Seat Altea SE 1.4 TSI 5dr Car Review - February 2012

One of the best things about the Altea is that it is a wonderful car to drive, and this is largely because of the fun handling that is delivered because of the firm suspension. This does mean that a few more bumps and potholes are felt in the cabin, but it means that the steering is accurate and delivers plenty of feel, and the body roll when cornering is kept to a minimum. One area in which the Altea does deliver is in the driving position, with a comfortable and adjustable driving seat and an adjustable steering wheel to ensure that the driver remains comfortable.

The 1.4 litre TSI engine is a good performer, and can propel this Altea from 0-62mph in a speedy 10.3 seconds, and the top speed of 121mph is ample pace for the driving habits of most people. These performance figures are delivered at a cost to the efficiency of the engine, but it does strike a reasonable balance between fun and frugality.

The body of the Altea looks quite tall, and at first glance seems more like an MPV than a family hatchback. The headlights and the typical Seat grille lead the front end into a sharply sloping bonnet and windscreen which then fades into a rather boxy body. However, the back end is tidy and practical, with the lights in a vertical row up the pillars to each side of the rear windscreen. The Altea is unlikely to win any awards for adventurous design, but it is attractive enough and has practicality on its side.

The SE level of trim does mean that there are some nice extras included, the most attractive of which are the alloy wheels that do complete the look of the Altea nicely. Also included is cruise control, power folding mirrors and climate control which means that the cabin is comfortable.

Seat has created a very safe car which has achieved five stars in the Euro NCAP safety tests, and this is largely because of the collection of airbags that are included in the car to keep the driver and passengers safe in an accident. It also has the usual array of driver aids which help to keep all four wheels on the road. The Altea has a good record in terms of reliability.

Because of the MPV style of the car, the Altea actually looks more practical than it really is. Space in the front and rear seats is good enough to accommodate five adults, although the legroom in the centre seat in the back is limited by the armrests for the driver. The boot is reasonably sized, but the Altea doesn't quite have the flexibility you might expect.

The list price for this particular version of the Altea is £17,705, which puts it in direct competition with the class leaders such as the VW Golf and the Ford Focus. Those who are looking for a little more space may want to spend a little extra for the Altea XL.

In terms of the running costs for this edition of the Altea, the fuel consumption is fairly reasonable considering the engine performance, and can deliver an average 43.5mpg. The insurance group is typical of these medium sized hatchbacks, but the Altea does suffer from significant depreciation. It is delivered with a three year warranty from Seat, and also has two years of roadside breakdown cover.