The article was originally produced on September 5, 2016, some facts and prices may have changed since then.

SEAT Ateca

Now Seat also has a hot contender in the ever-growing SUV segment and we have tried the new Ateca during a trip from the sunrise in Barcelona to the mountain of Montserrat.

It's just after six in the morning in Barcelona and the sun hasn't risen yet but the city is just starting to come to life. In the garage the white Atecan is waiting, ready to take me out of town and to Mount Montserrat. 

The name Montserrat is Catalan and means "the saw-toothed mountain". The rock formation was formed about 50 million years ago and is at most 1,236 meters high. In clear weather, you can see all the way to Mallorca from here. Since 1987, the mountain has been a nature reserve and a popular destination for Barcelona residents. The monastery of Santa Maria de Montserrat, at an altitude of 720 meters, is a Benedictine monastery and the church is an important place of pilgrimage for Christians but also a very popular tourist destination.

The mountain is located approximately five miles northwest of Barcelona and is a major tourist attraction. What is also of great attraction to the mountain and those who like to drive are the curvy roads that are among the best in the world. Perfect asphalt and good visibility make driving a joy. Therefore, the choice to try the Ateca here is a given. 

On the way out of the center of Barcelona, I get the opportunity to try out the new assistance systems in the car. When the queues start to grow, the car itself follows the pace and can stop if necessary thanks to the adaptive cruise control and the so-called "Traffic Jam Assist". Should something suddenly appear in front of the car, the emergency braking system will kick in and prevent a collision. Two other very practical systems are the blind spot warning system and Rear Traffic Alert. In the dense city traffic, the scooter and motorbike drivers come like projectiles from all directions. Then it can be nice to get a small warning if you intend to change files and something is there that you don't see. The Rear Traffic Alert system helps when you have to back out of, for example, a parking space and warns if something is coming from the side. Another system called "Lane Assist" helps you stay in the same lane if your eyes happen to fall on something else for a second. The car both warns and brings you back into the correct lane if you start to wobble. Other assistance systems available are high beam assistant and traffic sign recognition to name a few. Together, all warning systems allow you to relax behind the wheel and enjoy the sun shining through the large panoramic glass roof. 

Although this is not a large car, at a total of 4.36 meters in length, the cabin is very spacious. Interior design is stylish and very functional in a good combination. This is no coincidence considering that Seat is owned by German Volkswagen and it undoubtedly has a big impact on which parts are used in the car. But for that matter passion would not be lacking in the car. 

Seat has worked hard to reduce the weight of the Ateca, the model is even among the lightest in its class. Something that is clearly noticeable in the driving pleasure when the highway is replaced by the winding roads that lead up to the foot of Montserrat. The Ateca is not a sports car, but behind the wheel you still have a lot of fun in the curves. The engine in the test car is the large turbocharged 150 horsepower petrol engine with four-wheel drive and DSG gearbox. There is also a frugal petrol version and three different diesels, the strongest of which is 190 horses. It is also possible to get the car with only front-wheel drive and a manual gearbox. 

Something that is very practical is the new infotainment system that includes Mirror Link. The system allows you to mirror your smart phone and bring up selected apps directly in the car's screen. You can have messages read aloud as well as dictate new ones. If you have entered an address in your map app, it automatically appears and as navigation on the screen when you connect the phone. Your playlists in Spotify are available. Very practical considering that nowadays you have everything in your phone. 

Seat has set a very attractive price for the Ateca, something which together with what you get is guaranteed to boost sales. With a basic price of just over SEK 200,000, you get safety equipment such as automatic braking, adaptive cruise control and reversing sensors. It feels safe to have chosen to invest in such equipment from the start. So for those who want to drive safely, have fun behind the wheel and with Spanish passion, this is a fantastic car with design and technology that appeals to both heart and mind, the car can attract both old and young and is also a strong alternative in the company car market. The model is just the beginning – within the next few years, Seat will certainly launch further new models that will broaden the brand. 

We quote Henrik Looser at Seat: