The Seat Ateca takes it's first international award, the Best Buy car of Europe.

• AUTOBEST, with 31 countries represented in the jury, names SEAT Ateca as “Best Buy Car of Europe in 2017”

The Ateca has brought SEAT significant international acknowledgement as the “Best Buy Car of Europe in 2017” at the AUTOBEST 2017 awards, one of the most prestigious on the continent.

The award, the first major international title for the high-selling Ateca, is testament to the considerable efforts put into consolidating SEAT’s presence in one of the most important markets. It’s also ideal timing, as the Barcelona-based brand ramps up its largest ever product offensive. 

Ateca is already selling exceptionally, and is soon to be joined by three further model launches in the next 12 months: New Leon, reaching showrooms in early 2017, the fifth-generation of the Ibiza and the new SEAT Arona crossover, which will also be coming next year.

“Ateca is meant to create an inflection point for SEAT. We are entering a new segment with a product that offers an excellent mobility experience for our customers and truly represents our very DNA. Ateca is positively contributing to taking the brand to the next level. 

This award confirms that we are on the right track,” says Luca de Meo, SEAT President.

In its sixteenth edition, the AUTOBEST jury pinpointed several factors that make the Ateca stand out, principally; design, comfort, easy to drive, value for money and quality sales and service network.

After testing in Italy at the end of November, the Ateca was chosen as the winner over the four other finalists by a jury of specialised journalists representing 31 countries in the final vote of these influential European awards.

Dr. Matthias Rabe, SEAT Vice-president for Research and Development comments: “The SEAT Ateca perfectly combines design, comfort and technology. It is perfect for the urban jungle and its on- and off-road capabilities ensure a spectacular driving experience in all kind of journeys. That is why we truly believe that Ateca is set to become a reference in the segment.”

The Ateca, also leader in urban mobility

SEAT’s first compact SUV is currently exceeding all expectations and is a crucial model for the brand, not only because it has opened the door to one of the largest market growth segments, but because it is the vehicle the company aims to use in facing such important challenges as the future of urban mobility, which will require new solutions and technologies.

Wide range for all needs

The Ateca range’s versatility was one of the most highly rated factors by the AUTOBEST jurors. Its petrol turbo TSI and diesel turbo TDI engines offer between 115 PS and 190 PS, allied to manual or DSG-auto gearboxes, plus, the option of SEAT’s 4Drive four-wheel-drive system. The numerous options across the line-up include Full LED headlights, to a wide variety of driver assist systems, such as Traffic Jam Assist, and new Emergency Assist and Front Assist, plus, state-of-the-art infotainment with eight-inch touchscreens and Full Link connectivity.