First drive review: Seat Ateca and Cupra Ateca

Friday, 22 January 2021

Seat has given the Ateca SUV a refresh for 2021. The hot Cupra gets one too!

SEAT ATECA and CUPRA ATECA
Price range: $46,900 to $66,900
Powertrains: 1.4-litre turbo petrol inline four-cylinder with 110kW/250Nm, 6.2L/100km, 8-speed automatic transmission, FWD (FR), 2.0-litre turbo petrol inline four-cylinder with 140kW/320Nm, 6.9L/100km, 7-speed dual clutch transmission, AWD (FR 4Drive), 2.0-litre turbo petrol inline four-cylinder with 221kW/400Nm, 7.7L/100km, 7-speed dual clutch transmission, AWD (Cupra).

Seat has given the Ateca SUV a new face for 2021.

Body style: Five-door SUV.
On sale: Now.

The hot Cupra Ateca has also come in for a refresh.

Seat has given its popular Ateca a refresh for 2021with a new face, some new equipment and… well, not much else really. But it remains an excellent small SUV, so that is nice.

Make me an instant expert: what do I need to know?

The Ateca is Seat’s bestseller in New Zealand, although technically it is Cupra’s bestseller, because the hot version of the medium SUV actually sells better than anything else in Seat's range here.

The pointy copper badges let you know the Cupra isn’t just your every day garden variety Ateca.

**READ MORE:

* Spanish SUV with a touch of the Devil

* How Volkswagen has turned the Golf into an SUV

Pretty much nothing has changed up the rear. Just inside and up the front.

* Seat Leon is a Golf with a bit more roar

* Seat Ateca FR helps keep the sport in SUV

And it is easy to see why – the 221kW/400Nm AWD Cupra is essentially a Volkswagen Golf R disguised as a slightly raised-up SUV, and while the Golf R cost close to $76k, the Cupra slips in for almost $10k less than that at $66,900.

That represents a $3,000 increase for the Cupra Ateca, but it now gets sports seats as standard, as well as a new, larger touchscreen infotainment system.

The Ateca now gets the Porsche-like script, just like its bigger brother, the Tarraco.

Of course it still packs that wondrous 221kW AWD powertrain that is an absolute belter.

The standard Seat Ateca also comes in for a refresh, gaining the new face we first saw on the larger Tarraco, as well as the new infotainment system and a refreshed interior.

A larger slick new infotainment touchscreen is the major change inside the Ateca.

The Seat version of the Ateca is now only available in FR spec, with the FWD 110kW/250Nm 1.4-litre version starting the range at $46,900, while the AWD 140kW//320Nm 2.0-litre FR 4Drive topping it at $52,900.

All versions of the Ateca come impressively equipped with things like city emergency braking and pedestrian protection, side assist and exit assist, a 9.2-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay (Android Auto is also included, but isn’t wireless), embedded satellite navigation with three years of free Mapcare updates, keyless entry and start, four USB-C ports, a sports leather steering wheel and a range of six 18- or 19-inch alloy wheels.

There are three option packs available for the Seat Ateca, with the Urban Pack (that consists of adaptive cruise control, a top-view 360 degree camera, park assist and a wireless phone charger) costing $2,100, the Street Pack 18 (that includes a panoramic sunroof, heated front seats and steering wheel, a black headlining and 18-inch machined alloy wheels) costing $2,500 and the Street Pack 19 (that is the same as the Street Pack 18, but substitutes 19-inch machined alloy wheels) costing $3,000.

The Cupra Ateca scores all the standard equipment of the Seat version, but also adds a heated leather steering wheel, a different range of six 19-inch alloy wheels to choose from, a couple of unique paint options and the option of a blue leather interior.

Where did you drive it?

The local launch took us north of Auckland up to the iconic Puhoi Pub for lunch and allowed us to explore the various Ateca’s abilities on familiar roads.

Little has changed in the way the Ateca drives – in fact nothing has – so it remains a beautifully composed small SUV that feels far more like a hatch than a supposed high-riding SUV. Which is a good thing, by the way.

The 1.4-litre FWD FR is a delightfully balanced thing on a winding road, with a nicely controlled body and a firm, but never uncomfortable or intrusive ride. In urban environments it asks no compromise and out on the open road is delightfully responsive and agile.

Adding more power and AWD with the 2.0-litre FR 4Drive version only makes things more pleasing but just as comfortable, while the new infotainment touchscreen is a fast and slick delight to use.

But, of course, the Cupra Ateca is the star of the show on a winding road, with a firmer ride (that is never anything short of exceptionally refined) and wonderfully sharp and supple handling, while that superbly powerful 221kW powertrain is simply addictive…

What’s the pick of the range?

Well, obviously the Cupra Ateca, but not just because of its angry performance.

It is actually impressively good value for money (Golf R for $10k less, remember), comfortable, extremely well-equipped and looks seriously good – the new face is sharper and more aggressive, while the angular Cupra badges and brilliant copper highlights still look superb.

It is easy to see why the Cupra is the bestseller, but that is not to sell the Seat range short – for the money, both the FR and FR 4Drive represent excellent value and are remarkably competent, well-equipped and equally handsome.

Why would I buy it?

Because you want a small/medium SUV that is well-equipped, handles and rides brilliantly and packs VW Group quality, but is something a bit less obvious. And, in the case of the Cupra, because you want something ferally fast, ridiculously capable and seriously fun as well.

Why wouldn’t I buy it?

Because you have never heard of Seat and inherently distrust things you haven’t heard of before. Or, in the case of the Cupra, you can’t get your head around the idea that it is incredibly easy to forget it is an SUV, because it really doesn’t feel like one on a winding road…