Photo: SEAT
Yes, we do sometimes check what the official websites of some major manufacturers are doing and don't just wait for the press release to come out. That's why we know that SEAT has finally launched the Ateca, its first SUV that we've been waiting on for several months.
While the website is not as rich in details as we would have liked, we can tell you a few interesting things. For example, the photo above is of the basic trim level called Style. It means you don't get the fancy LED headlights, big wheels or the same seat as the Leon X-Perience.
The upside is that it starts from €19,690 in Spain, which we think is really cool. For that kind of money, you only get an FWD crossover with a tiny 1.0 TSI engine turbocharged to produce 115 PS.
There are no benefits to having an engine this small, so we suggest looking at the 1.4 turbo which is now branded "EcoTSI" for no good reason. The output of 150 PS should be sufficient to move with haste, but you still can't order AWD with this one, nor can you do it with the 1.6 TDI.
Last week, I wrote a piece about the Tiguan receiving the 190 PS version of the 2-liter TDI that you get on the Passat. It's available on the Ateca too, though only on the single highest spec model of the XCellence trim level. It will set you back €33,790 (in Spain), but we think it's worth it. Equipped with this powertrain, the Ateca is going to be faster than the Mazda CX-5 and pretty much every other car in the segment.
As for the other options, if you're older and have neck problems, you might want to consider blind spot monitoring. Most of the colors are discreet (boring), except for the white (€200) and Samoa Orange (€550).
The upside is that it starts from €19,690 in Spain, which we think is really cool. For that kind of money, you only get an FWD crossover with a tiny 1.0 TSI engine turbocharged to produce 115 PS.
There are no benefits to having an engine this small, so we suggest looking at the 1.4 turbo which is now branded "EcoTSI" for no good reason. The output of 150 PS should be sufficient to move with haste, but you still can't order AWD with this one, nor can you do it with the 1.6 TDI.
The right engine for you
The cheapest and smallest diesel engine costs €22,370 and produces 115 PS from the familiar 1.6-liter block. If you want AWD on your SEAT Ateca, you will have to pay at least €26,890 for the same 2.0 TDI making 150 PS you get in the 2016 VW Tiguan.Last week, I wrote a piece about the Tiguan receiving the 190 PS version of the 2-liter TDI that you get on the Passat. It's available on the Ateca too, though only on the single highest spec model of the XCellence trim level. It will set you back €33,790 (in Spain), but we think it's worth it. Equipped with this powertrain, the Ateca is going to be faster than the Mazda CX-5 and pretty much every other car in the segment.
As for the other options, if you're older and have neck problems, you might want to consider blind spot monitoring. Most of the colors are discreet (boring), except for the white (€200) and Samoa Orange (€550).
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