SEAT Ateca (2016) Review

SEAT Ateca (2016) At A Glance

Very comfortable and refined with impressive ride quality. Lots of room for those in the back along with a large boot. Good value for money. 1.6 TDI should prove very economical. Five star Euro NCAP rating.

No spare wheel as standard. Cabin design is drab. Slack throttle response in some automatic versions.

Real MPG average for a SEAT Ateca (2016)

Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.

Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.

Diesel or petrol? If you're unsure whether to go for a petrol or diesel (or even an electric model if it's available), then you need our Petrol or Diesel? calculator. It does the maths on petrols, diesels and electric cars to show which is best suited to you.

Satisfaction Index

Reviews for SEAT Ateca (2016)'s top 3 rivals

Kia Sportage

One of the best crossovers on the market, well-equipped, seven-year warranty, practical and spacious.

Volkswagen Tiguan

Comfortable, spacious and supremely practical. Refined diesel engines. Plenty of modern technology.

Peugeot 5008

Seven seats as standard, well-equipped for the money,refined and easy to drive, very family-friendly,...

Ask Honest John

Why does a wing mirror replacement cost £550?

"The passenger door wing mirror on my 2017 SEAT Ateca needs replacing. I've been quoted £550 by the SEAT garage. Does this not seem a bit excessive to you?"

That's a lot of money but, considering the complexity of modern door mirrors (and all the electrics they contain), it's not massively surprising. Try shopping around - you might find one cheaper from another SEAT dealer or from a third-party supplier. You could also get a used example from a scrapyard. Otherwise, consider claiming on your insurance.

Answered by Andrew Brady

Can you recommend a good crossover with a heated windscreen?

"I’m looking to change my SEAT Leon for a higher seating position. The only criteria I have is I would like a quick clearing front windscreen. What would you recommend? Many thanks."

The SEAT Ateca's a very good SUV, which is also available with a heated windscreen. If you want something smaller, consider the excellent Ford Puma.

Answered by Dan Powell

Can you recommend the best used, small crossover?

"I'm looking for a used, compact SUV/crossover for around £14,000. I do mainly town driving and short motorway trips, so was thinking a petrol automatic would be best, but could also go with a slick manual. My main requirements are high seating for a bad back, an engaging drive and something that looks good, but is also comfortable. I kept my last car for 14 happy years of driving, and would hopefully do at least 10 years with this one. I've done lots of research but I'm still finding this a really difficult decision, so would appreciate your recommendations. The lack of rear visibility puts me off the Toyota C-HR. I liked the Honda HR-V, but found the petrol engine a little underpowered. The Suzuki Vitara S seems to fit the bill too, although I'm concerned I'll be paying for an AWD system I don't use and some reviews mention numb steering when on the motorway. The Audi Q3 or SEATAteca are also a consideration. I could go on, but hopefully you can sense my confusion. What would see as the best option in my price range? "

The C-HR would be the best choice. It was rated as one of the best cars in the UK for comfort in our recent Satisfaction Index and Toyota has an excellent reputation for reliability: https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/honest-john-satisfaction-index-2020/honest-john-satisfaction-index-2020-the-results/ An alternative to the C-HR would be the 2.0 petrol Mazda CX-3. It's one of the most stylish crossovers and has a high quality cabin.

Answered by Dan Powell

Can you recommend a petrol crossover or SUV with some guts to get me up the hills where I live?

"I bought a 2010 Honda CR-V last year. This was my first purchase after many years of loaning a car. However, I’m a single mum and only do short school runs and a 20 minute country lane drives to work. I motorway drive maybe three times a month and then rarely over 30 minutes. You can guess what I’m going to say next. The Honda has been a nightmare with the DPF. So I want to change my vehicle but feel bruised by my last experience. My requirements are five doors, a boot I can fit a dog cage in, and sticks to the road as the country lanes around where I live can be muddy, icy and prone to pot holes. I'd prefer manual and a bit of guts to get me up the hills. Should I stick to petrol? My budget is a max of £13,000. Any advice would be much appreciated."

Yes, sticking to petrol is a good idea. I'd recommend a Kia Sportage. Your budget will get a 2016 or 2017 example with the remainder of its seven-year manufacturer warranty remaining. Unfortunately your budget won't get a turbocharged GDI-T model and you might find the naturally-aspirated petrol engine a bit lacking, so take one for a test drive before committing. Alternatively, a SEAT Ateca with the 1.0-litre TSI engine would be a very good option.

Answered by Andrew Brady

On the inside of an SEAT Ateca (2016)

• Euro NCAP rating of five stars

The interior design may not be particularly daring, but the Ateca gets all the basics right with a good driving position - raised up giving you a better view forward - and a simple layout to all the controls. It's certainly function over form, so while it's all a bit drab and dark, at least you can turn the heater up easily...

That's not to say this is an old fashioned car. Far from it. It comes with an improved version of SEAT's touchscreen system which looks better and is intuitive. Entry models come with a five-inch screen which isn't the best to be honest, but SE models and above get a better eight-inch high res display. If you go for navigation you'll find a clear system that's easy to programme (with full UK postcodes) and quick to route. 

The Ateca has a well finished interior with a nice solid thud to the doors and very little noise on the move, either from engine or road. SEAT has clearly worked on refinement with good sound insulation and there's minimal wind noise too - something which can often blight a car this size.

What's impressive is the amount of space inside. The Ateca doesn't look that big from the outside but there's lots of room inside, especially in the back. It means that if you have toddlers in car seats, you won't have to endure the back of your seat being kicked for a two hour journey. The rear doors open nice and wide and there's lots of head room, handy if you've got ever-growing teenagers. 

There's also a big boot with a wide opening and a small boot lip. You can easily get a pushchair in there along with a few bags of shopping and it's appreciably bigger than a Nissan Qashqai, and similar to a Hyundai Tucson - one of the best crossovers around. If you want to really splash out there's even the option of an electric tailgate plus a double floor system.

One disappointment however is the lack of a spare wheel. The Ateca only comes with a can of tyre repair sealant as standard. If you want a space saver you'll have to pay an extra £105.

Standard equipment from launch (September 2016):

S models come with 16-inch alloys, electric door mirror adjustment, SEAT’s Media System Touch with Bluetooth, USB port, SD card slot and four-speaker audio, height-adjustable driver’s seat, split-folding rear seats, boot light, front armrest, leather steering wheel and gear knob trim, power windows, seven airbags, Tiredness Recognition system and the new Front Assist and City Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Protection.

SE adds 17-inch alloys, roof rails, auto-folding door mirrors, LED taillights, front fog lights with a cornering function, rear reading lights, ambient cabin illumination, rear armrest, roof console with sunglasses holder, front passenger seat height adjustment, cruise control, dual-zone climate control, rear parking sensors, SEAT Drive Profile with Driving Experience button and the Media System Plus, with eight-inch colour touchscreen, integrated voice control and eight-speaker audio.

SE Technology models upgrade to 18-inch bi-colour alloys and add navigation, using 3D mapping and a high-res colour display. There is also an additional SD card slot and the audio system provides DAB radio reception. Style touches include chrome window surrounds and aluminium-finish roof rails.

First Edition is equipped with full LED headlights, bi-colour 18-inch wheels, satellite navigation, KESSY keyless entry and go, a power tailgate with hands-free 'virtual pedal' opening and closing function, rear-view camera, dark-tinted rear windows and a choice of three dedicated metallic paint finishes.

Xcellence has 18-inch Performance alloy wheels, twin chrome tailpipes, aluminium roof rails, dark-tinted rear privacy glass, full LED headlights and taillights, welcome lights in the door mirrors, rearview camera, LED ambient interior lighting with eight colour options, KESSY keyless entry and go, leather upholstery, black headlining, aluminium door sills, and a Connectivity Hub in the centre console, including a wireless charger. It also comes with a Convenience Pack comprising auto headlights and wipers, an auto-dimming rearview mirror and automatic coming and leaving home lighting.

Child seats that fit a SEAT Ateca (2016)

Our unique Car Seat Chooser shows you which child car seats will fit this car and which seat positions that they will fit, so that you don't have to check every car seat manufacturer's website for compatibility.

Which car seat will suit you?

Driving SEAT Ateca (2016)

• Engines range from 1.0 TSI 115 to 2.0 TSI 190 DSG 4WD
• Readers report Real MPG to be between 29–60 mpg

'Easy to drive' probably best sums up the Ateca. It's a stress-free, undemanding sort of car that makes ideal family transport. You won't be surprised to find out that it's very much like the Tiguan on the move - the two share the same chassis.

What it does particularly well is comfort. There may be few thrills to be had, but thanks to forgiving suspension that - albeit on the firm side - is usually smooth, the Ateca is a relaxing car to drive or travel in. It's quiet too, even at motorway speeds, which further reinforces that sense of refinement.

It does corner well for a crossover of this size, helped by good body control and reasonable amounts of grip. It's not the kind of car you're going to be throwing into a corner, but it handles sudden changes of direction well, feeling reassuringly stable.

The steering has a nice weight to it, while the clutch and gear change have the usual precision we've come to expect from a car in the Volkswagen collective. Ultimately it's simply a very pleasant and comfortable family car.

Most models are front-wheel drive - and handle perfectly well - but if you want four-wheel drive, SEAT's 4Drive system is available with the 2.0 TDI engine. True, few people will every venture anywhere more dangerous than the local Sainsbury's car park, but the extra traction of 4Drive is useful if you're going to be using your Ateca to tow a caravan or live in a rural area where you regular get heavy rain or snow in the winter. 

Four-wheel drive models get a more advanced multi-link rear suspension, but the front-wheel drive models, with a more basic suspension set-up, ride just as well.

The cheapest Ateca gets the 1.0 TSI engine. This small three-cylinder petrol with just 115PS may seem way too small for a car as big as this, but it's actually pretty good for use around town. You won't want to spend hours on the motorway with the car full, but if you're doing lots of short trips, it has plenty of get-up-and-go from low speeds.

There's a 1.4 TSI with 150 which has a bit more zest about it. It's a good all rounder in the Ateca and is the same 1.4-litre engine that's used across the Volkswagen and Audi ranges including in the Q3 and Tiguan.

If you don't need a diesel it's the perfect choice. Smooth and quiet, the fact it's turbocharged means it has more than adequate acceleration when needed, plus it pulls well enough in gear. True it can't match a diesel for torque, but it's still quick enough, even if you do have to knock it down a gear or two. Claimed economy is a decent 52.3mpg but you're better off checking Real MPG for a more realistic figure.

For outright economy, the 1.6 TDI is the best bet. It's not the quietest or smoothest diesel around - in fact it's pretty noisy - but official economy is more than 65mpg with CO2 emissions of 113g/km. 

The 2.0 TDI is the most expensive version of the Ateca and there are two versions available - one with 150PS and a more powerful 190PS which only comes with 4Drive and a seven-speed DSG gearbox. With a list price of close to £30k it's a lot of money but it does get more torque, boosted from 340Nm to 400Nm. It's also the fastest model in the range.

Long term test

SEAT Ateca 2.0 TDI Xcellence 4Drive DSG

SEAT Ateca (2016) Models and Specs

Currently on sale

On sale until August 2020

On sale until November 2018

On sale until April 2017

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Bad

What to watch out for

Model History

• February 2016: SEAT Ateca unveiled
• April 2016: Ateca prices revealed
• April 2017: SEAT Ateca FR revealed
• November 2017
• January 2020: SEAT Ateca FR Black Edition priced from £28,845
• September 2020: Updated SEAT Ateca priced from £23,670