X with the getrag manual gearbox. A real hoot to drive, more equipment than Fiesta ST and extra room , shame you don't get this engine/gearbox. Great review,
Ford should have used the 1.5T from the focas at 130kw would have been a lot more fun to drive especially when your on the hwy .I've said it before the puma will be another Ford sales flop.The Suzuki Vitara or s cross is far better buy same money and you get Suzuki's boostajet eng 1.4t 4cyl and 6sp tc auto long term will be a lot more reliable than these two duds and far better resale value when time comes to sell
Hi Tom Several Kamiq reviews and also for VW"s. but what about Kamiq v T-Roc or is T-Cross? And it would be great to see a comparison between the Ford Puma v some luxury SUVs like the Q2. and Lexus UX.
Just received an answer from Skoda - on sale shortly. The 110TSI has been delayed by the same auto start/stop software issue that has delayed the launch of the Scala hatch.
ED, HNY, as per your closing comments I just don't know why you would buy a Puma, sporty small SUV thats not a good SUV and much sportier alternatives for $$ it'll probably be a roaring success lol. I seen white manual Kamiqs go for $27k on carsales too fyi!
A $27k manual Kamiq is honestly a good deal -- the usual "SUV tax" compared to a hatch is pretty limited on the base Kamiq. But yeah, I'd go a Fiesta ST, Polo GTI or the forthcoming i20 N, because I don't need the space.
Great sum up Tom - Fiesta ST all the way from a drivers point of view however if must have a small suv these are both great at delivering what it says on the box and that grey Puma floats my boat along with the juke and soon to be reintroduced Captur - this has become a sharply contested segment yet it would be nice if Ford would import a luxury dct fiesta Vignale to sit alongside the ST - imho :)
Good thoughts. Puma is definitely the driver's light SUV. I liked Juke, but the way it has been specified for Australia is daft - the big 19" wheels are uncomfortable (what a shock!), but the mid-spec car on 17" wheels still has a plastic steering wheel. So what are you supposed to do? Not buy it until they fix that is my answer.
I’ll ask Skoda, but my informed guess is that the majority of manual buyers want the base model as it’s a price sensitive decision. I know that doesn’t jibe with the view that enthusiasts buy manual and want high spec - which is true - but I think the majority of manual buyers want the cheapest way in.
It's a perception thing, I suppose. The roofline is definitely higher than a corresponding hatchback. Where do you draw the line? It's clearly no longer about off-roading ability or even ground clearance to the ordinary consumer.
Might change one or two minds. Not that there's anything wrong with the Kamiq or Puma - they're good cars - but you don't have to buy an SUV just because.
Great review. The comparison really made the Puma look very claustrphophobic inside thanks to the dark headlining and smaller glass. The Kamiq was like a breath of fresh air inside. It also looks like Ford upholstery (especially when you did the close up) looks poorly made compared to the Skoda. Most people were upset with Ford's Powershift auto because of their refusal to admit fault and reluctance to address customer issues. They may have a better transmission now but many will be fearful of Ford's after care. For me it's the Kamiq. It just looks more classy compared to the Matchbox car looks of the Puma.
Id take the puma based on looks an drving dynamics, in Scotland uk most the pumas are 1.0t petrol manuals with mhev in 125 or 155hp or you can get the puma st with 1.5t petrol 200bhp and 320nm torque which i will be ordering in December this year, we dont get diesel pumas in uk but you can choose automatic for the 1.0t pumas if u dont want manual but puma st 1.5t is manual only an very well specced 👌👍🏴
Pronunciation: Skoda = [sh k o d a] with shortly sounded [o] as same as last [a], no accent; Kamiq is not [k a m i k], it is ended with q, so also [v] has to be come out: kamiq = [k a m i k v]
Totally agree. The rear is very nice, but the front looks a bit weird. I'm a bit tired of the Skoda bbq grill and the headlights look a bit Jeep Cherokee to me.
Yeah, not sure the dual headlight thing is working that well for Skoda. I loved the pre-facelift Octavia RS Mk III with the single-piece headlights. Very handsome.
Tom what makes the Puma a SUV? It looks like a hatchback to me. I really dont think 3 cylinder engine vehicles are going to take off. If Ford didn't have enough buyers of both the Ranger and Everest, I doubt selling their other vehicles would be a viable proposition as the Ranger and Everest are their best sellers and nothing much else sells here. I would by a Hyundai or Kia product than these 2 contenders.
What a terrific review, especially how close these cars rank compared to each other. I do have to mention that there were a few mentions that weren't mentioned and that was when comparing the rear seating of both the skoda was said to be better although it didn't have a sunroof which the puma does and the Skoda was given better rear seating space without mentioning the lack of a sunroof which would have made a huge difference. Also from the comments the puma sounded much nicer to drive, so not due how the skoda came out on top. But aside from that, great review and always enjoyable. For me personally I'd go the Ford.
Thanks, James. Hopefully it was clear that the Kamiq didn't have a sunroof - though with so much headroom without one, I think you'll still get a six-footer in there even with the glass roof. You're definitely right that the Puma is *better* to drive, though the Kamiq is no slouch and still has a nice chassis - so ultimately with the Skoda's better interior packaging it emerged, thinly, as the victor. That said, I would quite happily recommend either car, which is rare in a comparison.
Just a thought but do you really need to access the fans on a aircon with climate control?...if so just use the knobs to turn the temp up or down to get the fan’s going to your desired speed...oh and I think at the moment the best bang for your bucks in this segment is the Kia Seltos sports +. Thanks for the review.
Volkswagen cars have scored a number of losses on this channel. Tiguan went down pretty hard to the RAV4 Hybrid, to name one. Can't change the fact that VAG know how to make an excellent car, most of the time, however.
@@chasingcars Just to let the Skoda Kodiaq beat it... What Car? just gave the Puma a win over the Kamiq. For some reason in your site a VAG car just cannot lose. Its a shame cause at least when not you test car not compared to VAG, it is enjoying and interesting. Just make sure you let all other manufacturers know their cars dont stand a chance against the utterly amazing VAG cars.
@@StephenFogarty2023 Dont hate anything. I would be all over an RS6, my dream car as a kid was the rally Audi Quattro, I think most of their cars offer a pretty good overall package. not the perfection this site which has obvious bias tries to portray! But hey I'm sure they would even give the nod to a Polo GTI over a GR Yaris...
@@StephenFogarty2023 You are an internet bully, who is having a hard time facing criticism of his darling car brand, you have been reported, this is language that should never be used when discussing cars, and I call on the moderators to cut in before youtube does
So much missing in this report - parking sensors - yes/no? Reversing cameras - yes/no? They are suv‘s (you say) so 4wd, fwd, rwd? Owning a car is not just about a chunky steeringwheel…
@@StephenFogarty2023 I would not buy any VW product or one of its subsidiary products due to the scandal VW had with the diesel emissions cheating software that has the potential to shorten the lives of millions. I personally don't believe in rewarding such a reckless company by purchasing their vehicles, but each to their own.
The Puma looks like a yawning frog. They're both gutless. Suited for a teenage mum who doesnt care about cars. 3 cyl engines need to be revved hard to make work. OK if you like driving at 5000 rpm everywhere. For $30K one can actually get a real car. Who buys these stupid things?