VAG vehicle, from the steering wheel. I really did like the huge 8” touch screen, it is so simple to use, clearly defined switches instead of touching a screen and it worked brilliantly. The controls for the heater system stood below the infotainment system, once again clear, concise, easy to understand. If only other manufacturers could take heed from Seat and understand the simplistic nature of their controls.
Engine choices will vary from a diminutive 1-litre, 3-cylinder engine and there is also a 1.4-litre TFSi petrol, which was the derivative that was fitted in to my particular test car. Driving through a 6-speed manual I had no reason to doubt Seat’ s claim for a 0-60 in 8.5 seconds and a top speed of 125mph should be attained.
During a lengthy period of test driving of my Seat Ateca Xcellence we managed to achieve 47.8mpg, which when you compare it to Seat’ s claim of 52.3 mpg I didn’ t think it was too bad.
There are 5 engine options ranging from a turbo charged diminutive 1-litre petrol up to a 2-litre diesel with a 157bhp.
The whole range of Ateca are well specified, the choice of models is an SE, a 1st Edition, SE Technology, and in the case of the test car an Xcellence. The model is extremely well equipped with a 5” Infotainment system, although surprisingly no DAB is available on the entry level but a Blue Tooth system. I particularly liked the factor that 16” alloy wheels are a standard feature, add in the extra trims and the extra expenditure brings in a particular feature that initially frightened the life out of both my wife and myself having arrived back home in the dark, on opening and closing the doors to lock it, we actually saw a silhouette of the Ateca logo on the floor in lights which was reflected from the nearside door mirror, very clever but very spooky.
The Ateca’ s are priced to be competitive, the particular derivative that I had on test had a base price of £ 25,300, if you add in the extra for metallic paint, panoramic sunroof, sound system, and also the rear view camera and electric tailgate, which I find quite useful, this brought it to an on the road price of £ 28,485.
The Seat range have a 3-year or 60,000 miles mechanical warranty, 12 year body warranty and a 2-year mobility aid in over 30 countries package.
35