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Hatchback
Seat calls the Altea an MSV (multi-sports vehicle). In truth, it's a tall hatchback that lacks the individually removable seats of real MPVs.
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That apart, there's plenty of space - even an under-floor storage area in the boot. You could hardly call the Altea bland, either. Sweeping curves set it apart from the crowd and have kept it looking fresh. Better still, the influence of Seat's parent company Volkswagen guarantees that the Altea is as well made as an equivalent VW or Audi. Build quality and equipment levels are both high - ideal for over-energised youngsters. Anti-lock brakes and stability control should help keep you out of harm's way, and the five-star NCAP crash rating is always reassuring. The Altea's good to drive, too. Body control is excellent and the ride quality doesn't suffer as a result. The only real letdown is poor visibility - the extra-thick pillars between the windscreen and side windows make it difficult to see around corners and the tiny rear window makes reversing a challenge.
Running Costs
The Seat's greatest advantage is its price. Early examples of the 1.9 TDI, are on sale for £1,000 less than the smaller VW Golf. It's also considerably cheaper than Ford's Focus C-Max. The fuel costs are affordable, too - the 1.9 TDI averages 51.4mpg - while servicing costs are reasonable, and insurance is fairly cheap - group five for the 1.9-litre TDI and the 1.6-litre petrol models. Residual values are strong at around 50% - stronger than those of the C-Max. Finally, you shouldn't have to spend too much on unscheduled repairs, as the build quality is good. Seat is owned by VW, so many of the Altea's components are shared with the Golf as well as some Audis and Skodas.