Seat Altea S 1.6 TDI CR Ecomotive 5dr Car Review - March 2012

The power behind the Seat Altea S 1.6 TDI CR Ecomotive 5dr is a competent 1.6-litre, 4-cylinder, 16v 1598cc diesel engine. Very eager on all road surfaces, the engine produces 104bhp and torque figures of 184 lb-ft at 1500 rpm, which is respectable given the car’s size. It responds nimbly when revved hard and feels strong in a sporty way, at speed.

The Altea S 1.6 TDI CR Ecomotive handles superbly. It grips with determination on the road, its firm suspension ensuring good body control. Steering is sharp and accurate. You will enjoy taking corners – the smoothness and predictability masks the slight, inevitable body roll. The ride remains comfortable on the average road, and only the roughest of roads will upset the smooth quality of the ride.

For a diesel, the engine is reasonably quiet. It rattles a little at low speed but this dies down as the car picks up speed. Wind and road noise are well suppressed, and except for a tiny rustle of wind that can be heard through front door edges, there isn’t much disruption.

D-pillars create a blind spot, which interferes with rear visibility when reversing but forward visibility is good.

The Altea S 1.6 TDI CR Ecomotive is handsomely structured, with the side lines and wheel arches creating a faint sporty image. A five-door, five-seat hatchback, it is more glamorous and smarter than a typical MPV.

The Altea Ecomotive cabin is classy and well-laid out. The materials used are high quality and soft to the touch. But the windows are rather small for the car, and steal the shine and brightness from the cabin.

Seat has not skimped on equipment. The Altea has power steering, stability control, central locking, air con, electric door mirrors, electric front windows, driver airbag, passenger airbags, front side curtains, immobiliser, alarm, MP3 connectivity and CD player.

There are a number of extras available as cost options, with alloy wheels and metallic paint going for £420 each, and Bluetooth for £360.

Seat has a good reliability record, mostly because all its models are based on Volkswagen mechanics. The Altea Ecomotive in particular is based on the Volkswagen Golf and feels nearly as sturdy.

The car maker has also gone the extra mile to ensure that you are safe in the car by installing lots of safety kit. The car itself is well secured with numerous anti-theft and anti-burglary technologies. Electronic stability control, six airbags, ISOFIX child-seat mountings, traction control, anti-lock brakes, electronic brake assist, engine immobiliser, deadlocks and an alarm are all installed.

The effect of such safety measures is reflected in the Euro NCAP crash test results, where the Altea Ecomotive scored five stars for occupant safety, four for child protection and three for pedestrian safety.

The Ecomotive is not the roomiest small MPV but it has enough space for five adults. The seats are comfortable and very supportive, making it a good choice of car for longer drives.

Storage space in the cabin is in good measure. There is a huge glove box where you can throw in stuff. Door pockets, cup holders and cubbyholes are numerous through the cabin too.

At 405 litres, the boot size is by no means class leading but it is spacious enough for the average family. Rear seats cannot be completely removed and do not fold fully, thus limiting capacity when the seats are down.

There are lots of adjustments for the driver: the seat can slide forward and backward, and be height-adjusted. The steering wheel also adjusts for reach and rake. The pedals and controls are exactly where they should be, and are all driver-friendly.

Compared to rivals, the Altea Ecomotive is competitively priced. In addition to the great value for money it gives, it holds its value well and will recoup a good percentage of its original price should you decide to sell.

Good fuel economy makes it a real gem for anyone who is keen to save money over the long term. A return of 62.8mpg is quite impressive for its class. Carbon emissions are the lowest in the range, averaging only 119g/km so you will only pay £30 in tax a year, under band C.

Insurance costs should be low, going by the car’s insurance group (13). The car has a service interval of 10,000 miles only, but rates are good and this should keep costs down. A 3-year/60,000 miles warranty will give you peace of mind during those crucial first years.