Insurance Group: 28
MPG: 40.4
CO2: 162
0-62 Mph: 7.3 secs
BHP: 208 BHP
Range: 622 miles
PROS: Smooth engine. Superior handling. Accurate steering. Equipment offering is more than adequate. Plenty of safety kit.
CONS: Not the most economical engine in the range. Firm suspension makes ride jittery. Cabin space is squeezed at the rear.
The Exeo SR Sport is powered by a strong 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder 16v 1984c petrol engine. It packs 208bhp and has torque figures of 236 lb-ft, which gives enough pulling power when driving on less-than-perfect roads. It is a considerably fast car given its size, and gets to 62mph in just 7.3 seconds. A top speed of 148mph in an estate, which is what you get in the Exeo, is thrilling. A four-wheel drive system and 6-speed manual gearbox help keep things smooth.
The Exeo is impressive on the road. Handling and grip levels are good, and body movement is controlled, except in corners where there is slight body lean. Steering is sharp and precise. Firm suspension makes the car jittery on bumpy roads. But you will enjoy a comfortable ride on smooth roads.
The cabin is well insulated against road noise. A bit of wind noise makes its way into the cabin at speed. Compared to the diesels in the range, this petrol engine is quiet and smooth. You will actually enjoy a hushed ride.
The Exeo ST is a five-door and five-seat, large family estate. It is sturdily built, with streamlined lines defining its frame. With measurements of 4666m x 1772m x 1454mm, it is the biggest estate from Seat.
Everything about the Exeo interior is classy. The materials used all look and feel expensive and the surfaces are all smoothly finished. It feels like an Audi on the inside, which is not surprising because the car is modelled after the old Audi A4.
The equipment level is excellent, with power steering, stability control, central locking, alloy wheels, climate control, electric door mirrors, electric front windows, cruise control, rear-parking sensors, driver airbag, passenger airbags, front side airbags, alarm, immobiliser, MP3 ports, Bluetooth and CD player being standard in the car.
The list of cost options includes leather seats for £1,075, sat nav for £1,810 and metallic paint for £450.
The Exeo is not the largest estate car, neither is it the most practical. Despite having five seats, only four adults can sit and travel in comfort. This is because the rear is squeezed and has little legroom.
The boot is a good size and shape – 442 litres with the seats up and 1354 litres with the seats down. The split-folding rear seats fold flat, ensuring maximum utilisation of space. The load lip is at a good height and the opening is large enough to make loading easy. There is plenty of storage space in the cabin – glove box and door pockets are all available.
Rake and reach adjustments for the steering wheel coupled with multiple adjustments for the driver’s seats ensure that you attain a perfect driving position no matter your height or size.
Seat has taken every measure to keep you and the car safe. There are electronic braking aids, anti-lock brakes, stability control, engine immobiliser, anti-whiplash restraints, 7 airbags, deadlocks and an alarm, all for your protection.
It is a shame then that the Exeo only managed to score 4-stars out of five for overall safety. But nothing about the quality and safety standards should make you worried. As the Exeo has not been in the market long enough to tell how reliable it is, it can only be hoped that it is as good as the A4 on which it is based. In any case, it comes with a 3-year/60,000 mile warranty which should be reassuring.
The Exeo is not cheap, but it costs less than a lot of its rivals. Most importantly, it offers good value for money. It is expected that resale values will be good, given its build quality and the never-ending demand for large family cars.
For its size, the Exeo’s fuel consumption is decent - 40.4mpg in combined cycle. Carbon emissions average 162g/km, which is also decent for a petrol engine of its size. Big cars are always more expensive to insure, but the Exeo gets to sit in insurance group 28, which is not too bad for the class. Insurance rates should be moderate.
You will need to service the car every 10,000 miles, but affordable service rates will keep your expenses down.
The Seat Exeo SE 2.0 TDI CR (120ps) 4dr comes in the shape of a re-worked Audi A4. The saloon is practical and the engine strong, although the handling and refinement are not great. The SE trim has...
If you wish to invest in an economical car that offers low emissions, you would be wise to look elsewhere. The Seat Exeo Sport 2.0 TSI 4dr does however offer an outstanding engine. This particular ...
A practical model that is solid, efficient, reliable and safe. It is based on the Audi A4, so there is nothing new with the model, but the fuel economy and practicality are great for the price you ...
The Seat Exceo ST may well look familiar - and it should. It’s basically a tweaked version of the old Audi A4. With a bit of reworking of the front and rear and a new engine from VW, it makes the b...
If you think it looks familiar, that’s because it is. The Seat Exeo ST is based on the Audi A4 and uses many of the same components as Audi. It is a practical estate car with loads of room for five...
You might want to read reviews for other Large Family cars that you can then compare to the Seat Exeo. Here are some popular Seat Exeo alternatives:
