Seat Altea XL 2.0 TDI 140 CV, road test (Exterior design, interior and finishes)

We continue with the analysis of the Seat Altea XL, a spacious MPV for five adults that we tested with the most powerful 2.0 TDI 140 CV diesel engine. Everything about the engine, consumption, the handling of the Altea XL (where it stands out for its stability) and performance are topics we covered in the first part of the test.

Now we come to the second part, where we will look in depth at the exterior design and, above all, the interior, since this is an MPV, this is a very important section of the test. It is precisely in this respect that the Altea XL more than delivers, the only drawback being that it is not optionally available with seven seats.

But before talking about the interior in depth, looking at the quality of the finishes and modularity, we first need to discuss the exterior design.

Exterior design

With a front end that reminds us of the León, in 2006 the Seat Altea XL was launched. It was the more spacious variant (which translates into 123 more litres of boot space) compared to the standard Altea, and its design differed at the rear, where it debuted new light clusters.

Since then its exterior design has barely changed. At the front we have the typical Seat grille (a hallmark of the brand) and headlights that remind us of the León, while what has changed are the front bumpers.

The side profile is defined by the fluid design running from the front wing to the rear doors, an element that gives the side design of the Altea a bit more personality. And at the rear we find the biggest differences from the standard Altea, with larger light units.

Finally, in the Copa trim, 16-inch alloy wheels come as standard, to be exact 205/55 R16.

Interior design, space and finishes

We open the door and step inside. At that moment, if you have previously ridden in a León you will experience a déjà vu. It is temporary, since it is not exactly the same (the Altea is more driver-oriented compared to the verticality of the León), but it is very similar.

It is a very Volkswagen interior, free of clutter, simple yet at the same time practical. Presiding over the centre console is the climate control, and just below it the navigation system (RNS310), which comes as standard on this trim. On the other hand, the instrumentation is very complete and includes a multifunction display with different information, from the phone to the on-board computer.

The quality is decent. There is quite a lot of plastic throughout the cabin (normal for the segment), though it has a pleasant soft-touch covering and good panel fit (at least there are no rattles in the cabin).

The buttons missing from the centre console (door locking, pressure sensor and mirrors) are located on the centre tunnel. Overall, almost everything is within reach, the different controls are easy to use and, once you have located them, comfortable.

But the most important thing in an MPV is space. In the front seats, the driving position is high and comfortable. It stands out for good visibility (partly thanks to large mirrors), and the front seats offer good lateral support and enough headroom.

The rear seats are quite roomy. There are not seven seats, but at least the three rear seats can be used by three adults without space problems. There is enough room for head and feet, and we can adjust the rear seats independently to gain boot space or legroom.

Additionally, our test unit featured a central screen for the rear passengers, ideal for connecting our portable player and keeping children occupied during the journey.

Storage and boot

A practical detail of the Altea XL is the storage compartments in the roof, four in total, where you can keep just about anything (from glasses or coins to a pack of gum). Added to these four compartments are the door pockets, which are generous, and various cup holders in the rear centre seat.

The boot has a capacity of 532 litres, with completely regular shapes, so you can make the most of the space. It also has two side nets to hold smaller items and prevent them from rolling loose around the boot.

In the third part of the test we will focus on equipment, prices and the overall assessment of the model.

Photos | Diego G. Moreira