Seat Altea S 1.4 5dr Car Review - March 2012

REVIEW
List Price: £15,245
Tax Band: G
Insurance Group: 7
MPG: 43.5
CO2: 152
0-62 Mph: 15.0 secs
BHP: 84 BHP
Range: 526 miles
CarSite Verdict:  3.5/5
The Seat Altea 1.4 5dr is a good-looking MPV that’s well priced and fairly cheap to run. The refinement is not great, but the MPV is surprisingly good to drive given the body height.

The Altea is a practical car, but don't expect much from the engine or trim level at this end of the range.

PROS:  Handsome looks, practical interior and cost, both to run and to buy.

CONS:  Wind noise is apparent from the front and interior quality isn’t quite as good as that of a VW. The S trim level is not extensive.

Behind the Wheel

The steering of the Altea is accurate and the breaks are refined. There is very little body roll around corners and the Seat Altea S 1.4 5dr still feels both composed and safe whilst on the move. There is very little road noise apart from a little wind clatter around the front doors, but this isn’t too noticeable at all.

Producing 97 lb-ft torque power at 3600 rpm, and 84 bhp at 5000 rpm, the Seat Altea S 1.4 5dr feels nippy around the city but lacks power for motorway driving. It has a top speed of 105 mph and a 0-62 mph time of 15 seconds.

The Seat Altea S 1.4 5dr is a small MPV with a sporty edge and front wheel drive. The 1.4 engine is not one of the most powerful though and others in the range will provide more strength.

Looks & Equipment

The Seat Altea S 1.4 5dr is a great looking small MPV and equipment levels are fairly good even with the basic trim.

The Seat Altea S comes with air con, electric front door windows, electric door mirrors, MP3 connectivity, CD player as standard.

Metallic paint and alloy wheels can be added on as extras.

Practicality, Safety & Reliability

The Seat Altea S 1.4 5dr has a great safety record and has scored the maximum of five Euro NCAP stars for adult occupants, three for pedestrians and three for children.

Six airbags, traction control, anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control and electronic brake assist come as standard on all models, alongside central locking, stability control, an immobiliser and alarm.

The boot offers a 409 litre capacity with 1320 litres available with the seats down. The parcel shelf comes as standard with a built in cubbyhole and there is even more storage beneath the boot itself. The rest of the cabin portrays equally practical storage throughout. Boot space can be swapped with legroom on those occasions when you intend to carry more luggage than people; the rear seats can be pushed backward or forwards.

Value for Money

The Seat Altea is relatively cheap at £15,095. It is well equipped, although with this version being the most basic trim level, it misses out on the likes of alloy wheels.

Resale values are reasonable and it tends to keep its value.

The Seat Altea returns great fuel economy with 43.5 mpg and CO2 emissions of 152 g/km.

The power is nothing special, so if you need a bit more strength, you might consider a bigger engine.

Seat Altea S 1.4 5dr Car Review - by 
All Seat Altea Reviews
Seat Altea S 1.4 5dr - March 2012
The Seat Altea 1.4 5dr is a good-looking MPV that’s well priced and fairly cheap to run. The refinement is not great, but the MPV is surprisingly good to drive given the body height. The Altea ...
Seat Altea S 1.6 TDI CR Ecomotive 5dr - March 2012
The Seat Altea is one of the best small MPVs in the market and measures up to the industry’s big names. It is a practical car packed with value. That it is cheaper to buy and run than most rivals i...
Seat Altea S Emocion 1.6 TDI CR Ecomotive 5dr - March 2012
If you wish to combine excellent practicality with low running costs, the Seat Altea S Emocion 1.6 TDI CR Ecomotive 5dr may be the car for you. The Altea S Emocion offers an advanced S trim, with a...
Seat Altea SE 1.4 TSI 5dr - February 2012
The Altea is designed to be a medium sized hatchback, but the tall upright stance of the car may have some people thinking that it is closer to an MPV. The engine is aimed towards performance rathe...
Seat Altea SE 1.6 TDI CR Ecomotive DSG 5dr - March 2012
The Seat Altea SE 1.6 TDI CR Ecomotive DSG 5dr offers good handling and sleek looks, but refinement could be improved. The engine is very efficient and will be low cost to run, making the MPV a ...
Comments
Small MPV Alternatives

You might want to read reviews for other Small MPV cars that you can then compare to the Seat Altea. Here are some popular Seat Altea alternatives:

NEW RELEASE
Jeep Avenger revealed for 2023
NEW RELEASE
Ferrari Purosangue revealed
NEW RELEASE
Ford Mustang revealed for 2023
NEW RELEASE
New BMW M2 has been revealed
NEW RELEASE
Electric SUV coming soon
NEW RELEASE
Popular hatchback gets an update