If you are looking for a mid-sized tow car for use in all weathers, the Seat Ateca should very definitely be on your shortlist.

There’s real punch from the 2.0-litre diesel engine, and the Seat’s four-wheel-drive system makes the most of it.

The 30-60mph time of 10.2 seconds makes the Ateca one of the quickest cars in the 1550-1699kg weight class, so there’s enough muscle for decisive overtaking.

Stability is very good, too. The Ateca handled the lane-change test well, keeping the caravan under control.

For the most part the Seat felt secure at motorway speeds, too, although the caravan’s Al-Ko ATC sensors picked up some movement when slowing down.

The Seat took the hill-start test in its stride. The electronic parking brake stopped the car and caravan from rolling back on the 1-in-6 slope, and the strong engine and DSG auto made pulling away easy, so long as the driver gave the throttle a decent prod to get moving.

Without a caravan, the Ateca is quick and handles very well. However, there is a trade-off for the Ateca’s agility and control on twisty roads, with a firm ride, especially at low speeds.

Inside, the Ateca is well made and roomy. Our practicality testers were pleased by the reversing camera and neatly installed towing gear, although despite the Ateca’s 510-litre luggage capacity, we couldn’t find space for all our holiday kit in the boot.

Choose Xcellence spec and the Ateca comes with plenty of toys, and the Seat has earned a five-star rating from Euro NCAP.

2019
Category Winners
2019 Up to 1400kg

Škoda Octavia

Hatch 1.5 TSI 150PS SE L DSG

2019 1400-1549kg

Seat Ateca

2.0 TSI 190PS FR DSG

2019 1550-1699kg

Volkswagen Arteon

2.0 TDI 150PS Elegance DSG

2019 1700-1899kg

BMW 520d

Touring xDrive M Sport

2019 1900kg+

Land Rover Discovery

3.0 SDV6 HSE

2019 Best Budget 4x4

Dacia Duster

1.5 dCi Ambiance 4x4

2019 Best Plug-In Hybrid

Land Rover Range Rover Sport

P400e HSE Dynamic

2019 Best Ultralight Tow Car

Seat Arona

1.0 TSI 115 FR

2019 Fuel Economy Award

Ford Focus Estate

1.5 EcoBlue 120PS Titanium X

Previous Winners
2018
1700-1899kg

BMW 520d

Touring xDrive M Sport

2017
1900kg+

Land Rover Discovery

3.0 Td6 HSE*

2016
1400-1549kg

Skoda Superb Hatch

2.0 TDI 150PS SE Business

2015
1400-1549kg

Volkswagen Passat Estate

2.0 TDI BMT 150PS SE Business DSG

2014
1400-1549kg

Nissan Qashqai

1.6 dCi (130PS) Stop/Start System Acenta Premium

2013
Up to 1424kg

Skoda Octavia

2.0 TDI CR 150PS Elegance

2012
1725–1899kg

Jaguar XF

2.2D Premium Luxury

2011
1425-1574kg

Volkswagen Passat Estate

2.0 TDI 170 Bluemotion Sport

2010
1900kg+

Land Rover Discovery 4

3.0 TDV6 XS

2009
1900kg+

Volvo XC60

D5 SE Geartronic

2008
1575-1724kg

Ford Mondeo Estate

2.0 TDCi Titanium auto

2007
1575-1724kg

Volkswagen Passat Estate

2.0 TDI Sport 4Motion

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