Although it’s built to rival the likes of the Hyundai Santa Fe and the Skoda Kodiaq, it’s also of course their not-so-distant cousin.

I booked the Ateca 1.5 EcoTSI SE Technology 150PS 7-speed DSG knowing I had a six hour round trip to Bedfordshire, which I usually save for larger and more luxurious motors, but in my experience the Ateca always punches above its weight for long drives….

Basically, as the SUV market continues to expand, SEAT want a part of it, which makes perfect financial sense.

Although you wouldn’t think it by the amount of awards it has received, the Ateca is SEAT’s first foray into the crowded SUV market. To be fair, it already came with plenty of pedigree as it’s built on the same platform as the…

Well, it’s a SEAT Leon estate that’s been given four-wheel drive, a bit of a lift and plastic extensions on the arches.  Admittedly, that doesn’t sound like much when you say it quick, but it makes the X-Perience quite a practical vehicle if you need 4x4-ability every now and again.  Granted, from the outside it bears a quite resemblance to Skoda’s……..

As new vehicle launches go, this was pretty cool.  From a trendy hotel in Manchester with a roof top terrace, to a drive through its bustling city centre, this is exactly what the brilliant PR team at SEAT was looking for when they decided to celebrate the launch of SEAT’s new urban SUV, the Ateca……..

The new SEAT Ateca has opened its honours account in style, claiming the Best Crossover title on its first appearance in the Auto Express New Car Awards.....