2008 SEAT Altea XL reviews

SEAT Altea XL Stylance 1.9 TDI 2008

This my third VAG Tdi and my second SEAT. I continue to be impressed by the VAG build quality and the road holding of the XL is surprisingly good. The suspension may be too firm for some and the rear seats when folded do not result in a flat loadspace. What I do not understand is why the performance and emission and economy of the PD engine is such a backward step from the previous 1.9 TDI with conventional injectors. The 105bhp engine provides mediocre performance in the XL which is further reduced to poor performance and thirsty motoring if the climate control is used. The tailgate on mine gets covered with sooty specs which is due to the marginal combustion caused by fundamentally poor fully computerised EGR control - inexcusable on a modern diesel! Add to this the fact that the cambelt, in common with all VAG PD engines, requires changing every 3/4 years and you may think twice before you decide to own one. This car required a new dual mass flywheel and clutch at 8k (under warranty) which is also another component like the second rate climate control compressor with built in failure. My vehicle has only done 15K and I’m disappointed. My two previous VAG vehicles, a Toledo and an Octavia were better performers, were much quieter and used far less fuel. Oh and you will need fully synthetic oil in the PD at £8 a litre.