Review of the new SEAT Altea E Ecomotive

It's a sign of the times that SEAT, a car manufacturer that has traded successfully on its design flare and sporty attitude, is devoting so much time and effort to making its cars greener. These days, the tree-hugging E Ecomotive models are more commonplace in the Spanish brand's model range than its tarmac-scorching Cupra performance cars. It's a reflection on the growing demand for lower motoring costs and a clearer environmental consciousness on the part of buyers but what are the sacrifices involved in going green? In the case of the Altea E Ecomotive, SEAT will tell you there are none.

The concept behind eco-special models like the Altea E Ecomotive will be getting mind-numbingly familiar to car industry observers by now. Coming out of nowhere, suddenly these vehicles are popping out of the woodwork with unerring frequency. Virtually all the mainstream manufacturers now have some variation on the theme. To the extent that snappy titles combining terms like green, efficient and eco are at a premium.

Despite this short lifespan, the eco-special models are evolving. Where early examples focused on reducing weight and fitting skinny tyres, improving efficiency at the expense of refinement, comfort and, occasionally, handling, cars like the Altea E Ecomotive are using more advanced technology. It means that standout economy can be achieved with minimal sacrifices in other areas of the car's performance - and that's got to be good news for motorists.

"The Altea Ecomotive is a car that forces few sacrifices on its owners in exchange for impressive economy"

The Volkswagen Group's 1.6-litre common-rail diesel engine technology forms the basis of the Altea E Ecomotive. This modern powerplant already pervades the model ranges of VW's mainstream brands and is only likely to be more widely used as its highly efficient combustion processes, yielding strong economy and respectable performance, seem perfectly in tune with the prevailing fashion. In the Altea E Ecomotive, the 1.6 TDI unit makes 103bhp at 4,000rpm. That's not a lot for a generously proportioned compact MPV but 250Nm of torque from 1,500rpm should help keep things moving. The 0-60mph trip takes 12.4s and top speed is 114mph, which is respectable but hardly rapid.

As befits SEAT's position on the sportier side of Volkswagen's empire, the Altea's seats are supportive and the steering is meaty, the multi-adjustable wheel making it easy to find a decent driving position. The Altea rides on the same platform as a MkV VW Golf and also features the Agile Chassis Concept originally developed for the high performance Leon Cupra R. In other words, it's very good to drive, with surprisingly little body roll, despite its relatively high body and seating position.

There are certain things we've come to expect from environmentally-focused cars in the Altea E Ecomotive's ilk. They include a lowered ride height and tweaked aerodynamics to improve efficiency and low rolling resistance tyres. The Altea E Ecomotive, however, doesn't have any of them. The car looks like any other Altea if you selectively overlook its subtle Ecomotive badging.

By compact MPV standards, it's a good looking car. The side profile has the same 33:66 glass to metal ratio that features on so many sports cars and gives the Altea a far higher-waisted and more dynamic look than, say, a Volkswagen Touran. Inside, there are more than thirty places to stow and stash goodies, including a super-sized glove compartment, big storage bins on all four doors, drawers under the front seat and even a storage area under the boot floor. The trim and build quality has been improved on the current cars and now does a better job of reflecting the exciting looks of the outside.

The two-tiered boot has a capacity of over 400 litres in the standard model, which rises to 532 litres in the stretched XL bodyshape. In this extended variant, you can extend that to 635 litres without folding the rear seats if you slide them forward - or you can fold the rear bench and access 1,604 litres. Whichever bodystyle you go for, the rear bench is a 60/40 split affair with a fold down armrest incorporating cupholders.

The Altea is competitively priced compared to most of the better known compact MPV models and generally represents good value. It's a sportier choice in a market that pays more attention to clever seating systems and storage options than a fun driving experience and the lack of a seven-seat option is a handicap. That said, the £500 that's required to upgrade from the Altea to the Altea XL is money well spent with that model's larger boot and other practicality features making the standard car look somewhat redundant.

The E Ecomotive models slot into the middle of the Altea range on price but their low running costs will make the overall cost of ownership seem attractive, particularly to higher mileage drivers. The key to the E Ecomotive package is the SEAT stop-start technology and brake energy recuperation system. The former turns off the engine when the car is stationary, the gearbox is in neutral and the clutch is raised to save fuel in traffic. The latter, recaptures kinetic energy that would be lost under braking to charge the battery, removing strain from the engine.

What is the end result? Well, buyers can benefit from the tax savings associated with 119g/km CO2 emissions and the combined cycle economy of 62.7mpg. Given the Altea's size and 1,400kg kerb weight, that is pretty good going.

In the past SEAT has touted itself as a brand for younger buyers interested in lively performance and sporty styling. Today, even it is having to tow the environmental line with models like the Altea E Ecomotive. All is not lost, however, because rather than the usual formula of skinny tyres and aerodynamic tweaks, this more efficient model relies on an advanced engine, stop-start technology and brake energy regeneration to make its economy gains. The result is a vehicle not unlike the standard Altea except for its standout economy and emissions.

The Altea E Ecomotive is a car that forces few sacrifices on its owners in exchange for impressive economy. The Altea is a model that's sometimes overlooked in the compact MPV sector but despite only having five seats, it's roomy, good looking and enjoyable to drive. The XL model is more practical still and is probably the one to go for.

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