Category: Compact MPV 
Price Range: £13,545 to £19,000
The Altea is one of the best riding and handling cars in its class, with terrific room inside for four adults; excellent NCAP crash test results
The interior isn't as versatile as the competition, and the 1.6-litre engine can struggle on motorways, especially with a load of people onboard.
One of the most dramatically styled MPVs on the market, and excellent to drive with it. Just don't go looking for Scenic levels of versatility.
The Altea represents SEAT's attempt to bridge a gap that you might not know existed. Namely, this SEAT is a spacious and mildly versatile package wrapped in a body that is curvaceous and more stylish than most MPVs. Only SEAT insists this isn't an MPV, preferring instead to call its new creation an MSV, for multi sports vehicle. It even cites Peugeot's 307 hatch as a more appropriate rival. No question, the Altea looks dramatic, aggressive and sporting viewed front-on, but from the side and rear, it does present a more typical MPV look. As well as striving to create a unique look in the C-segment, SEAT has aimed to invest the Altea with dynamics to match its more sporting aspirations. Based on the Golf platform, the threat that Altea poses to rivals such as the excellent Ford C-MAX is one to take seriously. SEAT offers a comprehensive range of engines, too, with two diesel and two petrol versions, power ranging from 102bhp to 150bhp.
Latest Readers' Drives About the Seat Altea
wrote on 14 09 2007