Seat gives Ateca SUV a 2020 facelift

Seat has given its Ateca SUV a facelift as it bids to maintain its competitive position against the likes of the VW Tiguan, Peugeot 3008 and Nissan Qashqai. Due on sale in the UK in July, with first deliveries expected to arrive in August, prices are expected to start from around £23,000.

Boasting a number of mechanical and technology revisions, the latest Ateca also now incorporates some design features lifted from its larger sibling, the Tarraco.

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Externally the Ateca gains new LED headlamps, a pair of redesigned fog lamps, a revised radiator grille, plus design tweaks for the front air intakes, skid plate and bumper. look closely and you’ll spot the bonnet carries the same Seat family creases as first seen on the new Leon hatchback and the larger Tarraco SUV.

Nip round to the rear and there’s a fresh pair of LED tail lights — which share a similar design to the Tarraco’s and feature scrolling indicators on the FR and Xperience trim-levels — plus a new spoiler, bumper and undertray. Gone is the Ateca’s block-capital badge design, replaced by the same hand-written script found on the rear of the new Leon.

What about trim levels?

Seat has slightly tweaked its line-up of trim levels. While the previous model’s SE, SE Technology, FR and FR Sport trim levels are carried over to the new facelifted example, the comfort-focused flagship Xcellence model has been renamed “Xperience.” Seat says the Xperience will “focus on all-terrain styling” and “offer a more robust visual to the vehicle, without compromising versatility”.

In essence, that means the Xperience gets black front and rear bumpers with aluminium-finish lower valance, body-coloured wheel arch surrounds, and side mouldings completed in an aluminium finish.

Any changes to the interior?

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Across the whole Ateca range, the interior now includes a choice of new upholstery designs in fabric, microsuede or leather. There’s also a new leather steering wheel, updated door cards. FR Sport models and above get a 10.25-inch digital instrument binnacle as standard, while the new Xperience variant is fitted with a heated windscreen.

Also included in the cabin are a pair of new USB-C ports, voice recognition, a multi-colour ambient lighting system and an eight-way electrically adjustable driver’s seat. Standard-fit also includes an 8.25-inch infotainment system, though this increases in size to a 9.2in central screen on SE Technology models and above.

What about the engines?

As for engines, Ateca buyers can choose from four petrol and two diesel engines. The entry-level turbocharged 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol unit is available with either 108bhp or 113bhp outputs. The former engine is a slightly more efficient version of the latter, featuring a range of fuelling and management revisions which Seat says can improve economy by up to 10 per cent.

The petrol range also includes a 148bhp turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder producing 184lb/ft of torque. It’s mated to a six-speed manual gearbox as standard, with a seven-speed dual-clutch auto available as an option.

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The range-topping petrol is the 187bhp turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder, which is good for 236lb/ft of torque. This is only available with a seven-speed DSG gearbox and four-wheel drive.

And is there a diesel?

Those keen to remain with diesel can choose the 2.0TDI is two states of tune, either 112bhp of 147bhp. The lesser-powered unit gets a six-speed manual ‘box, with the larger available with either the manual, or a DSG dual-clutch transmission. The latter can also support 4Drive all-wheel drive as an option. The 1.6TDI from the previous range has been ditched.

Seat will confirm prices closer to the on-sale date, but we expect the entry-level SE variant to start around £23,000, rising to close to £37,000 for the range-topping model.

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