SEAT Ateca vs Renault Kadjar
SEAT has entered the crossover market with the smart and rugged new Ateca. We pitch it against the Renault Kadjar
Spanish car manufacturer SEAT has gone from strength to strength under the guidance of parent firm Volkswagen. Its current range delivers sporty handling and a slice of Latin flair that helps the models stand out from their VW and Skoda counterparts; the likes of the Leon, Ibiza and Mii are strong contenders in their classes.
However, while other car makers have cashed in on the popularity of crossovers, SEAT has been missing from this lucrative sector of the market. This will all change with the introduction of the new Ateca, which hits the UK in September.
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We’ve had early access to the car on UK roads, so we can deliver our verdict on possibly one of the most important arrivals in the sector. To see how the newcomer fits in, we’re testing it against our current crossover favourite, the Renault Kadjar.
The Renault has beaten all rivals to be our class leader, and with similar performance, prices and space to the Ateca, this contest is sure to be close.
For this first test, we line up top-spec four-wheel-drive diesel versions of each model to find out whether the Ateca has the all-round ability to take the top spot.
Head-to-head
Boot space
Our top-of-the-range Ateca can be specified with a power tailgate for £415; it’s not even an option on the Kadjar. The SEAT’s boot opening is larger and there’s more space under the open tailgate, too. Both cars have levers in the boot to fold the back seats, while the Kadjar gets two boot boards that hide underfloor storage.
Suspension
The cars in our test featured 225/45 tyres on 19-inch wheels, but the Ateca’s suspension set-up delivered a better balance between comfort and handling. It had a smoother ride when taking it easy, yet in corners proved to be a more engaging car to drive.
Emissions
These four-wheel-drive models are close on emissions, with the Ateca claiming 128g/km to the Kadjar’s 129g/km. Choose front-wheel drive, and the SEAT emits 114g/km, while the Renault’s CO2 drops to 117g/km, so the Ateca is the cheaper company car choice.
Verdict
First place: SEAT Ateca
The Ateca follows in the footsteps of the Leon, and goes straight to the top of its class. Its combination of practicality, performance, running costs and kit is hard to beat. The top-spec Xcellence model is well equipped, and the 2.0 TDI delivers a great mix of pace and economy, although we’d recommend the front-wheel-drive version for lower running costs.
Second place: Renault Kadjar
There’s no doubt that the Kadjar is still an excellent crossover, but the Ateca shades it in a few key areas. The 1.6 dCi feels sluggish in comparison, and it isn’t quite as enjoyable to drive. Still, it’s comfortable, and Signature S trim is generously equipped. Again, we’d pick the front-drive version, as the benefit of lower running costs outweighs the usefulness of 4WD.
Other options in this category...
Hyundai Tucson 2.0 CRDi Premium 4WD
Price: £28,425Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 134bhp
The Tucson is very well equipped, although it’s £1,000 pricier than the SEAT, and higher emissions mean it’s a lot more expensive as a company car. At least the five-year warranty is another 12 months longer than Renault’s cover.
Mazda CX-5 2.2D 150 SE L Nav 4WD
Price: £26,995Engine: 2.2-litre 4cyl, 148bhp
Another crossover with a sporty edge, alongside the Ateca, is the Mazda CX-5. It’s a lightweight design that benefits efficiency and handling. A mid-spec SE L Nav is reasonably well equipped, although the 4WD model’s emissions bump up tax costs.
Figures
SEAT Ateca 2.0 TDI 150 Xcellence 4Drive | Renault Kadjar 1.6 dCi Signature S 4WD | |
On the road price/total as tested | £27,425/£31,500 | £28,195/£29,020 |
Residual value (after 3yrs/36,000) | £10,860/39.6% | £11,673/41.4% |
Depreciation | £16,565 | £16,522 |
Annual tax liability std/higher rate | £1,369/£2,737 | £1,407/£2,814 |
Annual fuel cost (12k/20k miles) | £1,420/£2,366 | £1,316/£2,193 |
Ins. group/quote/road tax band/cost | 16/N/A/D/£110 | 18/£548**/D/£110 |
Cost of 1st/2nd/3rd service | £498 (3yrs/30,000) | £399 (3yrs/60,000) |
Length/wheelbase | 4,363/2,638mm | 4,449/2,646mm |
Height/width | 1,611/1,841mm | 1,613/1,836mm |
Engine | 4cyl in-line/1,968cc | 4cyl in-line/1,598cc |
Peak power/revs | 148/3,500 bhp/rpm | 128/4,000 bhp/rpm |
Peak torque/revs | 340/1,750 Nm/rpm | 320/1,750 Nm/rpm |
Transmission | 6-spd man/4WD | 6-spd man/4WD |
Fuel tank capacity/spare wheel | 55 litres/£105 | 65 litres/repair kit |
Boot capacity (seats up/down) | 485/1,604 litres | 472/1,478 litres |
Kerbweight/payload/towing weight | 1,548/552/2,000kg | 1,536/523/1,800kg |
Turning circle/drag coefficient | 10.8 metres | 10.7 metres |
Basic warranty (miles)/recovery | 3yrs (60,000)/2yrs | 4yrs (100,000)/4yrs |
Service intervals/UK dealers | Variable/128 | 18k miles (1yr)/153 |
Driver Power manufacturer/dealer pos. | 18th/27th* | 8th/12th* |
NCAP: Adult/child/ped./assist/stars | 93/84/71/60/5 | 89/81/74/71/5 |
0-60/30-70mph | 9.0/8.5 secs | 10.6/10.6 secs |
30-50mph in 3rd/4th | 3.6/6.0 secs | 3.9/5.6 secs |
50-70mph in 5th/6th | 7.9/11.5 secs | 7.8/9.8 secs |
Top speed/rpm at 70mph | 122mph/1,800rpm | 118mph/2,200rpm |
Braking 70-0/60-0/30-0mph | 48.9/32.5/10.0m | 53.2/34.2/10.6m |
Noise outside/idle/30/70mph | 67/46/62/72dB | 65/44/58/69dB |
Auto Express econ (mpg/mpl)/range | 43.0/9.5/520 miles | 46.4/10.2/663 miles |
Govt urban/extra-urban/combined | TBC/TBC/57.6mpg | 51.4/61.4/57.6mpg |
Govt urban/extra-urban/combined | TBC/TBC/12.7mpl | 11.3/13.5/12.7mpl |
Actual/claimed CO2/tax bracket | 176/128g/km/25% | 163/129g/km/25% |
Airbags/Isofix/parking assist/camera | Seven/y/£325/yes | Six/yes/yes/yes |
Auto box/stab/adaptive cruise/AEB^ | £2,565/yes/£500/yes | No/yes/no/£200 |
Climate control/leather/heated seats | Yes/yes/yes | Yes/yes/yes |
Met paint/LED headlights/power boot | £575/yes/£415 | £525/yes/no |
Sat-nav/USB/DAB radio/Bluetooth | Yes/yes/yes/yes | Yes/yes/yes/yes |