31: Seat Ateca – One of the better motoring equivalents to lift shoes

It’s incumbent upon us to remind you that all SUVs are really just glorified hatchbacks and estates, and you’re basically paying thousands more, and shackling yourself to higher fuel and tax costs, for the automotive equivalent of lift shoes.

Still, if you must, then the Ateca is one of the nicer propositions, and is certainly better value than the two VW SUVs (T-Roc and Tiguan) with which it shares its mechanical package.

It also seems, somehow, slightly more characterful and more pleasant to drive than the all-but-identical Skoda Karoq (but perhaps that’s more to do with memories of the beloved Yeti…).

The Ateca looks smart, is okay to drive, has a big boot, a roomy back seat, and decent build quality. Sadly, the 150hp 1.4 TSI petrol has disappeared from the price lists, but the 1.0 TSI is surprisingly sprightly if you’re living in town, and the default 1.6 TDI diesel still decent for longer-haul users.