SEAT Altea road tests and consumer car reviews

SEAT Altea 2007

I think this car is very comfortable, really smooth on the road and high, that gaves you more view around you. I love my car. Every car I’ve had before was a SEAT, but the Altea XL is the best, lots of room in the front and back. The boot is great.

SEAT Altea Reference Sport TDI 2007

I have a Altea Reference Sport 1.9 Diesel which is now just over 3 years old, having purchased the car from new. Only problems I have had with this car is a water leak in the front nearside footwell. According to my local Seat dealer this is quite common place but luckily it was sorted out under warranty in the third year. However the dealer took over a week to trace the leak! And finally, the stitching on the front seats started to pull away, this was also replaced under warranty on 2 separate occasions! Generally, the car has been very realiable with no mechanical problems. Obviously with the Ref Sport the suspension is very hard and the engine noisier then other diesels but would I buy again? Short answer, Yes!

Responses to this review

I have just found the same in my 58 Freetrack 4 with squidgy feet for the passengers. What was the cause of your leak, Peter? - Dan Coxon from Devon

SEAT Altea 2.0 TDI DSG 2006

Very good performance and roomy. Good handling a little too harsh ride poor vision due to large windscreen pillars. Bad flat spot when entering a junction on the turn. Only one remote key supplied.

SEAT Altea 2.O DIESEL DSG 2006

Excellent performance and handling. Harsh ride on some surfaces. Needs a light foot at low speeds to avoid a jerky gear change. Wind screen pillars badly obstruct view. Some flat spots when momentarily stoping then trying to pull away quickly. All round a delight to drive. Good economy.

SEAT Altea Reference Sport 2007

Great handling but very hard ride due to the sport suspension. Visibilty also a problem as front windscreen pillars obstruct forward vision. Very practical with a good size boot and additional storage under the boot floor. Seats are excellent and very supportive front and back. I have the 1.9 tdi version which pulls strongly but is quite noisy, but if driven carefully can achieve 50mpg plus on a run. Overall very plesed with the car and have covered 40000 miles in just over two years with very few problems.

SEAT Altea 2.0 DSG 2007

I have had two Altea’s and loved both. I am about to own a Altea XL, which is currently in transit from Spain. After reading your revue I cant wait. !! It can only be better.

SEAT Altea Altea XL Stylance 1.9Tdi (PD) 2008

The performance and economy of the 1.9PD engine in the Altea XL are poor compared with the previous VAG 110bhp TDI unit which was also quieter and cleaner. My vehicle is silver (or Lunar Grey as SEAT like to call it) and collecting soot particles on the tailgate were an unexpected surprise. When using the climate control the vehicle is sluggish and thirsty. An average 48mpg for a vehicle of this size will please, unless you are used to better, but you will need a very soft right foot to obtain it and this doesn’t make exciting driving. The firm suspension of the Stylance version inspires confidence but sacrifices comfort for a joggy ride. The interior is practical and rattle free and of good quality. The generous underfloor storage in the boot is a useful bonus. The ’entertainment centre’ is poor, the CD only accepts single discs and the volume control gets easily moved when changing gear. The gear ratios on the 5-speed model result in engine noise in the cabin, this is a pity because lower engine rpm in a diesel engined vehicle makes for more relaxed and economic driving. It’s a well specified vehicle for the money but several cheap shortcuts like leaving the acoustic cover off the engine and not fitting a decent CD player are disappointing. The doors also have no protective strip so don’t park at the supermarket unless you can accept paint damage on the body. Is there no rain in Spain on the plain? You may be surprised to find that there are no rain channels on the front wings, I was, cheap and poorly designed construction - why? This means that in wet weather rain enters the engine compartment through the gap between the wings and the bonnet and settles on electrical connections. I like the style of the SEAT Altea XL - whether I keep it long enough for it to become a loved vehicle will need much more mileage.

SEAT Altea XL - 1.9 TDI Stylance 5dr 2006

This car has an amazing amount of load space, its like a Tardis! Really nice car to drive and not bad looking either. Good mpg. A good all rounder, but not the most exciting drive of your life. Very good value for money though.

SEAT Altea 1.9 TDi Stylance 5dr 2006

Great family car. Excellent mpg and low running costs. Tons of space and very comfortable for family of four. Gives a respectable drive and resale values are good. Can’t fault it.

SEAT Altea 2.0 TDI diesel 2007

According to EuroNCap, this is a safe as a car can be. Traction control, anti-lock brakes, six airbags and ISOFIX child seat mountings is why this is arguably THE SAFEST car available. The drive is powerful and smooth. The quality of the interior and exterior are high. The equipment is also quality and fuel economy and good insurance groups make this a sound option. This is not the cheapest car of its type but you certainly get what you pay for. Brilliant.