SEAT Altea Freetrack 4 Road Test

SEAT Altea Freetrack 4

The imposing centre console is angled slightly towards the driver and houses a large information screen, through which various functions can be controlled. These include the standard CD/radio with MP3 compatibility, with secondary controls on the steering wheel. A Bluetooth communications pack is available as an option, as is Satellite Navigation but strangely audio CDs cannot be played when it is in use.

There are two engine options; a 2.0 TSI (as tested) or a 2.0 TDI. Both are mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox and automatic transmission is not an option. The turbocharged TSI petrol unit is both faster and quicker than the diesel with a top speed of 133mph and a 0-62mph time of just 7.5 seconds as opposed to 127mph and 8.7 seconds. That said, neither of them are slow.

The TSI’s sprint time is more in keeping with that of a hot-hatch but this engine thinks it is a diesel. Ignore the power output of 200PS at 5,100rpm and focus on the 280Nm of torque. Not excessive in itself but it is available in a broad band between 1,800- and 5,000rpm, and that makes a huge difference to the flexibility, with plenty of low-down torque and a quick burst of speed available, in all gears, at a squeeze of the organ-pedal accelerator.

Thanks to the sports suspension, the Freetrack 4 gets gold stars for handling and ride quality on highways and byways - it is simply a joy to drive. Unlike some of its competitors that have a tendency to lumber through bends, the Freetrack 4 is focused and balanced.

Unfortunately, the diesel-like qualities don’t apply to fuel economy. The official figures of 22.1-, 38.2- and 30.1mpg for the urban, extra-urban and combined cycles aren’t as good as they might be these days and 223 grams of CO2 escape from the chromed tailpipes every kilometre.

As for safety, the Freetrack 4 comes with front and side airbags for the driver and passenger with two curtain airbags to complete the set. That is unless you add the optional side airbags for the rear seats. Based on the EuroNCAP results for the Altea, SEAT expects the Freetrack 4 to have the same comparable ratings of 5 stars for Occupant Safety, 4 stars for Child Protection and a very good, 3 stars for Pedestrian Protection.

All of this only becomes an issue if the electronic wizardry fails to help you avoid an accident. Every Freetrack 4 is fitted with TCS traction control and the latest generation of ESP together with something called Driving Steering Recommendation (DSR), which checks the amount of braking at each axle and transmits an impulse to the steering wheel to help keep the car on course. It is particularly effective in strong side winds. The ESP system also comprises a Trailer Stability Programme (TSP), which does what it says on the label, and finally, the usual suspects are on board; ABS with EBD.

Seat Altea freetrack 4