SEAT Altea Review
Published: 15th February 2005
SEAT Altea
Comfort and Refinement
During our time with the SEAT Altea we were impressed with the level of thought that has gone into the ergonomics of the vehicle. The interior is spacious and comfortable with excellent head and leg room in both the front and rear. The large flexible interior has ample cabin space for 4/5 people. The slightly raised seating position and wide opening doors make the Altea a very easy vehicle to get in and out of which makes it an excellent choice for people with mobility problems. It also features grab handles in both the front and rear.
The Altea has very comfortable and supportive seats which feature ample side support and long seat base cushions for under thigh support. The drivers seat is height and reach adjustable and has a tilting backrest with lumbar support.
The leather covered three spoke steering wheel is adjustable for height and reach enabling you to attain the perfect driving position.
Our test car featured electric folding door mirrors which make fitting through tight gaps and parking on the street more reassuring.
The Altea featured night time ambient lighting which included subtle
lighting in the rear view mirror and the controls are backlit for
ease of use at night.
The level of refinement is high and includes: two zone climate control
(driver & passenger), one touch electric front & rear window
with anti-squeeze, illuminated driver and passenger sunvisors, passenger
sunvisor with mirror, two 12V power outlets - front and rear centre
consoles, auto-dimming rear view mirror, electric adjustable door
mirrors and cruise control.
How It Looks - Exterior
The Altea is a bold move for SEAT and Mark McKenna, SEAT’s UK Head of Marketing revealed that the new face of the Altea will be used for the new generation Toledo and Leon models. The design is truly beautiful and there is nothing to fault. Its elegant looks attracted a lot of attention from passers by on our test route. The Altea’s nose features a bold honeycomb mesh radiator grille, bonnet and headlamp design, while the swooping side line is clearly visible from the side. Another moving work of art are the innovative windscreen wiper blades which are concealed within the windscreen’s A-pillars observing them in motion is fantastic. They will certainly stop annoying leaflets and parking tickets being left under your wipers.
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