SEAT Toledo

Our verdict

A Seat Altea with an even bigger boot, housed in a strange-looking chuff. The UK resoundingly ignores it.

Comfort

In true VW Group style you get an excellent driving position, adjustable for anyone, and firm spine-friendly seats. Seat is good at doing ride comfort too, and the back is spacious.

Performance

 Now a diesel-only car in Britain, with the familiar 1.9 and 2.0. Neither can crack 10secs to 62mph. Six-speed DSG is available on both.

Cool

 Some ugly oddballs are cool, but this one isn't.

Quality

The dash has some hard plastics, just to provide some differentiation between Seats and the more expensive VWs. But the fundamentals feel reassuringly sound.

Handling

The Toledo handles perfectly faithfully and predictably, and gives you reasonable feedback. But its reactions are sluggish and there's a fair bit of body roll.

Practicality

The colossal boot is the big practicality draw of a Toledo, plus the cabin is dotted with loads of storage spaces and drawers and boxes.

Running costs

 Provided you can find someone who will take your Toledo off your hands when you come to sell it on, this car is cheap to run given the space it offers.