Hi Guys,
Well I finally picked up my 25k miler 62 plate Exeo ST 170 Sport Tech on Thursday and immediately put it to use on a 160+ mile trip from Swindon to Cornwall yesterday...
First impressions: Quiet, refined, smooth and comfortable (mostly*). The ride is good, firm, occasionally bouncy but never harsh, very composed through the bends and the diesel engine is flexible and unintrusive.
I averaged 44mpg on the mostly 70-80mph cruise which seems to be the car's comfort zone, which is "OK" if not great, I'd expect 48-50mpg ideally but I guess I'm also getting used to it so may be able to get more on the trip home.
The comfort is only spoiled a little for me by my left knee rubbing against the centre console (and I'm only 5'7"), the clutch pedal seems to have a lot of travel to fully depress but if I move the seat closer my right leg ends up cramped against the other pedals, I'm sure I'll either get used to it or settle on a compromise position - also you need to wear slim footwear to avoid getting caught up between the clutch and rest plate!
Everything is well put together and solid, the Bose stereo is good with a little tweaking and things like the folding mirrors that do so silently impress (a previous 2007 Civic I had made a lot of motor noise when the mirrors folded, it's the little things!), the single gas strut that holds the bonnet up, neat engine bay, lined storage cubbies, everything feels "premium".
The 170 diesel feels a little strange to me (coming from a 2.0 tsi Petrol Scirocco), kind of like a petrol/diesel cross. It lacks the low range torquey thump from the old PD diesels but is happier to rev, though it's smoothness hides its power somewhat. I may well get a remap as a 184bhp Fiat Grande Punto diesel I had felt immensely powerful with one! It sounds OK when you push it though and always feels refined, almost too refined as I still struggle to gauge where the power band is. Another thing I'll get used to with a little more time behind the wheel though! I'll get to test the power a little trying to climb out of the steep, narrow, leafy Road leading out of the cottage I'm staying in - coming down it was hard enough!
Overall I'm very impressed with it as a relatively compact and sporty estate, it feels built to last and cossets you away from the world outside rather nicely, it handles well and not too nose-heavy considering the longitudinal diesel lump. If I can get a little more economy out of it it'll be a near-ideal car.
I look forward to being part of the SEAT gang for a good while to come!
Jim.
Well I finally picked up my 25k miler 62 plate Exeo ST 170 Sport Tech on Thursday and immediately put it to use on a 160+ mile trip from Swindon to Cornwall yesterday...
First impressions: Quiet, refined, smooth and comfortable (mostly*). The ride is good, firm, occasionally bouncy but never harsh, very composed through the bends and the diesel engine is flexible and unintrusive.
I averaged 44mpg on the mostly 70-80mph cruise which seems to be the car's comfort zone, which is "OK" if not great, I'd expect 48-50mpg ideally but I guess I'm also getting used to it so may be able to get more on the trip home.
The comfort is only spoiled a little for me by my left knee rubbing against the centre console (and I'm only 5'7"), the clutch pedal seems to have a lot of travel to fully depress but if I move the seat closer my right leg ends up cramped against the other pedals, I'm sure I'll either get used to it or settle on a compromise position - also you need to wear slim footwear to avoid getting caught up between the clutch and rest plate!
Everything is well put together and solid, the Bose stereo is good with a little tweaking and things like the folding mirrors that do so silently impress (a previous 2007 Civic I had made a lot of motor noise when the mirrors folded, it's the little things!), the single gas strut that holds the bonnet up, neat engine bay, lined storage cubbies, everything feels "premium".
The 170 diesel feels a little strange to me (coming from a 2.0 tsi Petrol Scirocco), kind of like a petrol/diesel cross. It lacks the low range torquey thump from the old PD diesels but is happier to rev, though it's smoothness hides its power somewhat. I may well get a remap as a 184bhp Fiat Grande Punto diesel I had felt immensely powerful with one! It sounds OK when you push it though and always feels refined, almost too refined as I still struggle to gauge where the power band is. Another thing I'll get used to with a little more time behind the wheel though! I'll get to test the power a little trying to climb out of the steep, narrow, leafy Road leading out of the cottage I'm staying in - coming down it was hard enough!
Overall I'm very impressed with it as a relatively compact and sporty estate, it feels built to last and cossets you away from the world outside rather nicely, it handles well and not too nose-heavy considering the longitudinal diesel lump. If I can get a little more economy out of it it'll be a near-ideal car.
I look forward to being part of the SEAT gang for a good while to come!
Jim.