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 2017 Nissan Rogue could beat the world of compact crossover SUVs, were it not for mediocre performance and safety ratings. The Nissan Rogue covers the middle of the automaker's crossover SUV lineup. Tucked in between the teensy, utterly impractical Juke and the big three-row Pathfinder, the Rogue relies on good seats and interior space to move its metal.
Pros Surround-view cameras are a must-have feature USB and Bluetooth streaming, standard Lots of safety features Good looks
Cons Carryover powertrain Noisy under hard acceleration Still a crossover... ...with a third-row seat?
The 2017 Nissan Rogue ranks 9 out of 18 Compact SUVs. The 2017 Nissan Rogue is a solid, middle-of the-road vehicle. Nothing about the Rogue elevates it to the top of this fiercely competitive compact SUV class, but nothing about it is so terrible as to banish it to the bottom either.
Pros Classy interior with upscale finishes Large cargo area with innovative storage system Excellent fuel economy
Cons Transmission can be loud under heavy acceleration Engine could use more power Majority of driver assistance features are exclusive to top trim leve
For 2017, the Nissan Rogue gains a new hybrid option, a slight styling refresh and additional sound insulation. Other available enhancements include a hands-free liftgate, adaptive cruise control with forward collision mitigation, remote ignition, a heated steering wheel, driver-seat memory functions and a premium Platinum Reserve interior package.
Pros Best-in-class front seat comfort Ride quality remains comfortable over varying terrain User-friendly tech options Versatile cargo storage
Cons Weak acceleration Poor visibility Transmission is slow to respond Advanced safety features are only available on top trim level
