SEAT's first SUV had to be a good one, and thankfully the Ateca has scored a direct hit. More than that, it's combination of style, space, quality, driving enjoyment and value earned it the title of Crossover of the Year 2016 at our New Car Awards. The Spanish brand's sharp design language ensures that the SEAT Ateca is one of the best looking SUVs of its kind. There's substance underneath, too, with a wide range of punchy and efficient engines and a well-tuned chassis making the Ateca the best in its class on the road. A lack of kit for the cheapest models and slightly dull interior may deter some, but the impressive space on offer, general air of solidity and availability of four-wheel drive gives the Ateca all it needs to beat the Nissan Qashqai.
The Seat Ateca breaks new ground for Seat, because the Spanish brand has previously built as many SUVs as it has spaceships. But while Seat is undoubtedly very late to the party, it’s drawing on the experience of others and offering keen pricing. Underneath the sharp bodywork is essentially the same mechanicals that sits beneath the much more expensive Volkswagen Tiguan. True, the Ateca misses out on some of that car’s practical features, such as reclining and sliding rear seats, but it still has a large boot and masses of rear seat space. We think many people will happily give up the VW’s extra flexibility when they consider that a very well equipped four-wheel-drive Ateca will cost the same as a mid-range two-wheel-drive Tiguan.
The SEAT Ateca is an affordable, practical and desirable SUV that gives buyers a great alternative to the Renault Kadjar and Nissan Qashqai. SEAT has never had an SUV in its line-up before, but the SEAT Ateca has quickly become one of our favourites, giving potential Renault Kadjar and Nissan Qashqai owners a great alternative. The Spanish manufacturer hasn’t exactly started from a standstill, as most of you will know the Ateca shares a considerable amount with the Volkswagen Tiguan. But, the SEAT did get a small head start in the UK, going on sale first, costing less and looking rather stylish, too.
Pros Very well priced Looks fantastic Good to drive
Cons Slightly firm ride Not a completely flat loading area Tiny five-inch screen on cheaper models
The Stelvio is now available with rear-wheel drive, but it's only standard on the bottom two models. Every version now can be had with heated rear seats, a premium alarm system, and Imola Titanium metallic paint. Its two new option packages are the Nero Edizione bundle, which includes numerous black exterior accents such as 20-inch wheels wrapped in all-season rubber and backed by red, black, or yellow brake calipers. The Ti Sport Carbon package also adds a set of 20-inch rims along with copious carbon-fiber and dark-colored bits inside and out.
Pros Stunning Italian design, incredible ride and handling, enthralling powertrain.
Cons Nonluxury interior, questionable reliability, only one engine-transmission combination.
The 2019 Alfa Romeo Stelvio, however, prioritizes the driving experience over such plebeian concerns. It strives to be the driver's pick among premium compact crossover SUVs — vehicles that generally aren't known for their dynamic attributes.Rear-wheel-drive base model added.Android Auto/Apple CarPlay is standard on all Stelvios.
Pros Sharp steering and precise handling Powerful and exciting engines Distinctive styling helps it stand out from the crowd
Cons Overly sensitive brake pedal Snug back seat and cargo volume Lower towing capacity than competitors
The 2019 Alfa Romeo Stelvio ranked #12 in Luxury Compact SUVs. Currently the Alfa Romeo Stelvio has a score of 8.0 out of 10 which is based on our evaluation of 16 pieces of research and data elements using various sources.
Pros Engaging handling Powerful engine choices Plenty of standard features
Cons Unimpressive cabin quality Some confusing infotainment features Below-average cargo space High base price
