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Seat Ateca variants
Total price
Monthly payment

Finance representative example (PCP)

Total cash price £15,299. Borrowing £13,769 with a £1,530 deposit at a representative APR of 11.9%.

48 monthly payments
£245.35
Fixed interest rate
11.9%
Total amount payable
£20,158.01
Cost of credit
£4,859.01
Optional final payment
£6,851.00
Purchase fee
£10.00
Annual mileage limit
6000 miles

SEAT Ateca buying guide

There’s a selection of trim and engine options for the Ateca. This guide will talk you through each so you can choose the version that’s right for you.

What SEAT Ateca trim levels are there?

SE trim starts the Ateca range. This package gets alloy wheels, cruise control, keyless entry, wireless phone charger, front and rear parking sensors, autonomous emergency braking, and an infotainment system with DAB, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

SE Technology is next up and adds larger alloy wheels, chrome exterior styling details and a built-in sat-nav for the infotainment system.

FR trim is SEAT’s sporty model line similar to Volkswagen’s R-Line. FR models get sportier-looking alloy wheels, tinted rear windows, a spoiler, twin exhausts, interior ambient lighting, and auto lights and wipers. You’ll also find FR Sport models that gain even larger alloy wheels, leather upholstery, heated front seats and a digital dashboard in place of traditional dials.

Xperience (formerly Xcellence) is the luxury trim in the range and gets large alloys, tinted rear windows, a reversing camera, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist and automatic high beams. Xperience Lux adds even larger alloy wheels, digital dials, leather upholstery, heated front seats and a 360-degree parking camera.

SEAT Ateca interior and technology

The SEAT doesn’t quite feel as premium as other cars it shares parts and engines with such as the Volkswagen Tiguan and Audi Q3, and the extensive use of dark-coloured plastics in the cabin means it can feel a little gloomy at times. However, the fit and finish is excellent and the layout is clear and intuitive. SEAT scores extra points for having the heater and air-conditioning controls as separate physical knobs and switches, rather than hiding them in the infotainment system.

Speaking of which, the Ateca’s infotainment system comes as standard with all the key functions including DAB radio, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The menu layout isn’t as intuitive as some rivals, however, so it can take a little longer to get used to the SEAT’s system. We’d also suggest using the steering-wheel controls to adjust music volume because the touch buttons on the screen are irritating to use on the move.

Passenger space in the Ateca is decent, although families that need more passenger seats might be better served by the larger Tarraco. Rear-seat space in the Ateca is good and three adults can fit back there for shorter journeys – headroom is strong thanks to the SUV body, but rear knee room can be limited with very tall adults sat in front. Boot space is excellent and, while the actual capacity figure might only match its rivals, the Ateca’s square shape and wide opening makes it one of the more useful cargo areas in this class.

SEAT Ateca engine range explained

SEAT Ateca 1.0 TSI

This is the entry-level petrol engine for the Ateca – a 1.0-litre, turbocharged three-cylinder unit making 110hp. This is enough to hit 62mph from rest in around 11 seconds, which means it’ll feel fine around town, but might feel a bit strained at overtaking speeds on the motorway.

SEAT Ateca 1.5 TSI EVO

The mid-range petrol choice for the Ateca is more popular. It’s a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo making 150hp. This drops the 0-62mph time down to 8.5 seconds, helping this version feel much more relaxed at higher speeds. SEAT’s smooth automatic gearbox is optional on this engine.

SEAT Ateca 2.0 TSI

This is the strongest petrol engine offered on the Ateca before getting into rapid Cupra versions. Capacity grows to 2.0 litres, bringing power up to 190hp. The 0-62mph dash is completed in a shade over seven seconds, which should be enough to amuse keen drivers. An automatic gearbox and four-wheel drive are standard with this engine.

SEAT Cupra Ateca 2.0 TSI

If you want a thrill, however, the only real choice is the Cupra Ateca. This wades into battle with a 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine boosted up to 300hp, mated to SEAT’s slick-shifting automatic gearbox and four-wheel drive. All that power means the Cupra Ateca sprints from 0-62mph in just 4.9 seconds – putting it within striking distance of some seriously exotic performance cars.

SEAT Ateca 2.0 TDI 115

For long-distance drivers, SEAT offers a pair of efficient diesel engines, both 2.0-litre four-cylinder units. The entry-level version makes 115hp and can hit 62mph from rest in 10.9 seconds. It can average as much as 58mpg if you drive gently.

SEAT Ateca 2.0 TDI 150

Jumping up to the 150hp version of the 2.0-litre diesel engine drops the 0-62mph time to just above nine seconds, helping this Ateca feel more relaxed at higher speeds. Thanks to clever diesel wizardry, this version is even more efficient, capable of returning as much as 59mpg. This engine can also be had with an optional automatic gearbox and four-wheel drive.

SEAT Ateca FAQs

There’s just one version of the SEAT Ateca – a five-door hatchback SUV. If you’re after a high-performance SUV, take a look at the SEAT Cupra Ateca. If the Ateca is a little too large, SEAT also makes the compact Arona SUV or, if you need seven seats, there’s the more spacious Tarraco SUV.

Buyers looking at nearly new SEAT Atecas are likely to come across pre and post-facelift models. The Ateca lineup was given a subtle refresh partway through 2020 with a handful of changes inside and out. Visually, the easiest way to tell pre and post-facelift Atecas apart is by the shape of the front grille – this has four sides on pre-facelift cars in the shape of a trapezium, with post-facelift cars using a six-sided grille.

The Ateca is a little less than 4.4 metres long. That means it’s a few millimetres shorter than most of its main rivals including the Nissan Qashqai, Skoda Karoq, Kia Sportage or Ford Kuga.

Despite being one of the shorter models in its class, the Ateca makes good use of the available space. There’s enough passenger space for four adults or five for shorter journeys, with only rear knee room becoming limited if there are particularly tall adults sat in front. Boot space is strong, however, with a particularly wide opening, which makes it easy to load bulkier items.

SEAT uses a selection of strong, smooth turbocharged engines that are widely used across the rest of the Volkswagen-Group range. Petrol choices are refined and punchy, while the diesel options make great long-distance cruisers.

Ateca owners are generally a satisfied bunch and there aren't any widespread reports of serious problems. As ever, you're best off buying your Ateca from a reputable seller. All Motorpoint are inspected by experts to meet our Quality Standard and we offer a complementary three-month warranty on all our cars if the manufacturer's warranty has expired.

Parts and engines used in the Ateca are widely shared across other VW-Group cars, so replacements should be easy to find.

You can add an extended warranty to your Ateca that kicks in once the manufacturer's warranty expires, to protect you from unexpected repair costs down the line.

Four-wheel drive is optional on SEAT Ateca models. You'll find it offered on the more powerful engines including the 1.5-litre petrol and 2.0-litre diesel, whereas entry-level 1.0-litre petrol and 1.6-litre diesel engines are front-wheel drive only.

Most buyers will be fine with the front-wheel-drive model, which will still be able to tackle grassy fields and dirt roads. Fitting winter tyres to your front-wheel-drive Ateca will bring much more benefit in icy and snowy conditions than opting for the four-wheel-drive version with all-season or summer tyres.

You're only likely to start benefitting from the Ateca's four-wheel-drive system once you've travelled quite far off road.

The Ateca has a lot going for it. Sharing a platform with the Volkswagen Tiguan and Skoda Karoq means it has the same excellent family-friendly practicality and reassuringly solid build quality.

It marks itself out from behind the wheel, however, because the Ateca is a bit more fun to drive than its sibling cars thanks to more responsive steering and less body roll. The tradeoff is a ride that's fractionally firmer over poor surfaces, but never goes far enough to become uncomfortable.