New SEAT Ateca TSI petrol 2016 review ~ station of gear

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8 Jun, 2016 5:45pm Jonathan Burn

The SEAT Ateca has hit the bullseye in terms of style, price and practicality but the diesel is a better all-rounder

SEAT is on a roll. The Ateca is the first of four new models due to arrive in the next 18 months – but the Spanish brand is so keen to get its all-new SUV into the minds of potential buyers, it allowed Auto Express behind the wheel of a pre-production model back in March.

This time we’ve been handed the keys to the car that will arrive in UK showrooms in September. The differences? Well, SEAT promises the few niggles with interior trim and quality have been addressed, while everything else has been thoroughly scrutinised.

Has SEAT succeeded? Overall, it’s a resounding yes. It’s taken the company longer than most to assemble a crack team of engineers to build this SUV – but by being methodical it has allowed itself to look at the opposition, analyse them and position the Ateca as too good to overlook.

A starting price of £17,590 for the 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo will send alarm bells ringing across the industry. No rival can offer you something cheaper. But even the predicted best seller (a 148bhp 2.0-litre diesel in top spec Xcellence trim at £25,815) undercuts the Renault Kadjar and Kia Sportage by around £1,000. Admittedly, the Nissan Qashqai is around £800 less spec-for-spec, but you don’t get as much standard kit and you have to make a sacrifice when it comes to practicality, too.

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As we’ve already tested and been impressed by the diesel, this time around we’re seeing how the 1.4-litre TSI turbo fares. Like most of the Ateca, it’s been adopted from the Leon hatchback range and comes with a six-speed manual as standard. A DSG dual-clutch auto box can be specced if desired.

• SEAT Ateca 2.0 TDI 4WD DSG review

It remains as powerful as it does in the Leon, developing 148bhp and 250Nm of torque – enough to cover 0-62mph in 8.5 seconds while also returning a claimed 52.4mpg. The 2.0-litre diesel fares better at the pumps (64.2mpg) but isn’t any faster despite its superior torque figure.

Despite the Ateca’s proven abilities at tackling rougher terrain, in reality most will live confined to busy city centres. Here, the 1.4-litre turbo makes a decent case for itself due to its smoother power delivery and more refined nature.

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From a standstill, the engine pulls cleanly and effortlessly, while snatching the next gear on the six-speed manual gearbox is slick and accurate. The engine feels punchy enough up to cruising speeds but the lack of torque in the mid-range soon makes itself noticeable when you attempt any sort of overtaking manoeuvre.

Around town and at slower speeds the engine shuts down two of its four cylinders to save fuel, which is completely imperceptible, bringing them back into action when you put your foot down. Another advantage the engine brings is its weight – or lack of it. In this spec, the Ateca tips the scales at 1,349kg – 1,280kg if you go for the three-cylinder version – which combined with rather darty front-end makes it one of the more engaging crossovers to drive.

• SEAT Ateca: prices, specs and release date

That’s unlikely to a top priority for buyers, but it’s reassuring to know you don’t have to sacrifice every morsel of engagement in pursuit of maximum boot capacity and adequate headroom. The ride perhaps isn’t quite as cossetting as that in the Kadjar, but as a trade off the Ateca offers remarkably good body control. It adds a little more garnish to its cocktail of abilities.

In mid-spec SE there’s also a decent amount of kit, with 17-inch alloys, an eight-inch touchscreen display, cruise and dual-zone climate control, rear parking sensors and SEAT’s Drive Profile select system coming as standard. Sat-nav comes part of a more premium infotainment system costing £525, while a big chunk of the safety system including blind spot detection and rear cross traffic alert come part of a £790 pack.

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A key reason for the Ateca’s on-road competence comes from the MQB platform it shares with the Leon. Another bonus comes in the way of practicality – and while the wheelbase remains the same as the hatch, it’s proportionally larger in every way. It’s taller, wider and longer than the Leon; meaning there’s more space for passengers and luggage.

Knee room isn’t the best, but there’s certainly enough space to seat three adults in the back. Headroom won’t be an issue, either. Boot space also beats the Kadjar and Qashqai, with the Ateca hiding a 510-litre load bay behind the rear seats – the Renault and Nissan can serve up 472 and 430 litres respectively.

Even as a pre-production car the Ateca showed real promise, so SEAT was unlikely to get it wrong with the finished article. The Ateca hits the bull’s eye on the three areas buyers of this type of car really care about: style, cost and practicality. The fact that it’s a crossover that also drives well is a bonus – just go for the diesel if you want the best all-rounder.

Model: SEAT Ateca 1.4 TSI SE
Price: £21,015
Engine: 1.4-litre turbo petrol
Power: 148bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Transmission: Six-speed manual, front-wheel drive

0-62mph: 8.5 seconds
Top speed: 125mph
Economy: 52.3mpg
CO2: 125g/km
On sale: September

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