From £23,3709
The Seat Ateca 1.4 TSI 150 makes perfect sense: it's spacious, tidy to drive for an SUV and cheap to run

What is it?

The Spanish town of Ateca has only 2000 residents, so it’s on the small side. It also implies that some thought has gone into naming this Seat Ateca 1.4 TSI 150 that shares its name.  

Seat's Ateca is a small SUV, you see, in the same mould as rivals such as the Nissan Qashqai and Kia Sportage. Yet don’t let that fool you into believing that this isn’t a roomy family car, because it is.

For many, diesel would normally be the default engine choice in a car like this, but the 1.4-litre petrol looks like an interesting alternative. Firstly, it develops a very worthy 148bhp, so it’ll crack 0-62mph in 8.5sec, which is considerably quicker than the slightly more expensive 1.6 TDI version. Secondly, with cylinder-on-demand tech that on light throttle lets it run on two cylinders, it’s also pleasingly efficient. So much so, in fact, that it incurs less company car tax than the diesel. 

What's it like?

This engine feels like the perfect fit, performance wise. You can ride the swell of torque that builds from 1500rpm onwards when you wish for relaxed progress, or it’ll happily sing out to 6000rpm when you need to put on a spurt. It sounds good, too: slightly gravelly but never grumbly or coarse. 

It’s only available with a six-speed manual gearbox, but unless you are absolutely wedded to the idea of an auto, you won’t mind. The shift action is slick and the clutch is light and positive; throw in the progressive brakes and there’s a welcome fluidity to it even in snarled-up traffic.

That said, in free-flowing traffic you are aware of some wind and road noise (the latter most notably on 19in wheels), but then you could say the same about any of its rivals. All in all, then, the Ateca is a pretty relaxing motorway cohort.

But why sit on the motorway when Seat has done such a fine job of making its new baby scoot through corners? It’s no hot hatch, true, but compared with the current crop of reasonably priced small SUVs, the Ateca is quite a twinkle toes. The front end will change direction with zeal, helped by the rack’s accurate gearing and intuitive build up of weight as you pile on lock. Ultimate feel through the rim, however, is not great, but then looking at the class as a whole, we weren’t really expecting it to be.

It’s not just the tidy front end that impresses, though. The spring and damper rates feel nicely honed, so instead of demonstrating the usual SUV trait of bucking like a bronco over crests and dips, the Ateca stays on a tight leash. It’s a similar theme through any roundabout or bend taken with vigour; despite its height, the Ateca doesn’t lurch like a weeping willow caught by a hefty gust. 

There is, of course, payback for this: the ride is firm. With 17in wheels the Ateca deals with lighter surface undulations admirably well but, inevitably, jolts over larger, sharper-edged intrusions. However, avoid the optional 19in wheels, which really exacerbate the problem, and it’s an acceptable compromise, we think. 

Inside it’s basically a Seat Leon with a better view out. It’s not the most imaginative looking piece of interior design but it is easy to use. The upper materials look and feel pleasantly squidgy; lower down that plushness gives way to harder, scratchier plastics. Still, at this price point that’s not uncommon.

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Up front there’s not much to whinge about concerning the driving position. The steering wheel and seats have a big enough range of movement – including driver and passenger seat height and lumbar adjustment – to adapt to different body shapes. There’s plenty of head and leg room, too.

Rear seat passengers shouldn’t whinge, either. For two tall adults there’s ample leg room, while the head room offered is impressive - only extreme headgear extravagance of the kind seen on Lady’s Day at Ascot might show up a weakness. And you can fit three across the rear bench in reasonable comfort, providing your trio accepts some shoulder rubbing. In fact, the only real flaw is that there’s no sliding or reclining rear bench like you find in a Volkswagen Tiguan; then again, the Ateca is a much cheaper option than its VW Group stablemate.

The boot is bang on the money for the class. It’s a fraction bigger than a Qashqai’s, so you’ll have no problems throwing in a couple of large suitcases or fold-up prams, but do go for the optional dual-height boot floor, which lets you separate out delicate items and reduces the step left when you fold down the rear seats.

Should I buy one?

Absolutely. The Ateca is as good as it gets for the class: practical and with a fine blend of ride and handling.

And what about the petrol versus diesel debate? Well, we’re road testing the 1.6 TDI diesel soon, but if you think you have even the merest hint of dieselphobia, pick this 1.4 TSI 150. It’s cheaper on company car tax and offers way more performance. Just bear in mind that it won’t quite match the diesel’s average fuel economy if you're doing lots of miles.

Seat Ateca 1.4 TSI 150 SE

Location Manchester; On sale now; Price £21,015; Engine 4 cyls, 1395cc, turbocharged, petrol; Power 148bhp at 5000-6000rpm Torque 184lb ft at 1500-3500rpm; Gearbox 6-spd manual; Kerb weight 1349kg; Top speed 125mph; 0-62mph 8.5sec; Economy 53.3mpg (combined); CO2/tax band 122g/km, 21%; Rivals Nissan Qashqai Kia Sportage

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Comments
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5wheels 3 October 2016

diabolical

The system they are including in the so called infotainment section is ludicrous as it just encourages people to lose concentration! These things should be stopped dead in their tracks before they put innocent people dead in their tracks
quote
For the smartphone generation, MirrorLink and Apple CarPlay will be available to allow you to connect your phone if you go for the top-spec infotainment system. This will also read out new text, Twitter and Facebook messages, and let you dictate a reply if you are desperate to comment on a post. It’s even got the capability to let you set up your own screen gestures to shortcut to your most popular commands. unquote
Aerial 21 September 2016

Wedded to an auto?

- absolutely wedded to the idea of an auto - some of us prefer autos, especially in heavy traffic and on long trips. Some of us can only drive them due to disability or illness. I wish Autocar would stop with the "manual is always best" line. All those great to drive auto BMWs, Mercs and Jags can't be that bad after all. Using your leg and hand to select a gear seems odd in this day and age. I switched to an auto many cars back and wouldn't go manual now.
KPB 21 September 2016

Can't understand the fuss

Sorry but I don't get all the 4.5 and 5 star reviews this car is getting.

We drove one of these 1.4 SE petrols last weekend. Bar a nice engine and the hatchback-like handling, its an achingly conventional car inside and out. Unlike its somewhat marmite competitors (Qashqai, Kadjar et al) there's not a shred of imagination or innovation to it.

Nor is it without flaw. Expect your kids to be properly jiggled about in the rear of this thing, even on 17s. There's also some questionable build quality inside and the interface of the infotainment system desperately needs streamlining. Plus, the intermediate 'SE' model is pretty sparsely equipped. You'll even have to pay extra for DAB.

Strikes me these motoring journos are more interested in dynamic qualities which will be totally lost on 80% of its target market.

Bob Cat Brian 21 September 2016

Cant understand the fuss?

KPB wrote:

Sorry but I don't get all the 4.5 and 5 star reviews this car is getting.

Strikes me these motoring journos are more interested in advertising revenue.

Fixed this for you.

Have you not noticed the endless adverts and advertorials for this (and the Kodiaq) on this site over the past few weeks?

Maybe Im just too cynical, but when a vehicle is endlessly advertised, then gets rave reviews which lack detail and objectivity, I strongly doubt the voracity of said reviews.

xxxx 21 September 2016

There's a reason for it

Bob Cat Brian wrote:
KPB wrote:

Sorry but I don't get all the 4.5 and 5 star reviews this car is getting.

Strikes me these motoring journos are more interested in advertising revenue.

Fixed this for you.

Have you not noticed the endless adverts and advertorials for this (and the Kodiaq) on this site over the past few weeks?

Maybe Im just too cynical, but when a vehicle is endlessly advertised,....

Endless adverts, wonder if that's because a new car is being launched, apparently other manufactures do this Launch tactic.