Despite the fact that Seat has arrived late in the SUV segment, it has done so quite forcefully, knocking the door down and banging the table. In 2016 the protagonist of this test landed, the Seat Ateca, quickly becoming one of the most demanded cars in the C-segment SUV, while just a few weeks ago they launched the Seat Arona, a B-SUV based on the Ibiza. But its offensive does not end here, as an all-road for the D-SUV segment with 7 seats will soon hit the market.
The main pillars of the Spanish firm are the Ibiza and León, but the arrival of the Ateca and Arona represent an important commercial boost for the brand. We remember that SUVs and crossovers take about 25% of sales in our country and that its trend continues to be one of growth. Today we bring you the test of the Seat Ateca, with a Style Plus finish and engine 1.6 TDI by 115 CV, and we tell you all its details, sensations, mechanical range, equipment and, of course, prices.
The Leon converted into an SUV?
The Martorell brand No. he wanted to risk too much with the design of this Seat Ateca. As you know, this model derives directly from the León, with which it shares many aesthetic similarities. Given the great commercial success of the compact model, they have preferred to be cautious and bet on insurance, practically tracing its design although incorporating the typical protections and some other differentiating feature. If you are wondering about its dimensions, the Ateca measures 4,36 meters long, 1,84 wide and 1,60 high, enjoying a wheelbase of 2,64 meters.
As we said, its aesthetic is very similar to that of the Lion. On the front will stand out the LED optical characteristics that provide a point of aggressiveness with its daylight, the two air inlets with trapezoidal shapes and the robust lower guards in black and gray colors that will also appear at the rear. The fog lights are rectangular and are located next to false air intakes towards the wheels. If you look closely, the mirrors are not exactly large, something that will be noticeable while driving.
Changing the plane and seeing the car from the side we see that the Ateca it is a relatively tall car despite the fact that its ground clearance is not excessively large. In this unit with a Style Plus finish we find roof bars grey, chrome window surrounds and a large protective plastic part in the lower area of the doors – the wheel arches are also protected. On the other hand, a practically horizontal tension line connects the headlights with the rear lights.
If we continue to circle the car and look at its rear, we find identity features again, such as the pilot lights, very similar to those of the León; although on the whole way they are somewhat thicker. The gate lines are pretty horizontal, common resource to try to gain a sense of visual width. The tailgate is quite large, which will facilitate access to the trunk and, by the way, it can be opened simply by passing your foot under it.
One of the widest in the category
A couple of paragraphs above we said that the Seat Ateca seems, from the outside, a fairly tall car. Going up inside we confirm it, because the space in height is more than good. The front seats They are quite spacious and comfortable, accepting good seat and steering wheel adjustments to obtain a comfortable driving position. Of course, we don't have width problems either. Of course, one point that we did not like at all is the absence of adjustment of the height of the belt, something that I consider essential in any car and that many brands do not offer in some of their products.
That great height is also noticeable in rear seats, with headroom superior to the vast majority of its rivals. The space for the legs is also very good, although not as much as the height, but the set of both dimensions allows people close to 1,90 can travel without problems here behind. These lateral rear seats have a shape on the bench and backrest to better hold the occupants, but at the cost of sacrificing a lot of the central seat, which is also hampered by a bulky transmission tunnel. a pity
If we open the trunk, we find a fairly large cargo space and enough for a vacation trip with the family. The trunk capacity is 510 liters in this two-wheel drive variant, losing a few liters in the four-wheel drive 4Drive versions. The boot floor can be set to two heights and, if we leave it in the upper one, the load plane is completely flush when we lower the rear seats from the handles located in the trunk.
An interior that is not very personal but well finished
Once seen the habitability of its interior, let's go to the design. As it happens on the outside, with the interior of the Seat Ateca life has not been complicated either, practically tracing the design of the León – and sorry to mention it again, but they are almost identical –. In this way, and as usual in almost all VAG cars, horizontality prevails, the correct location of all the controls and the correct buttons on the console. A little lacking in personality? Maybe.
La center screen The dashboard is used to manage a good part of the car's systems, although luckily the air conditioning system remains with physical buttons. The touch of this screen, to my liking, could be somewhat improved, although we must also say that its handling is simple and it shows the information clearly. On the other hand, the instrument panel also shows the instrumentation very clearly and navigating through the different menus is easy and intuitive, despite not offering a new design.
Regarding the touch and qualities of the interior, the Seat Ateca has soft materials on virtually all major contact surfaces, such as steering wheel, dashboard or elbow support areas. Mind you, the plastic on the center console is hard. The feeling of adjustment is good, not hearing creaks unless we force it much more than usual. Another important detail is that Seat has not resorted in the Ateca, as many other manufacturers do, to piano black throughout this central area; something to be thankful for.
Seat Ateca mechanical range
The mechanical range of the Seat Ateca is complete and logical. are currently available three gasoline engines and as many diesel, sharing their power figures in three steps and all of them being turbocharged. As access we have a 1.0 TSI (gasoline) with three cylinders and a 1.6 TDI (diesel) with four cylinders, yielding 115 CV. The intermediate step is made up of the 1.4 TSI and 2.0 TDI that develop 150 CV; while the most performant are the 2.0 TSI and 2.0 TDI, both with 190 CV. A Seat Ateca Cupra with the 2.0 TSI block and a power of 300 hp is expected to arrive soon.
On the other hand we have six-speed manual transmissions and dual-clutch DSG with six or seven gears depending on each version. Similarly, some variants will have front-wheel drive, in others we can choose between front or the 4Drive all-wheel drive system and, in those of 190 hp, they will have to go with four-wheel drive. If we do not go to the most powerful mechanics and if we will hardly (or never) circulate off the asphalt, front-wheel drive will probably be enough.
Engine 1.6 TDI Ecomotive 115 hp
The heart of the tested unit is the 1.6 hp 115 TDI. It is a four-cylinder diesel engine with variable geometry turbo supercharging and common rail direct injection. Develop your maximum power 115 CV to 3.250 rpm, dispensing a maximum torque of 250 Nm between 1.500 and 3.250 revolutions. According to the homologation data, the Seat Ateca with this engine can go from 0 to 100 km/h in 11,5 seconds and travel at a top speed of 184 km/h. All this with a Theoretical mixed consumption of 4,3 l/100 km.
Comfortable, spacious and well finished, but with details to polish
It's time to turn the key, well, in this case, to step on the clutch and press the starter button, because our unit has the hands-free entry and start system. The 1.6 TDI engine comes to life and, unfortunately, we will notice it. Not because of the vibrations that reach the interior, but yes by the sound that filters to the cabin. This also happened to us with the Audi Q2 we tested with the same mechanics. Once it takes temperature it softens, but in strong accelerations or at high revolutions we continue to hear it.
This 115 hp version It may seem fair for a car of this size, but the truth is that if our usual routes are urban or if we do not usually travel with a load and through mountainous areas, it will be enough to move the Seat Ateca. Of course, if we want to recover quickly or if we practice "partially sporty" driving we will have to resort to the gear lever. The other option is to go to a more powerful engine. But as I said, for wandering around or for a quiet drive it will be agile enough.
The power delivery of this TDI is correct from low revs, although likes to move between 2.000 and 2.500 rpm. Beyond 3.300 we have little to scratch. The six-speed gear ratio is somewhat long to obtain good consumption, but it penalizes the aforementioned recoveries. In any case, the lever is relatively close to the steering wheel and the gear inserts are easy and of correct touch.
The Ateca is not a small car, but defends itself honestly in urban settings. Its visibility is good, since it has a large glass surface, although the mirrors are not as big as we would like. The good point is that they do not hinder vision in the corners, but in certain situations we miss a larger mirror surface to better control some angles. The walking camera back helps us in parking maneuvers working in conjunction with the front and rear parking sensors.
Although it is not a car with sporting pretensions, the suspension of this SUV very effectively contains the inclinations of the bodywork when we pick up the pace on twisty roads. In addition to that greater sense of stability by turning flat – which will also help to avoid dizziness in our companions –, to lose grip and make your Falken tires “squeal”, you have to go faster than is logical in a car like the Seat Ateca.
On highways it continues to show a great commitment between comfort and a sense of security. The average SUV of the Spanish company is quite poised to circulate at the legal maximum – and beyond –, which always generates confidence. Their suspensions filter well For the little it tilts the bodywork in a demanding driving, but it is true that in certain joints of the bridges they can seem somewhat dry; but it is not disproportionate at all. In short, it has a good balance slightly to hard.
The Seat Ateca off the asphalt, just enough with two-wheel drive
Since we are dealing with an SUV, we must talk about its driving off the asphalt. This tested unit, as we have already mentioned, only has two wheel drive, which notably limits the offroad capabilities of the model. It is because of that ascend earrings with slippery floors is a complicated task.
The angles of the basses are also not appropriate to try to overcome obstacles, something that also happens in practically all its rivals, but they are better than those of any car and make it capable of circulating in areas where the usual customer will never pass. We do not recommend, with this version, going much further than a road in decent condition or crossing through muddy areas.
Consumption Seat Ateca 1.6 TDI 115 CV
And we come to the consumption section, something highly valued today because the price of fuel is not as accessible as we would like. The Seat Ateca, despite its dimensions and weight, is not a very "greedy" vehicle. During our test, doing normal driving, although it is also true that without many urban trips, the computer registered a average consumption of 5,8 liters per 100. We do not consider it a high figure, although it is something that could be improved.
Conclusions
SUVs are very fashionable and proof of this is that practically no manufacturer resists having at least one model of this type among its product offering. The Seat Ateca has taken too long to join this category, but in just over a year it has already made its presence known fighting against tough rivals such as the Nissan Qashqai, Peugeot 3008, Hyundai Tucson or Kia Sportage, to name just a few of them.
The differences between them are minimal, although it is true that the Seat Ateca has seemed to us one of the most spacious inside despite the fact that the fifth place is quite uncomfortable and unusable. It also has a fairly large trunk and more than enough for most families of four.
La tested unit It has a high price, because it has a high number of options. Depending on the brand's configurator, it costs about 29.000 euros. As we said, it is high, but we have to have the following optional elements: exterior paint, driving modes, connectivity box, interior LED and multicolored ambient lights, automatic parking assistant, keyless opening and starting, electric tailgate, tires alloy in 17 inches, adaptive cruise control, heated windshield, reversing camera, usually with double height, darkened rear windows and blind spot sensor with rear traffic alert.
Equipment Seat Ateca
References
- 16-inch alloy wheels
- Stop/Start system
- XDS electronic differential lock
- Fatigue detector
- LED daytime running lights
- Front Assist
- Electric windows with comfort function
- Three rear head restraints
- Lumbar adjustment in the front seats
Style
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- On-board computer multifunction display
- Fog lights and turn light
- Electric adjustment, folding and heating in the exterior mirrors
- Variable power steering
- sports bumper
- Electrochromic interior mirror
- Lane Keeping Assistant
- LED taillights
- Parking sensor
- Climate
- Speed governor and limiter
- Interior lights on the floor
- Glasses compartment
- automatic road lights
- Rain Sensor
- chrome package
- Leather gear knob
StylePlus
- Radio Media System Plus
- 8 speakers
- Seat Full Link
- Voice control
- Full LED lights
- Lane Keeping Assistant
- Storage drawer under the front seat
- Rear seats with center armrest
- Black outer pack
xcellence
- Alloy wheels in 18 inches
- Reversing camera
- Driving modes
- Storage bags on the backrests of the front seats
- chrome roof bars
Excellence Plus
- 360 degree view camera
- automatic parking
- Hands-free boot lid opening
- Rear windows and rear window darkened
- bright trims
FR
- sports bumpers
- blind spot sensor
Seat Ateca prices
Motor | Change | Traction | Finished | Price |
---|---|---|---|---|
Motor | Change | Traction | Finished | Price |
1.0 TSI 115 HP | manual 6v | Front | References | 18.400 € |
1.6 TDI 115 HP | manual 6v | Front | References | 21.260 € |
1.0 TSI 115 HP | manual 6v | Front | Style | 20.830 € |
1.4 TSI 150 HP | manual 6v | Front | Style | 22.910 € |
1.6 TDI 115 HP | manual 6v | Front | Style | 23.560 € |
2.0 TDI 150 HP | manual 6v | 4drive | Style | 28.150 € |
1.0 TSI 115 HP | manual 6v | Front | StylePlus | 21.850 € |
1.4 TSI 150 HP | manual 6v | Front | StylePlus | 23.970 € |
1.6 TDI 115 HP | manual 6v | Front | StylePlus | 24.580 € |
2.0 TDI 150 HP | manual 6v | 4drive | StylePlus | 29.210 € |
1.4 TSI 150 HP | manual 6v | Front | xcellence | 25.890 € |
1.4 TSI 150 HP | dsg 7v | Front | xcellence | 28.040 € |
1.4 TSI 150 HP | manual 6v | 4drive | xcellence | 28.550 € |
1.4 TSI 150 HP | dsg 6v | 4drive | xcellence | 30.700 € |
2.0 TSI 190 HP | dsg 7v | 4drive | xcellence | 32.210 € |
1.6 TDI 115 HP | manual 6v | Front | xcellence | 26.550 € |
2.0 TDI 150 HP | manual 6v | 4drive | xcellence | 30.980 € |
2.0 TDI 190 HP | dsg 7v | 4drive | xcellence | 35.280 € |
1.4 TSI 150 HP | manual 6v | Front | Excellence Plus | 26.722 € |
1.4 TSI 150 HP | dsg 7v | Front | Excellence Plus | 28.872 € |
1.4 TSI 150 HP | manual 6v | 4drive | Excellence Plus | 29.382 € |
1.4 TSI 150 HP | dsg 6v | 4drive | Excellence Plus | 31.532 € |
2.0 TSI 190 HP | dsg 7v | 4drive | Excellence Plus | 33.042 € |
1.6 TDI 115 HP | manual 6v | Front | Excellence Plus | 27.350 € |
2.0 TDI 150 HP | manual 6v | 4drive | Excellence Plus | 31.812 € |
2.0 TDI 190 HP | dsg 7v | 4drive | Excellence Plus | 36.112 € |
1.4 TSI 150 HP | manual 6v | Front | FR | 28.090 € |
1.4 TSI 150 HP | dsg 7v | Front | FR | 30.240 € |
1.4 TSI 150 HP | manual 6v | 4drive | FR | €30.750 |
1.4 TSI 150 HP | dsg 6v | 4drive | FR | 32.900 € |
2.0 TSI 190 HP | dsg 7v | 4drive | FR | 34.410 € |
2.0 TDI 150 HP | manual 6v | 4drive | FR | 33.180 € |
2.0 TDI 190 HP | dsg 7v | 4drive | FR | 37.480 € |
Editor's opinion
- Editor's rating
- 4 star rating
- Excellent
- Seat Ateca Style Plus 1.6 TDI 115 HP
- Review of: Diego Avila
- Posted on:
- Last modification:
- Exterior design
- interior design
- front seats
- rear seats
- Trunk
- Spring Suspension
- Consumption
- Comfort
- Price
Pros
- indoor habitability
- Loading capacity
- Quality of finishes
Cons
- 1.6 TDI engine refinement
- Design with little personality
- Unusable central square