Seat Toledo Diesel 1.4 TDI DSG Style (A) Review
07 Nov 2016|15,454 views
We've always wondered, why hasn't diesel cars caught on more in Singapore? In 2014, more than half of new cars in Europe were diesel engine cars. They are often cheaper to buy, cheaper to run, and should be attractive alternatives to their petrol counterparts.
In Singapore, diesel admitedly has a bad rep. It's often associated with commercial vehicles and taxis. But carmakers are now churning out diesel models with remarkably refined powertrains and adept handling dynamics. It is, thus, slightly puzzling that more drivers haven't given diesel models a shot.
Since we're on the topic of embracing new things, how about a new brand too - Seat. This Spanish brand has returned to Singapore after a 13 year hiatus, and is making a strong push to expand brand awareness.
Sharp lines running across the car's body give it a sleek and dynamic look
What's that got anything to do with this car?
Well, simply put, this car is a Seat and a diesel, which is both points mentioned above. Specifically, it's the Seat Toledo, a compact sedan packing a diesel engine.
Ok, I will humour your little narrative excursion. Tell me more
Visually, it's not the most remarkable car, but it's a familiar shape for Singapore roads because it's the closest thing to a Volkswagen Jetta. In other words, this is a compact family sedan aimed at the sensible driver.
In Singapore, diesel admitedly has a bad rep. It's often associated with commercial vehicles and taxis. But carmakers are now churning out diesel models with remarkably refined powertrains and adept handling dynamics. It is, thus, slightly puzzling that more drivers haven't given diesel models a shot.
Since we're on the topic of embracing new things, how about a new brand too - Seat. This Spanish brand has returned to Singapore after a 13 year hiatus, and is making a strong push to expand brand awareness.
What's that got anything to do with this car?
Well, simply put, this car is a Seat and a diesel, which is both points mentioned above. Specifically, it's the Seat Toledo, a compact sedan packing a diesel engine.
Ok, I will humour your little narrative excursion. Tell me more
Visually, it's not the most remarkable car, but it's a familiar shape for Singapore roads because it's the closest thing to a Volkswagen Jetta. In other words, this is a compact family sedan aimed at the sensible driver.
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With a wheelbase of 2,602mm, the interior is relatively spacious with good legroom for all passengers. The Toledo also ranks high on functionality - the rear features a hatchback tailgate, which conveniently opens up to a generous 550-litre boot.
The interior looks…dated
This generation model was first launched in 2013, and it's not new to the global automotive market. It is new in Singapore, but that's mostly due to the brand having recently re-entering our market.
While the infotainment system is recognisably Volkswagen on the inside of the car, the dials on the centre console appear otherwise. Beyond that, the interior is a tidy and sensible place to be in.
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So, that diesel engine then. Convince me
The raw numbers may not blow you away - a fairly paltry 89bhp. However, thanks to turbocharging technology, the engine kicks out a mighty 230Nm of torque, available from just 1,750rpm. Combined with the fact that the car has been put through a diet program and weighs in at just 1,255kg, the car actually feels remarkably fast on the road. The low end kick of the 1.4-litre engine is strong, and it pulls nicely to get you up to the road's speed limit.
Unfortunately, it isn't the most refined diesel engine out there. The lack of refinement is most notable in first and second gear, where you can hear the mechanical churning of the engine at work. However, get past 50km/h and the engine noise does fade into the background.
The engine pumps out a healthy 230Nm of torque, allowing for brisk and easy acceleration
The ride is on the sportier side, but it's never uncomfortable. The Toledo also holds up well through bends. While it may not be terribly exciting, it corners in a sure-footed manner.
The raw numbers may not blow you away - a fairly paltry 89bhp. However, thanks to turbocharging technology, the engine kicks out a mighty 230Nm of torque, available from just 1,750rpm. Combined with the fact that the car has been put through a diet program and weighs in at just 1,255kg, the car actually feels remarkably fast on the road. The low end kick of the 1.4-litre engine is strong, and it pulls nicely to get you up to the road's speed limit.
Unfortunately, it isn't the most refined diesel engine out there. The lack of refinement is most notable in first and second gear, where you can hear the mechanical churning of the engine at work. However, get past 50km/h and the engine noise does fade into the background.
The ride is on the sportier side, but it's never uncomfortable. The Toledo also holds up well through bends. While it may not be terribly exciting, it corners in a sure-footed manner.
The car also comes standard with a decent amount of modern technology, including cruise control and tiredness recognition. Fuel economy returns also prove to be heartening. Even with an unsteady foot, we managed to do 19.6km/L.
If your right foot is feeling tired, you can let the cruise control do the work for you
Hmmm, I'm still not fully convinced
We feared as much. The Seat Toledo is the sort of car that typical Singaporean car buyers will shy away from - it's from a relatively unknown brand, it sports a diesel engine, and it is an unproven entity.
But our time with the car has made us realise that such misgivings may be unwarranted. The Toledo is a practical family car that is sprightly and easy to drive, and is also priced very competitively against its segment rivals.
It is when we go ahead and tackle uncertainty with an open mind that we walk away truly surprised. And you know what, the Toledo may just be the surprise you are searching for.
Hmmm, I'm still not fully convinced
We feared as much. The Seat Toledo is the sort of car that typical Singaporean car buyers will shy away from - it's from a relatively unknown brand, it sports a diesel engine, and it is an unproven entity.
But our time with the car has made us realise that such misgivings may be unwarranted. The Toledo is a practical family car that is sprightly and easy to drive, and is also priced very competitively against its segment rivals.
It is when we go ahead and tackle uncertainty with an open mind that we walk away truly surprised. And you know what, the Toledo may just be the surprise you are searching for.
We've always wondered, why hasn't diesel cars caught on more in Singapore? In 2014, more than half of new cars in Europe were diesel engine cars. They are often cheaper to buy, cheaper to run, and should be attractive alternatives to their petrol counterparts.
In Singapore, diesel admitedly has a bad rep. It's often associated with commercial vehicles and taxis. But carmakers are now churning out diesel models with remarkably refined powertrains and adept handling dynamics. It is, thus, slightly puzzling that more drivers haven't given diesel models a shot.
Since we're on the topic of embracing new things, how about a new brand too - Seat. This Spanish brand has returned to Singapore after a 13 year hiatus, and is making a strong push to expand brand awareness.
What's that got anything to do with this car?
Well, simply put, this car is a Seat and a diesel, which is both points mentioned above. Specifically, it's the Seat Toledo, a compact sedan packing a diesel engine.
Ok, I will humour your little narrative excursion. Tell me more
Visually, it's not the most remarkable car, but it's a familiar shape for Singapore roads because it's the closest thing to a Volkswagen Jetta. In other words, this is a compact family sedan aimed at the sensible driver.
In Singapore, diesel admitedly has a bad rep. It's often associated with commercial vehicles and taxis. But carmakers are now churning out diesel models with remarkably refined powertrains and adept handling dynamics. It is, thus, slightly puzzling that more drivers haven't given diesel models a shot.
Since we're on the topic of embracing new things, how about a new brand too - Seat. This Spanish brand has returned to Singapore after a 13 year hiatus, and is making a strong push to expand brand awareness.
What's that got anything to do with this car?
Well, simply put, this car is a Seat and a diesel, which is both points mentioned above. Specifically, it's the Seat Toledo, a compact sedan packing a diesel engine.
Ok, I will humour your little narrative excursion. Tell me more
Visually, it's not the most remarkable car, but it's a familiar shape for Singapore roads because it's the closest thing to a Volkswagen Jetta. In other words, this is a compact family sedan aimed at the sensible driver.
With a wheelbase of 2,602mm, the interior is relatively spacious with good legroom for all passengers. The Toledo also ranks high on functionality - the rear features a hatchback tailgate, which conveniently opens up to a generous 550-litre boot.
The interior looks…dated
This generation model was first launched in 2013, and it's not new to the global automotive market. It is new in Singapore, but that's mostly due to the brand having recently re-entering our market.
While the infotainment system is recognisably Volkswagen on the inside of the car, the dials on the centre console appear otherwise. Beyond that, the interior is a tidy and sensible place to be in.
The interior looks…dated
This generation model was first launched in 2013, and it's not new to the global automotive market. It is new in Singapore, but that's mostly due to the brand having recently re-entering our market.
While the infotainment system is recognisably Volkswagen on the inside of the car, the dials on the centre console appear otherwise. Beyond that, the interior is a tidy and sensible place to be in.
So, that diesel engine then. Convince me
The raw numbers may not blow you away - a fairly paltry 89bhp. However, thanks to turbocharging technology, the engine kicks out a mighty 230Nm of torque, available from just 1,750rpm. Combined with the fact that the car has been put through a diet program and weighs in at just 1,255kg, the car actually feels remarkably fast on the road. The low end kick of the 1.4-litre engine is strong, and it pulls nicely to get you up to the road's speed limit.
Unfortunately, it isn't the most refined diesel engine out there. The lack of refinement is most notable in first and second gear, where you can hear the mechanical churning of the engine at work. However, get past 50km/h and the engine noise does fade into the background.
The ride is on the sportier side, but it's never uncomfortable. The Toledo also holds up well through bends. While it may not be terribly exciting, it corners in a sure-footed manner.
The raw numbers may not blow you away - a fairly paltry 89bhp. However, thanks to turbocharging technology, the engine kicks out a mighty 230Nm of torque, available from just 1,750rpm. Combined with the fact that the car has been put through a diet program and weighs in at just 1,255kg, the car actually feels remarkably fast on the road. The low end kick of the 1.4-litre engine is strong, and it pulls nicely to get you up to the road's speed limit.
Unfortunately, it isn't the most refined diesel engine out there. The lack of refinement is most notable in first and second gear, where you can hear the mechanical churning of the engine at work. However, get past 50km/h and the engine noise does fade into the background.
The ride is on the sportier side, but it's never uncomfortable. The Toledo also holds up well through bends. While it may not be terribly exciting, it corners in a sure-footed manner.
The car also comes standard with a decent amount of modern technology, including cruise control and tiredness recognition. Fuel economy returns also prove to be heartening. Even with an unsteady foot, we managed to do 19.6km/L.
Hmmm, I'm still not fully convinced
We feared as much. The Seat Toledo is the sort of car that typical Singaporean car buyers will shy away from - it's from a relatively unknown brand, it sports a diesel engine, and it is an unproven entity.
But our time with the car has made us realise that such misgivings may be unwarranted. The Toledo is a practical family car that is sprightly and easy to drive, and is also priced very competitively against its segment rivals.
It is when we go ahead and tackle uncertainty with an open mind that we walk away truly surprised. And you know what, the Toledo may just be the surprise you are searching for.
Hmmm, I'm still not fully convinced
We feared as much. The Seat Toledo is the sort of car that typical Singaporean car buyers will shy away from - it's from a relatively unknown brand, it sports a diesel engine, and it is an unproven entity.
But our time with the car has made us realise that such misgivings may be unwarranted. The Toledo is a practical family car that is sprightly and easy to drive, and is also priced very competitively against its segment rivals.
It is when we go ahead and tackle uncertainty with an open mind that we walk away truly surprised. And you know what, the Toledo may just be the surprise you are searching for.
Car Information
SEAT Toledo Diesel 1.4 TDI DSG Style (A)
CAT A|Diesel|25.6km/L
Horsepower
66kW (89 bhp)
Torque
230 Nm
Acceleration
11.8sec (0-100km /hr)
This model is no longer being sold by local distributor
All Used SEAT Toledo Diesel
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