Picked up my 2.0 TSI 204 V1 today. First impressions are mixed, but some are driven by probably unfair comparisons to my previous Seat Ateca 2.0 diesel, which was the Xcellence model, so quite well equipped. The V1 definitely feels like an entry level model by comparison, and if I'd had the choice I would have gone for the V2, but the V1 is the only version currently offered on the Motability scheme with the 2.0 petrol engine. Things missing I would have liked are the HD Matrix headlights (I don't even think the V1 has auto high beam), electric memory seats (for when it goes in for a service and the buggers move the drivers seat), and the head up display (although I can do without that). I also don't particularly like the sound of the stereo, which sounds quite 'boxy' and has a weird treble quality that I can't put my finger on. Compared to the Ateca, boot space is less, there's no sunglasses holder, no map pockets on the back of the front seats, and no heated windscreen. All small things, but little touches that I'll miss as I found them useful before.
So, how does it drive? I'm still getting the hang of driving an auto after 40 years of driving manual cars, so to say the least, it's a learning curve. Twice, I slammed the brakes on by putting my left foot on the brake as I would have the clutch. Thankfully there was no one behind me both times, but that's something I don't want to make a habit of. Also, I keep trying to pull away from being parked, without first engaging Drive, and wondering why it's revving and I'm not going anywhere! On that, in my opinion, the gear selector is poorly positioned, as it's hidden behind the flappy paddle manual gear selector, and it's not easy to see. I also need to learn which way to turn it to go from Drive to Reverse (and vice versa) when parking, without first running through all the wrong selections! It feels quite smooth and well planted on the road, but seems to hold on to either 2nd or 3rd gear for quite a while when accelerating. It was nearly at 5000 revs before changing up a gear on a local bypass. Again, this is probably something I'll need to get used to because obviously a petrol engine doesn't have the same torque as a diesel, and just drives differently. It does also seem to take a second or two to change down to accelerate, but that could just be me getting used to an auto. I've not done an awful lot in in yet, but handling seems good, if not quite as 'lively' as my previous Ateca. Maybe that will improve as things loosen up a bit. One thing I did notice is that the bonnet seems huge!
Visibility is OK, but the view in the rear view mirror is a little obscured by the rear seat headrests. Fortunately the middle one does go down a bit lower than the two side ones, but I can't help but wonder why they couldn't have made them all to sink flat on to the back of the seat, as the two side headrests do compromise rear visibility a bit.
Will be going for a longer drive today, so hope to get more of a feel for it. Glad I found this forum, as I'm sure I'll have some questions for more experienced owners!
So, how does it drive? I'm still getting the hang of driving an auto after 40 years of driving manual cars, so to say the least, it's a learning curve. Twice, I slammed the brakes on by putting my left foot on the brake as I would have the clutch. Thankfully there was no one behind me both times, but that's something I don't want to make a habit of. Also, I keep trying to pull away from being parked, without first engaging Drive, and wondering why it's revving and I'm not going anywhere! On that, in my opinion, the gear selector is poorly positioned, as it's hidden behind the flappy paddle manual gear selector, and it's not easy to see. I also need to learn which way to turn it to go from Drive to Reverse (and vice versa) when parking, without first running through all the wrong selections! It feels quite smooth and well planted on the road, but seems to hold on to either 2nd or 3rd gear for quite a while when accelerating. It was nearly at 5000 revs before changing up a gear on a local bypass. Again, this is probably something I'll need to get used to because obviously a petrol engine doesn't have the same torque as a diesel, and just drives differently. It does also seem to take a second or two to change down to accelerate, but that could just be me getting used to an auto. I've not done an awful lot in in yet, but handling seems good, if not quite as 'lively' as my previous Ateca. Maybe that will improve as things loosen up a bit. One thing I did notice is that the bonnet seems huge!
Visibility is OK, but the view in the rear view mirror is a little obscured by the rear seat headrests. Fortunately the middle one does go down a bit lower than the two side ones, but I can't help but wonder why they couldn't have made them all to sink flat on to the back of the seat, as the two side headrests do compromise rear visibility a bit.
Will be going for a longer drive today, so hope to get more of a feel for it. Glad I found this forum, as I'm sure I'll have some questions for more experienced owners!
