7:00am Thursday 24th December 2009
IF sheer value for money is your main consideration when buying, then few other quality family cars can come close to the new Seat Exeo.
Its pricing beats rivals with similar engines and equipment and its VW group heritage means that there is little to go wrong.
This is Seat’s first foray into midsize executive territory and so far the car has been well received.
Since the Spanish manufacturers came under the wing of the giant VW group some years ago, the quality control and sophistication of Seat cars have advanced by leaps and bounds.
Seat may still not offer the cream of the group’s vehicles but its cars are built to a high standard and have gained a reputation for reliability and excellent value which is something that never goes out of fashion, particularly during belt-tightening times.
With the new four-door and fiveseat Exeo, buyers are virtually getting a previous-generation Audi A4 – apart from a very stylish new nose and a revised rear – and this is no bad thing.
Inside, the Exeo takes its dash straight out of the Audi convertible so that every button and control operates with precision and has a feeling of lasting strength.
The trim tones are lighter and brighter than they used to be in Audis so that you are no longer driving along in a luxurious but sombre- looking cockpit.
Under the bonnet, there’s a 2.0- litre petrol out of the Golf GTi and a couple of 2.0-litre diesels, one with 143PS and the other with 170PS.
Recommended prices start at £17,735.
For a splendid blend of performance and economy, choose the cheaper 2.0-litre turbo diesel with 143PS and if your budget will stretch, go for the Sport trim which has a wealth of expensive standard equipment.
This 133mph engine is a smooth operator with strong acceleration and fast cruising ability.
It develops its maximum power at just 4,200rpm and remains remarkably quiet when being put through its paces.
Drive this diesel hard all day out of town and you can still expect around 50mpg.
In fact, its official consumption figures range from 37.2mpg in the city to 65.7mpg on a run to average a pleasing 51.4mpg.
The Exeo is well mannered with comfortable suspension, despite its sporting guise, and has a fairly light feel to the steering.
What impresses while driving is the silky-smoothness of the six-speed manual gear change combined with the light-acting clutch mechanism and easy power delivery.
The cabin is roomy and beautifully appointed.
The rear is also splendidly trimmed but larger adults will find knee space on the tight side. Although being a fairly compact saloon, there is a decent amount of luggage space for the family with some 460 litres being available.
The Sport model has a list of equipment as long as your arm and at speed you’ll soon feel the benefit of the supportive sports seats and the sports suspension, which is a no-cost option.
The equipment highlights include special 18-in alloy wheels, dual zone climate control, cruise control, rear parking sensors, rain sensor for automatic windscreen wipers, light sensor for automatic headlights, and integrated Bluetooth handsfree phone connectivity with voice control.
There are first-rate safety and security features, including electronic brakeforce distribution and ESP throughout the range and sufficient driver and passenger airbags to almost enable the car to float.
The Exeo does impress with its combination of build quality, fresh and upmarket looks, and strong engines so that it makes a sensible choice as a cut-price alternative to established premium brands.
Incidentally, the name Exeo is derived from the Latin word exire, meaning to go beyond, breaking Seat’s more recent tradition of naming its cars after Spanish cities.
AT-A-GLANCE
Seat Exeo 2.0 TDi CR 143PS Sport.
Price: £20,555 (on the road).
Top speed: 133mph.
0-62mph: 9.2 seconds.
Fuel: 51.4mpg (combined figure).
Emissions: C02 (g/km): 139.
VED (road tax): Band E – £120.
Verdict: Beats rivals on price, well built, stylish, well mannered and impressive cruiser.
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