SEAT Ateca review

SEAT's first SUV had to be a good one, and the Ateca has scored a direct hit. The Spanish brand's sharp design language and the Ateca's combination of style, space, quality and value ensures that it's still one of the smartest-looking cars of its kind.

There's substance underneath, too, with a wide range of punchy and efficient engines and a well-tuned chassis making the Ateca one of the best in its class to drive. A slightly dull interior may deter some, but the impressive space on offer, general air of solidity and availability of front or four-wheel drive gives the Ateca all it needs to be a front runner in the crossover class.

About the SEAT Ateca

Crossover buyers are spoiled for choice, but the SEAT Ateca is definitely one of the best models on sale. While it was SEAT's first entry into the class, it uses tried-and-tested features from the Leon hatchback and other models within the VW Group family, and the end result is a convincing crossover package.

The Ateca comes in a single body style with five doors and a five seat layout. In many ways it's the SUV equivalent of the Leon, as the sharp lines and creases of the bodywork look largely the same as the hatchback. There's method in this, because not only does the Ateca have a similar corporate look, it shares much of its running gear with the Leon, too.

As a result, the engine range features a range of turbocharged TSI petrol and TDI diesel units. Petrol units come in 1.0 110PS, 1.5 150PS and 2.0 TSI 190PS guises, with 113bhp, 148bhp and 187bhp respectively.

The 1.5 has the same transmission (a seven-speed DSG auto is optional) and features cylinder deactivation to boost economy. As a result, the larger 1.5 petrol unit will marginally better the three-cylinder 1.0 TSI's fuel economy - 44.1mpg vs 43.5mpg. At the top of the range, the 2.0 TSI comes with the seven-speed DSG box and 4Drive four-wheel drive as standard.

Go for a diesel engine, and your options are narrower. The 2.0 TDI 115PS has 113bhp, while the 2.0 TDI 150PS has 148bhp. The lower powered 2.0 TDI comes with a six-speed manual gearbox as standard, while the 150PS version is available with the seven-speed DSG box with 4Drive 4WD.

The current Ateca range comprises SE, SE Technology, FR, FR Sport, Xperience and Xperience Lux. Not every engine is offered in every trim, but there's enough crossover between trims, drive systems and powerplants to ensure there's an Ateca to suit your budget.

All cars come with air conditioning, a responsive touchscreen infotainment system with USB connection, a leather trimmed steering wheel and split-folding rear seats with reclining seat backs as standard. Go for a Technology model, and you get sat-nav and LED headlights, while FR models add a sporty bodykit and Dynamic Chasis Control that can switch between comfort, eco and sport driving modes.

Xperience adds suede-effect front seats and a rear view camera plus adaptive cruise control, while Lux gives you 19-inch wheels and a leather interior, Digital Cockpit instrument panel, an electric tailgate and Pre-Crash Assist, which winds up the windows and tightens your seatbelt if it thinks you’re going to crash.

Prices for the Ateca range from around £26,000 to more than £38,000, so it matches its crossover rivals for cost. The Ateca is one of the class leaders, though, and we'd recommend it alongside the Skoda Karoq and Peugeot 3008 at the top of the crossover tree. Other models that come close to this trio are the Mazda CX-5, and Nissan Qashqai, while the Volkswagen Tiguan is a pricier alternative, as are Toyota's RAV4 and the Honda CR-V. The closely related Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson are also worth considering, as is the Ford Kuga.

The focus for an SUV is usually on practicality and usability, but the Ateca is also very convincing from behind the wheel. This dynamic set-up for the car is probably down to the fact that SEAT is known as the sporty brand with the VW Group. The Ateca is based on the VW Group’s MQB platform, which underpins everything from SEAT’s new Ibiza supermini to the Audi TT sports car and Skoda’s seven-seat Kodiaq SUV – highlighting the versatility of the modular chassis.

For the Ateca, the ride height has been raised to give it an SUV-like stance, and you feel like you’re sat high. The first thing you notice from climbing behind the wheel is how flexible the driving position is. The is a huge amount of adjustment in the seating position and the steering wheel can be adjusted for reach and height; a driver of nearly any size will be able to get comfortable behind the wheel.

On the move the 148bhp 2.0-litre diesel engine does have a bit of characteristic diesel clatter at lower speeds, but it pulls strongly from low revs and when paired with the seven-speed automatic gearbox it makes for smooth progress. The 1.0 TSI is a better bet, proving plenty punchy enough for most and remarkably refined at high speeds.

After just a few corners you realise the Ateca is a sportier crossover to drive. Alongside the gearbox, it offers weightier, more precise steering, making the most of the extra grip the MQB chassis provides. However, you pay a price for this engagement and precision when it comes to ride comfort. The SEAT feels firm and it doesn’t float over nasty tarmac or have the compliance of some rivals over rougher roads. 

It’s more unyielding, which is transmitted through to the passenger compartment, impacting comfort. Even on the motorway it jiggles and fidgets more than some cars that move with the road a little more harmoniously.

The steering has a nice weighting and a great connection to the road – it’s the best choice if you value driver involvement above all else, but in this class comfort and refinement are likely to be more important.

The Ateca doesn’t hit the heights of the Peugeot 3008 here because the firmer set-up means you feel more from the road surface when on the move. It’s not as compliant over country roads, either, and while the SEAT retains good composure thanks to a level of grip that would rival a hatchback, it doesn’t smooth out broken surfaces as adeptly as the 3008.

Top spec 187bhp Ateca TDI models sprint from 0-62mph in 7.6 seconds, but in reality doesn't feel that fast. If that’s not enough, there is the Cupra Ateca - complete with a Volkswagen Golf R-derived 296bhp 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine.

0-62mph acceleration and top speed

SEAT says the most popular choice of engine is the 148bhp 2.0-litre TDI model, but the 113bhp version will save you a bit of cash to buy, even though it’s no more efficient.

The petrol engines will serve the needs of some buyers but the availability of the 109bhp 1.0-litre turbo will stand out due to its low list price. The three-cylinder unit isn’t as smooth or quiet as a four-cylinder, but it is eager and pulls well, with the SEAT taking an impressively sprightly 13.1 seconds to accelerate between 50-70mph in sixth. It sprints from 30-50mph in fourth, with a time of 6.4 seconds – while some rivals can't manage that in less than seven.

It’s even pretty quiet on the motorway, and the sharp gearshift and more mechanical feel to the way the SEAT drives means it’s actually very enjoyable to push along twistier roads. If we're honest, this 1.0 TSI is actually our pick of the range. It’s responsive, more refined than the diesels and won’t break the bank to run.

We've also tried the 1.4 TSI (no longer offered on the SEAT Ateca price list) and 2.0 TSI models with the DSG automatic gearbox. Both are relatively swift, but in town the powertrain is jerky and slow to react. It's a shame, because the package is otherwise very tempting. The manual models are much more enjoyable to drive overall. 

The majority of engines available in the SEAT Ateca are adopted from the existing Leon hatchback range. The 109bhp 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo is a small engine for such a relatively large family SUV, but SEAT claims it will return up to 46.3mpg and emit 139g/km of CO2 (in SE trim) on the WLTP combined cycle.

Another petrol option is the larger 148bhp 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo, which is capable of a maximum 44.8mpg and 142g/km of CO2, while the range-topping 187bhp car should return around 35mpg and CO2 emissions of 182g/km. It is worth noting that it only comes as a 4x4 auto – meaning real-world running costs might be higher.

For some buyers, the diesel engines will look more appealing. The 113bhp 2.0-litre diesel and the more powerful and punchy 148bhp 2.0-litre diesel both manage around 57-58mpg with CO2 emissions from 126-128g/km.

Insurance Groups 

Insurance groups for the Ateca start at 10 and rise to 24, which is a similar showing to the Leon hatch. It’s not surprising as they both use a lot of the same mechanical components. Those insurance groups are also comparable to rivals such as the Nissan Qashqai and Renault Kadjar, but none should be too pricey to insure.

Depreciation

According to our data, the 148bhp petrol models in FR trim are the strongest in the Ateca lineup, holding onto around 56 per cent of their original value after a typical three-year/36,000-mile ownership period. Diesel-powered versions take a slight hit in terms of residual values, with around 48-52 per cent of the showroom price expected to be retained after three years of motoring.

To get an accurate valuation on a specific model check out our free car valuation tool...

In the same way it did with the engines and the chassis, SEAT has looked again to its tried and tested Leon when it comes to the exterior and interior of the Ateca. That means smart, clean and well-proportioned looks on the outside, with the usual smattering of rugged body cladding and a raised ride height that typifies an SUV.

The Ateca feels very much like a jacked-up Leon, and this extends to the cabin design, which is carried over almost unchanged from the well finished hatchback. The materials used across the top of the dash are soft and high quality but look lower down on the centre console and the doors and you'll find a few hard and scratchy plastics. It's not a deal-breaker though, especially given the price: The level of quality in the VW Tiguan is better but that's a considerably more expensive car.

SEAT no longer offers the Ateca in basic S trim, so the new entry-level SE version isn't too bad a place to start in terms of standard equipment. It includes 17-inch alloy wheels, an 8.0-inch colour touchscreen, dual-zone climate control, Bluetooth, cruise control and park assist - a self parking function which includes front and rear parking sensors. SEAT's Full Link smartphone connectivity system, which is compatible with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and MirrorLink, is also included at no extra cost.

SE Technology cars are priced from around £27,000 and add 18-inch alloys, LED headlights and taillights, a DAB radio, two USB ports and navigation.

FR cars get a sportier bodykit and body-coloured trim, along with front sports seats, auto headlights and rain-sensing wipers. The FR Sport receives darkened windows, 19-inch wheels, leather-trimmed heated front sports seats and SEAT's digital cockpit system.

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The top-spec Xperience Lux starts from more than £33,000, but for that price you pretty much have everything you could ask for. The interior includes heated leather sports seats, a digital cockpit, a top view camera and wireless phone charger, while other highlights are an electric tailgate, a heated windscreen and adaptive cruise control. Safety kit is also improved with high beam assist, lane assist and blind spot detection as standard.

Sat-nav, stereo and infotainment

The Ateca’s last facelift introduced two new infotainment systems. SE models get an 8.25-inch media touchscreen, while all other cars feature this 9.2-inch navigation set-up. That’s small compared with some of its rivals, but it’s the biggest screen that can be fitted, due to the limitations of the Ateca’s dashboard design.

The screen’s position is fine, but the operating system isn’t the most intuitive to use. It’s a full touchscreen, and the colourful graphics at least add some brightness, but the menu system isn’t the easiest to navigate.

There are small shortcut buttons across the bottom of the screen, while the three-way split on the main menu is simple enough, but navigating back to a desired menu is harder than it needs to be. The touch-sensitive volume controls to the side of the screen are also frustrating to use, although there are steering wheel controls for this as well. SEAT’s digital dials look smart, but they’re not as big or as impressive as you'll find in the new Kia Sportage.

The Ateca uses the same platform and shares the same wheelbase as the Leon hatchback, which means it isn’t one of the most spacious when it comes to rear passenger space. The tall body means there is plenty of headroom, though. The driver’s seat has lots of adjustment and up front the door bins are a good size. Only the glovebox is a little on the small side.

Dimensions and size 

The Ateca is a mid-sized crossover and proportionally it shares the same wheelbase with the Leon but it is taller. At 4,381mm long it's a little shorter than a Peugeot 3008, but around the same width.

Leg room, head room & passenger space

Leg room only slightly larger than what  you get in the Leon hatchback, which means there’s good but not exceptional knee space. The taller crossover body does mean headroom is very good, however. Even the lankiest of adults will be comfortable in the rear.

Boot space

While rear passenger space may not be as generous as some rivals, the Ateca does have a large boot. In front-wheel drive models luggage capacity is measured at 510 litres, which is a touch more than the Qashqai can offer, although it does concede some usability to the Peugeot 3008.

Models fitted with four-wheel drive require a different driveshaft to be fitted beneath the car and that does impact capacity, reducing it to 485 litres. However, that is still more than the Nissan and Renault offer in front-wheel-drive form.

The rear seats also split 60:40 but once flat they do leave a noticeable lip, so loading long or bulky items may be tricky. There is also a shallow but wide storage area hidden beneath the boot floor. Clever features include levers in the boot to fold the seats from the luggage area. Do this and you’ll reveal 1,604 litres of space.

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Towing

All SEAT Atecas can tow at least 1,500kg, but the maximum braked towing capacity sits at 2,100kg. If you want the most towing power, you are limited to the 187bhp 2.0-litre TDI 4Drive with DSG gearbox. However, there is a 2.0-litre petrol capable of towing 2,000kg of braked mass, should you not wish to go diesel.

As the Ateca shares so much of its running gear, including engines, gearboxes and other technology with other models in SEAT’s range, we can expect high levels of reliability. The parts are tried and tested in models across VW Group brands.

The SEAT Ateca came home in 10th place out of the 75 most popular models voted for in our 2022 Driver Power owner satisfaction survey. The SEAT brand secured 17th spot out of 29 manufacturers, which is two places lower than its 2021 result.

Thanks to a raft of safety tech and airbags the Ateca has scored a full five stars in the Euro NCAP crash tests. For adult passengers the Ateca scored 93 per cent, while for child occupants the crossover achieved 84 per cent for safety. However, for pedestrian safety the rating fell to 71 per cent. Entry-level versions include autonomous emergency braking, a tiredness recognition system and traction control, while top-spec Xcellence Lux adds high beam assist, lane assist and blind spot detection.

Warranty

The Ateca has SEAT’s three-year/60,000 mile warranty, which is industry standard. You can extend the warranty to four-years/75,000 miles, or five-years/90,000 miles cover for an additional cost.

Having said that, virtually all of the Ateca’s rivals come with more comprehensive cover as standard, with Hyundai offering a five-year warranty, Kia seven years and Toyota an impressive ten-year package.

Servicing

Like with the Leon, SEAT recommends the Ateca is serviced every 10,00 miles or every 12 months – whichever comes first. 

What do owners think?

Here’s what owners in the 2024 Driver Power survey thought of the SEAT Ateca.