SEAT Altea Is Best Midi-MPV Towcar
Published: 29th September 2004
SEAT Altea
The Caravan Club has run the highly respected annual Towcar Competition for 22 years, for the last two years in association with What Car? magazine. This year the 10 category winners were decided over four days of rigorous testing in ever-changing and unpredictable August weather at Millbrook Proving Ground in Bedfordshire. The panel of expert judges, including Richard Noble OBE, Project Director for the Thrust SSC Supersonic Car Programme, tested the cars for a wide range of attributes, not just their towing prowess. The ability to carry large loads and the ease of access to electrics were just some of the other considerations. The Altea, SEAT’s latest model, performed exceptionally well beating off strong competition from the Ford C-Max Ghia, Citroën Xsara Picasso Desire and Renault Grand Scenic to take the class win in the midi-MPV category.
Expert Judge and Editor of the Caravan Club Magazine, Barry Williams, commented, "‘Chuckable’ is probably the word that sums up the Altea’s performance round the high-speed track and through the twists and turns of the mountain route. It stormed up a long 14% gradient in 3rd gear and I found its stability faultless at over 80 mph on the high-speed bowl. In day to day towing you’ll find 6th gear usable right down to about 50 mph, such is the flexibility of the 2.0 litre, 140 bhp TDI engine; and when you come to a stop you’ll find the handbrake works really well."
The 140PS SEAT Altea 2.0 TDI Sport has a recommended retail price of £16,700 on the road including one year’s road tax, first registration fee, 3 year/60,000 miles mechanical warranty, 12 year anti-perforation warranty and 5 years’ SEAT Assistance including cover in over 30 countries in Europe and its borders. Standard equipment includes twin front, side and curtain airbags, two-zone climate control, radio/CD player, cruise control, ABS, TCS and ESP, two 12 volt power sockets and a volumetric alarm. It has a maximum braked towing weight of 1400 kg.
To read our road test of the SEAT Altea [ click here ]
Seat Altea
Our Seat Altea Guide lists the full specification of the current UK Altea range, including car prices, fuel consumption, dimensions and other vital data.
Price Range: £12,845 - £18,295
Body Style:
Fuel:
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Models in the range: 10
We have road tested the Seat Altea, to read our in-depth car reviews:
Seat Altea Review - Feb 2005
Seat Altea Review - Jun 2004
Seat Altea Review - Apr 2007
Our Car Buyer’s Guide covers all of the UK’s major new cars and includes CO2 ratings and car insurance groups. Data updated on the 28th Nov 2008
