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2016 Volkswagen Tiguan vs. SEAT Ateca Review Finds Hidden Spanish Talent

Volkswagen Group is launching the first of many new SUVs based on the MQB platform. From Germany comes the Tiguan II and Spain gives us its first SUV, the SEAT Ateca. But are they really different or just the same car with changed badges?
2016 Volkswagen Tiguan vs. SEAT Ateca Review Finds Hidden Spanish Tallent 1 photo
Photo: Screenshot from YouTube
Renowned German magazine Auto Bild took both out for a comparison test, and the editor in charge said he was shocked by what he discovered. They handle differently and may not appeal to the same client.

The Golf and Leon 5-door models are virtually the same length and weight, even boasting the same 380-liter trunk. But that's not the case with these SUVs, as the Tiguan is 13 centimeters longer and 2cm taller than its Spanish cousin. Since the rear seats are identical, the extra space has all gone towards the trunk. The Ateca offers 485 liters of space, and the new Tiguan outclasses it with 615 liters.

Both cars in this test come with the same powertrain, a 2.0 TDI diesel engine that makes 190 PS and 400 Nm of torque. This is the most powerful unit available in both cases and it brings you standard all-wheel drive and a 7-speed DSG gearbox.

However, because the Tiguan is heavier, you don't get the same performance. Taking the 0 to 100 km/h stride in 7.0 seconds, the SEAT Ateca is faster than equivalent Skoda Octavia RS. Meanwhile, the Tiguan needs 7.9 seconds and also drinks 0.7 liters more fuel.

Their handling is different, says Auto Bild. The Ateca is edgy and fun, while the German car is comfortable and refined with noticeably lower cabin noise. It's up to you to decide which is best, but not before we add price into the equation.

The Ateca starts at under €20,000 in Germany while the Tiguan is over €27,000. However, the gap narrows by the time you've added this powerful 2-liter turbo engine. The cheapest 190 PS Ateca starts at €35,580 while a Tiguan Comfortline with the same unit costs €37,475. It's worth noting that both can go a lot higher with options and that the Ateca is the only one available with 1.0 TSI engines.

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About the author: Mihnea Radu
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Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida.
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