Tech things up a notch

EAT has given its Ateca SUV a mid-life refresh, bolstering its appeal with an updated look and more technology than before.

First released in 2016, the Ateca was one of the car maker’s first SUV models and has now been joined by Tarraco and Arona models. Popular from the off, more than 300,000 units have been sold since it launched – with 35,000 in the UK alone.

Now, it’s been updated for 2020. Redesigned front and rear bumpers make it 18mm longer than the car it replaces, but it remains just as wide. A new front grille has been added, and the full-LED headlamps have been redesigned as well.

Around the back, the Ateca gets dynamic ‘sweeping’ indicators and new exhaust pipe covers. One of the most notable touches is the inclusion of the Ateca nameplate in a handwriting-style font, similar to that seen on the new Leon.

A new trim level – Xperience – replaces previous top-spec Xcellence adding black bumpers front and rear, aluminium effect side mouldings and bodycoloured wheel arch surrounds.

Inside, the infotainment system – available in 8.25-inch or 9.2-inch – has been upgraded and repositioned for easier use.

The steering wheel has a fresh look too, and the voice recognition system is woken by the driver saying ‘hola hola’. Apple CarPlay and Android are included as standard.

There is also a new coldweather windscreen heating system which allows it to be defrosted almost immediately thanks to an invisible layer.

The Ateca’s safety levels have been bolstered thanks to the inclusion of a range of driver assistance systems such as predictive adaptive cruise control, pre-crash assist and an updated emergency assist which can bring the car to a complete stop if it deems the driver unresponsive.

Five petrol engines will be available, from a turbocharged 1.0-litre unit, through 1.5-litres and ending with a 2.0-litre engine, with all-wheel-drive.

There’s just one diesel available – a 2.0-litre unit – though there are two states of tune, and it can be linked to either a six-speed manual or DSG dual-clutch automatic gearbox.