SEAT's first SUV had to be a good one, and thankfully the Ateca has scored a direct hit. More than that, it's combination of style, space, quality, driving enjoyment and value earned it the title of Crossover of the Year 2016 at our New Car Awards. The Spanish brand's sharp design language ensures that the SEAT Ateca is one of the best looking SUVs of its kind. There's substance underneath, too, with a wide range of punchy and efficient engines and a well-tuned chassis making the Ateca the best in its class on the road. A lack of kit for the cheapest models and slightly dull interior may deter some, but the impressive space on offer, general air of solidity and availability of four-wheel drive gives the Ateca all it needs to beat the Nissan Qashqai.
The Seat Ateca breaks new ground for Seat, because the Spanish brand has previously built as many SUVs as it has spaceships. But while Seat is undoubtedly very late to the party, it’s drawing on the experience of others and offering keen pricing. Underneath the sharp bodywork is essentially the same mechanicals that sits beneath the much more expensive Volkswagen Tiguan. True, the Ateca misses out on some of that car’s practical features, such as reclining and sliding rear seats, but it still has a large boot and masses of rear seat space. We think many people will happily give up the VW’s extra flexibility when they consider that a very well equipped four-wheel-drive Ateca will cost the same as a mid-range two-wheel-drive Tiguan.
The SEAT Ateca is an affordable, practical and desirable SUV that gives buyers a great alternative to the Renault Kadjar and Nissan Qashqai. SEAT has never had an SUV in its line-up before, but the SEAT Ateca has quickly become one of our favourites, giving potential Renault Kadjar and Nissan Qashqai owners a great alternative. The Spanish manufacturer hasn’t exactly started from a standstill, as most of you will know the Ateca shares a considerable amount with the Volkswagen Tiguan. But, the SEAT did get a small head start in the UK, going on sale first, costing less and looking rather stylish, too.
Pros Very well priced Looks fantastic Good to drive
Cons Slightly firm ride Not a completely flat loading area Tiny five-inch screen on cheaper models
The award-winning 2017 Ford Everest SUV range is now available with a rear-wheel-drive variant, designed to suit buyers who like the size, space and power of the Everest, but don’t need the cost and complexity associated with the multi-mode four-wheel drive system.
Pros For the most part, its the same car for $5000 less Light steering and easy to drive Still comfy and practical for family and towing duties
Cons Rides like an off roader, so there are better options if urban comfort is your game No reach adjustment on steering wheel Just the single Trend grade available
Visually, the rear-wheel drive (RWD) Ford Everest Trend is almost impossible to pick from 4WD versions. Same with the drive experience contributed to by the 3.2-litre five-cylinder turbo-diesel, the packaging and the towing abilities. So, other than a $5000 price saving over the $60,990 (plus ORCs) 4WD Trend. Apart from a small, essentially useless, receptacle in the centre console, there’s precious little that visually separates Ford’s rear-wheel drive Everest Trend from its four-wheel drive equivalent.
Pros Well-planned, versatile interior Safety technology Some customers simply don’t need 4WD
Cons Some customers simply want 4WD One-way only steering wheel adjustment Engine noisy at times
