Roy Lewis finds the Seat Exeo is great estate alternative to MPV (From Hereford Times)

Roy Lewis finds the Seat Exeo is great estate alternative to MPV

8:00am Saturday 6th August 2011 in Road Tests

SEAT’S Exeo may not be the same as Audi’s latest A4 on the road but during the clever development of the German model’s previousgeneration design the company managed to get all the important things right, including value for money – something that never goes out of fashion.

Because the Exeo Sports Tourer is based on the previous-generation A4 Avant, it comes with a price saving running into thousands of pounds compared to close rivals.

Little wonder it soon became an enticing proposition with private and company car buyers.

The estate version, which followed on from the saloon, is priced from £20,210 to £24,805 on the road.

Both saloon and estate models have some cracking state-of-theart diesel motors and are now Seat’s best sellers in the UK – behind the Ibiza and Leon. And for Seat, the Exeo represents a bold statement in an important new segment.

Being under the wing of the giant VW group, the Spanish company was able to base the Exeo on the Audi design, give it a new nose and rear end and a host of smaller design upgrades inside and out.

The result is a stylish and wellbuilt vehicle which is good to drive. The Exeo is not the largest estate in its class but it does have a wide opening tailgate, giving access to a flat luggage bay with retractable load cover and it should accommodate most family needs.

It is an excellent alternative to the MPV and like some of the other leading estate rivals in its class is arguably more stylish than its saloon counterpart.

The Exeo’s chief rivals include the Mazda 6, Honda Accord, Citroen C5 and Ford Mondeo.

The Exeo is now offered with a diesel and automatic gearbox which will no doubt be the ideal combination for many motorists covering high mileages. The auto has a seven-speed multitronic system which can work in normal or sport mode and undoubtedly broadens the car’s appeal.

It is smooth and quick and drivers can select gears with either steering wheel paddles or the shift lever.

Diesels dominate the engine range with three oil burners of different power outputs and one petrol.

The most popular choice is the mid-range 143ps 16-valve 2.0-litre turbo diesel which has a refined delivery of power and economy close to 50mpg during everyday driving.

On the road the estate is surefooted with positive and accurate steering. The car is also quiet and comfortable with revised seats and despite the suspension being set up on the firm side long journeys don’t prove at all uncomfortable.

The diesel is lively in town but comes into its own on the motorway where it remains smooth at speed and shows its ability to eat up the miles.

Inside, the cabin fittings are largely taken from the A4 so there are few surprises but nevertheless there is a classy feel with topgrade fittings and quality plastics that look reassuringly solid and hardwearing.

The SE Tech is one of the more expensive models in the estate range and it bristles with technology and expensive kit.

Besides its multitronic automatic gearbox, the equipment includes leather upholstery, a DVD-based satellite navigation system with colour screen, iPod connection, Bluetooth, a premium audio upgrade, dual-zone climate control, cruise control, the latest in electronic safety equipment, and airbags galore. The list is as long as your arm.

AT-A-GLANCE

Seat Exeo SE Tech 2.0TDi CR 143ps multitronic.

Price: £23,525 (on the road).

Top speed: 125mph.

0-62mph: 9.6 seconds.

Fuel: 48.7mpg (combined figure).

C02 emissions (g/km): 153.

Verdict: Great value, wellequipped, excellent motor and transmission, economy, quality construction, classy cabin and good to drive for an estate.