Summary
The SEAT Ateca is a medium-sized SUV/crossover. It shares a lot of its mechanical bits with the Volkswagen Tiguan, Skoda Karoq and Audi Q2. It was launched in 2016, with a facelifted updated model replacing it in the spring of 2021.
The Ateca has received positive scores from most of the UK motoring media (basically everyone except Jeremy Clarkson), and has won a large number of awards since it was launched.
The SEAT Ateca has received particular praise for its value for money compared to the more expensive Volkswagen Tiguan, as well as being spacious and practical. However, criticisms have been directed at some of the smaller engines being a bit underpowered and too much of the best equipment only being available on the top-spec models or at additional cost.
As of January 2024, the SEAT Ateca has a New Car Expert Rating of B, with a score of 65%. It gets good grades for running costs, reliability and emissions, but its safety rating is now outdated.
Key specifications
Body style: Medium SUV/crossover
Engines: petrol, diesel
Price: From £28,385 on-road
Launched: Summer 2016
Last updated: Spring 2021
Replacement due: TBA
Image gallery
Media reviews
Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
The Car Expert
Model reviewed: (range review)
Score: 8.4 / 10
“Strong pricing and extensive equipment make the Ateca a competitive proposition, though you need to go up the grades to get the best combination of equipment and value.”
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Auto Express
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Four years on, the SEAT Ateca still stands out as a capable all-rounder in the compact SUV class. It’s comfortable, fun to drive and decently practical. And, with this latest raft of styling and technology updates, it remains an attractive option for family buyers.”
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Autocar
Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol automatic Xperience
Score: 8 / 10
“The SEAT Ateca was already a perfectly practical crossover with a respectable degree of dynamism and this latest round of updates does nothing to diminish that.”
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Model reviewed: (range review)
Score: 9 / 10
“SEAT has produced an SUV we both like for the sake of useful comparison and admire full stop. With a family in tow, we’d not only choose it over a Nissan Qashqai but would also be inclined to buy it ahead of a SEAT Leon. Which really says it all.”
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Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol automatic FR
Score: 7 / 10
“Detuned GTI engine lends plenty of pace and polish, but the sporty Ateca’s ride and steering don’t distinguish the car as well.”
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Business Car
Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol automatic Xperience
Score: 8 / 10
“The SEAT Ateca is one of the most enjoyable family SUVs to own and drive, but a test drive is essential to identify the sweetest model. It could make the difference between merely excellent and truly exceptional.”
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Car
Model reviewed: 1.4-litre petrol manual Xcellence
Score: 8 / 10
“For our money, the 2.0-litre diesel engine in either 150hp or 190hp tune felt like a more natural bedfellow, providing you do the miles to justify it.”
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Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel manual
Score: 8 / 10
“SEAT may have arrived later than ideal at the SUV party but the Ateca’s more memorable – and more fun – than most in this segment.”
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Carbuyer
Model reviewed: (range review)
Score: 8.6 / 10
“The SEAT Ateca is an affordable, practical and desirable SUV that makes a great alternative to a Renault Kadjar or Nissan Qashqai.”
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Carwow
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“The SEAT Ateca is a practical family SUV that’s quite fun to drive, although it can be a touch uncomfy on bumpy roads and the interior isn’t as posh as the VW Tiguan’s.”
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Daily Mail
Model reviewed: 1.4-litre petrol manual FR
Score: 10 / 10
“It’s a car that looks good but is without compromise, and offers a better compromise between sharp looks and sprightly feel even than the acclaimed Audi Q2.”
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Daily Mirror
Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel automatic FR
Score: 8 / 10
“Let’s be frank, the styling isn’t out of the ordinary and it does look like a lot of the SUV crossovers on the market. But like everything else about this car, it looks smart and sophisticated without ever going over the top.”
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Evo
Model reviewed: (range review)
Score: 6 / 10
“We’d still opt for one of SEAT’s wide range of Leon models over the Ateca – physics, and indeed styling is on their side – but if you’re in the market for a small SUV then the Spanish car is probably one of your better options right now.”
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Fleetworld
“Improved specifications, plus affordable pricing and running costs, mark this facelifted SEAT Ateca out in this busy area of the market.”
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Heycar
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The SEAT Ateca is one of the best family SUVs on the market, providing strong competition to rivals like the Skoda Karoq, Nissan Qashqai and Kia Sportage. It looks sporty, is good to drive and represents good value for money. It makes for a very compelling used car purchase.”
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Honest John
Model reviewed: (range review)
Score: 8 / 10
“The Ateca is an easy crossover to recommend – helped by the fact it represents a lot of car for the money. Inside it feels more spacious than the competition yet is impressively refined and easy to drive. If you want a good quality crossover – look no further.”
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Parkers
Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 8.6 / 10
“SEAT’s mid-range SUV is sharp to drive and look at”
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The Sun
Model reviewed: FR 2.0-litre petrol automatic
“Overall, the SEAT Ateca deserves a place on your SUV shopping list and if you’re after a sporty vibe then the FR is a good bet.”
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The Sunday Times
Model reviewed: 2020
Score: 8 / 10
“The SEAT Ateca offers great handling and value for money.”
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Model reviewed: 1.4-litre petrol manual Xcellence
“Just buy a Golf.” (Jeremy Clarkson)
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Top Gear
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Been around for a few years. Still among the best of its ilk, but look at the new Leon Estate before you buy.”
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What Car?
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The SEAT Ateca isn’t just great to drive and attractive to look at, it’s also impressively spacious, well equipped and competitively priced. Put simply, if you’re looking for a family SUV that’s also capable of putting a smile on your face, the Ateca needs to be very high on your shopping list.”
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Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: June 2016
Date expired: January 2023
Read the full Euro NCAP review
Adult protection: 93%
Child protection: 84%
Vulnerable road users: 71%
Safety assist: 60%
Notes on safety rating
The SEAT Ateca was originally crash tested by Euro NCAP back in 2016 and awarded a five-star rating. However, this rating expired in January 2023 and is no longer valid as the car no longer meets the standards required for such a rating. This is normal practice, as Euro NCAP reviews its ratings on most cars annually with most ratings expiring after about six or seven years.
However, if you are comparing a used Ateca to vehicles of similar age, whose ratings will have probably also expired, its safety rating score is still useful.
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
As of January 2024, the SEAT Ateca has not been lab tested by Green NCAP.
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
Total claims: 16
Average repair cost: £726.42
Last updated: January 2024
Reliability score
All data based on MotorEasy average workshop costs for extended car warranty claims
The SEAT Ateca has a better-than-average reliability score of 77% as of January 2024, according to workshop and warranty data provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our partner, MotorEasy.
We don’t have a lot of data for repair costs as yet, but the average figure to date is quite high at more than £700 – which is obviously a lot more than the cost of a used-car warranty, so keep that in mind.
Awards
Trophies, prizes and awards that the SEAT Ateca has received
2021
- Car Dealer Used Car Awards – Best Used SUV
2019
- Auto Trader New Car Awards – Best Car for Families
2018
- Company Car Today CCT100 Awards – Crossover of the Year
- What Car? Awards – Best Family SUV for less than £20,000
2017
- UK Car of the Year Awards – Best Crossover
- AUTOBEST Awards – Best Buy Car of Europe
- Autocar Awards – Game Changer
- Car Dealer Power Awards – Car of the Year
- Fleet News Awards – Best Mid-Size SUV
- Honest John Awards – Car of the Year
- What Car? Awards – Best Small SUV
2016
- Auto Express New Car Awards – Best Crossover
- Top Gear Awards – Best for Modern Families
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the SEAT Ateca, you might also be interested in these alternatives
Citroën C5 Aircross | Ford Kuga | Honda CR-V | Hyundai Tucson | Jeep Compass | Kia Sportage | Mazda CX-5 | MG HS | Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross | Nissan Qashqai | Peugeot 3008 | Renault Kadjar | Skoda Karoq | SsangYong Korando | Subaru XV | Suzuki S-Cross | Toyota C-HR | Vauxhall Grandland X | Volkswagen Tiguan
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