The Seat Ateca was the first SUV of the Spanish brand. It hit the market in 2016, sharing the platform and many elements with the Volkswagen Tiguan and the Skoda Karoq. In 2020 it received an update and, once the supply problems of electronic components were solved and its production was restored, it has once again been among the best-selling cars in Spain.
Because? First of all, because it is a compact SUV with contained dimensions that can be a great option for families. Secondly, because its behavior is very Seat, with a balanced and very agile chassis. And thirdly, because it has good equipment for its price.
After meeting him at his presentation and thoroughly testing the 110 CV Ateca 1.0 TSI, the Spanish SUV once again passes through our test section. This time we get behind the wheel of the Seat Ateca 2.0 TDI 150 CV with DSG transmission and Xperience finish, the most adventurous of the range.
This unit is advertised for a suggested retail price of €41,000, which is a high figure but in line with what it offers. Be careful, these are prices indicated by the Martorell firm, you can find offers for the Seat Ateca in our new car section, published by official dealers of the brand that, at the time of writing this article, significantly reduce this amount. And be careful, if you choose to finance the car, in addition to lowering the amount, it makes it easier for you to pay for it in comfortable monthly installments. But first, let’s discover the car thoroughly.
Abroad
The Seat Ateca grew slightly (18 mm) in its update, until 4,381mm in length, of which 2,638 correspond to its wheelbase. Other dimensions are 1,841 mm wide and 1,615 mm high.
Among the novelties of the update, the new grille stands out, with Full Led headlights with the light signature that the Tarraco debuted in its day and then brought the León, which integrate the turn signals. The bumpers then gained a lot of muscle.
The silhouette did not vary excessively, beyond the usual wheel designs (there are no less than 14 to choose from, 19-inch in our unit, with 245/40R tires) or the color range for the body (with ten options).
At the rear it also released pilots, who gained LED technology with dynamic turn signals. The bumper also had some tweaks and the most visible is the new typography of the Ateca car name, which simulates being handwritten, a detail that premiered the brand’s compact in its day.
Our test unit was of the X-Perience finish, the most adventurous. That makes it win chrome bumpers with a more country air or silver running boards.
Inside
The cabin of the Seat Ateca retains a traditional air. It is not a bad thing, because that means good ergonomics and that there continue to be physical controls for essential functions such as air conditioning or lights. Also in terms of materials. They’re good (this is a top-of-the-range unit, that’s true) but above all it doesn’t use glossy black plastic anywhere.
I would highlight the seats, with a mixed fabric that mixes synthetic leather and a simile of alcantara (named Nordic, it is exclusive to the X-Perience equipment). They have in the car that we tested with electrical adjustments and even memory for the driving position. They are comfortable and perhaps the only thing I could ask for is a little more lateral grip.
Integrated into the dashboard, a screen for the 9.2-inch multimedia system. It is not overwhelming in size and the menus are quite simple and intuitive. On one side there are shortcuts to some functions, which would be better in some cases with buttons or wheels, such as volume, without going any further, so that the co-pilot can easily operate it while driving,
Yes, there is a volume wheel on the steering wheel, the usual one in Seat, very intuitive. After him we can count on the 10.25-inch digital instrument panel, highly configurable and with different display modes. Common to other models in the group (there are slight design variations), it is one of the best you can find.
The second row of seats is very spacious for the dimensions of the car, both for legroom and headroom, without any problem for an adult of average size. The seats are comfortable and we have elements such as the ventilation outlets at the end of the center console or two USB-C type sockets for recharging devices that make life on board easier.
The third seat, the central one, is less comfortable since the backrest is the base of the armrest that includes (already common) a drink holder. At least the transmission tunnel isn’t too intrusive if you ever want to use that seat.
Trunk
The trunk of the Seat Ateca announces 510 liters of capacity, a very correct figure for its external size. It has very regular and flat shapes that allow you to load large objects quite easily.
Under the floor we have a temporary spare wheel and the rest of the space is compartmentalized. To choose the optional sound equipment, a subwoofer.
The backs of the rear seats are divided into two parts, in a 40/60 ratio. The widest has a hole that communicates with the passenger compartment and that allows long and narrow objects to be carried without a single seat. To carry very large things, you can fold them completely and get a surface of 1,604 liters capacity.
Engine
The current mechanical range offers gasoline options, the 1.0 TSI of 110 CV and the 1.5 EcoTSI 150 hp, since the 115 CV 1.0 TSI and the 190 CV 2.0 TSI (which we met before the restyling) have been discontinued. In diesel, the 2.0 TDI 115 hp and the Seat Ateca 2.0 TDI 150 hp which is the star of our test. The 190 CV 2.0 TDI has already disappeared from the market.
At the moment all versions are front-wheel drive, 4Motion all-wheel drive is no longer offered, which had residual sales. Depending on the chosen mechanics, you have a manual or automatic double-clutch transmission, as is the case with our test unit.
The 2.0 TDI 150 CV delivers its maximum power between 3,250 and 4,200 rpm and has good torque, from 340Nm, between 1,600 turns and 3,000 rpm. Weighing 1,510 kilograms, it announces an acceleration of 0 to 100 km/h in 9 seconds and a top speed of 202 km/h. On the other hand, the average consumption approved is 5.1 l/100 km. Time to see if he gets it
Behavior
With the 2.0 TDI, the Ateca moves with great ease in any situation. Don’t expect an overwhelming energetic response (their records are there), but with its torque you can travel loaded –as we did during this test– without the car feeling any hint of fatigue, even going up a hill. From 2,000 rpm the engine works really well.
The set-up is balanced, designed so as not to notice too much the imperfections of the road or when driving on roads. It is not as white as in a Citroën C5 Aircross but it is comfortable driving without involving very pronounced lateral movements of the body.
The steering is quite firm for an SUV and also relatively direct, which helps with precision cornering. It is not communicative at all (you can count the models on the market that look for that on the fingers of one hand) but it does guide the car properly, without being uncomfortable in maneuvers.
Perhaps something is wrong with the insulation, since aerodynamic noise is quite noticeable while driving, especially from the mirrors. It reaches the passenger compartment in a more perceptible way than the sound of rolling or the engine, especially on the highway.
And finally, consumption. On a 650 km trip on the highway, the car indicated 5.6 l/100 km, an acceptable figure if we take into account that four people were traveling with a loaded trunk. I saw room for improvement, being able to get close to the approved records as soon as we are docile with the accelerator pedal. Worse in the city, where some kind of electrification in the mechanics is clearly missing.
Opinion cars.com
The Seat Ateca, despite its seniority, continues to be a model with good acceptance and remarkable sales. It is understandable, with a pleasant design (without risks, yes), a good price / product ratio and enormous standard equipment, where there is no shortage of 18-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control, and an involuntary lane change warning system. , Front Assist with emergency braking, cruise control with automatic distance regulator….
It is a good vehicle for a family of four members, with a spacious interior, good trunk and more than correct finishes, especially if you go for high finishes. The diesel engine has sufficient performance, is comfortable and maintains low consumption: ideal for those who travel many km per year.
The central rear seat is not as wide as we would like, since it is almost unusable if, as in my case, you have to take two child seats with you. And it is a pity that the brand does not bet on mechanics with a minimum of hybridization in the range with which this compact SUV could have at least the Eco label.
Will you have it in the future, in a second generation? It is unknown. For now Seat has already confirmed renewals of Ibiza, Arona and León, but the Ateca has not been mentioned yet. Right now it is produced at the Volkswagen Group plant in Kvasiny (Czech Republic), along with the Skoda Karoq, but that must change for the next generation and several plants in central or eastern Europe are being considered.
score
Sort by:
Be the first to leave a review.
Show more
Photo gallery:
1/58Photos
