The Altea is a large five seat people carrier. The car delivers excellent passenger space and maximum cargo space as well. The Altea comes with several choices of engines and offers good levels of standard equipment which will varies depending on which model you go for and whether or not you are getting a new or second hand Seat Altea.
The Altea is biased toward comfort and three adults can sit comfortably in the back seats with leg and headroom to spare. The rear seats slide to give either more legroom or additional boot space.
All models come well equipped. Both diesel engine options are excellent but the 1.9TDI is the best overall choice available. It reaches 0-60mph in approximately 11 seconds.
The Altea offers a good driving experience and is one of the best cars to drive in its class. The car delivers a sportier ride with responsive steering and little body-roll. The car also boasts an exceptionally fast gear changing system.
The car offers an impressive range of safety. That is likely to be a big selling point for family buyers. Family buyers will also like the versatility that the Altea offers. Many buyers will be attracted to the car as an all-round impressive package. Visibility could be better but that is a small annoyance with an otherwise great vehicle.
Practicality
The Altea is an affordable family car. It offers excellent value for the money. Insurance rates should be low and resale values should be fairly high. The diesel engine options are the more economical choice and will help to sustain resale values.
The car offers loads of cabin space. The cabin provides a versatile seating arrangement and can be switched around to provide more legroom and passenger space or more cargo space. The boot is a decent size and accommodates most family related items.
The car’s controls and dials are logically placed and of a good quality. The driver’s seat is adjustable and finding a comfortable position shouldn’t be an issue. The steering-wheel adjusts for reach and rake and finding a comfortable position shouldn’t be a problem.
The cabin is extremely comfortable. The Altea’s seats are supportive and comfortable even on longer journeys. Engine and road noise are well suppressed and the cabin is a quiet and relaxing place to be.
The car provides excellent accessibility. The doors open widely and both the front and rear seats are easily accessible. Most passengers shouldn’t have any trouble gaining access or egressing the car’s cabin.
The Altea is an easy car to park. Visibility is somewhat limited and parking sensors would be wise from the options list. The steering is easy and the car handles well making parking fairly easy.
Life Style
The Altea provides a much sportier ride and feel than its rivals. For a people carrier the ride is quite impressive. Steering and handling are excellent, but the car is biased toward comfort, and it delivers.
The Altea is a great family car. It boasts an attractive exterior design and high levels of interior comfort. Passenger space is good all-round and boot space is more than adequate. The car’s versatility adds to its practicality and allows for more cargo carrying space. The car is rated highly for safety and the car could easily withstand the rigors of family life.
This is an unlikely first car. It is much too large and too expensive for what most first time car buyers need. The car is sportier than its rivals, but it is not sporty in the way that younger buyers like their first car to be. The car is not likely to appeal to many newly licensed drivers.
SEAT is seen as the sportier wing of the Volkswagen Group. The Altea isn’t really sporty like a sports car, but it does seem well-made and modern. As Seat’s quality continues to increase its sales continue to increase.
Security and Safety
The car’s standard security features include remote central locking, a security alarm and an engine immobiliser. Since the Altea is not likely to be high priority on a thieves list of cars; this should be adequate security.
The car comes with an impressive amount of safety kit. The car includes six airbags, ABS, emergency brake assist and traction control. The car comes with one of the highest levels of safety in its class.
The Finishing Touches
The car’s standard audio unit includes a radio/CD unit with MP3 compatibility. The unit is easy to use and produces good sound quality.
Summary
The 1.9 tDI is a great choice, providing 105bhp. The SEAT Altea is not likely to breakdown or be otherwise disappointing. The car is well-equipped, provides a smooth and comfortable ride and in diesel form is economical to run. The SEAT network is widespread and finding a good dealer shouldn’t be too difficult. Buyers will appreciate all the SEAT has to offer.