Seat Altea - 1.6 Reference 5dr Quick Stats :
	0-60mph Maximum Speed Insurance Group Contract Hire	112.8 seconds 112 mph 6 from £195+VAT pm

In our opinion, this is one of the sexiest hatchbacks ever. The sweeping lines and sharp styling gives it a sporty look that no other can match. There's more to the Altea than just a pretty face though. It has a range of modern and efficient engines, lots of equipment and although it only seats five, it's very versatile, making the most of the available space. The FR (Formula Racing) model adds hot-hatch thrills to the mix with powerful petrol and diesel engines along with improved handling and a sportier specification.

The entry-level 100bhp 1.6 provides enough poke for town driving, but may frustrate you on the longer motorway journey. It is certainly more than acceptable, if you are happy to drive within the speed limit and with the cost of fuel on the up, this is never a bad thing.

Like other recent SEAT models, Altea provides an engaging and, at times, rewarding drive. With a decent gear change, responsive steering, sharp brakes and composed cornering, it lives up to its sporty styling. The FR gives more controlled handling with less body roll and excellent cornering as a result of its stiffer suspension, electronic stability control and traction control. It also benefits from larger, more effective brakes. Ride quality remains generally comfortable even on sporty models.

The seats are a little firm, but offer good support for longer journeys and the rear seats can slide to increase legroom when needed. There's plenty of legroom for all passengers and a huge amount of headroom. Interior trim is tasteful on all models while road and engine noise are well suppressed. At higher speeds, wind noise from around the windscreen pillars can be irritating, especially on the motorway.

Altea's a star performer when it comes to storage space - there are cubbies and boxes dotted throughout the cabin. Plenty of thought has gone into the boot area, too, which is two-tiered. The top layer is the normal boot, which is big enough for everyday use, underneath there's extra storage. There's even a cubby built into the parcel shelf - ideal for storing umbrellas.

When behind the wheel, you have a good view of the road ahead, although the chunky windscreen pillars can restrict visibility when turning out of T junctions. The controls are sensibly placed and pleasing to use; hooded black-faced dials give a sporty feel. Unlike most cars, the wipers rest in the upright position in the windscreen pillars for the largest sweep - a neat touch.

Potential buyers will be pleased to know that this car achieved a maximum five-star score in the Euro NCAP crash test. Six airbags are standard on all cars, as is ABS, with a built-in emergency braking system (EBA) and traction control. Security is taken care of with remote central locking and an alarm and immobiliser.

Running costs with this car are reasonable, with an average combined MPG of 36.7 and it sits in insurance group 6.

Overall, we would recommend this car as a good all round family hatchback. Not only do you get great value for money, you are also buying a quality product from a manufacturer renowned for reliability.

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