Seat ateca vs skoda karoq

[Happytostayhome]

Sorry if this has been asked already, but couldnt find a direct comparison thread already.
Looking at purchasing a used SUV (around 2019, don't want to be financing)
Shortlisted currently is the Seat Ateca Xcellence Lux 1.5 or Skoda Karoq SE L 1.5 both in automatic
Anyone own one of these, have test driven both and able to offer any valuable insights please? (Its hundreds of miles (literally!) for us to get to dealerships to test drive and with 2 kids and no family to babysit its a bit of a blag!)
FYI:
Qashqai ruled out because of reliability issues
Grandland X ruled out with wet belt
Hyundai tucson ruled out by DH (have tried to pursuade but he's not having it, so please no pushes for this!)
I'm not a car snob, currently also have a renault kadjar 2016 that we're happy with, but looking for second automatic suv.
TIA

Both are dreary as dogshit.

Toyota C-HR or Honda HR-V Hybrid are better alternatives. Although you dont say what your budget is....

Thanks for your input @HelplessSoul , but neither of those are on our list.

I have found an article comparing the two

https://www.whatcar.com/news/used-test-seat-ateca-vs-skoda-karoq/n20180

I have a Karoq myself but not the same engine. I’ve had it for over 5 years and am very happy with it.

Neither.

I love VAG cars as a rule. DH has a manual Karoq, I have a Skoda Enyaq, previously had a VW Tiguan auto which I adored and recommended. DS2 has a Seat Ateca and DS1 has a VW Tiguan, both automatic. DS2’s is a 2019 plate, DS1’s is a 2020 plate with less than 40k on the clock. Both their gearboxes went, fortunately in warranty, causing £4k plus worth of work. DS1’s is currently at the garage.

When DS2’s went DDIL was heavily pregnant, just over two years ago, and it took almost 4 months to be repaired. It had just over 40k on the clock and they’d had it 6 weeks. DS1 thought he heard a noise from his, the garage said nope, so he paid to get the gearbox serviced. 2 weeks ago he sent it back in saying it wasn’t right, but they denied it. It went last week, 2 days before his warranty ended. When it’s back he’s selling it.

Oh nooo @TheFairyCaravan 😫

I feel like its impossible to find a reliable used automatic suv!!

I listed you two, but you said they werent in for your consideration.....

Reliable auto SUVs are Japanese (not Nissan). You may have to broaden your horizon away from EU junk.

@Happytostayhome the toyota c-hr is not the shape i am after unfortunately (from my original message and the models i named this seems quite obvious)
And its only the older models of the honda cr-v that are within price range or with 100k+ miles on them (not that we like the look of them either)

As said before, you havent indicated your budget....bit tricky to signpost to something without it!

I can't compare, but I drive a seat ateca 19 plate. First automatic ive driven. I love it. I just get put of soda as the rust buckets of old. I know they've come a long way since those days 😂

@HelplessSoul trying to get around 13k.

Have just been researching the VAG auto gearboxes and its looks as though the 2l's have a different box which is much more reliable than the smaller engines. @TheFairyCaravan do you know what size engines are in your DS2's ateca and DS1's tiguan?

Thank you @DramaQueenlady (there is some hope! 😂) what engine is your ateca please?

I have a Skoda karoq and I’ve driven the seat as a courtesy car. For me the Skoda is way better. Feels solid and quick. Mine has heated seats and a heated steering wheel, which is fabulous.
the seat felt small, cheap and a bit rickety in comparison

edited to add - my karoq is a 72 plate, I haven’t driven the older version.

@Happytostayhome they’ve both got 2l engines. DS1’s is a diesel, DS2 ‘s is a petrol. Both of them are the 4motion, so 4 wheel drive, in case that makes a difference, I don’t know.

@TheFairyCaravan darn it, thought i'd figured it with the different gearbox in the smaller engines!

We have a Seat Ateca automatic 21 reg. For both of us it's the best car we've driven.

When I drive my manual 13 reg C1, which is our runaround car, I genuinely wonder if it will fall apart around me in comparison.

I don't really agree with the poster stating it's EU muck🤣. Genuinely never heard anyone think like that before. We like the Seats as they are cheaper VWs but a similar quality overall.

We would have also considered the Karoq but it was just what was available at the dealership.

I had an ateca manual, 2018, really liked it, no issues. Had it 4 years. Lots of miles as live rural.
Now have a tiguan which I also love. Not keen on the look of skodas but guessing they are similar to drive.

I have Karoq Sportline, love it, though am long time Škoda fan. Ask away if you’ve any questions on it.

I did a quick look on Autotrader.

I found about 50 cars, all Japanese SUVs, between 10k-13k, all with less than 90k miles including:

Lexus NX
Honda CR-V
Mazda CX-5
Toyota RAV4

Absolutely loads of superior Japanese reliability choices. I get that you might not like the exteriors, but you cant see that when you are sat inside.

Your money ultimately, but theres a reason why all VAG products are ranked lower than these Japanese models - because they are shit.

Thanks @Thickasabrick89 , this is reassuring to hear! I thought it was quite a reliable car as it has been rated very highly in suv comparisons etc, so maybe just some of the automatics that have had trouble? 🤔

@TijuanaLady123 for some reason DH is adamant on having an automatic next! So gutted to hear some these cars have nassive trouble with the gearbox 😫

@Mum2Fergus is yours a manual or automatic? Do you find it reliable? (If you've had it long enough to answer!)

Thanks @HelplessSoul , mazda cx-5 could be a possibility! (Shame the japanese dont do more attractive cars - they're missing a trick!)

DSG automatic. Almost a year old, no issues…had 4 Škoda Yeti’s before moving to Karoq and never had any issues with any of them.

How many of the cars you mention have you driven? Including any of the VAG ones you don't rate?

Dh and I are long time Skoda fans. Best car we ever had was a second hand Skoda Octavia 1.8 turbo. Basically what the police use. That car could GO, it was so so fun to drive. Used to make me laugh when some people who were all about image looked down on it as an inferior car. We once had someone begging to buy it off us when we were at traffic lights, the guy said he'd sold his and had regretted it ever since and never had a better car. We told him no way, it was the perfect car. And then a couple of years later some stupid bloody woman turned right in front of DH without looking. Her car was fine, ours was written off. Gutted, we couldn't find an equivalent with the insurance money we got. 😡

I've got a manual Karoq now, from new. Not the same as my beloved Octavia but hasn't let me down in 8 years and it's got all the bells and whistles that I need. DH has a fabia as just wanted a nippy one for running to and from work.

I'm certainly not against some of the models that you claim to be superior but I'm all about getting value for money and reliability. The ony thing we've experienced issues with is minor electrical issues. eg door locks clicking on and off ocasionally for no appparent reason, or problem with DH's heater in his car. Engines have always been absolutely fine.

@CurlyhairedAssassin

"How many of the cars you mention have you driven? Including any of the VAG ones you don't rate?"

I've driven them and owned them all - and much more beyond. The list is beyond extensive to list.

Any mechanic worth his salt will agree in tandem with major car reports/tests/news that Japanese reliability is far beyond the reach of VAG tat.

I’ve got a 2019 manual ateca. Wanted a Skoda but they only had one at the time and it was a colour I didn’t like, so came away with an ateca. I regret a manual - I stall it quite often, which I’ve never done with previous cars. My windscreen always mists up or ocassionally ices up on the inside and takes an age to sort out, so if one of the models has a better windscreen defrost go for that. I miss my Old Ford and it’s amazing windscreen defrost! Other than that I like it. We’re a family of 4 so it fits us quite nicely.

Avoid the VAG shitboxes and buy a Toyota.

Dh and I are long time Skoda fans. Best car we ever had was a second hand Skoda Octavia 1.8 turbo. Basically what the police use. That car could GO, it was so so fun to drive

Those mk1 VRSs were decent value cars but not especially quick. A colleague at the time had one new and it used to drive him mad that it wouldn’t keep up with a 12 year old naturally aspirated 1.6 Honda.

The Ateca, Karoq and Tiguan are all based on the same platform which is also shared by others including the Golf and Octavia.

I have owned a 21 plate Karoq for two and a half years and I love it. It's a 1.0 petrol manual so I can't comment on the auto gearbox. It's very comfortable and easily fits 3 adults in the back.
Skodas are very popular with private hire taxi drivers and they can't afford to be driving unreliable vehicles.

DB has a 65 plate Fabia with 140k on the clock and other than age and mileage related issues he has had no problems with it.