Car review: Seat Ateca – The seductive lure of the modern 4×4

I was once the die-hard owner of the legendary 4×4 Land Rover 90 until reality kicked in, I bit the bullet and bought a more economical car.

It was a magnificent beast, even though maintaining it for glorious adventures through mud, water and snow was a costly exercise.

Insdie the Ateca

Of course, my trusty old vehicle is a world away from the comparatively sumptuous luxury of vehicles like the Seat Ateca, which the Spanish brand was kind enough to loan me for a week.

I’ve got to admit I was seduced by the driver aids and technology on this car and the shear comfort of this vehicle which made driving it on-road a delight.

Sadly, it made my old Land Rover seem like something from the dark ages.

That said, my other half insisted that it was still a “man’s vehicle” – whatever that is.

I know what she meant. It was too bulky for my spatially challenged beloved to even contemplate driving.

The model I borrowed was a 148bhp 2.0TDI. But there are five options, ranging from a turbocharged 1.0-litre petrol with 114bhp, right up to a 2.0-litre diesel with 187bhp.

The handling of the car I drove proved to be outstanding and there was an abundance of power when I asked it to perform on route to a weekend stay in the thriving Lake District town of Ambleside.

As well as its amazing drivability, the Ateca ticks all the boxes when it comes to comfort.

Ateca Infotainment system

There are a wide range of options in the adjustment of the steering wheel and seat and most models have adjustable lumbar support as standard.

The seats on all models have side “bucket-type” support, so there is no sliding around when you’re taking bends at speed.
My car boasted a fantastic “infotainment” system with in-built sat-nav, links to your mobile phone, but I’m informed models lower down the range may be different.

On the road prices range from £22,155 to just over £30,000.

The model I had was the Seat Ateca Xcellence 2.0TDI 4Drive 150 PS 6-speed manual which comes at a price of £27,960.

Fuel economy is quoted at 55.5mpg and CO2 emissions at 129.g/km. It sprints to 60mph from a standstill  in nine seconds and boasts a top speed of 122mph.

Its upholstery was black leather. Optional extras included: Advanced Dring, including high beam assist, lane assist and blind spot; Assistance Pack, detection, rear cross traffic alert and Convenience Pack; Elecgtric Tailgate with Virtual Pedal; double floor; towbar with hook and 19-inch allog wheels. With all that, the total cost of the vehicle would have been £30,740.

Businesses can get an Ateca (or any SEAT car) delivered to them, and picked up, for a 4-day test drive, which is quite nifty at http://www.seat.co.uk/fleet/business/4-day-test-drive.html.