SEAT cars come from the same family as Volkswagen, who would have us believe that they intend to make the brand its edgier, funkier cousin, with a bit more Latin hot-headedness, and a bit less Teutonic rationale. Well, that’s the plan anyway. But have they achieved it?
Yes and no. Some SEAT cars certainly look the part. The Altea MPV, for example, with styling by the chap responsible for the Alfa 156 is very easy on the eye. The Leon has a more hunkered-down approach by comparison, and comes with some good engines. Depreciation on the Leon is low thanks to VW parts, the diesels routinely return 50-odd miles per gallon, and it undercuts its rivals on price. That makes sound economic sense all round. The Alhambra MPV (yes, there are two MPVs in the SEAT cars range – the Alhambra is bigger) comes very highly recommended – frugal, gutsy, spacious and a very real alternative to the Ford Galaxy. Follow that with the Ibiza, which has won the What Car Supermini Award for the past three years and you’ll see that SEAT cars have got a very strong hand.
On top of this, since they have the Volkswagen connection, you get the same types of driver aids and comforts in SEAT cars that you get in the German ones. The entry level Leon comes with one of those computers that calculates vaguely interesting things about your journey, air conditioning, electric windows, electric wing mirrors and so on.
But that hot-headed Latin thing? Auto emocion? Merely the by-product of ad men stuck for ideas. SEAT cars are equally as rational as their VW counterparts – they just look better.