Car Reviews

Honest John Reviews SEAT

SEAT Altea (2004 – 2015) Review

SEAT Altea (2004 – 2015) At A Glance

3/5

+Roomy cabin with a decent boot. Distinctive styling. Excellent crash test rating.

-The ride quality isn't forgiving enough. Overall a Ford C-MAX does it better. Poor treatment of owners over ABS/ESP module failures.

Insurance Groups are between 7–21
On average it achieves 87% of the official MPG figure

I have very fond memories of Altea. It's a pretty artist's town on a turquoise sea between Benidorm and Calpe. I had a girlfriend there when I was about 20. Her mama was a painter, and took me to a wonderful restaurant called Pepe's in an old building by the sea where we ate charcoal grilled mackerel with chilled red wine.

But instead of launching the Altea in Altea, SEAT chose Watford.

Why? Well it just so happens that The Grove hotel in Watford's green belt is probably the finest art hotel in Britain if not the finest hotel full stop. Everything, from the wall of keys behind reception to the Perspex case of butterflies in my room, is an accessible kind of art that delights even sceptics like me. And the sun shone almost as intensely as it does on the Costa Blanca. So the scene was certainly set to launch a car SEAT wants us to appreciate for its style and form.

SEAT Altea 2004 Road Test

Reviews for SEAT Altea (2004 – 2015)'s top 3 rivals

Ford C-MAX
4/5
Best entry and egress of any car anywhere. Excellent front seat comfort.
Mercedes-Benz B-Class
3/5
Raised driving position, lots of interior room, decent diesel engines, good ride quality on smaller wheels.
Volkswagen Golf
3/5
Decent fuel economy across the range. Excellent standard and optional equipment including a self-park...

SEAT Altea (2004 – 2015) handling and engines

I worked out a useful little route from The Grove Hotel to Grove Lock on the Herts/Beds border via Ivinghoe, along undulating roads that are an excellent test of any car's suspension system. (I believe you can also get from Grove to Grove more slowly and smoothly by canal.)

But first I had a good look over the car. It's certainly different, designed by the same Walter d'Silva, who created the timeless beauty of the Alfa 156. The sculpted oriental headlights are very nice. There's a look to the car unlike anything else in the VAG stable, or anything else for that matter. Clever touches abound, like clap-hands wipers which park themselves vertically, tucked inside the A pillars, ensuring the sides of the screen are properly wiped and a completely uncluttered forward view. Like the Grove hotel, the art of the Altea is readily appreciated.

Engines in the cars on test were VAG's 140PS 2.0 16v TDI coupled to a six-speed box, VAG's 105PS 1.9 TDI with a five-speed box, and VAG's 102PS 1.6 16v petrol also with five-speeds to help it along. MPH per 1,000 rpm in top corresponded to roughly 32.5, 30 and 20 respectively.

First, the 140PS TDI Sport, which came with body-hugging seats you have to get into rather than slide onto and, while these hold you in place very well, they mitigate against one advantage of tall cars which is ease of entry and exit for the elderly.

Unlike the progressive feel of the 2.0 TDI and 6-speeder in the A3 and Golf V, this one tends to lunge in second. And it's all too easy to clumsily bang in the clutch at the peak of the all or nothing torque curve leaving rubber all over the road when pulling into a traffic stream. But it certainly picks up speed very rapidly and is never embarrassed by lack of power.

To keep the show on the road, SEAT has fitted fairly stiff suspension and the downside is ride quality which I'd be generous to describe as "below average". It doesn't jar sharply, but you feel you're being bounced up and down like a basketball. It hangs on well through corners for a tall car though the rubbery way it does this is neither precise nor pleasant. It does the job, yet isn't inspiring like a Leon 20VT.

Probably better to save between £1,650 and £2,700 by going for the more basic 1.9 TDI 105 Reference model. You don't get alloy wheels or wraparound seats, or six speeds or 35 extra PS. But you do get flatter, more accessible chairs and a slightly softer ride without sacrificing too much performance punch or handling. So you can still find yourself scuttling round bends far more quickly than you're used to from the height you are sitting.

Lastly, the least expensive Altea: the 1.6 102PS petrol powered Reference model. This is much smoother and more linear to drive than the diesels without any sudden peaks to its power. But it's so low geared that to make the same sort of progress you have to rev the nuts off the thing.

So what's the verdict?

Buy an Altea and you will certainly be making a style statement. It's reasonably practical, too. But it doesn't do anything that the Ford Focus C-Max doesn't do considerably better. And, sorry SEAT, I have to say I don't expect its list prices to hold up for long. After all, with Citroen Picasso 1.6s starting at well under £10,000 in the real world, and Focus C-Max 1.6s at under £11,000, you'd need a lot of spare cash to fork out a mimimum £12,800 for the sake of driving a work of art.

Engine MPG 0-62 CO2
1.2 TSI 50 mpg 11.3 s 132 g/km
1.4 44 mpg 15.0 s 152 g/km
1.4 TSI 44 mpg 10.3 s 152 g/km
1.6 36–39 mpg 12.8 s 173–185 g/km
1.6 TDI 58 mpg 12.4 s 129 g/km
1.6 TDI DSG 58 mpg 12.4 s 129 g/km
1.6 TDI Ecomotive 63 mpg 12.2 s 119 g/km
1.6 TDI Ecomotive DSG 58 mpg 12.4 s 129 g/km
1.9 TDI 47–52 mpg 12.3–12.5 s 142–159 g/km
1.9 TDI 90 52 mpg 14.3 s 142 g/km
2.0 TDI 46–58 mpg 8.5–9.9 s 129–167 g/km
2.0 TDI CR DSG 51 mpg 9.7 s 144 g/km
2.0 TSI FR 35 mpg 7.7 s 191 g/km

Real MPG average for the SEAT Altea (2004 – 2015)

RealMPG

Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.

Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.

Average performance

87%

Real MPG

28–59 mpg

MPGs submitted

189

SEAT Altea (2004 – 2015) interior

Dimensions
Length 4280–4325 mm
Width 1768 mm
Height 1568–1576 mm
Wheelbase 2578 mm

Full specifications

The body is upright rather than low like a SEAT Leon. So it's a sort of hatchback/MPV cross, in the manner of a Ford C-Max. SEAT optimistically call it a ‘Multi Sports Vehicle', trying to create a niche within a niche. There's bags of room for bags. Storage areas above and below the luggage compartment. Places to put things in the sides of the seats. But no multitude of lidded cubbyholes as in the Renault Scenic. The 60/40 split rear seats slide and fold giving a high but fairly flat luggage area. There is chef's hat headroom.

You have an excellent view forwards but, like the VW Touran, two severe blind spots at the base of the front screen pillars. SEAT has tried to reduce these by fitting fairly small elliptical door mirrors, however you have to do a double-take to be sure when emerging from side roads.

SEAT Altea (2004 – 2015) models and specs

Dimensions
Length 4280–4325 mm
Width 1768 mm
Height 1568–1576 mm
Wheelbase 2578 mm
Miscellaneous
Kerb Weight 1320–1480 kg
Boot Space 409–1320 L
Warranty 3 years
Servicing 10000–18000 miles
Spare Wheel
Standard Tyre-repair kit
Alternative Space-saving spare wheel
Costs
List Price £11,922–£21,265
Insurance Groups 7–21
Road Tax Bands C–J
Official MPG 34.3–62.8 mpg
Euro NCAP Safety Ratings
Adult 5
Child 3
Pedestrian 3
Overall -

On sale until May 2017

Medium MPV
Version List Price MPG 0-62
1.6 TDI 105ps Ecomotive I Tech 5dr £19,345 62.8 mpg 12.2 s
1.6 TDI 105ps I Tech DSG 5dr £20,215 57.6 mpg 12.4 s
2.0 TDI 140ps I Tech 5dr £20,145 57.6 mpg 9.7 s

On sale until October 2015

Hatchback
Version List Price MPG 0-62
ITEC 1.6 TDI DSG auto 105 5dr £20,215 57.6 mpg 12.4 s
ITEC 1.6 TDI Ecomotive 105 5dr £19,345 62.8 mpg 12.2 s
ITEC 2.0 TDI 140 5dr £20,145 57.6 mpg 9.7 s

On sale until November 2013

Hatchback
Version List Price MPG 0-62
S Copa 1.6 TDI CR Ecomotive 5dr £17,985 62.8 mpg 12.2 s
SE Copa 1.6 TDI CR Ecomotive 5dr £19,345 62.8 mpg 12.2 s
SE Copa 1.6 TDI CR Ecomotive DSG 5dr Auto £20,210 57.6 mpg 12.4 s
SE Copa 2.0 TDI CR 5dr £20,145 57.6 mpg 9.7 s

On sale until June 2013

Hatchback
Version List Price MPG 0-62
S 1.2 TSI 5dr £16,430 49.6 mpg 11.3 s
S 1.6 TDI CR Ecomotive 5dr £17,785 62.8 mpg 12.2 s
S Copa 1.2 TSI 5dr £16,430 49.6 mpg 11.3 s
SE 1.2 TSI 5dr £17,790 49.6 mpg 11.3 s
SE 1.6 TDI CR Ecomotive 5dr £19,145 62.8 mpg 12.2 s
SE 1.6 TDI CR Ecomotive DSG 5dr Auto £20,010 57.6 mpg 12.4 s
SE 2.0 TDI CR 5dr £19,945 57.6 mpg 9.7 s
SE 2.0 TDI CR DSG 5dr Auto £21,265 51.4 mpg 9.7 s
SE Copa 1.2 TSI 5dr £17,790 49.6 mpg 11.3 s
SE Copa 2.0 TDI CR DSG 5dr Auto £21,265 51.4 mpg 9.7 s

On sale until December 2012

Hatchback
Version List Price MPG 0-62
S 1.4 5dr £15,245 43.5 mpg 15.0 s
S Emocion 1.2 TSI 5dr £17,000 49.6 mpg 11.3 s
S Emocion 1.6 TDI CR Ecomotive 5dr £18,360 62.8 mpg 12.2 s
SE 1.4 TSI 5dr £17,880 43.5 mpg 10.3 s

On sale until November 2010

Hatchback
Version List Price MPG 0-62
S 1.9 TDI (90ps) 5dr £15,515 52.3 mpg 14.3 s

On sale until March 2010

Hatchback
Version List Price MPG 0-62
S 1.6 5dr £14,765 38.7 mpg 12.8 s
S 1.9 TDI 5dr £15,810 52.3 mpg 12.3 s
S Emocion 1.6 5dr £15,315 38.7 mpg 12.8 s
S Emocion 1.9 TDI 5dr £16,360 52.3 mpg 12.3 s
SE 1.9 TDI 5dr £17,110 52.3 mpg 12.3 s
SE 1.9 TDI 5dr Auto £18,415 47.1 mpg 12.5 s
Sport 2.0 TDI CR 5dr £19,640 50.4 mpg 8.5 s

On sale until May 2009

Hatchback
Version List Price MPG 0-62
1.6 Reference 5dr £13,550 36.7 mpg 12.8 s
1.6 Reference Sport 5dr £14,050 36.7 mpg 12.8 s
1.9 TDI Reference 5dr £14,640 52.3 mpg 12.3 s
1.9 TDI Reference Sport 5dr £15,140 52.3 mpg 12.3 s
1.9 TDI Stylance 5dr £15,890 52.3 mpg 12.3 s
1.9 TDI Stylance 5dr Auto £15,890 - -
2.0 TDI DPF FR 5dr £18,440 45.6 mpg 8.6 s
2.0 TDI DSG Stylance 5dr Auto £18,140 - -
2.0 TDI Stylance 5dr £16,940 48.7 mpg 9.9 s
2.0 TSI FR 5dr £18,590 35.3 mpg 7.7 s
2.0 TSI FR 5dr Auto £18,590 - -

On sale until June 2007

Hatchback
Version List Price MPG 0-62
2.0 FSI Stylance Tiptronic 5dr Auto £16,822 - -

On sale until May 2007

Hatchback
Version List Price MPG 0-62
1.6 Essence 5dr £11,922 36.2 mpg 12.8 s
1.6 Stylance 5dr £13,622 36.2 mpg 12.8 s

Model History

January 0001

First incantation of gorgeous Walter de'Silva 'Salsa' concept, designed as a 'multi sports vehicle'. 2+2 seating in four individual seats with 4 side doors and low riding Golf Mk V based chassis.

Length: 4,280mm, width: 1,770mm; height 1,570mm; wheelbase 2,578mm.

Range of Golf V engines include 102PS 1.6 FSI, 150PS 2.0 FSI, 105PD 1.9 TDI and 140PS 2.0 TDI 16v. 6-speed manual gearbox on 2.0 FSI and 2.0TDI, optional 6-speed Tiptronic on FSI and 6-speed DSG on TDI. Also features 'Dynamic Steering Response' agile chassis as Leon Cupra R. Nice name. Original Prices:-

102ps Altea Reference 1.6: £12,850
105ps Altea Reference 1.9TDI: £14,000
102ps Altea Stylance 1.6: £13,900
105ps Altea Stylance 1.9TDI: £15,050
150ps Altea Sport 2.0FSi: £16,000
140ps Altea Sport 2.0TDI: £16,700
150ps Altea Sport 2.0FSI Tiptronic: £16,900
140ps Altea Sport 2.0TDI DSG: £17,600

New Price List 21-7-2005
Altea 1.6 Essance £11,695
Altea 1.6 Referance £12,195
Altea 1.6 Referance Sport £12,495
Altea 1.6 Stylance £13,195
Altea 2.0FSI Stylance Tiptronic £16,195
Altea 2.0FSI Sport £15,995
Altea 1.9TDI Reference £13,195
Altea 1.9TDI Referance Sport £13,495
Altea 1.9TDI Stylance £14,195
Altea 2.0TDI Sport £16,695
Altea 2.0 TDI Sport DSG £17,595

2.0TDI DSG by far the best. DSG overcomes engine's narrow powerband.

5 star NCAP score for occupant safety, excellent 3 stars for pedestrian safety and 4 stars for child protection.

170PS TDI FR model with 350Nm torque from May 2006; 200PS 2.0TFSI FR petrol later in 2006

Altea 2.0TDI 170PS £17,795

Road test at SEAT Altea 2004 Road Test

www.motorpoint.co.uk had independently imported Stylance 1.6 at £11,599

Voted Caravan Club 'Midi-MPV Towcar of the Year 2005'.

2.0 TDI 170ps FR announced 26-11-2005. Sirst VAG product with 170ps version of 2.0 TDI.

Altea 2.0T FSI 200 FR DSG from November 2006 at £18,195.

September 2009

Altea and Altea XL Ecomotive models with only 119 g/km of CO2 emissions.

November 2013

Simplified SEAT Altea line-up announced. All models replaced by I-TECH trim for the same price as the outgoing Copa SE.

I TECH adds 16-inch titanium finish alloys wheels, front parking sensors, a colour TFT screen for rear passengers, and forward sliding rear seats for added versatility. Three I TECH powertrain options: a 1.6 TDI Ecomotive diesel engine with 105 PS, the same engine with a DSG automatic transmission, or a 2.0 TDI diesel with 140 PS.

I TECH trim also includes dark tinted rear windows, roof rails, dual-zone climate control, automatic wipers and headlights, rear parking sensors, SEAT Media System 2.2 (including satellite navigation and Bluetooth), a double floor boot, and overhead interior storage.

In addition, two new colours are introduced: Bahama Blue and Technic Grey.

The Altea range now begins at £19,345 for an Altea I TECH 1.6 TDI 105 PS Ecomotive, while the DSG version is £20,215, and the 2.0 TDI 140 PS is £20,145.

The manual 1.6 TDI Ecomotive version (including XL) achieved 62.8 mpg combined in the EC tests, while both the 1.6 TDI DSG and 2.0 TDI 140 PS manual returned the same 57.6 mpg figure.

The five-seat Altea combines the styling and dynamics of a traditional family hatchback with the space of an MPV; its high roofline, commanding driving position and 409-litre boot make the Altea a brilliant, versatile family car.

August 2014

Altea I-TECH introduced to replace the Altea Copa. Has sliding rear seats, dual-zone climate control, electric front and rear windows, Hill Hold Control, plus front and rear parking sensors, central roof-mounted TFT screen in the rear, SEAT Media System 2.2, including satellite navigation, five-inch colour touchscreen, DAB radio, SD card slot and Bluetooth, 16-inch 'Elio' alloy wheels with titanium finish, auto headlights and rain sensing wipers, eight airbags and a tyre pressure monitoring system. Prices from £19,345 for the Altea I-TECH 1.6 TDI Ecomotive, rising to £20,865 for the XL 2.0 TDI 140.

What to watch out for

01-01-0001:

On 1.9 TDI 105s both a clutch release bearing fault and a hesitation on running fault with no cure available from VW at 10-10-06. This seems to be caused by an ECU software problem. All engines need new timing belts and tensioners every 4 years or 60,000 miles whichever comes first. Cluch/DMF failures increasingly common by late 2009.

Plastic timing belt tensioners of 1.4 and 1.6 16v engines failing regularly, though fortunately the belts are rarely flung off when this happens. Engine noise damping cover not fitted to Stylance 1.9 diesels. Costs £70 to have fitted.

Complaint of repeated failure of cruise control, even after replacement of all relevant components.

Hiccuping on 2008 1.9TDI 105s cured by a flash dealer download to the ECU.

DSG heat exchangers prone to failure, filling the box with engine coolant, like the MB Valeo readiator problem on 2000 - 2004 models.

ESP warning light can indicate Fault Code "Boost Pressure Sensor G201". This is embedded inside Teves Mk 60 ABS systems and requires replacement of ABS control unit/pump. Seems to be age-related, occurring mainly in 3 - 5 year old cars. Does not necessarily lead to an MoT failure. Some owners being asked to pay up to £1,300 for replacements on cars as young as 4 years old. More on the problem and independent rebuilds of the unit at: http://ecutesting.com/vw_golf_touran_abs_pump_module.html

Also minor problems with hestitation when pulling away and car very prone to stalling.

On 6-speed twin shaft manuals the gearchange from 1st to 2nd can become stiff. First stage dealer cure is to replace the transmission oil. If that fails, it needs a synchro ring replacing. So if your box stiffens up, make sure it is attended to before the warranty expires.

22-01-2011:

If ESP/ABS amber warning light comes on intermittently and will not re-set, you might not actually have the ATE Teves Mk 60 ABS/ESP problem. First check circuits and start at the ABS fuse and holder (no 9 on a Golf, on scuttle edge by driver door). Pull it out, have a look and if okay replace it. The warning light may then go out. Sometimes they slip out a bit and become wobbly, which is enough to set off the warning.

14-03-2011:

Digital LED display can be corrupted by below zero temperatures. £830 for a new instrument cluster (including the speedo and rev counter). ‘Cluster Repairs’ at www.Clusterrepairsuk.co.uk. quote £180 to fit a new LED unit to the existing cluster. Instrument cluster removal is a DIY job using the Haynes manual. Existing data; mileage, fuel consumption data etc. is preserved intact.

10-10-2013:

DSG of 43,500 mile 2009 Seat Altea XL stylance (2009) 1.9 diesel jerking at low speeds when parking or reversing or in slow moving traffic. May need no more than a fluid and microfilter change. Apparently www.ecutesting.com has a fix for the Mechatronics.

31-05-2014:

Rod through block of 67k mile 2008 Altea 1.9TDI. Dearler ridiculously quoted £11,000 to replace engine. SEAT UK offered 33% towards cost.

02-11-2016:

Report of poor starting from hot of 88k mile 2005/55 SEAT Altea 1.9TDI PD. No problem starting from cold.

03-02-2017:

Report of average mpg of SEAT Altea 1.6TDI dropping from 57mpg to 51mpg after the EA189 NOx emissions 'fix'.

27-03-2017:

Report of SEAT Altea XL 1.6TDI DSG running roughly, stalling and jolting after the NOx emissions fix. SEAT says it is the clutch pack failing.

16-10-2017:

Report of 2011/61 SEAT Altea 1.6TDI (post NOx emissions fix) suffering DSG failure at 78k miles. If owner puts it into gear and starts driving, it travels a couple of yards then it pops out of gear (display changes from D1 to D) and loses all drive. Owner bought used and does not know if fluid was ever changed from synthatic to mineral. SEAT denies all liability. Might be as 27-3-2017 above: clutch pack failing.

22-11-2017:

Report of repeated injector failures, one at a time, on a 2014 SEAT Altea 1.6TDI, presumably after the NOx emissions fix. Replaced under warranty, but only one at a time.

05-04-2018:

No official word from VAG, but ECU testing believes that the DQ200 7-speed dry cutch Mechatronics control box was finally re-engineered in 2016. This DSG 7 control unit is a common failure with engines under 2.0 litres on the SEAT Altea (2009 – 2016)