SEAT Exeo Review

SEAT Exeo

Inside the SEAT Exeo, the feel is more business than family. Functional is the word that springs to mind, although the general ambience is one of subdued luxury, even without the optional leather seats. Leather cladding is standard for SE Lux customers and a £905 option for all but the S.

The seats in the test car had a charcoal knit covering the comfortable seats. Naturally, those at the front were of a sporty design with snug-fitting side bolsters offering plenty of support. Every SEAT Exeo has mechanical height adjustment for the driver and front passenger and, apart from the S, they all have lumbar adjustment. Powered and heated seats are available as options or as part of a Pack.

All of the rear seats have headrests and the seatbacks fold in a 60:40 ratio to extend the carrying capacity. Dropping the seat backs is an easy operation and although the seat squabs remain in place, the floor remains almost flat. Legroom is adequate and there is plenty of shoulder-room. Even more so with the centre seat vacant and the centre armrest lowered. From the SE upwards this centre armrest contains two pop-out cup-holders to match the one in the centre console.

The SEAT Exeo's dashboard is made using so-called 'slush moulding', which is a good description of the process. The result is a nicely textured surface and I particularly liked the way that the curve from the central tunnel rises to form the outer edge of the compact instrument nacelle. All SEAT Exeos have rake- and reach-adjustable steering columns ahead of the stylish arrangement of circular, chrome trimmed dials and small information panel.

To the left, the centre console is equally neat and tidy with pop-up lidded cubbies and an array of regimented, easily read buttons for comfort control and audio functions. In the centre of this is a larger information panel for the CD/radio with MP3 compatibility. The audio system and standard integrated Bluetooth hands-free with voice control, have secondary controls on the steering wheel. For more flexible music options, there is an AUX connection on the central tunnel and a USB port in the glovebox.

Behind the main glovebox section in the SEAT Exeo test car, was a separate cooler compartment, which comes as part of the (£210) Summer Pack with reflective windscreen, or the (£510) Comfort and Convenience Pack. The latter also comprises front parking sensors, an air quality sensor and an electric rear sunblind. Meanwhile, satellite navigation is an option across the trim levels and the DVD-based system, on offer, comes with a 6.5-inch colour screen for £1,735.

Seat Exeo