At a time when diesel engines seem doomed (already several brands have decided to say goodbye to them), SEAT seems ready for the transition. Therefore, it proposes a 1.5 l gasoline engine that offers the same power as the 2.0 TDI and also promises reduced consumption.
But is the 1.5 TSI of 150 hp really capable of making you forget the 2.0 TDI we know so well? To find out, we put the Ateca to the test, equipped with the 1.5 TSI and six-speed manual gearbox, in this case at the Excellence equipment level.
Launched three years ago, the Ateca was the first SEAT SUV, starting a family of models that now has two more members: the small Arona and the top-of-the-range Tarraco.
Aesthetically, I must admit that I like the Ateca. Less discreet than its “cousins” Tiguan and Karoq, the SEAT SUV still maintains a sober and a little aggressive look (but without exaggerations), and, in the color scheme with which the tested unit presented itself, it even “gives ares” of the sportier brother, the CUPRA Ateca.
Inside the SEAT Ateca
Once inside the Ateca, we find a dashboard with a simple design that, despite not winning beauty or originality contests, convinces thanks to its referential ergonomics, in the style that the Volkswagen Group's proposals have already accustomed us to.
When it comes to quality, we find a mix of soft materials at the top of the dashboard and harder materials in the more “hidden” parts of the cabin. As for the assembly, with the exception of a stubborn parasitic noise in the steering column area, it even turned out to be in a good plan.
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As for the infotainment system, it is easy and intuitive to use and has good graphics. Another positive point of the Ateca's interior is the large number of storage spaces, an asset in a model aimed at families.
Ateca's infotainment system is very easy to use.
Finally, in terms of habitability, the Ateca does not hide family vocations, offering more than enough space to comfortably transport a family and their luggage (the luggage compartment has a capacity of 510 l).
At the rear, space for passengers allows you to travel comfortably and comfortably.
At the wheel of the SEAT Ateca
Once behind the wheel of the Ateca you quickly find a comfortable driving position. On the other hand, visibility, despite not being a reference (in the current car world maybe only in the small Smart fortwo it is), it is also not a problem, being aided by the rear parking camera.
Dynamically, Ateca impresses. Even not having the sharpness of the Hyundai Tucson, the Spanish SUV has a chassis setting that “marries” the behavior very well with the comfort, presenting itself as one of the best SUV in the segment in terms of dynamic competences.
As far as the engine is concerned, the 150 hp 1.5 TSI reveals some lack of lung. In this aspect, the 2.0 TDI, also with 150 hp, proves to be a better option. Despite being quite smooth, the engine seems to prefer a calm and economical driving to big rushes — it is even capable of deactivating two cylinders for lower consumption in certain conditions —, making use of the six-speed manual gearbox to “wake up”.
Who wins with this “quiet” character of the engine is our wallet. In normal driving on a mixed circuit (with more road than city) the Ateca has consumption of around 5.9 l/100 km. When we activate the “Eco” mode and our Tio Patinhas mode, consumption even drops to 5.1 l/100 km. In cities these rise to 8 l/100 km.
In short, if in the performance chapter the 1.5 TSI loses out to the 2.0 TDI, in terms of economy, the gasoline engine does what it promises, revealing consumption that would even be capable of putting some Diesel engines to shame.
The digital instrument panel was one of the options for the unit we tested.
Is the car right for me?
Despite having already been on the market for three years, the Ateca remains one of the main options to consider in the compact SUV segment.
If you are looking for a versatile, comfortable, spacious SUV with a dynamic behavior that is among the references in the segment, the Ateca is one of the main options to consider.
As for the engine, the 1.5 TSI meets the economy chapter and, if you do a few kilometers a year and aren't particularly rushed, it's an option to consider.
However, after having had the opportunity to ride the Ateca with both engines, the truth is that we cannot say that it completely forgets the Diesel option, as in the performance chapter, Diesel always seems more capable of pushing the Ateca with decision. and even help us explore your chassis.