Pricing and Specification has been announced by SEAT Auto for the All-New ATECA SUV

• SEAT set to stir up compact SUV market with temptingly priced Ateca
• SEAT’s first SUV to be keenly priced from £17,990 to £29,990 on-the-road
• Four trim levels at launch, including limited ‘First Edition’ which will be confirmed in May
• Choice of five engines: two petrol and three diesel, ranging in power from 115 PS to 190 PS. Six-speed manual and seven-speed DSG-auto transmissions available, plus four-wheel-drive with both 2.0 TDI diesel engines
• Orders already flooding in for Ateca in several of SEAT’s key European markets, before first cars have even arrived in showrooms
• Available to order from 3^rd May 2016, ahead of UK showroom launch on 9th September

Following its highly acclaimed world debut at the Geneva motor show just a few weeks ago, SEAT has confirmed full UK pricing and specification for its first SUV, Ateca. Temptingly priced from only £17,990, the Barcelona-based marque is looking to make quite an impact in the UK’s compact SUV market.

Which, judging by the initial signs for SEAT’s latest creation, staking its claim in the fast-growing segment shouldn’t be too difficult. For starters, in several key European markets, including France and Germany, where ordering has already opened, Ateca is already proving quite a hit, even before customers have got behind the wheel.

Another good omen, and a possible reason behind the eagerness to snap one up, lies with initial media reaction to the car. In the UK alone, media pundits have already begun showering it with praise, just on the basis of prototype drives. Auto Express magazine hailed Ateca as an “impressive piece of kit”, while the Daily Telegraph hyped it up further with “in September, SEAT dealers will be very busy indeed”.

Ateca UK line-up – in detail

Keenly priced from £17,990, SEAT’s first SUV undercuts several key rivals, including the Nissan Qashqai by over £500, as well as the Ford Kuga by around £2,000*. Kicking things off, the entry-level S has all the essential kit which a growing family or young-at-heart couple might need. 

On the inside, the classy interior includes air conditioning, Media System Touch five-inch touchscreen with USB and SD connectivity, leather steering wheel and gearknob, plus split-folding rear seats with reclining function. On the outside, Ateca’s stylish lines are complemented by 16-inch ‘Design’ alloy wheels and LED daytime running lights.

Moving up to the expected UK best-selling trim level, SE, brings in an array of comfort, convenience and style features, including dual-zone climate control, cruise control, electrically adjustable, heated and folding door mirrors and rear parking sensors. As buyers have come to expect from the Spanish marque, technology touches also abound. 

Among them is Full Link (SEAT’s seamless three-in-one connectivity solution for smartphones and tablets), together with an upgraded infotainment in the form of Media System Plus with eight-inch colour touchscreen, USB/Aux-in port, SD card slot, eight speakers, voice control and Bluetooth audio streaming and hands-free system. 

Externally, the mid-trim level looks sharp with 17-inch ‘Dynamic’ alloy wheels, LED taillights and black roof rails.

Rounding off the initial UK line-up, at least until the ‘First Edition’ version is confirmed in May, is XCELLENCE. The new flagship trim ushers in a plethora of enticing premium features, including four new innovations for SEAT. 

The first is a Connectivity Hub with Wireless Phone Charger which also boosts in-car phone signal, as well as multi-colour interior ambient lighting with LED interior illumination and a choice of  eight colours. Penultimately, comes an ‘Ateca’ welcome light silhouette which is projected onto the ground from the bottom of the door mirrors, and finally, SEAT Drive Profile with Driving Experience selector. 

This latest evolution of the brand’s tried and tested technology allows the driver to adjust Ateca’s set-up (steering, throttle response and gear change speeds – the latter on DSG-equipped versions) according to road and weather conditions or personal preferences, including Off-road and Snow modes on four-wheel-drive versions.

The kit count continues to climb with Convenience Pack (auto lights and wipers, auto-dimming rear view mirror and automatic coming and leaving home lights function), KESSY (Keyless Enter & Go) and Navigation system (3D map display, high resolution display, two SD card slots, DAB digital radio). Also among its features are black leather upholstery, rear view camera and Winter Pack (incorporating heated front seats and headlight washer system).

Unsurprisingly, the halo version also looks the part, boasting 18-inch ‘Performance’ alloy wheels, chrome roof rails and window surrounds, as well as chrome double exhaust pipes and aluminium roof rails. Full LED headlights and dark tinted rear windows complete the premium look.

An array of safety aids and systems come as standard on every Ateca, including new Front Assist with City Emergency Braking and Pedestrian Protection, plus Tiredness Recognition. Also featuring across the range are ASR traction control, ESC, electronic differential lock (XDS), seven airbags, Hill Hold Control, and last, but by no means least, tyre pressure monitor.

Ateca – comfort, convenience, style and technology options aplenty

Every Ateca comes with an enviable list of standard equipment, but, for those seeking even more creature comforts, there are plenty of options. Literally. Some of the most noteworthy are its technology highlights, several of which are debuting on SEAT’s latest model. 

The innovative electric tailgate with Virtual Pedal, for both opening and closing, is available from £415, with Top View Camera, offering a 360-degree view to assist with parking and manoeuvring at £470. Lane Assist, costs £470 as part of a Driving Assistance Pack with High Beam Assist, while Blind Spot Detection, complete with new Rear Cross Traffic Alert, is also available as part of a pack, from £620.

Several convenience features are also likely to catch the eye, including a double boot floor for £115, Park Assist (self parking functionality) for £325, and again, a first for SEAT, a heated windscreen from £155.

For added style and cachet, buyers will probably tick the options box alongside electric panoramic sunroof for £935 and 19-inch ‘Exclusive’ machined alloy wheels on XCELLENCE which come in at £670. Several of the most popular items have also been grouped into seven option packs. All prices quoted are inclusive of VAT.

Varied range of engines - up to 190 PS

The new SEAT Ateca is available with a wide choice of engines, including a frugal 1.6 TDI capable of 65.7 mpg, as well as several over 150 PS, to suit those seeking a decent amount of performance to power their SUV. A total of five engines feature in total, comprised of two petrol and three diesel, ranging in power from 115 PS to 190 PS and all mated to either six-speed manual or seven-speed DSG-auto transmissions.

The three-cylinder 1.0 TSI 115 PS is available on the S and SE, while the 1.6 TDI 115 PS also features on S and SE. Upping the power stakes to 150 PS brings in both the 1.4 EcoTSI  with Active Cylinder Shutdown, as well as the highly-regarded 2.0 TDI, both of which appear across SE and XCELLENCE trims. The 2.0 TDI 190, is exclusively available on the range-topping XCELLENCE, and comes with DSG and 4Drive, SEAT’s four-wheel-drive system.  4Drive is also an option with the 2.0 TDI 150.

Ateca – UK range pricing

Version	CO2 g/km	BIK	On-the-road price (inc. VAT)
S 1.0 TSI 115 Ecomotive	123	21%	£17,990
S 1.6 TDI 115 Ecomotive	112	22%	£20,175
SE 1.0 TSI 115 Ecomotive	123	21%	£19,590
SE 1.4 TSI 150 EcoTSI	125	22%	£21,015
SE 1.6 TDI 115 Ecomotive	112	22%	£21,900
SE 2.0 TDI 150	114	22%	£22,930
SE 2.0 TDI 150 DSG-auto	116	23%	£24,275
XCELLENCE 1.4 TSI 150 EcoTSI	125	22%	£23,905
XCELLENCE 2.0 TDI 150	114	22%	£25,815
XCELLENCE 2.0 TDI DSG-auto  150	116	23%	£27,165
XCELLENCE 2.0 TDI 150 4Drive	128	25%	£27,425
XCELLENCE 2.0 TDI 190 DSG-auto 4Drive	131	26%	£29,990

A choice of 11 paint colours are available, eight of which are metallic. Several new shades debut on a SEAT with Ateca, namely, Jungle Green, Lava Blue, Mato Brown, Rodium Grey and Samoa Orange. Mediterranean Blue is the free-of-charge paint.

Priced from £17,990 to £29,990, Ateca will be available to order from 3^rd May 2016, ahead of official showroom launch on 9th September