Seat Toledo Hatchback 2005 - Present

Seat’s Toledo is in an awkward position.  It’s one of the, too often overlooked, Seat range, and it’s really got the least discernable identity.  2005 saw a revamp and the Toledo went from being effectively a Leon Saloon, to an Altea with a bigger boot.  2007 saw the Altea XL’s launch, and guess what that has?  Yes a bigger boot.  Don’t get me wrong the Toledo is a competent family car, but it just feels a bit like the orphan that people can’t place, constantly trying to fit in but once it finds a niche someone else comes in and displaces them once again. 

Inside the Toledo there is ample room for five adults, which firm, comfortable seats and good space for heads and feet.  Shoulders can be a touch cramped if you’re three up in the back with two other big lads, but otherwise there can be few complaints.  The finish is great, with quality, solid materials used throughout the cabin.  The firmness of the seats does make occupants keen for a break every two to three hours on long journeys. 

There are four engines on offer two diesel and two petrol.  The 1.6 petrol unit and 1.9 TDi engine offer similar performance with 0 – 60 times of 12.5 and 12 seconds and top speeds of 112 and 114 respectively.  The 2.0 FSi and 2.0 TDi units weigh in with 9.4 and 9.7 seconds for the sprint and 128 and 125 mph top speeds respectively.  The difference comes in with the economy as the petrol engines are quite a bit more thirsty with 36 and 34 mpg coming from the 1.6 and 2.0 FSi against 51 and 47 mpg from the 1.9 and 2.0 TDi.  Actually driving the cars the diesels offer a better range of performance as they have more pull across the rev range. The entry level petrol unit is a willing performer but can be a touch breathless when compared to the bigger models.  The big petrol unit is the most lively of the range and actually feels a bit faster than the figures show.  The bid diesel unit is gutsy and fun to drive and is our favourite offering performance and economy.

As with most of the Seat range the handling is great.  The suspension is set up to keep the car poised to power from corner to corner without any fuss.  The steering is neutral and precise with the Toledo holding it’s line very effectively even when driven at speed.  It’s particularly capable if you put the power down halfway through a corner and will really slingshot you and your passengers out of the corner.  The tall body gives way to a touch of bodyroll at speed, or in windy conditions but it’s nothing to get too carried away about.

With the Altea XL the Toledo must be looking in it’s wing mirrors to see what’s coming next, but for the time being it offers great, simple family driving.  It will also represent a good used buy as people will no doubt opt for the Altea.  Pick yourself up a bargain and get a Toledo today.

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