Car Review Search
Seat Altea XL
Car Review
Seat Altea XL
The SEAT Altea XL offers sporty styling and distinctive looks that make it an interesting alternative to a conventional people carrier.
It is roomy, keenly priced and well-equipped. On the road it has impeccable manners and goes out of its way to keep its occupants as safe as possible.
Seat Altea XL Car Review Summary
The SEAT Altea XL is aimed at parents who want a reasonable amount of space to cope with the paraphernalia that comes with children and a rewarding driving experience in something that doesn’t resemble a minibus. During the day you can be supermum or dad while at night you can zip around town as a bright young thing.
With its smooth lines and decent boot space the Altea satisfies these goals although if you want seven seats you’ll have to go somewhere else as the XL is a resolute five-seater.
There are three petrol and three diesel engines offered that all give reasonable performance with the range-topping 2.0 litre turbocharged petrol motor proving the most exciting while the 2.0 TDI 140 also packs a punch.
Practicality
The SEAT Altea XL has some clever touches that distinguish it from the people carrier herd. The rear seats split, fold flat and slide, but they don’t tumble, and can’t be removed completely. This doesn’t present a problem in the XL though as its extra length - compared to a standard Altea - allows it to house a split-level boot that is deep and large. It also has roof rails.
The interior is up to coping with the rigours imposed by family motoring - however some of the plastics are a little hard to the touch although this helps make them resistant to the attentions of any over-enthusiastic youngsters.
The Altea XL is noticeably more spacious than a conventional family hatchback - but not as spacious as a large people carrier. Indeed it offers a good compromise between the two. It’s well constructed and spacious for both front and rear seat occupants.
Running costs won’t break the bank and the Altea comes with the reassurance of a three-year/60,000-mile warranty. Less powerful versions also offer the benefit of respectably low insurance ratings.
The driving position is comfortable thanks to a height-adjustable seat and a steering wheel which moves for reach and rake. All the switches, dials and controls are logically placed and easy to use.
Seat Altea XL
Life Style
The SEAT Altea XL represents some alternative thinking when it comes to a design that best suits family motoring. It is handsome and distinctive lending a youthful stylish air to something that must be practical. It shares exterior family traits used on the Leon and Toledo, with the same front-end treatment and heavily contoured flanks.
It is also a decent drive and corners with much more aplomb than is normally found in a mid-sized people carrier.
Indeed the handling is excellent thanks to a firm suspension that keeps the tall hatch on the straight and narrow. The downside is that the ride quality can suffer on rougher stretches of road.
The Altea XL is a pretty refined beast with driver and passengers well insulated from road, wind and engine noise.
As far as the environment is concerned the 1.9TDI is the star of the show emitting just 149g/km of carbon dioxide which for a car of this type is a good effort.
Seat Altea XL
Security and Safety
The SEAT Altea XL is fitted with an alarm and deadlocks to deter the criminal element.
Safety is taken seriously by SEAT so the Altea XL comes with anti-lock brakes and stability control designed to keep the car on the road even when conditions become slippery, especially in corners. There are also twin front, side and curtain airbags, and ISOFIX child seat mounts.
The Finishing Touches
The SEAT Altea XL offers a host of equipment including front and rear electric windows, electric and heated door mirrors, cruise control, air conditioning and alloy wheels.
The audio system works well and large buttons make it commendably easy to use. The satellite navigation system is decent but costs extra as an option.
Interested in buying a new car from Seat
New Seat Offers
Lease Seat Offers
