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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diabolical
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
Wedded to an auto?
Can't understand the fuss
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.
Cant understand the fuss?
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.
There's a reason for it
Endless adverts, wonder if that's because a new car is being launched, apparently other manufactures do this Launch tactic.