The Ateca is a crucial car for Seat, it marks the start of the Spanish firm's largest-ever product offensive, the first of four new cars to be launched over the next 18 months, and it's also the carmaker's first stab at the hugely popular, and still growing, SUV market.  

Unveiled to the world at this year's Geneva motor show, Seat's new SUV shares its underpinnings with the Volkswagen Tiguan and features many of the design cues from its hatchback sibling, the Leon.
There are four trims available in the line-up. The car we've picked is in SE Technology trim, which is likely to appeal most to company car drivers because essential kit such as satnav, LED headlights, Bluetooth, parking sensors and city emergency braking are available as standard.  

It's not the best-equipped of our group of cars, but it's arguably one of the best-looking, featuring an eye-catching and sophisticated design with sharp, angular styling cues.

Engine-wise, it's the 113hp 1.6-litre diesel that is likely to appeal to company car drivers. Headline figures are competitive rather than class-leading, with the car emitting 114g/km of CO2 alongside an official combined fuel economy of 65.7mpg.

To drive, the steering is accurate, but the ride is a little firm, and handling can't quite match the high levels set by the Tiguan. That's because all front-wheel drive Atecas get a cheaper rear suspension than the Volkswagen, which is a shame, but no deal breaker.

It's not the quickest in our list either - 0-62mph is achieved in 11.5 seconds - but the six-speed manual is slick and well suited to the engine.

Inside features a classy and simplistic cabin, which, if you've sat behind the wheel of any of the car's stablemates, will feel very familiar. The centre console is easy to navigate around and control too, and the materials are of good, durable quality.

There are plenty of options and safety tech on offer to further personalise your Ateca, including a 360° camera, a self-parking aid, blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control.

It's practical too, offering lots of interior space and one of the biggest boots in its class - only the Tucson betters it here. Residual values are a touch behind most key rivals at 37.3%, and the Ateca ranks as one of the most expensive for fuel and SMR costs.  

On the costs front, again the Ateca is competitive rather than class-leading, with a cost-per-mile figure that cannot quite compete with the Kadjar and Tucson, but it's on a par with the Qashqai and betters the Sportage - two of the heavy-lifters in the segment in volume terms.

Seat's all-new SUV is a stylish addition to a very busy market and although it doesn't quite raise the bar on many of its key cost metrics, the Ateca's competitive pricing, looks, good road manners and spacious cabin make it a worthy addition to the segment.

RVs: 37.3%/£8900

Middle of the pack performance for residual values

Fuel costs: £4755

One of the highest for fuel costs in our list

SMR: £2378

Competitive rather than class-leading for SMR costs

To read the latest road test of the Seat Ateca  click here

Nissan Qashqai - CPM 49.6p

The Qashqai is a great all-rounder and, although the oldest of the group here, its design still looks fresh and modern, while its 1.5-litre diesel offers some of the best running cost figures in its class.

There's a choice of four trims in the line-up. We've picked N-connecta which replaced N-tec and N-tec+ in January this year, and standard kit is generous with a 360° reversing camera, satnav, front and rear parking sensors, lane departure warning, cruise control, dual-zone climate control, and lane departure warning all included.

The Qashqai's overwhelming popularity has had an effect on residual values, though, and it's the lowest of the group at 34.2%. Practicality is not its strongest suit either, offering the smallest boot of our cars here.

RVs: 34.2%/£8125

The Qashqai's huge sales have had an impact on RVs

Fuel costs: £4324

Only the Kadjar betters the Qashqai for fuel costs

SMR: £1810

Decent SMR costs put the Qashqai in the middle of the pack

To read the latest review of the Nissan Qashqai click here