andyb
19-08-2004, 16:20
My Leon 110 TDi was in for service today, so the guys and girls at Kings Southampton organised a Altea TDi for me.
Although I was interested in the 2.0 TDi, I ended up with the 1.9 TDi (105bhp I think) in Reference (btm) trim.
Exterior Design:
Well, red doesnt suit it TBH, its too bright, makes it look more of a blob and some the subtle detailing is lost. They had a Silver Blue one in the car park when I returned and that looked 100 times better.
It is quite tall actually and it does look better in the flesh. The front works well, but it doesnt really look agressive enough. Also looks a little undertyred (Reference doesnt have alloys).
Interior Design:
The interior seems to be well put togther, better than the Leon, although the dashboard, does seem to be of a lower quality. The carbon fibre pattern, sporty looking speedo/rev counter and cowls and lots of silver plastic all hint at Alfa Romeo, only it doesnt rattle.
However, some of the plastic looks low rent - think of the cup holder and hazard warning light button on the Leon and thats the same sort of plastic on the whole centre console. The reference and Sport model has this centre console in Silver and it looks a million times better and brightens up the cabin. Radio is easy to use with big display. Dashboard was already marked, with just 3k on the clock.
The A-pillars are very thick, add to that the drivers little window forward of the mirror is useless, although you can see the passengar side. The wipers are cool.
Seats seem comfortable, although high and has quite large side supports. I'm quite big, but short and it was pressing into me a little, not uncomfortable, but I wonder if this would suit all owners.
Quite a bit of room in the car actually, although the styling of the rear seat seems to be for two only.
The false floor seems very flimsey - dont think that will last!
Driving:
Well its only a 105bhp but it seems resonably quick, nothing spetacular, but then I'm use to 140bhp :) On the basis of this the 2.0 should fly. It seems much quieter at tick over and low-revs than the Leon, which is one of its failings, but at higher revs, this seems to be reversed. Didn't push it, but the handling seems quite good, didn't roll much, but as with many VAG cars steering feedback was dead, when will VAG sort that out :)
One nice touch is a floor mounted acceletor, very comfortable actually.
Little Details:
things I liked:- Speedo/Rev counter cowl design, Heart beep sound when indicating, remote locking where one click just unlocks the drivers door (another click unlocks everything)
things I didn't like:- Its not even close to a MPV. Its really a Leon competitor with more headroom! I question what the relevance the Altea will have when the next gen (similar) Leon is launched. Dashboard quality. Other than the speedo, nothing suggests its sporty, despite SEAT being the sports brand of VAG
In conclusion, its not the big step I thought. If your looking for a Picasso/Scenic for its vestiality and 7 seats, then the Altea isnt for you. If you have a family, but feel you could do with a little more space than a Leon (which is a little cramped in the back) or a Focus, then the Altea is probably an option.
Personally, I cant really see how the next gen Leon and the Altea can sit together. I would consider the 2.0 TDi with DSG, but only if we had kids. Other than that a godd car, just dont be pursuaded its a MPV, it isn't
Although I was interested in the 2.0 TDi, I ended up with the 1.9 TDi (105bhp I think) in Reference (btm) trim.
Exterior Design:
Well, red doesnt suit it TBH, its too bright, makes it look more of a blob and some the subtle detailing is lost. They had a Silver Blue one in the car park when I returned and that looked 100 times better.
It is quite tall actually and it does look better in the flesh. The front works well, but it doesnt really look agressive enough. Also looks a little undertyred (Reference doesnt have alloys).
Interior Design:
The interior seems to be well put togther, better than the Leon, although the dashboard, does seem to be of a lower quality. The carbon fibre pattern, sporty looking speedo/rev counter and cowls and lots of silver plastic all hint at Alfa Romeo, only it doesnt rattle.
However, some of the plastic looks low rent - think of the cup holder and hazard warning light button on the Leon and thats the same sort of plastic on the whole centre console. The reference and Sport model has this centre console in Silver and it looks a million times better and brightens up the cabin. Radio is easy to use with big display. Dashboard was already marked, with just 3k on the clock.
The A-pillars are very thick, add to that the drivers little window forward of the mirror is useless, although you can see the passengar side. The wipers are cool.
Seats seem comfortable, although high and has quite large side supports. I'm quite big, but short and it was pressing into me a little, not uncomfortable, but I wonder if this would suit all owners.
Quite a bit of room in the car actually, although the styling of the rear seat seems to be for two only.
The false floor seems very flimsey - dont think that will last!
Driving:
Well its only a 105bhp but it seems resonably quick, nothing spetacular, but then I'm use to 140bhp :) On the basis of this the 2.0 should fly. It seems much quieter at tick over and low-revs than the Leon, which is one of its failings, but at higher revs, this seems to be reversed. Didn't push it, but the handling seems quite good, didn't roll much, but as with many VAG cars steering feedback was dead, when will VAG sort that out :)
One nice touch is a floor mounted acceletor, very comfortable actually.
Little Details:
things I liked:- Speedo/Rev counter cowl design, Heart beep sound when indicating, remote locking where one click just unlocks the drivers door (another click unlocks everything)
things I didn't like:- Its not even close to a MPV. Its really a Leon competitor with more headroom! I question what the relevance the Altea will have when the next gen (similar) Leon is launched. Dashboard quality. Other than the speedo, nothing suggests its sporty, despite SEAT being the sports brand of VAG
In conclusion, its not the big step I thought. If your looking for a Picasso/Scenic for its vestiality and 7 seats, then the Altea isnt for you. If you have a family, but feel you could do with a little more space than a Leon (which is a little cramped in the back) or a Focus, then the Altea is probably an option.
Personally, I cant really see how the next gen Leon and the Altea can sit together. I would consider the 2.0 TDi with DSG, but only if we had kids. Other than that a godd car, just dont be pursuaded its a MPV, it isn't