SEAT has finally released its first ever SUV, the Ateca. Based on the same underpinnings as the Volkswagen Tiguan, the Ateca is SEAT’s way of finally catapulting its way into the ring with the likes of the Kia Sportage and Nissan Qashqai – both incredibly lucrative models.

With so much SUV competition out there, SEAT doesn’t want its Ateca to be just another addition to the fray. Comparing rivals side by side, SEAT has vowed that its Ateca will feel different to drive. Its exterior design was specially designed to standout too, with a more curvaceous approach that avoids the usual plump, muscular appeal of many other models.

We take the most popular 1.4-litre EcoTSI Ateca for a spin to see whether it has what it takes to fend off rivals.

Performance

The extremely popular VW Group 1.4-litre EcoTSI is expected to be the best seller on the retail side of things – and it is easy to see why.

From a power point of view, the 1.4-litre EcoTSI pulls well with 250Nm of torque and can reach the 62mph mark from a standing start in just 8.5 seconds. It certainly doesn’t feel like it struggles to shift the 1.4 tonne Ateca. The 1.4 petrol actually feels quite sporty.

Thanks to the clever cylinder-deactivation technology though, the grunt of the 1.4-litre unit’s power isn’t overwhelming when driving around town, as the engine ultimately adapts accordingly to the driving conditions.

Mated to the 1.4-litre EcoTSI is a six-speed manual gearbox, which has a reassuring snappiness to it, allowing you to quickly flit through the gears when taking on twisty roads. And speaking of twisty roads…

Ride and Handling

Although the Ateca has a sportier ride than many of its rivals, it isn’t uncomfortable.

Unlike many other similar sized SUVs, the Ateca actually feels at home on winding routes. This is mainly due to the stiffer ride set-up when compared to comfort-orientated rivals like the Tiguan and Qashqai. The added firmness keeps the Ateca well-planted in the corners, with very little body roll. This firmer ride sits alongside the SEAT Drive Profile (available from SE trim upwards) which offers a series of different driving modes, including Eco and Sport – each mode altering the weighting of the steering and throttle response. You will most likely use Normal mode most of the time, but Sport mode is great for twisty roads as the added weight of the steering gives you extra confidence when going into a bend, and yet the steering remains responsive with good levels of feedback. Although the Ateca has a sportier ride than many of its rivals, it isn’t uncomfortable. It irons out bumps well, has brilliant wind and road noise insulation and excellent all-round visibility, aided by a large piece of glass near the C-pillar to help avoid motorway blind spots.

Interior and Equipment

The name ‘Ateca’ is pronounced Ah-Tek-Ah.

The SE model certainly feels like it’s angled more towards ergonomics rather than luxury. It’s not particularly lavish – unlike the leather-clad XCELLENCE model – but the familiar VW layout still offers a smart, up-market feel, and the chrome detailing helps too. Scratchy plastics feature quite heavily in the cabin, particularly lower down on the centre console and the doors, but this is a recurring feature with pretty much all of its rivals. If you are after a serious step-up in quality, then you will be looking more towards the Audi Q5 and Q7 pay scale. Kit on the SE model is generous with rear parking sensors, dual-zone climate control, Bluetooth, cruise control and an eight-inch colour touchscreen system. The only obvious omission is sat-nav, which is available from the First Edition model upwards, or for an optional extra price of £525. Practicality is one of the Ateca’s trump cards. Rear passengers will be more than happy with tons of leg and headroom on offer – more luxury saloon than SUV – and there is also a fold down arm rest with two adjustable cup holders. Fold down the back of the arm rest compartment and there is hatch access to the boot, handy if you need to store long objects. The boot, which has a wide opening, offers up to 510 litres with the seats in place and 1,604 litres when you fold them down. The seats can be easily folded down via levers in the boot, too. There is a bit of a loading lip when putting objects into the boot and a hump with the seats down. These can be erased with an adjustable boot floor, but that costs extra. Competition wise when it comes to storage space, the Ateca sits in between the Tiguan and Qashqai.

Cost

The more luxurious XCELLENCE model is expected to be the most popular though, costing £23,905.

The 1.4-litre EcoTSI SE Ateca starts from £21,015, which, like for like, is about £2,000 cheaper than its VW Tiguan counterpart. The more luxurious XCELLENCE model is expected to be the most popular though, costing £23,905. Thanks to the cylinder-deactivation technology, the 1.4-litre EcoTSI nearly emits as low as the 1.0-litre TSI available, with CO2 of 122g/km. The 1.4 also claims an average return of 53.3mpg. Realistically, expect between 40-50mpg.

Our Verdict

The biggest challenge for the Ateca is to standout in a crowded market segment. It may not do that with its conservative interior layout, but it does do it with its slick exterior design, enthralling driving dynamics and low list price. Not only does it bring something different to the table, but it manages to tick important must-have SUV boxes too, including lots of space, comfort and a decent amount of kit.