AFAIK both estates* have a dual clutch automated manual gearbox, so I wouldn't have either.
Whilst Skoda (like all VAG cars) had issues with some DSG boxes 10 or more years ago there have been very few issues with boxes in newer cars especially when you consider the number that are made and the fact that about half of VAG cars made have them. Not read about Kia having issues with their DCT boxes.
Nothing to worry out IMHO providing you buy a well looked after clean car.
But its a bit unfair to call these "automated manuals". Those are the simple cheap autos used by Citroen, Toyota etc that were rubbish and unreliable.
Our next car will most probably have a DSG box and I am not at all concerned with potential reliability issues.
Not just about reliability though, it is also about drivability. How the car deals with reversing, multi-storey car parks, parallel parking, pulling on to a busy road. As for reliability, this is going to depend on how previous owners have treated it, and how would you find that out on a 5-6 year old car?.
As for the "cheap simple autos", I'm assuming you are talking about single clutch automated manuals?. First, VAG also used these, second, while they tend to be worse to drive, they are not generally any less reliable than dual clutch versions. If anything, they are more so due to being simpler, though as with DCT's, this will depend on how previous owners have driven the car.
Looking on Autotrader, it appears there will be very little choice for the OP with the budget and type of car, so he may have little option but to go for a DSG (bear in mind the Skoda will also use the weaker dry clutch version, no idea about the Kia). If so, he'll just have to cross his fingers that he gets one who's previous owner/s have driven it with some mechanical sympathy
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