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SEAT Altea 2009 SE 1.4 TSI road test report

2009 SE 1.4 TSI

The SEAT Altea is a true chimera of the car world – part hatchback, part family car, part MPV. Trying to neatly pigeon hole the Altea is a difficult thing indeed - it is a multi-function five-door small family car, yet has enough room to seat five, and still comes with that flair and sportiness that has become the hallmark of the Spanish marque. Currently available with a choice of seven engines, spread over four trim levels, there is a Altea available for most budgets – from the entry level ‘S’ trim 1.4-litre petrol to the top-of-the-range ‘Sport’ 2.0 TDI CR derivative. The car under test was a ‘SE’ trim level Altea with an innovative 1.4 TSI petrol engine.

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Performance

The SEAT Altea we drove came with a new breed of engine which aims to combine the torque and fuel efficiency characteristics of a diesel unit with the free revving and spirited nature of a petrol engine car. The 1.4 TSI engine is also used within models from all marques that fall within the Volkswagen Group and is arguably now the most popular petrol engine choice. In truth the diesel options have recently out sold the petrol equivalent for most vehicles within the VW group simply because they were so good! The diesel achieving performance along with economy and that is a combination few buyers can pull themselves away from. The TSI engine however does a great job of trying to bring some balance back to the petrol/diesel equation. The engine offers far more torque than a conventional petrol unit and better fuel efficiency at 44.1mpg on a combined cycle. We feel that this engine will appeal to those buyers who were previously undecided about whether to switch to diesel or stay with the green pumps and will now feel they have a petrol engine they can feel good about.

Ride & Handling

We drove the SE model, which comes without the 17” alloys and sports suspension of the Sport model but we feel this version was firm enough. Tight handling is achieved through corners and the driver feels a real connection to the road through the nicely weighted steering. The Altea may not have the proportions a hot hatch or sports coupe but it does however feel remarkably willing to be pushed hard by the driver. Anyone looking for a family car that can offer them driving thrills could do a lot worse than taking a test drive in the Altea. Before you spend the extra money on the Sport though, try the SE model, apart from the exterior aesthetic benefits of larger alloy wheels that come as standard on the Sport, the SE should be entertaining enough to drive and the car looks the part anyway.

Build Quality & Reliability

There has been vast improvement in all VW Group models over recent years and this Altea was no exception to the rule. The materials used on the interior are of a nice soft touch quality whilst the fixtures and fittings look like they could belong to the VW or Audi range. There is a temptation to expect from SEAT the same quality engines from Volkswagen range but much cheaper bodywork and parts. Thankfully, with the Altea, that doesn’t seem to be the case. This model had a nicely sculpted interior that would make its Volkswagen parent proud.

Safety & Security

There are six airbags in total, two at the front, tow side and twin curtain are all standard across the Altea range, whilst cruise control, ABS and traction control system all make an appearance as driver aids. There is also a handy tyre pressure monitor gauge which will let you know if the tyres are too deflated or inflated. The Altea scored 5 stars on its NCAP test for occupant protection, with features such as the movement limited clutch pedal and brake pedal which move clear of the feet in a head on collision. The steering column is also collapsible and can not therefore move into the cockpit area. Security-wise you get immobilser, remote centrol locking with deadlocks, alarm, child locks and visible VIN number.

Space & Practicality

There is a 409 litre capacity boot which is testament to the Altea’s family car foundations and the car really does feel like a compact people carrier on the inside with the raised roof and improved ergonomics coming to the fore.

Ownership & Value

At £16,150 OTR the Altea 1.4 TSi SE definitely great value, other models with equivalent spec from different manufacturers would undoubtedly cost a fair amount more. Most buyers would probably go for the diesel option in this kind of car, before writing the cheque though they should definitely give this new petrol version a test drive.

Submitted: 23/12/2009 10:13:32

Performance

Under the bonnet of the SEAT Altea is a perky, fuel efficient 1.4 litre TSI petrol engine – but if you’re immediately thinking that this engine is bound to struggle with the size and weight of the Altea then think again. Out of the three petrol units available for the Altea, this 1.4 TSI packs the biggest punch developing 125PS. This little engine is a bit of star, with its four-cylinder, variable geometry turbocharged engine, the car offers spirited performance, good fuel economy, and relatively low CO2 emissions – for a non-diesel at least. With its combination of direct injection fuel technology and turbocharger the engine can compete with standard units of a bigger displacement. Mated to the engine is a user-friendly six-speed manual gearbox, which caused no complaints from the driver, all gears are easy to pick out and the ratios sensible. Sadly, no automatic option is available with this engine, if the two foot peddle alternative is the one you’re after you’ll have to opt for either the 1.9 TDI 105 PS or 2.0 TDI 140 PS cars. One of the first things you notice when setting off in the car is its commitment to exemplary acceleration. 200Nm of torque is available from 1,500 to 4,000 rpm making overtaking and accelerating a real doddle. At cruising speed the car remains confident and easy-going, making motorway journeys a breeze. Fuel economy figures can’t compete with diesel engines but it is still respectable enough, with a combined mpg of 44.1. This is not an especially green car, or green variant, with a CO2 figure of 152g/km placing it in Vehicle Excise Duty Band G.

Ride & Handling

Sharing much of the same underpinning technology as the sporty hatch the Leon – as well as other VW Group small family cars such as the Golf – you could be forgiven in expecting an uncompromising and firm ride. While the car does incorporate the same suspension set up the engineers at SEAT have changed its ratings to allow for a more comfortable experience. It still manages to retain enough of its sporty charm though and feels controlled on the road. The Altea also benefits from intelligent power steering – designed to help save fuel and provides steering correction when experiencing strong side winds. Handling is sharp and precise, with the tall hatchback not found wanting in comparison to the Leon.

Build Quality & Reliability

Not only does the exterior of the car ooze a sporty character but it also appears to be well put together and built to last – after all this is a VW group company and they know a thing or two about building a long lasting car. SEAT as a carmaker has benefited enormously from being able to call upon the collective wisdom of the car group with elements of the Altea taken from tried and trusted vehicles. The excellent 1.4 TSI engine is a case point, it’s a VW group developed unit found right across the range of marques, if it’s safety in numbers you’re after than you can be rest assured that this little unit is in tens of thousands of cars currently on the road. The same can be said for the platform underpinning the car; it’s based on VW’s A5 platform which is used on some of the best loved cars on UK roads – the list is as long as your arm, but the Leon, VW Golf, Audi A3, and Skoda Octavia are just some of the models which are related to the Altea. There are a couple of small issues however, firstly the A-pillars are a little on the chunky side and can obstruct your view of certain spots, whether this has anything to do with the car’s windscreen wipers starting in a vertical position is inconclusive but a small niggle all the same. Secondly, and this is purely personal taste, the satnav/infotainment menu system has an illogical structure and become a mite frustrating.

Safety & Security

One of the core markets for the SEAT Altea is obviously the young family driver, looking for space but still wanting an engaging and joyful driving experience – more than likely the supermini/hatchback brigade only now with added nippers to look after. Therefore, more important than ever to this kind of driver will be the need of a safe car, and happily the Altea doesn’t disappoint. The model was the first ever SEAT to be awarded a five star Euro NCAP score – delivering the top mark for adult occupancy. It also faired well when the crash test experts considered child protection, scoring a very respectable 4 stars, with the company commenting “The car protected its child occupants very well, while its side impact protection for the driver was very impressive.” Rolling out of the factory with six airbags as standard – two at the front, two side, and twin curtain – the front passenger seat airbag can be unarmed allowing installation of a rear facing child seat. Security on the vehicle isn’t just an after thought either with a comprehensive list of features such as remote central locking, immobiliser, alarm, locking wheel bolts, and child locks helping to ensure that the 1.4 TSI Altea has been placed in the 5E group for insurance purposes. In fact the range topping 2.0 TDI Sport variant only comes in at the 11E insurance group should mean that whatever variant you opt for insurance premiums should not be too excessive.

Space & Practicality

The reason for the cars very existence is the added space and practicality this configuration of car has over a small family car. The Altea is up against some tough opposition in this fairly niche, but growing in prominence sector of the industry, the likes of the Ford C-MAX, Peugeot 3008, and Citroen C4 Picasso are all significant competitors. Purely looking at boot space the Altea at 409 litres (expanded to a maximum of 1320 litres with rear seats down or 510 litres with the rear seats pushed as far forward as possible) comes out less than favourable than its admittedly slightly larger competitors, and here’s the rub, SEAT is pitching this against larger vehicles – the C4 Picasso is around 20cms longer and 10cms higher than the Altea so it’s a little like David verse Goliath. You will notice the additional space in the cabin however, there is a decent amount of room front and back, with the rear more than capable of sitting three children for an extended amount of time, and it should cope with three adults back there too for short/medium length journeys. The interior designers have also worked hard in ensuring that there is a number of additional small storage units (SEAT count 30!) dotted around to make best use of the space available.

Ownership & Value

The Altea 1.4 TSI SE model comes on the road for £16,150 and it does come with a long list of features as standard. A low insurance group and decent fuel economy should ensure that this isn’t a costly motor to run, while the car comes with a standard 3 year/60,000 mile warranty. Service intervals of 10,000 miles are a little miserly though. The SEAT Altea then is a very good car for people with a supermini-budget but with a requirement to maximise internal space, and the car certainly achieves this – what’s more it has enough of the Spanish enthusiasm to give a spirited performance to make the drive fun and enjoyable.

Submitted: 23/12/2009 10:01:31

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