Audi SQ2 vs Ford Puma ST vs Hyundai Kona N: Hot miniature SUVs tested

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Once upon a time, hot hatches became popular because they were the fast, sporty versions of the cars that everybody else bought, meaning they were affordable. However, now that people are buying SUVs as much as they're buying hatchbacks, it follows that hot SUVs are becoming an inevitability.
Audi, Ford and Hyundai certainly think so. The Audi SQ2 is the oldest car of our Tarmac-tearing triumvirate, but it's recently been facelifted, so Audi clearly thinks there's life in the old dog yet. It's also the fastest car of our trio, with 296bhp and a 0-62mph time of just 4.9 seconds.
On paper, the Ford Puma ST is completely outgunned in this test, giving away 100bhp to the Audi and almost as much to the Hyundai. Obviously, it's slower as a result, sprinting from 0-62mph in 6.7 seconds. However, it's also £10,000 cheaper than the Audi, and what's more, Ford has some of the finest chassis engineers anywhere in the motor industry, so can the ST deliver the kind of fleet-footed fervency to make up for that deficit?
The Hyundai splits this particular deck with 276bhp and a 0-62mph time of 5.5 seconds. It also comes with a whole bunch of performance-enhancing gadgetry - including adaptive suspension, a limited-slip differential, launch control and more - to cut lap times even further. But is the performance as fearsome as the looks?
In this CarGurus UK triple test, Rebecca Jackson explains the merits and drawbacks of each of our contenders, and names which is the best small-but-fast SUV you can buy.
CarGurus can help you find great deals on used cars from top-rated dealers in your area. To find out more, visit www.cargurus.co.uk/
▬ Contents of this video ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
00:00 - Introduction
01:46 - Interior design
03:37 - Rear seats
04:03 - Boot space
04:22 - Driving impressions
09:19 - Verdict
09:54 - Let us know your thoughts
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#audisq2 #fordpumast #hyundaikonan

[@jameswilkins4284]

8000 miles into driving a Puma ST. The Megabox is actually super useful, the handling is fantastic. And it's getting 43mpg average, even with regular country road fast driving mixed with some dual carriageway.

[@janakshah90]

What do you use the megabox to store?

[@steveglossop]

@@janakshah90 Very useful for accommodating tall things like plants or you can fill it with ice and use it as a coolbox. It has a plug in the bottom that can let any water out.

[@xtremegamer78]

Here in Australia the Audi SQ2 is 76k lol. Hyundai Kona N Premium model is 20k less. Kona is best value imo.

[@TasimanaOG]

you can get a kona for 49k with less than 5k kms and 4-5 years of warranty! bargain. im gonna get an i30N sedan for the softer suspension though

[@111msw]

Ford Puma ST 100%

[@TheLostGeneration3]

I have the Puma ST and is very fun to drive.

[@bustestlucloc4630]

'Very fun' doesn't exist in correct English

[@hellolau]

@@bustestlucloc4630 That statement is not true. The phrase "very fun" does exist in correct English and is grammatically acceptable. The word "fun" is an adjective, and it can be modified by an adverb like "very" to intensify or emphasize the level of enjoyment or amusement. Language use can vary, and different expressions may be preferred by different individuals or in different contexts.

[@bustestlucloc4630]

@@hellolau ‘Very’ is an adverb. An adverb describes a verb, an adjective, or another adverb. ‘Very good’ is correct because ‘very’ is describing ‘good’ which is an adjective. ‘Very fun’ is incorrect because ‘fun’ is a noun. An adverb cannot describe a noun. Correct English is correct English. Full stop.

[@da_great_mogul]

You're taking your role as the grammar police to a whole new level!

[@johnwhite2143]

Puma st in green would be my choice, had fords before and a Mustang and all reliable with no issues and fun and engaging to drive, that puma st in green is on my radar for next car 💚👌👍

[@themanipulator1]

Build quality to me means how long it will last not how soft the materials are, in this case it's incorrect saying the Audi far outdoors the Hyundai, I'd say it was considerably short if multiple reliability surveys are to he trusted.

[@paulstaffordcook8799]

Totally agree! It really irritates me that journalists all say Audis have good build quality…. what they really mean is that the materials feel really nice, switches and knobs nicely damped etc… but Audis brake! In fact one of the cars in this review IS actually broken. It’s the Audi! Audis and Volkswagens have a long list of common mechanical issues, including feeble engine bay plastics leading to a domino effect on part failures. I watch that ReDriven KZbin channel - they only review cars once they have thousands of miles on them. Very interesting to hear what the mechanics have to say about longevity…..

[@themanipulator1]

@@paulstaffordcook8799 exactly my feeling mate I'm I'm so fed up of it. Audi being praised for its build quality constantly is a joke given its reliability reputation. The funny thing is, Making up reasons to buy the Audi is all they can do as objectively is a complete waste of money when, apart from the badge, it's inferior in every way. Pretending it's a solid thing is all they have.

[@wizeguiz]

Love watching your reviews! You Brit's get all the fun cars! Across the pond- we may have more motorways, but not nearly as good as yours! I would love to try out the Puma! Cheers!

[@jrs9264]

Hyundai, easily....lower price, far better reliability and warranty....they will sell as many of those as they bring into the states and Canada. 👍🤗

[@Nysher]

Having owning a Kona n and driven a Puma ST a few times. I personally prefer the Kona N I don't like the way the Puma ST feels under "Spirited driving" the Kona is great for some responsible fun.

[@businessbasics6777]

Hyundai was forced to implement there 10 year warranty / lifetime engine warranty because of just how bad their drivetrains are. The Ford will be the most reliable out of the lot.

[@rotoehu9266]

While I love a manual, the slick 8spd DCT in the Kona is really impressive and, as it was in development by Hyundai for over 5 years before release, will likely be far more robust than anything from the VW group outside of Porsche PDK. No doubt the lack of auto option in the Puma ST will hurt sales (appreciating that is not a problem for Fiesta ST)

[@curbyourshi1056]

No. In England, manual is King. Auto gearboxes over here are usually used to get better 0-60 times, by removing the driver from the equation.

[@da_great_mogul]

That's why they've released the Puma ST Auto is it?

[@paulcolmer9046]

Just been to Cornwall and then back in my White Puma , great fun , fantastic economy. Agree with your verdict.

[@paulashenden3663]

I have the Puma ST its so much fun and practical, got to have the performance pack 😎

[@stevencampbell1150]

The thing that makes me laugh is the Audi is supposed to be the premium option and yet a bit of it fell off in the wind! 😂😂

[@245thegreat]

Storm Eunice winds were in the region of 122MPH. Add more speed from the car, and that added force would quite easily tear any bit off at motorway speed. If any of the other two were subjected to the same, the latter would of happened. 🙈🙈

[@oraclemiata845]

@@245thegreat The Kona isn’t that much slower, and it retained all its body parts… so?

[@tonysmith2594]

Have the Puma ST on order with all the available options in mean green, smoked alloys, black roof and wing mirrors, cannot wait.....

[@radionorthseagold]

Snap i have the same Puma in mean green and love it and so will you.

[@johnwhite2143]

Puma st looks amazing, I've just ordered a brand new 72plate puma st in mean green with the magnetite machined alloys, can't wait be September October time delivery 💚👌👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@radionorthseagold]

@@johnwhite2143 you will love it. Well worth the wait. I went for the performance pack

[@johnwhite2143]

@@radionorthseagold only option I took was the green paint lol, the new ones after February 2022 have ford performance seats and red stitching etc on some interior and some red round vents either side of dash, I think it looks better, would be great if you could get green stitching and some green interior lol 💚👍👌

[@vroomgc]

Nice thorough review ! I'll take the fun Kona

[@windycity1828]

Puma for me! Possibly in ruby red. Great video 🇬🇧👍

[@jamesfox7721]

Your wrong about the colour,it's a stunning colour in mean green,saw one in a Ford garage, lovely.

[@johnwhite2143]

Yep I agree to,green is best colour it looks stunning,I'm hoping to get puma st in green for next car, cudnt care less about the Kermit frog jokes lol, I think it's a cute looking car and suits the green big thumbs up from me 👍👍

[@lffit]

small Fords are great to drive, reliable too, from my first a Focus, then on to two Fiestas, imo cannot beat them, next a Puma or me!

[@bobmitchell8012]

Take your Rose Coloured Glasses off..........Ford couldn’t design a Matchbox.

[@lffit]

@@bobmitchell8012 that's why the company is an international sales failure?

[@philipdeakin216]

audi maybe fastest but have a poor reliability record. Kona wins a mile off from both other cars. Every bit of kit it's got, hyundai nailed it perfectly. hyundai are manufacturer of the year award as far as I'm concerned and well deserved!

[@davidhayes4814]

Seems a pretty sensible sort of test

[@alanhand2203]

I have had a Kona N since 7th January considered the Puma but so glad i went with the Kona if you want a car to put a smile on your face every journey then you have to go with the Kona yes could be finished better but for 35k insane value for money

[@popsandbangs8858]

Why u Missed the active exhaust note in the KonaN which is a funfactor feature! And the 5 years warranty & plus in term of driving its handles better than both .

[@telelaci2]

She said - "... it can feel a bit wayward to drive ..." - and that is nonsense. I wouldn't trust in her opinion so much. I think she couln't find th N button.

[@popsandbangs8858]

@@telelaci2 yeah 😂

[@steveturnbull9542]

The warranty covers track use too, Audi is in higher VED for 6 years in UK.

[@athollmcnicoll1028]

Well as a driver of a Fiesta Active with its miniscule 1 ltr engine and turbo drive if I were to change and not think about an EV I'd plum for the Puma but with an automatic gearbox. Now there are viewers that would say rubbish chose another car but funnily enough I like Ford as did my Father before me, so a tradition has been set up and I've driven other cars including Audi's, BMW's, Jaguars and Renaults but for me agility and range shows the Ford to be the class it is.

[@jameshartley6486]

I have that exact puma st with performance pack, it is great in many ways, I was looking at both the others n price was off putting. Plus it's best looking by far in mean grean

[@tonywhite6985]

Rebecca talks about weight penalty of puma Vs fiesta, but didn't ford improve the torque from 290 to 320Nm for the Puma?

[@alviL200]

True, this should make the Puma st basically equal to the mk8 Fiesta st in rolling accelerations but unfortunately there aren't any videos around that could show it, only 0-60 launches

[@gazzwad]

Puma, value vs performance a clear winner

[@delinois2011]

I own an Kona N, she has gone mad with this review.

[@MrTwoscoops]

The puma st looks different inside red stitching and no recaro’s?

[@andrewdent696]

Ford changed/updated as of February. They introduced their own Ford Performance seats and changed to red stitching.

[@drsonicify]

The subtitles seem to be from a different review altogether, talking about electric cars (the English UK ones anyway)

[@CarGurusUK]

Thank you so much for spotting this. Correct version is now attached.

[@jimmyquinn9639]

Lovely cars 🚗🚙🚘👍👍👍👍👍

[@Gamgam4843n]

I'm confused, Australia never had the SQ2 untill 2022. So we're getting a 6 year old car finally for close to $80k ? wtf

[@marksapollo]

Pretty much, it had a face lift about 2 years ago I think but that was it.

[@marksapollo]

I have a 2013 Fiesta ST, I am thinking of changing it and want something softer. I’ve thought about the Quattro Q2 but not the SQ, or a Volvo XC40, I don’t like the Puma looks. Second hand the Q2 is the best as it’s so long in the tooth now. But also means it’s not modern in its design, the Volvo is nice but holds its value ridiculously well.

[@robertansley1352]

Had a Ford Puma st, for 4 months Ford had it in their workshop for 1 month fixing the roof, paint was chipping off everywhere, so build quality was really bad,fuel was 25 mpg. But to drive was brilliant,

[@greavste71]

I’ve got a 71 plate Puma ST and I love it but 41mpg,no chance I’m currently averaging 25mpg😳

[@tobyhancock449]

Puma st line x averages around 54mpg for me

[@RON240R]

In that case you must drive with a heavy right foot. 😉 It should be easily possible to significantly better your results while still keeping up with traffic.

[@anthonystevens8683]

A great comparison review Rebecca. Given in the UK it's often quite difficult to give any car the full beans for long before you are likely to receive an invoice for your in car portrait that was not ordered so the top speed does not count for me. With the amount of traffic on my usual journeys how quick the car is through the gears is more important for passing other vehicles. MPG with todays fuel prices is clearly another consideration. And we should not forget the residuals. One important factor though has to be driver involvement. So having waffled on I have to agree that the Ford wins for driver involvement and a manual box to hook up the correct gear for overtaking in an instant but looses out on residuals, The Kona sounds like each spirited drive could be an event given the power v chassis balance. The Audi may be middle aged in car terms for this group but is highly likely to hold its value better than most and my word it is a tad quick for those overtakes.

[@andrewdent696]

I have a Puma ST....I made the right choice. £28.250 fantastic red with pan roof and electric hatch. Fantastic car that needs no other extras. SQ2 best part of £12.000 more. Kona is a good car but at least £5000 more. Again....is it worth the extra?.....not for me.

[@gazzwad]

no performance pack?

[@andrewdent696]

@@gazzwad No. It was down to watching the £££ to be honest, so the wife wanted the pan roof instead. To be honest, unless your really pushing it on B road, thers no need. It handles very well and certainly good enough for me. I did think about resale values and the garage said the pan roof adds value as much as the performance pack , infact he said the pan rooof is more desirable on the second hand market.

[@sirukus]

And is Puma silent and comfortable enough on a motorway?

[@gazzwad]

drives really well on the motorway, no issues there.

[@EKB480]

Ford Puma ❤️❤️

[@AngryBritain]

Had a Puma ST from new, had it 3mths. The novelty wore off really quickly. Cheap feeling inside, grabby brakes, overactive steering, and uncomfortable arse-pinching seats. Horrid to live with.

[@TomasJot]

I totally agree with your points as I drove rented Puma ST in Italy and CH for whole week and made the same impression. Especially I disliked how steering worked: too sensitive and not informative at all, especially in turns, like hairpin type (never felt confidend and safe).

[@businessbasics6777]

@@TomasJot The Puma ST basically steers like a Fiesta ST which are incredible track cars and amazingly fun to drive. I have a feeling you may just not be a very confident driver.

[@joeychan9582]

I like all

[@St3y_focused_250hp]

I'm driving the mean green Puma ST and can say after 13000km, a new flywheel, losing paint,... it wasn't my best choice to buy this car... looking for an Audi a3 S-line now, hope that build quality is much better than romanian build quality...

[@tonywhite6985]

Hmm, two reports of paint problems in the comments

[@MrShoesmad]

Oh its a trainers day lol x

[@BenH2705]

I’ve had plenty of cars from the VW group but they’re a little generic everybody has one, no real involvement in the drive. The kona comes with a whole host of kit as standard, and developed by a guy who did the more iconic M cars from BMW. I know a person at work with a puma ST on lease they’re not a fan

[@davidhuysmans67]

I would have a Audi S3, Ford Fiesta ST or the i20N. No suv 4 me.

[@kristians2704]

Kona N does have about 70hp over the i20N

[@davidhuysmans67]

@@kristians2704 Doesn't matter to me, i20N is more fun to drive.

[@lowfeelsblvd]

@@kristians2704 Yeah and it's probably 100KGs heavier and 6 inches higher, so has more body roll, inertia and isn't as nimble. Power isn't everything.

[@oraclemiata845]

If you can drive, the Kona N holds its own on any twisty road, and if you like hooliganism it’ll do that as well.

[@chriswright4252]

I disagree with your verdict with the Ford, I’d still have the Audi in first place closely followed by the Hyundai in my opinion.

[@popsandbangs8858]

Same and the puma is not even close to kona driving

[@ersincelik2022]

Güzel makineler

[@joeychan9582]

All SUV looks good to me

[@paulmcgee1867]

Looked at the Audi a few years ago. Interior space is lacking. I would go Puma if it was automatic.

[@cp4512]

I’d choose the SQ2 😁

[@neilnewman6426]

I think the kona looks so good

[@mr.quackersjunior8000]

HOLD UP MY KONA N DIDNT COME WITH VENTILATED SEATS

[@ada205mi]

''The kona has to much power for its chassis''....... All credibility lost for this channel right there!

[@msagoo29]

She's clueless

[@ada205mi]

@@msagoo29 Completely!👍

[@oraclemiata845]

Agreed, the Kona has too much power for this driver’s ability perhaps?

[@mattyice4001]

Uh oh Hyundai lemmings are triggered. Spoiler, Rebecca is a better driver than you. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rebecca_Jackson_(presenter)

[@nrnccrdn]

Not mentioning all of the engines size, torque and power ratings in a... "review"? Come on.

[@telelaci2]

She compared the 200hp/320Nm Puma St to a 280hp/392Nm Kona and a 300hp/400Nm Audi. She couldn't feel the difference in power and torque, but the Puma was the most fun to drive and the Audi was definitely "dull" (weak ? boring ? no acceleration ?) I wouldn't trust in her judgement if I was you.

[@perenevoldsen1054]

The puma

[@markahomer]

Puma. But not in green. Had several fords over the decades - faultless reliability. The Audi is premium but has dullness about it. Agree - S3 better option.

[@mkimask]

I just wish kona had awd

[@DaveDVideoMaker]

I wish that as well, but if it had AWD, it would use more fuel, get worse fuel consumption, would cost more to build so it'd cost more to buy and would cost more to repair in the long run cos there would be more things to break down.

[@mkimask]

@@DaveDVideoMaker yes. It would be a bit heavier, a bit more expensive, a bit more fuel hungry, but it would be much more practical. I currently own a 3rd gen Focus ST and as much as I love the car - I am not the biggest fan of FWD. You get the wheel hop, in winter car is just pain to drive and launching the car on anything but dry asphalt is just impossible. So I am looking to change the car to something what would be as much fun but a bit more practical - and the market for those cars is almost empty. Apart from cupra formentor and sq2 there is almost no other cars (powerful awd with a bit more ground clearance) in that price range.

[@DaveDVideoMaker]

@@mkimask I did hear rumours that Hyundai was gonna make an i30N with AWD but they never did.

[@mkimask]

@@DaveDVideoMaker I've heard rumors that they will make kona n awd at some point (after restyling maybe) - since the platform allows for awd - you already can buy 130kw n-line kona. If they make it - I think I will choose hyundai over cupra. But so far, as I've said formentor has no competition.

[@DaveDVideoMaker]

@@mkimask I did hear rumours for an IONIQ 5 N, but it’ll just be the same powertrain as the EV6 GT. However, it should be the first Hyundai N model to have AWD.

[@kinocchio]

Audi interior looks like current Mazda interior

[@69jomen]

Hyundai Kona for me.

[@descarroll2039]

Buy the audi if you want to know the car dealerships mechanic by first name......and the warranties offered by Ford and Audi are rubbish compared to Hyundai......

[@gaycha6589]

I’ll take the Puma in grey, then pocket the £12k difference over the Audi, but maybe splash out a little on a Mountune remap to take it to 265hp, which allegedly won’t trouble the chassis and will maintain warranty. Hyundai eliminated on account of being named after a crap 70s coffee machine.

[@chirpywiggins5796]

It will invalidate your warranty. Mountune no longer have this agreement with Ford. It's the reason I haven't remapped mine although it is enough torque in stock to have fun on UK roads.

[@user-yo1cw1pq8y]

10만 구독 가자!

[@mickwosika769]

How can you measure the Puma St against an Audi SQ2 that costs around £10k more? Absolutely rediculous!

[@mrmawson2438]

Ford

[@markc6714]

Audi "good build quality" yet it lost part of it's decal in wind....

[@pranavagarwal4818]

Kona is better than both

[@petercarey5857]

Ford is the best by far!

[@ionuttofan2851]

You talking s..t,Kona is the best!

[@wanner04]

hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha Noob Test

[@bobmitchell8012]

That green pile has a face only a mother could love........All Day, Every Day .......Hyundai.

[@markc6714]

You chose the puma!!! You just lost all credibility

[@chirpywiggins5796]

Have you driven it ??

[@markc6714]

@@chirpywiggins5796 no because they were withdrawn from sale because nobody wanted them

[@michaelspanish9738]

Audi's look boring good cars but they look crap

[@thatfocusguy]

That Hyundai just looks hideous

[@philipc239]

And the winner is... GR Yaris !!! ✌😂😂😂

[@tonywhite6985]

I can't fit my family and all their stuff in the Yaris, but would love one :)

[@philipc239]

@@tonywhite6985 that was 2022. This year the winner is... EV 6 !!! 😊😊

[@JackKing12.]

too much makeup Rebecca

[@Mybackhandsucks]

Ford puma? Give it to me for free then I will dump it into recycling ground

[@robertbullmore4620]

Fords are awful cars, I've owned 2 and both were bad, never again