Product development offers a fascinating insight into the psychology of buying decisions. When Japanese manufacturers started making hi-fi equipment, everything was finished in either black or brushed aluminium in a bid to appear credible. Only with said credibility achieved could they begin to offer audio equipment in pastel shades with funky shapes and so on. A similar thing happened in the MPV market. At first, MPVs could only concentrate on safety and practicality. These days, cars like SEAT's Altea show how those shackles have been cast aside.

Customers these days take the practicality and safety angles for granted and demand more. Much more. Suddenly style and fun become key concepts for MPV drivers in an evolving market. Whereas an MPV-style car was once a grudge purchase for the cash-strapped, nowadays there are some very desirable offerings. Honda were probably the first to exploit this with the Stream, a seven seater that was a genuinely fun pedal. Fiat launched the quirky Multipla, Vauxhall launched a turbocharged version of their Zafira and Ford developed the Focus C-MAX, a car that tackled corners with relish. Now SEAT is in on the act and the Altea is unlike any MPV you've ever seen. In fact, the Spaniards shy away from the MPV tag, preferring the rather inelegant MSV (Multi Sports Vehicle).

"Based on the latest generation Golf chassis, the Altea serves up a set of sophisticated road manners."

The car has been improved in recent times, mainly through the addition of a clever rear seat which slides forward 14 cm to increase boot space by an additional 101 litres, but still leaves plenty of rear legroom for the rear seat passengers. Otherwise, the improvements are limited to spec and trim changes, with the dynamic shape having been wisely left alone. Prices now start at £12,855 with a premium of around £500 for the extended wheelbase XL models. The four-wheel drive Freetrack 4 variants are based only on the top petrol and diesel version of the XL bodyshape, so are rather more expensive, with prices starting at £19,495.

The Altea unashamedly offers five spacious seats rather than seven cramped ones but weighs in with some innovative thinking. 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 supersized glove compartment, big storage bins on all four doors, drawers under the front seat and even a storage area under the boot floor. Even the parcel shelf has a storage cubby incorporated within.

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 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 1604 litres. Park up in Kensington and you could rent it out as a studio flat. Whichever bodystyle you go for, the rear bench is a 60/40 split affair with a fold down armrest incorporating cupholders.

As befits SEAT's position within the sportier Audi side of Volkswagen's empire, the 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 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 chassis and seating position. The intelligent electro-mechanical steering is well weighted and precise too.

Unlike other front wheel drive SEATs, the Altea features a neat multi-link rear suspension arrangement which is firm but comfortable. As with all vehicles with a high seating position, you do get the feeling of sitting on rather than in the vehicle but you soon get used to it.

The trim and build quality, whilst maybe not the most exciting in terms of colour choices and materials, is nevertheless of a relentlessly high quality. The Altea's greatest party trick is definitely the windscreen wipers - spot them if you can. Clue: they're hidden in the A-pillars.

The Altea isn't found wanting in terms of safety provision, being SEAT's first car to be sold in the EU with twin front, side, and head airbags as standard. Three-point anchors for all five seats, ISOFIX child seat attachments, anti lock brakes and traction control are all offered.

Six engines are available; three petrol and three diesel. The petrol engines comprise a 102bhp 1.6-litre entry level unit, a peppier 160bhp 1.8-litre TSI unit and a 200bhp 2.0-litre turbo. Diesel buyers choose between the 105bhp 1.9-litre powerplant, the 140bhp 2.0-litre turbodiesel unit and a 168bhp 2.0-litre TDI. A five-speed manual gearbox is fitted as standard to all models although buyers of the two more powerful engines can opt for a six speed unit (at additional cost). A six-speed Tiptronic automatic is available with the 2.0-litre FSI engine and those who've opted for the 140bhp diesel will also get the chance to use the astonishing twin-clutch DSG gearbox of Audi TT fame.

SEAT have found that the 1.6-litre petrol engine and the entry-level diesel have shifted the biggest numbers in the UK. Tested back to back however, we think that most buyers would probably prefer the 105bhp 1.9-litre diesel which offers bags more torque and therefore superior real world performance. The trim levels range from Reference to Reference Sport and Stylance to the range-topping FR models. There's also the extended XL bodystyle with its increased luggage capacity. Plus the Freetrack 4x4 version for those who like the idea of an offroader but don't want the compromises and costs involved.

Although the Altea may leave some potential buyers scratching their heads and wondering what exactly it's trying to be, if you're not too hung up on vehicle definitions and prefer something that's fun, stylish and practical, it's well worth a look. A good deal more distinctive than most of the me-too family hatches that populate our roads, the Altea is a welcome breath of fresh air. Or at least it would have been if the rest of the SEAT range hadn't been styled to look just like it.

TOP 5 ALTEA DEALS

The results below show the top ALTEA deals on buyacar

	Seat Altea 1.8 TSI Stylance 5dr Estate
	ETR	Mthly £302	Saving £1,409	Price £15,326
	Seat Altea 1.9 TDI Stylance 5dr Estate
	ETR	Mthly £270	Saving £1,294	Price £14,411
	Seat Altea 1.9 TDI Stylance 5dr DSG Estate
	ETR	Mthly £293	Saving £1,427	Price £15,503
	Seat Altea 1.9 TDi Stylance 5dr DSG Estate
	ETR	Mthly £286	Saving £1,374	Price £15,066
	Seat Altea 2.0 TDI Stylance 5dr [170] Estate
	ETR	Mthly £325	Saving £1,596	Price £16,844

typical 12.15% APR

PCP finance quote over 48 months,  10,000 miles pa,  deposit of £1000