2022 Seat Ateca review – is this updated family SUV now the BEST around? | What Car?

The Seat Ateca has always been a very good family SUV. But does a fresh update now make it the out-and-out best one that you can buy?

There's plenty of competition, like the VW Tiguan and Skoda Karoq to name just a couple. Watch to find out exactly how good it is, how it compares to its rivals and what versions you should buy if you do decide to go for one.




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[lorrainejohnson]

I owned the FR previously and it was fun and nifty. Now have experience which is even better and comfortable. Worth the money

[rbabusrisaisakthi]

Straight forward installation. It has the anchors on the sides and the top to tether it to the seat as well as a lock for the seatbelt. I’m using it for my toddler and he likes it! Feels sturdy and looks nice.

[henrygingold]

Wireless Android Auto is available on this car, I use it every day. I've had mine for six months and I can honestly say it's the nicest car I have ever owned and it's no slouch either. Put your foot down on a long straight road and you'll think you've been shot out of a canon.

[santipolo]

There are issues across much of the Seat range at the moment primarily around the auto drive element. Seat have been aware of this all of 2021 and say they are still working on it. Let me detail the issues which are mainly geography related. You see, the Seat is not made in the UK, it is made where they drive on the right and that's great except that their software guys didn't quite get around to finishing the right hand drive conversion of the software. It will recognise that the speed limit is 60mph but then, it drops back into Euro mode, applies the breaks and gets the car down to 37 mph because, in it's little chipset, you should now be doing 60kph, It will do this randomly across the speed range. We are not talking about a speed warning here, it actively applies the breaks, noticeably so, If you happen to be overtaking at the time, be prepared to take over rapidly. Another of the annoyances which, can be dangerous, is that on overtaking a message comes up that one should not 'under' take and the breaks are again applied. This is when overtaking someone on the right as we are supposed to do here in the UK. I have the 2021 Ateca Xcellence Lux but the dealership assures me (they're very honest with me now) that this across the Ateca range. I can also say, because I had one as a courtesy car, that the Arona does the overtaking thing too. The dealership said that the Leon may do something weird too but he wouldn't elaborate on that. One other little thing happened the other day. Entering a car park at around 20mph (appropriate for that location), car picks up an invisible 'something' and did an emergency stop. Thankfully, the driver behind me also slammed his brakes on but, it's problematic to say, in the event of a collision, sorry, my car did it.

Seat have no plans to warn buyers of these faults. One dealership in Northampton denied they even existed 'after' I demonstrated them to him.

The guidance seems to be, turn these features off!

By the way, on the Ateca, the virtual pedal to open the boot is appalling. You will likely be waving your foot around for an age before you trigger the sweet spot (somewhere over to the right) by which time you will have wished you just opened the tailgate some other way.

[MrZiffos]

Ordered a XPerience Lux 1.5 petrol DSG exactly in this colour. Looking forward to giving it a go.

[maltainu]

I love how they made the se technology with a 1.0l engine meaning i am eligible to get one as an under 25 mobility car. So i get the option now to have a comfy suv which is better for my mobility car as it sits higher meaning it makes it easier for me to get in and out of.

[inhumandescent]

Had mine for 2 years now - water pump failure recently. Overall very practical family car - positives: spacious, ride height, good nav/stereo, seats comfy. Negatives: awful suspension (mines 17 inch wheels on an SE so should be ok but it judders and rattles over road surfaces), plastics in the cabin other than dash bit cheap, seat material is awful - marks easily and feels really nasty, no front sensors, no auto rain, no auto wipe. Overall a good car that in higher spec's is better. Boring to drive though !

[jbc]

at last a car reviewer who doesnt try to talk like clarkson.

[RogueRiderUk]

Just a correction.... both Apple Car Play and Android Auto are wireless on the facelift models. As long as you have the up to date Android software

[scenic]

I’ve just taken delivery of a 1.5 Experience Lux Auto. Absolutely love it so far. I trust it will be as reliable as the Arona FR Sport Red Edition that it has replaced.

[MrZiffos]

Had mine nearly 3 years and love it. Cupra Ateca next for me.

[thomash]

How is it that an ultra-modern medium-sized family car only gets 37mpg? I get 32 from a 20-year-old petrol S-Class that is 400kg heavier and 70hp more powerful... Today’s cars should do far far better than that.

[sarax]

I had a brand new Ateca 2019-2020 and from a few days of having the car the infotainment system kept turning off and not working until you switch the car on and off sometimes once or twice or thrice. I lived with it then the accelerator stopped working when turning but that happened to be a once off then the glove box wouldn’t stay in and kept coming down and then the breaks would squeak and the wipers would make noise when working and this all happened on a factory fresh and I got annoyed as SEAT couldn’t find a fault! Unfortunately I gave it back even though I absolutely hated giving it back :(

[Pipsicle]

You are right to point out the options. The Karoq and Tiguan have a range of them whereas SEAT has a take it or leave it approach with its trims these days. Shame really. Also worth mentioning that the foldable/removable seats in the back of the Karoq rob leg and head room. The Ateca is much roomier in the back with a normal bench.

[MOSSFEEN]

90% of sales are diesels here in Ireland Diesel is still a HUGE SELLER here in all brands

[lucykinski]

This is a fantastic review and would like you to review all cars pls buddy 😅

[malph]

I still can't get to grips with square wheel arches over round some square wheels!

[blackimp]

the 1.5 tsi version is the lightest as well. it weights as a golf. this is a great point in favour of that engine. I detest suvs but Ateca is one of the very few I'd buy

[julieswift]

Is the slide out towbar Alko compatible??

[dr]

I've got wireless android auto. Not sure why you said "wired android auto"