Seat’s all new Ateca is an SUV Rockstar

 

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The small SUV market is big business and full of choice, here the Ateca places itself in a very competitive segment. For starters, there’s the Volkswagen Tiguan and Skoda Kodiaq cousins, while further outside the family there’s the Nissan ashqai, BMW X1 and Mazda CX-5.

 

The Ateca is one of the best handling small SUVs on the market, it’s surprisingly good fun to drive down any stretch of road. This usually isn’t the main reason to buy an SUV but it makes a huge difference if you spend a lot of time doing high mileage. The suspension is nicely balanced and firm in such a way as there won’t be too much body lean when cornering. This helps make the Ateca feel agile and nimble on it’s feet. The steering is precise and offers decent amounts of feedback. The smaller 1.6-litre diesel is a little boomy when pushed, but no more so than the average diesel engine. Having said that, any noise mostly fades away at a steady motorway cruise.

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Straight off the Ateca has styling to catch even the most non-motoring aware pedestrians eye. This continues inside the cabin where at night you will find yourself bathed in the blue and red hues of digital lights and consoles.

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It features a range of smartphone connectivity technology and is also available with wireless phone charging and smartphone mirroring. Optional driver aids include full-LED headlights, surround-view cameras, and radar cruise. I have to admit to turning off lane assist. Middle lane hoggers won’t be bothered by it, but for the rest of us who use the lane’s on motorways appropriately, it will annoy. I found it more intrusive than it was helpful. Each lane change requires nudging the steering wheel as it fights you across the line. Once it gets the gist of what you’re doing it relaxes and lets you move across lanes. It’s a gentle nudge but on Irish roads, with the lack of cruise control or sticking to progressive travelling in general, it’s an annoyance.

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The Ateca is top of its class for driver comfort. There’s a wide range of adjustment for both the steering wheel and seat most models receive adjustable lumbar support as standard.

 

As the Ateca shares its major components with the Volkswagen Tiguan, it’s available with a wide range of Volkswagen Group engines, ranging from 113hp 1.0-litre petrol to a 187hp 2.0-litre diesel. For most buyers the 140hp 1.4-litre petrol is a good choice thanks to its smooth drive, decent performance and respectable fuel economy.

 

Special mention : That interior just lights up at night and in all the right places i.e. no distracting reflections on the windscreen

Needs work : The diesel engine is typical of its brethren, big and brutal but doesn’t interfere with the cabin ambience.

 

Specs:

 

Max Power 190hp Diesel / Auto
CO2 135g/km Road Tax € 280
Price €41,881 Claimed economy 56 mpg