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Expert Rating

SEAT Ateca

(2016 - present)

Expert Rating

New car score:

63
%
C

Used car score:

68
%
B

Expert Rating report card

Media Rating:

71
%
B

Safety Rating:

53
%
D

Eco Rating:

62
%
B

Reliability Rating:

71
%
C

Running Costs:

66
%
B

How are our Expert Rating scores calculated?

Expert Rating

New car score:

63
%
C

Used car score:

68
%
B

Expert Rating report card

Media Rating:

71
%
B

Safety Rating:

53
%
D

Eco Rating:

62
%
B

Reliability Rating:

71
%
C

Running Costs:

66
%
B

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 2025, the SEAT Ateca has a New Car Expert Rating of C, with a score of 63%. It gets good grades for running costs, reliability and emissions, but its safety rating is now outdated.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

Media reviews

Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

The Car Expert

+

Auto Express

+

Business Car

+

Car

+

Carbuyer

+

Carwow

+

Daily Mail

+

Daily Mirror

+

Evo

+

Fleetworld

+

Heycar

+

Honest John

+

Parkers

+

The Sun

+

The Sunday Times

+

Top Gear

+

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 2025, the SEAT Ateca has not been lab tested by Green NCAP.

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

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

2017

  • UK Car of the Year Awards – Best Crossover
  • AUTOBEST Awards – Best Buy Car of Europe
  • Car Dealer Power Awards – Car of the Year
  • Fleet News Awards – Best Mid-Size SUV
  • Honest John Awards – Car of the Year

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 CompassKia 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 XVolkswagen Tiguan

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The SEAT Ateca has received positive scores from most of the UK media, and has won a large number of awards.SEAT Ateca