I like the
Ateca but it's a bit pricey at the moment compared to a used XP
From my experience with Xperience for 10 months and about 7000 miles on it.
The bad:
1. I found hissing noise coming from the fuel tank area. Dealer changed the pump but no change in the noise. Escalated with Seat EU, finally dealer told me this is present on all Leon XP due to the double tank transferring fuel from one to another. Shame on Seat, nothing in the
brochure states it hisses like snake.... I am still pushing on this issue.
2. Creaks and rattles in dashboard and interior, I am not sure how this is related to the 18 wheels I have. My wife's Suzuki Swift 4 years old has more solid feel inside and no creaks and rattles. I personally put Silent Coat on all the 4 doors to minimize the bad experience... still hearing rattles from here and there.
3. Windshield is very very soft, already couple of stone chips. Found 2 new today significantly big. I don't want replacement till there is any really serious break, due to bad experience in the past with poor installed new windshield. For example my ex Kia Ceed after 7 years before sold has perfect glass, beside the very small sand pits which are usual for every car and noticeable only against direct sunlight. I purchased glass repair kit and fixed the stone chips personally as much as possible in the hope not to change the glass, future will show how good am I in this.
4. Couple of days ago found the tail top 3rd break light cracked (this is common
problem usually warranty replaced, but wonder why not fixed on my car released 2 years later, some people complain they have 3 times replaced this). I found also very small crack on one of the headlights at the back top of it under the bonnet, fingers crossed it doesn't go bigger, because led headlight costs 1000 gbp each.
5. I had 184 TDI and according to me the turbo noise is quite loud when I drive on open windows. Especially passing next to buildings or trees is quite annoying - something not expected from a modern diesel engine.
6. Door seals squeaking all the time. Tried silicone grease and gumi pflege - cures the squeaking for coulpe of days only .... I never had these issues with my previous car - 2 times less expensive than the Leon XP.
7. Decorative elements on the bumpers and sides are not painted but covered with vinyl. Vynil is not sold by Seat and if you scratch it lightly (not to mention how easily you can damage it accidently, I managed to do it with the water pump while cleaning the car) you have the option to paint the plastic (something I will do for the front bumper soon) which will not be the same look obviously or buy the whole element at the price of 350 british pounds for the front one.
The good:
1. Car is quite fast and pleasure to drive on the highway.
2. DSG if not perfect is good enough.
3. 4x4 very handy on the winter here.
4. Higher ground clearance - very handy here
5. Handling is very good. Especially with the DCC able to change the shock absorbers dampening stiffness
6. Quite pretty look of the car. One of the reason to choose it over Ocatvia Scout
7. Full led lights - quite modern look and qood visibility in the night
At the end I am both pleased with the car and quite anxious about all the rattles, noises and everything this brand new car makes, not to forget super super cheap plastics surrounding the central console and dashboard - I couldn't barely imagine how they can put such plastic in car which has RRP of over 30 000 GBP. If you slightly touch it it squeaks as hell.