The Ateca may be SEAT’s first ever SUV, but the Spanish brand seems to have hit all the right notes with car fans. It looks the part, it is affordably priced, it is fun to drive – the list goes on.

It has took the SUV segment by the scruff of the neck and has quite frankly got the likes of the Nissan Qashqai, Kia Sportage and platform-sharing Volkswagen Tiguan a little worried.

We have already been impressed with several versions of the Ateca, but we thought we would get our hands on the most efficient derivative of the Ateca, the 113bhp 1.6-litre TDI, to see whether the Ateca is still worth shouting about.

Performance

When driving the 113bhp 1.6-litre TDI, one must remember that efficiency is at the forefront of this model’s appeal. Put your foot down and it doesn’t offer the usual punch of a diesel. Given, 113bhp isn’t much, but with 250Nm you still expect a bit of kick. So, does this mean the 1.6-litre TDI is a bad engine? No, not at all.

The 1.6 TDI feels restrained for a very good reason – it’s what makes it efficient. Potter around town and the 1.6 TDI has enough power to get you from A to B, but it’s nothing special performance wise. It does feel a bit more at home on the motorway, purely because you’ll be cruising at a constant speed.

Thankfully, SEAT’s Drive Profile allows you to spruce things up a bit with Sport Mode. Engage Sport Mode and the 1.6 TDI wakes up a bit, with weightier steering and, most noticeably, a sharper throttle response, cattle prodding it off the mark.

Ride and Handling

The Sport Mode is particularly entertaining on twisty roads, with the weightier steering retaining great feedback to the front wheels – unlike some other variable steering modes that numb steering feedback.

Although the engine is more domesticated than other Atecas, the ride and handling remains the same, which is to say it is multifaceted and offers a lot of potential for fun. Do the school run and the Ateca has light and responsive steering, making it feel more like a hatchback than an SUV. However, take it on a country road and the Ateca can hold its own. The ride is firmer than most of its competitors, but the payoff is minimal body roll that allows for planted cornering. The Sport Mode is particularly entertaining on twisty roads, with the weightier steering retaining great feedback to the front wheels – unlike some other variable steering modes that numb steering feedback. Although the ride is on the firm side, refinement isn’t an issue, it still absorbs bumps well and cabin insulation is impressive. The diesel hum from under the bonnet is rather hushed too.

Interior and Equipment

The Ateca comes available with a 1.4-litre TSI, the same popular petrol engine on offer across many Volkswagen Group brands.

The Ateca SE’s interior isn’t exactly what you would call adventurous, but after spending a bit of time navigating its collection of dashboard buttons, particularly when on the move, you will realise how much better it is for it. Everything is easy to reach and operate in the Ateca and it may not be as stylish or plush as the Kia Sportage’s interior, but it is still solid and ergonomically built. You won’t see much of a change in the Ateca’s interior unless you go for something like the flagship XCELLENCE model though, which may put some people off, especially those shopping on a budget. The mid-range SE trim still offers a good chunk of equipment though with rear parking sensors, Bluetooth, cruise control and dual-zone climate control. The cloth seats, however, do feel and look a little cheap. The SE trim is expected to be the best seller, but SEAT expects buyers to add optional extras like the Convenience pack for £170 (which adds the likes of automatic headlights and rain-sensing wipers) as well as sat-nav for £525. Space in the rear seats is pretty faultless, with loads of head, leg and foot well room for all passengers. A middle passenger may be a squeeze, but no more so than any of its competitors. The boot is impressive too with 510 litres on offer with the seats up and 1,604 litres when you fold the seats down. An optional extra definitely worth considering is the double floor, which for £115 allows you to alter the height of the boot floor – great for creating a smooth loading surface to the back seats or hiding valuables underneath.

Cost

We tested it on congested city streets and smooth motorway runs and achieved around 55mpg and 75mpg respectively. It also emits just 113g/km of CO2, meaning low VED tax.

This is where the tamer performance of the 1.6-litre TDI comes into its own. On paper, it claims to return an average of 65mpg, which during our tests on motorways and around the city was not only achievable, but beatable. We tested it on congested city streets and smooth motorway runs and achieved around 55mpg and 75mpg respectively. It also emits just 113g/km of CO2, meaning low VED tax. It’s not just running costs that are impressive though, the price tag of the Ateca 1.6 TDI SE offers similar savings as its entry-level model when compared to major rivals. At around £22,000, it is £4,000 less than the equivalent Volkswagen Tiguan model.

Our Verdict

The biggest things that make the Ateca stand out from its competitors are its low-price tag and impressive driving dynamics. Refreshingly, even with a domesticated, low-emitting, fuel-efficient diesel engine on board, these personality traits are still present. Looking for an affordable family car that just so happens to be one of the best SUV’s to drive and to look at? Ta da!