SEAT Altea Freetrack

Basically a jacked-up Altea XL with four-wheel drive and some big silly plastic bumpers. We think it’s a bit pointless, really.

• Comfort

  Same space on the inside as the Altea XL, so plenty of room for people and luggage and suchlike. The only trim level is a top-spec affair, so there’s lot of nice kit on board. Four-wheel drive system could be useful in the mud. Could be.

  

• Performance

  You’ve got the choice of a 2.0 TSi and 2.0 TDI, and the petrol’s the better option here. The diesel looks good on paper, but the power delivery is uneven – nothing below the turbo, then all the torque in one heady burst. Petrol engine makes the Freetrack a surprisingly rapid SUV.

  

• Cool

  Have you seen those Hercule Poirot-moustache bumpers?

  

• Quality

  As nicely built as its Altea sister and to Seat’s typically high standards.

  

• Handling

  Good by SUV standards, not so good by hatch standards. Body roll is well controlled despite extra 40mm of ground clearance, but you pay for it with the firm ride.

  

• Practicality

  Quick on the road, passable off-road – the Freetrack should make a good name for itself on the practicality front. But that £20,000 price tag means it’s fighting against some proper off-roaders, like the Land Rover Freelander.

  

• Running costs

  Diesel is obviously the better bet here: an extra 10mpg and cheaper tax band. But depreciation will be painful whether you go for petrol or diesel – a 20 grand Seat won’t be commanding the big money come resale time.