The renewed SEAT Ateca is the typical middle-aged restyling that the Spanish brand has now decided to unveil.
With more than 300 thousand units sold since 2016, the SEAT Ateca is a serious case of success within the Spanish brand, and to maintain this success and competitiveness in the very competitive SUV segment, it is necessary to maintain the freshness of the model.
So, from aesthetic changes to a technological reinforcement and even the replacement of a diesel engine, you are up to date with all the new features of the renewed SEAT Ateca.
What has changed abroad?
Obviously, in the case of a restyling, the changes abroad were not dramatic. Still, the approach to stylistic language inaugurated with the Tarraco and now followed by the new Leon is notorious.
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At the front, the redesigned LED headlamps (more similar to the Leon), the new grille and the new bumper stand out.
Already at the rear, and as I anticipated the teaser revealed last week, the LED headlights also have a new design, the bumper is new as well as the exhaust outlets.
Interestingly, the adoption of new bumpers made the Ateca grow 18 mm in length (now measures 4,381 mm).
Finally, in the aesthetic chapter, the new wheels (17” to 19”), the new colors, the new lettering and the debut of a more “radical” version called Xperience should also be highlighted.
What has changed inside?
Although everything looks the same, inside the renovated SEAT Ateca also has new features.
Therefore, the main novelty is the new 10.25” digital instrument panel and the revised infotainment system with an 8.25” or 9.2” screen.
In addition to this, there is a new steering wheel, new materials and new seat coverings. Speaking of seats, the driver's seat can be electric with eight settings and memory.
Connectivity on the rise
As you would expect, the big news at the renewed SEAT Ateca is connected to connectivity.
Therefore, the Spanish SUV now has a new voice recognition system and the Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now connected wirelessly thanks to the Full Link system.
In addition, Ateca also has online navigation (thanks to Apple Maps) and an eSIM card.
Also noteworthy is the SEAT Connect app, which allows you to remotely control various functions such as locking and unlocking the doors, accessing the autonomy and even locating the car and the adoption of four USB type C inputs.
Overhauled engines and farewell to 1.6 TDI
As far as mechanics are concerned, the SEAT Ateca has seen all its engines overhauled, with three petrol and two diesel options.
The gasoline offer starts at 1.0 TSI three-cylinder, 110 hp, which works according to the Miller cycle and is associated with a manual gearbox.
Above this appears the 1.5 TSI of 150 hp . Equipped with the Active Cylinder Management system, it can be combined with a six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed DSG.
Finally, at the top of the gasoline supply comes the 2.0 TSI with 190 hp and which is exclusively available with the 4Drive all-wheel drive system and DSG box.
As far as Diesels are concerned, the 1.6 TDI, one of the most popular versions of the model, is no longer part of the catalogue, with the 2.0 TDI becoming the only Diesel block available.
THE 2.0 TDI comes at two power levels : 115 hp and six-speed manual transmission or 150 hp with manual or DSG transmission (optional, this variant can have the 4Drive system).
What we don't see in the renewed Ateca are the mild-hybrid engines of the 1.0 TSI and 1.5 TSI that the new Leon introduced in the Spanish brand.
more secure
Finally, the renovation it underwent brought to SEAT Ateca a reinforcement in terms of safety systems and driving assistance.
Thus, the Spanish SUV presents itself with systems such as Predictive Adaptive Cruise Control, Side and Exit Assist and even Front Assist with pre-collision braking.
Produced at Skoda's factory in Kvasiny, Czech Republic, it is not yet known when the revised SEAT Ateca will hit the market in September, but its prices have not yet been released.
September 23 at 9:23 update— Added the expected time to market.