SEAT
The SEAT brand is fully owned by the Volkswagen Group and its cars share all their mechanicals with others in the group. However, with its Spanish roots, SEAT is pitched as the fun, passionate and, well, Latin option. Despite that, and the company’s fast Cupra models, most SEATs are sensible and well-priced alternatives to the mainstream with a little eye-catching style thrown in.
OUR PICK OF THE RANGE Ateca Xcellence 1.4 TSI
SEAT Ateca One of the newest compact SUVs to enter the market, the SEAT Ateca continues the Spanish brand’s current form of creating some very attractive looking cars. It shares many of its underpinnings with the more expensive Volkswagen Tiguan, but wraps it up in a more aff ordable package. Understandably, both the 1.6- and 2.0-litre diesel engines will be of
interest, but don’t rule out the 1.4-litre TSI petrol alternative. Few buyers are likely to be interested in the entry-level S version, but the SE and in particular the range-topping Xcellence models have real appeal. The Ateca holds the road very well even in front-wheel drive confi guration. The ride is on the fi rm side of the scale but shouldn’t be cause for concern for most.
OUR PICK OF THE RANGE Alhambra SE 150hp DSG
SEAT Mii
OUR PICK OF THE RANGE Mii SE 1.0
SEAT’s smallest car makes great use of interior space, even managing to fi t in a 251-litre boot. There are both three- and fi ve-door body styles, but we recommend the latter as it adds far more practicality without increasing overall size. Like many of the current crop of small city cars, buyers can decorate the Mii with a variety of styling packs and alloy wheel combinations to add an extra level of personalisation to it. Just one engine is available, a 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol unit that produces 75hp, which in this case is enough to make the Mii feel nippy around town. On the motorway, it does take a while to get up to speed, and while the Mii can cope with the higher speeds, this is a car best suited to those who do the urban commute and town driving. The steering is light, and gear changes feel positive in the manual gearbox. An automatic is available, but only in the higher SE trim.
90 Auto Ireland Guide to New Cars 2017 AUTO IRELAND AND HARMONIA ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY VARIATIONS.
SEAT Alhambra
There are many seven-seat MPVs around, but few match the space, value and usefulness of the SEAT Alhambra. For the most part, its high roof and well-spaced seat rows mean that you can fi t seven full-sized adults in, unlike some MPVs where the two rearmost seats are just pop-up chairs for short journeys. Rear sliding doors make access easier while the boot, at 267 litres in seven-seat form, can be expanded right up to 2,297 litres by folding all fi ve rear seats. Its 2.0-litre TDI diesel engine makes 115hp at the base level and is more than adequate for most day-to-day journeys. A more powerful 150hp version of this engine is available, but unless you need to shave a few seconds off that 0-100kph time just stick with the 115hp engine. The optional DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission on the 150hp engine is smooth, and if your budget can stretch to the near €3,000 price premium, it makes for a worthwhile investment. Either way, the Alhambra enjoys a high driving position that off ers the driver a good view of the road, not far off that of most crossovers.
Looking for car fi nance? Visit
www.firstcitizen.ie for details
SEAT
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116
