Best of frenemies

TWO CARS WITH VERY DIFFERENT ANSWERS TO THE FAMILY CAR PROBLEM. BOTH NEW TO THE TG GARAGE

Several of my colleagues drove the Ateca before I even saw it, let alone got behind the wheel myself. And I had to fight each and every one of them for the keys. That’s how popular Seat’s new SUV has proved already. So, no surprises that it’s won a category in this Best Cars issue (see page 140).

Having a long-term car that the ofce loves is a double-edged sword; you’re either duelling for the keys or listening to how great everyone thinks the car is. I prefer the latter. And coincidentally it’s what I’m about to do right now...

What you see here is a Seat Ateca Xcellence 2.0 TDI 4Drive 150PS in Passion Red paint with the Seat sound system and Exclusive alloy wheels – the whole lot costing a total of £30,700. More signifcantly, though, what you see here is the new leader in the small SUV class. Move over, Qashqai, move over, Tiguan – the Ateca has arrived!

So, I hear you ask, how and why has it leapt to the top of the crossover ladder? What’s so special about it? First: it drives a lot like a Leon, which is to say a lot like a sporty hatch and not a lot like a hoicked-up crossover. Second: it looks and feels like an exciting and premium vehicle. And third: it’s got the seal of approval from some seriously hard-nosed motoring journalists who are notoriously difcult to please.

My frst impressions are, shock horror, really positive. It’s easy to drive and comfortable both through town and on the motorway. (To the colleagues who have complained that the ride over speed bumps is unforgiving, I say, just slow down, there’s a reason there are speed bumps there in the frst place...) It’s defnitely fast enough. It’s got a lot of space and plenty of storage throughout the cabin. It looks great. It ticks all the boxes for a family vehicle. And it has really cool puddle lighting...

The next six months will tell whether the Ateca deserves its place at the top of its class, and we’re looking forward to putting Seat’s newest ofering through its paces.