What We Like
Sporty looks
Handles well for an SUV
Comes standard with features such as Active Cruise Control and 360-degree camera
What We Dislike
Ride may be too firm for some
The Seat Ateca is available in Singapore with three different trims, and all will come with the 1.4 TSI (turbocharged 1.4-litre) engine. The Xcellence trim that we tested here sits between the entry-level Style and the top-of-the-line FR trim, and it proves to offer the best of both worlds with its looks and features.
The Ateca shares the same platform as the Volkswagen Tiguan and the Skoda KodiaqSeat's design language extends to the Ateca, with its sharp, accentuated lines that carry over from the exterior to the interior. The front end coupled with the full-LED head lights reminds us a lot of one of our favorites from the Seat stable, the Leon Cupra. Compared to the bold-looking Tiguan, the Ateca presents a much cleaner and sportier look.
Is it a Volkswagen?
Based off VW's MQB chassis, the Ateca shares the same platform as the Volkswagen Tiguan and the Skoda Kodiaq.
Unsurprisingly then, the Ateca also runs the group-familiar 1.4-litre TSI (Volkswagen speak for its direct-injection turbocharged engines). But what's different is that it comes with the six-speed 'wet-clutch' DSG box, instead of the usual seven-speeder, due to its all-wheel drive layout.
The Ateca carries a sportier look compared to its siblings on the same platformWhat this means is that the Ateca is geared towards both efficiency and all-terrain abilities. However, it actually offers far more than just that. It also offers a whole lot of other features, and practicality, too.
What does it offer then?
The interior is properly laid out and well-thought, with all buttons and features within easy reach. It is oddly familiar, if you spend enough time in cars from the Volkswagen Group. The Ateca comes with Seat's Full Link connectivity suite through an 8.0-inch infotainment display, which comes as standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Switchgear in the interior is properly laid out and within easy reachAside from connectivity options such as Bluetooth and USB ports, it also comes with wireless charging, with a nice and deep stowaway to place your phone in to charge. The infotainment system, like the Cupra, also comes with a Sport display menu, which has a lap timer as well as turbo boost readings.
One cool feature that the Xcellence trim comes with is the 360-degree view monitor. Termed 'Area View' by Seat, it is aided by cameras strategically located below the wing mirrors, as well as the front and rear of the car.
Is it a Volkswagen?
Based off VW's MQB chassis, the Ateca shares the same platform as the Volkswagen Tiguan and the Skoda Kodiaq.
Unsurprisingly then, the Ateca also runs the group-familiar 1.4-litre TSI (Volkswagen speak for its direct-injection turbocharged engines). But what's different is that it comes with the six-speed 'wet-clutch' DSG box, instead of the usual seven-speeder, due to its all-wheel drive layout.
What does it offer then?
The interior is properly laid out and well-thought, with all buttons and features within easy reach. It is oddly familiar, if you spend enough time in cars from the Volkswagen Group. The Ateca comes with Seat's Full Link connectivity suite through an 8.0-inch infotainment display, which comes as standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
One cool feature that the Xcellence trim comes with is the 360-degree view monitor. Termed 'Area View' by Seat, it is aided by cameras strategically located below the wing mirrors, as well as the front and rear of the car.
It has many viewing angles, one which allows you swipe to look around the car. The Ateca is not an SUV that is hard to look out of, but the feature is especially useful while making manoeuvres around tight spaces.
The cameras offer excellent visibility around the car, especially in tight areas
How does it drive?
Although the 1,476kg car feels slightly underpowered, it's by no means a slouch. Thanks to the DSG's quick response to throttle inputs, as well as its 250Nm of torque, acceleration is brisk. Floor it and the Ateca will complete the century sprint in 8.9 seconds, and on to a top speed of 189km/h.
It's no sports car around corners, but it certainly holds itself well compared to the Hyundai Tucson, the Nissan Qashqai and the Toyota RAV4. Body roll is not as pronounced as you'd expect an SUV to be, and the nicely-upholstered sport Alcantara seats prevents you from sliding about.
The Ateca shows its fun side with the Sport information display, which includes a G-meterThe suspension is firm but forgiving, and if you like driving, the Ateca allows for predictable enthusiastic driving in an SUV package.
Driving modes is also easily toggled via a knob on the centre console. In Individual, it allows you to customise each setting to your preferred driving style. With Eco drive mode selected, the Ateca allows for the gearbox to be disengaged from the drivetrain for coasting when you get off the throttle. In light throttle situations, the engine shuts off two cylinders to save fuel.
Thus, during our time with the car, we managed to achieve an average of 10.1km/L. For an all-wheel drive SUV, it isn't shabby at all.
485 litres of boot space is more than sufficient for your weekly grocery shopping
Is it a practical SUV?
The Ateca doesn't fall short on practicality. With a large 485-litre boot space, you get a good amount of space for luggage and your weekly grocery shopping.
Simply put, the Ateca Xcellence comes packed with ample features as standard, whilst retaining its practicality as an SUV. More attractively, with its price of $129,400 (as of 13 July 2018), this car is a great contender amongst the other SUV offerings in Singapore.
How does it drive?
Although the 1,476kg car feels slightly underpowered, it's by no means a slouch. Thanks to the DSG's quick response to throttle inputs, as well as its 250Nm of torque, acceleration is brisk. Floor it and the Ateca will complete the century sprint in 8.9 seconds, and on to a top speed of 189km/h.
It's no sports car around corners, but it certainly holds itself well compared to the Hyundai Tucson, the Nissan Qashqai and the Toyota RAV4. Body roll is not as pronounced as you'd expect an SUV to be, and the nicely-upholstered sport Alcantara seats prevents you from sliding about.
Driving modes is also easily toggled via a knob on the centre console. In Individual, it allows you to customise each setting to your preferred driving style. With Eco drive mode selected, the Ateca allows for the gearbox to be disengaged from the drivetrain for coasting when you get off the throttle. In light throttle situations, the engine shuts off two cylinders to save fuel.
Thus, during our time with the car, we managed to achieve an average of 10.1km/L. For an all-wheel drive SUV, it isn't shabby at all.
Is it a practical SUV?
The Ateca doesn't fall short on practicality. With a large 485-litre boot space, you get a good amount of space for luggage and your weekly grocery shopping.
Simply put, the Ateca Xcellence comes packed with ample features as standard, whilst retaining its practicality as an SUV. More attractively, with its price of $129,400 (as of 13 July 2018), this car is a great contender amongst the other SUV offerings in Singapore.
