We are with Seat Ateca.
This is one of the models you have been wondering about and wished for.
I know this because you have been writing under every video and to all my social media outlets that you want me to test Ateca.
I have shared your wishes with Seat Turkey Officials and they took them into account and gave me this Ateca test car first time in Turkey.
However, we have only today to test Ateca and weather outside is terrible, the worst day of this year if you ask me.
It is very cold and it has been raining all day without stopping and it is turning to sleet now
but I am enjoying myself because I am behind the steering wheel of Ateca and this place is quite comfortable.
I am impatient to share the details of the car.
Let’s start if you are ready.
As usual, let me start to tell you about the design of Ateca.
As you know, Seat brand is VW Group’s sportive brand.
You observe difference between Tiguan and Ateca that share same infrastructure, as Tiguan is more demure crossover while Ateca is more sportive and youthful.
From front, Ateca looks a lot as Leon.
Even though grill is larger, headlamps is similar to Leon.
From sides Ateca appears to be same in dimensions as Tiguan whose DNA it carries and looks like a hatch back with high ground clearance.
Rear appears to have plainer lines compared to front.
Even though taillights added sharpness and movement, front definitely is more attention grabbing.
I can say that I have liked Ateca’s outer design.
What do you think about Ateca’s design?
I would love it if you click here and indicate.
Let us look at interior.
If you close your eyes when you sit in driver seat of Ateca you feel as if you are driving a Tiguan but when you look around you feel as if you are inside Leon.
I can say that Ateca is a cross between Tiguan and Leon.
Firstly, let me tell you about quality of materials that you are curious about.
On top soft plastics and at lower hard plastic is used but a comparison has to be made here.
The same materials are also used in Tiguan except at door upholsteries but even though it is harder in Ateca it does not feel lacking.
In matter of small item cubicles, Ateca satisfy expectations.
Here in front of gear lever there is an area where you can put your wallet and mobile and further more you can charge your phone here without cable.
Behind gear lever, there are two cup-holders and a medium size armrest.
In Tiguan there was a lidded cubicle over mid console and near steering wheel, which are not offered in Ateca.
Analog displays are same as current Leon and as ghost displays are going to be added to Leon suggests that it will definitely be in this car too.
Under your hand there is an eight inches touch screen multimedia.
As this is top equipment level car this is offered, I don’t know what kind of screen the others have but this one is very easy to use and its sensitivity is good
but as I have said in Leon test its working speed is unfortunately not very fast.
Living space offered at rear seats is quite good.
Very good knee and headroom is offered even when roof is a bit lowered.
Due to wide windows rear is very specious.
Not bad living is offered to middle seat passenger but because of transmission hump their feet would not be very comfortable.
Let me tell you some features that are in Tiguan and not in Ateca.
For example, you would remember that there were trays behind the front seats of Tiguan that are unfortunately not offered in Ateca.
Further more you were able to slide rear seats of Tiguan to and fro for larger boot and incline back of seats for better journey that is also not in Ateca.
Therefore although not to be under estimated 485 liters loading capacity is offered it cannot be increased but still satisfies expectations of compact crossover class.
Let us consider engine and driving features of Ateca.
Under the bonnet of this car 1.4 liters turbo charge TSI engine is functioning.
This engine develops exactly 150 HP and 250 Nm of torque and in test car used with 7-speed double clutch automatic gearbox.
You do know this engine as I have tested it in Tiguan and Leon FR previously and shared it, therefore I will not mention too much detail
Performance-wise it is quite good.
It does justice to its power.
Engine works in harmony with gearbox.
It never bothers you on roads like this but on slopes it sometimes can be coy upshifting.
Especially on second or third ratio while it upshift at 2000-2500 rpm, on slopes it waits until 3000 even 4000 rpm making it necessary to intervene manually
as engine noise increases to uncomfortable level.
The reason probably is because of the weight of the car gearbox might think that torque would not be enough and therefore not choose higher gears.
When you manually intervene and shift to higher gear, if slope is increasing you may not reach the desired speed.
This car is front wheel drive but you can purchase it with 4-wheel drive system.
Seat calls 4-wheel drive system 4Drive.
To tell the truth, I don’t know if there is a necessity for 4-wheel drive system because if I were to buy this car I would not seek 4-wheel drive system.
I have told you about performance but what about fuel consumption?
I am aware this is one of the things you wonder about.
Let me share my views.
I have got this car yesterday and have been driving it for one and a half day non-stop for you.
I have covered 125 km and trip computer indicates 8.2 liters fuel consumption averages.
This value for a car of this size is in my opinion very good.
Of course, I have to mention that to achieve this value, Active Cylinder Close Technology called ACT has a great share.
As now when I take my foot from the throttle going down hill, 2 of the 4 cylinders are excluded and as there is no firing thus lower fuel consumption.
Now it is time for driving features of Ateca.
I have told you at start that Ateca is sportive cousin of Tiguan.
This will show itself more clearly in driving features.
For example, in Ateca you can choose from this command unit behind gear lever Eco or Normal or Sport or Personalized mode and advance.
I have driven mostly on Normal mode because
when Eco is selected, to economize in situations like this, gearbox disengages and when throttle is pressed again required ratio is engaged.
When you lift your foot it disengages again.
If you remember, I have mentioned this in Seat Alhambra test and unfortunately Alhambra had no cutout system
but as modes can be selected in this car means that only ones who wish to would use it.
I should point out that I clearly would not much prefer Eco mode.
For example, when you choose Sport mode, let me show you from here, steering as well as engine and cruise control get on Sport mode but in addition
if you like you can follow from main screen, pressure of the torque, G force and torque that pleases the eye in this type of sportive drive.
Ateca’s road handling is good.
Suspensions are adjusted well and steering responds very well, I liked it.
It definitely makes you feel as if you are driving a hatchback instead of crossover with a high ground clearance.
About suspension comfort, I did not find any difference from Tiguan in my one and a half day drive but if I have to critic, it is a bit firmer than Tiguan.
Its insulation is not bad but there is torrential rain at the moment and you probably hear it.
But this has nothing to do with Ateca.
In these road conditions, whichever car you drive at 100km/h speed, you assuredly will hear this rain noise.
If I have to evaluate generally there is definitely no discomforting noise in the interior of Ateca.
You can have cruise control in Ateca by extra payment.
A useful safety feature and the system works successfully.
Another thing you have wondered about Ateca was its price.
You have asked why Ateca is sold cheaper compared to Tiguan in overseas but why is the difference in Turkey is too little.
Before the test I have compared prices and equipment.
Top equipment level Xcellence of this car is 120.000 TL but Tiguan’s top equipment level Highline is 143.000 TL.
In my opinion 23.000TL is quite a big difference.
If we view further, lower level Ateca Style is 112.000 TL while Tiguan Comfort Line is 122.000 TL.
Here the difference is 10.000 TL.
Frankly speaking, I don’t know what kind of price difference there should be in your heads but I feel like I am driving a Tiguan with Seat insignia
and to be able to buy it 10.000-20.000 TL cheaper reveals that Ateca is a very successful model.
I think Ateca will be best selling model after Leon.
It may even surpass Leon in the long run.
That is all I have to say about Ateca and I hope you liked the test we have performed at restricted time and tough conditions.
If there are any enquiries or anything you think missing please don’t hesitate to leave a comment under the video.
I read them all.
I also know that you like me to test Skoda Kodiaq just as Seat Ateca and waiting impatiently but unfortunately Skoda Turkey officials are not aware of this.
Therefore, if you write that you want Skoda Kodiaq test under the video, I will share it with Skoda Turkey officials
and with favorable return from them will test it at the shortest possible time.
See you.