Ally Bally on Wheels: Review - SEAT Ateca 2 Litre TDi

There’s a new kid on the block and I had the pleasure of putting it through its paces for a few days.

SEAT is aiming to take customers away from the likes of Ford’s Kuga, Kia’s Sportage and Nissan’s Quashqai, now that is a big ask ! However, the SEAT Ateca is a fresh youthful looking SUV which comes from the same family as the Volkswagen Tiguan. Sitting on the same platform as the Leon, the Ateca ( named after a small Spanish village) is a smart looking car with roofrails, tinted windows, LED running lamps and very attractive trim.

Five engines are available, three diesels and two petrols and you can choose from five trim levels, S, SE, First Edition, SE Technology and Xcellence. The range prices start from £17,990 up to £29,990 and can also select from two or four wheel drive versions as well as manual or DSG automatic transmissions. I tested the top of the range Xcellence model which as you would expect in a premium car. The wireless was a delight for Lorraine as she has a very annoying habit of letting her mobile run totally flat. I also liked the “puddle lights” which does what is says, help keep your feet dry when you get out of the car.

Inside the cabin, the seats are very comfortable, the instruments and controls are very well laid out and easy to operate. Sitting in the driving seat you get the feeling of a very sturdy , safe environment. Powered by the 150PS 2-litre diesel, matched to the six speed manual gearbox, it delivered a very smooth ride. There is a choice to select from Eco, normal, or sport and in this AWD version, you also benefit from the addition of off-road and snow choices.

I was very pleased with handling of the Ateca, it holds the road very well in town, on country roads and on motorways.

The car arrived at the right time for us as a spring clear out of the garage was due and of course a trip to the skip ( apologies to the recycling centre!) With the rear seats folded down, you get 1,604 litres of space and even without the seats going down, you have a 510 lire boot.

If you were to compare the Ateca to its sister the Volkswagen Tiguan you would find that space is slightly tighter, that’s due to the Ateca sitting on a shorter platform but there’s still ample room for a family of five.

I can both understand why the competition is concerned; this looks like another winner from SEAT.

TECH TALK

SEAT Ateca 2.0 litre TDI

Max speed 122mph

0-62mph-

9 seconds

Insurance group 17

Combined mpg 55.4

Price £27,42