Seat Toledo SE 1.6 TDI CR 5dr Car Review - April 2013

The 1.6-litre diesel engine isn't too bad on the whole, offering plenty of efficiency while still delivering acceleration from 0-62mph in a brisk 10.6 seconds and a top speed of 118mph, which is more than enough for most drivers. The real problem with the Toledo isn't the engine itself but the driving experience, with the ride being especially firm, especially at low speed. When this is combined with a lack of grip while cornering and steering that feels a little slow, it makes the car feel ponderous to drive.

The seats and steering wheel both adjust to suit the driver, but the seats can feel a little short on support, particularly on longer journeys. Visibility to the rear suffers because of the high boot lid, and inside the cabin the car is also quite noisy with engine and wind noise clearly audible.

The Seat Toledo looks fairly reasonable, with clean lines and a nice front end with a grille and air intake below the number plate, although there isn't anything particularly distinctive about the car when compared with rivals. Inside, the car generally looks quite good, with a central cabin that is simple and efficient, although there are some signs when you look at the plastic trim that Seat have made a few compromises to keep the prices down.

One of the plus points for this version of the Toledo is that it does enjoy a good level of equipment, and the alloy wheels do add a touch of quality to the overall package. The car also comes with climate control and cruise control which helps to make the it a better companion over those longer journeys, while there is also plenty of security equipment to keep the car safe such as an alarm and a secure spare wheel.

Another of the advantages with the Toledo is that it is a big car, meaning that the interior is spacious and can boast plenty of space to carry four adults in comfort, with plenty of legroom and headroom in the rear seats. The large boot also comes in handy for carrying luggage, helping to make the Toledo practical as a family car or as a budget choice for a company car.

The Toledo is delivered with a high level of safety equipment, including stability control and a good range of airbags, although the driver's knee airbag which is seen on some rivals isn't included here. The car achieved five stars in the Euro NCAP safety tests, with the curtain air bags helping to protect the passengers in the rear.

The Toledo's list price of £17,840 means that it is up against some of the mid range models of the Skoda Octavia and the Volkswagen Golf. The level of equipment is certainly impressive, but the Toledo is a car designed to beat the majority of its rivals on price, so the cheaper models in the range arguably make more sense.

While the 1.6-litre diesel engine does perform admirably, and delivers an average 70.6mpg, the additional cost will make the petrol version better on the whole for all but the most high mileage drivers. The insurance group is quite competitive, while the car is also provided with a three year or sixty thousand mile warranty and two years' roadside breakdown assistance.