- Olga Kokorina
- Translated by Olga Apetenok
- Ru He Fr
The first Spanish SUV
The SEAT Ateca is a five-door five-seater compact SUV produced by SEAT (Spain) since 2017. It is a compact class vehicle that can be both front- and all-wheel drive. Currently, the market offers the first generation of this model, restyled in June 2020 (as of 2021).
The first generation
It has been produced from 2016 to the present, while its restyling took place in 2020 (as of 2021). The first Ateca was distinguished by its beautiful, stylish and harmonious appearance, with a predominance of chopped shapes and sharp edges. It was impossible to miss this car due to its aggressive LED headlights and sculpted bumpers with double exhaust pipes at the rear. Another interesting element is the profile with a slightly sloping roof and dynamic sidewalls, as well as rounded-square wheel arches, accommodating spectacular 19-inch wheels.
The interior is designed in compliance with the corporate style of the Spanish brand, comprising asymmetric ventilation deflectors and the central part of the dashboard slightly turned towards the driver. The car looked attractive, laconic, but a little boring. The steering wheel had media control keys, there was a dashboard with 3.5-inch display, and a front panel comprised an 8-inch screen of the media system. The front-wheel drive versions of the SUV had a trunk volume of 510 liters, while the all-wheel drive versions offered 485 liters.
The range of power trains included a 1.0-liter FSI turbocharged petrol engine (3 cylinders, 115 hp) and a 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine (150 hp). The diesel range included three turbocharged TDI engines: 1.6 liters and two 2.0 liters. The SEAT Ateca could be equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission or a 7-speed dual clutch DSG.
The SEAT Ateca is a ‘relative’ of the Volkswagen Tiguan and the Skoda Karoq.
All-wheel drive modifications of the SUV were produced with the 5th generation Haldex multi-disc clutch (depending on the road situation, it can transfer up to 90% of torque to one or another axle). The first generation SEAT Ateca SUV was based on the MQB platform with MacPherson struts in the front and a multi-link suspension in the rear.
The basic version of this SUV was equipped with air conditioning, a multimedia system, power windows for all doors, front and side airbags, etc. The following options were available: LED optics, all-round visibility system, multimedia with an 8-inch screen and support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, wireless smartphone charging technology, traffic jams assistant, traffic sign recognition system and other modern technologies.
The restyling of 2020
The SEAT Ateca is a ‘relative’ of the Volkswagen Tiguan and the Skoda Karoq, but loses to them in terms of sales: last year, Europeans bought 90 thousand Spanish SUVs, while 105 thousand Skoda Karoq models were sold, and the sales volumes of the Volkswagen Tiguan reached as many as 265 thousand cars. The planned restyling was carried out to improve the situation, by not only changing the exterior and interior, but also the range of engines.
The restyled vehicle looks fresher, boasting of a new hexagonal radiator grille, a new pattern of the angular pattern of daytime running lights in the modified headlight units, and dynamic turning indicators of the taillights. The ‘Ateca’ nameplate, which looks like an elegant handwritten lettering, is placed below. A panoramic sunroof, new rims (16 to 19 inches) and silver-colored body trim make the compact SUV look more sophisticated. Here is an interesting detail: the illumination at the bottom of the left mirror projects the Spanish ‘Hola!’ (‘Hello’) near the driver’s door.
The first thing that catches your eye in the passenger compartment is the new multimedia system with 8.25’ or 9.2’ display (depending on the trim level). The dashboard is digital, based on a 10.25-inch color display. It is divided into three parts for more information. The steering wheel is different, and the multimedia system “learned” to understand voice commands. In addition, the restyled version is finished with new materials, and the list of options includes an electric driver’s seat, heated windshield, adaptive cruise control and a lane departure warning system.
Here is an interesting detail: the illumination at the bottom of the left mirror projects the Spanish ‘Hola!’ (‘Hello’) near the driver’s door.
The ‘younger’ 3-cylinder 1.0 liter turbocharged gasoline engine still comes only with a manual transmission, but after the restyling it was derated from 115 to 110 hp. The 4-cylinder 1.4 TSI turbocharged engine gave way to the new 1.5 TSI engine (150 hp) back in 2018, which, for additional fee, can be equipped with a DSG gearbox and four-wheel drive. The two-liter 190-horsepower power train has not changed: it includes a DSG and all-wheel drive by default. The initial 1.6 TDI diesel engine was replaced by a 2.0 TDI engine in two performance options (115 and 150 hp). No hybrid versions are available. In Israel, the vehicle comes with a 1.5-liter engine and a semi-automatic transmission.
The 1.5-liter TSI engine develops 150 hp and provides a maximum torque of 25.5 kg/m. It is equipped with an active system that manages fuel consumption and disables two cylinders until maximum performance is required. The power train also includes a 7-speed dual-clutch DSG. The vehicle can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.6 seconds, and its maximum speed is 200 km/h. The consumption of gasoline in the urban cycle is 6.9 liters per 100 km, on the highway - 5.0 liters per 100 km (for the Style trim version).
The 2020 SEAT Ateca is equipped with the following security systems: adaptive cruise control, a distance control assist system, and an active lane keeping assist, emergency braking system, seven airbags, and a driver fatigue control system. The Xperience trim level includes a rearview camera and blind spot detection system, while the FR also features 360-degree cameras and parking assistance system.
