SEAT Exeo as good as an Audi

Sep 1 2009 Peter Hayward

DON'T buy an Audi A4 TDI until you've tried the SEAT Exeo - that's how good this latest saloon from the Spanish arm of VW really is.

Not only is it stylish and good looking, it's just as well built and very well equipped even in entry form.

It is also very comfortable except at slow speeds - the same slightly unsettled feel the A4 has - and superbly well insulated for a very low level of noise.

I drove the 140bhp 2 litre diesel with six speed gearbox, and performance was excellent, with plenty of punch in the mid-range and good acceleration even at motorway speed in sixth.

The top notch VW power steering helps towards excellent handling, where quick changes of direction show it to be marvellously nimble.

And it clings to the road surface - however bad - with consummate ease even when pressed beyond normal safety limits.

Safety equipment is right up there with the best and low prices make it great value.

Interior

Seat and column adjustment is excellent and the seats are very comfortable but a large transmission tunnel means it's really only a four seater.

Kit includes alloys, climate, cruise, Bluetooth connectivity and MP3 input. SE adds automatic lights and wipers, parking sensors and front-seat lumbar adjustment.

FAST FACTS

SEAT Exeo

Price: £18,240

Mechanical: 140bhp, 1,968cc, 4cyl diesel driving front wheels via 6-speed manual gearbox

Max speed: 133mph

0-62mph: 9.2 seconds

Combined mpg: 51

Insurance group: 12

CO2 emissions: 143g/km

BIK rating: 19%

Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles

Marks: 10/10

Main rival: Audi A4, Mazda6