SEAT Altea

SEAT Altea

The SEAT Altea is a C-segment MPV produced by the Spanish automaker SEAT from 2004 to 2015. The car’s name comes from the municipality of Altea, located in the province of Alicante (Valencian Community, Spain).

The Altea shares common features with other C-segment models from the Volkswagen Group, such as the SEAT Leon I and Volkswagen Touran. The Altea is shorter than some MPVs in height, but taller than C-segment passenger cars. All versions have five seats.

The car was created by Walter de’Silva and first presented in 2004 as the embodiment of SEAT’s new design style. The third-generation Toledo was almost identical, except for a larger trunk. It was presented at the Geneva Motor Show in the same year.

On 21 August 2015, SEAT announced the end of production of the Altea and Altea XL models. Although a direct replacement for the Altea was not planned, SEAT continues its global shift from MPV production to SUVs. The SEAT Leon IV was given its own SUV model.

In 2016, the company presented the Ateca model, which, according to CEO Luca de Meo, is the successor to the Altea.

SEAT Altea (2004-2015)

The Altea (model 5P) represents a new generation of the brand’s cars. This style was previously demonstrated in the Emoción and Tango prototypes.

In its first year of sales, 65,592 units of this model were sold. At the same time, the Altea XL sold 40,000 units, and the Altea Freetrack was estimated at around 15,000 units.

In the spring of 2009, all versions of the car underwent a restyling. The changes affected mainly the front end. The rear window was enlarged and now extended to the edge of the headlights.

By mid-2014, the Freetrack version was discontinued. In 2015, the Seat Altea was discontinued and is no longer sold.

Variants (modifications)

This model was created on the PQ35 platform developed by the Volkswagen Group. It is available in four variants: Altea, Toledo (third generation), Altea XL and Altea Freetrack.

SEAT Altea

The SEAT Altea (model 5P1) was presented in March 2004. This car stands out for its short and rounded rear overhang. The Altea is equipped with front-wheel drive and a transversely mounted four-cylinder engine. Various petrol and diesel engine options are available:

1.4-litre petrol engine with a maximum power of 85 HP
1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine with Start&Stop function, developing a power of 105 HP
1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine with a power of 125 HP
1.6-litre petrol engine with a power of 102 HP
1.8-litre turbocharged petrol engine with 160 HP
2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine, available with 185 or 200 HP

Diesel engines are available in two versions: a 1.9-litre with a maximum power of 105 HP and 2.0-litre modifications developing 140 or 170 HP.

SEAT Toledo

The third generation SEAT Toledo (model 5P2) underwent significant changes in design, which reflected the new trend for minivans that began to emerge in mid-2003. The Toledo, whose length was similar to the later Altea XL, went on sale at the end of 2004. Although it resembled the Altea in appearance, its boot was larger at 500 litres.

SEAT Altea XL

The SEAT Altea XL (model 5P5) was produced from November 2006. This car was presented as a more spacious alternative to the SEAT Altea, intended for long-distance trips.

The Altea XL featured a new, more angular and upright rear end. The rear overhang was increased by 190 mm, which increased the boot capacity to 532 litres.

From 2009 to 2013, the Altea XL was offered with LPG, and the only trim available for this fuel was the “Reference” trim. The car was available with various engines:

Petrol: 1.8 TSI (160 HP), 1.6 TSI (98 HP), 1.4 TSI (125 HP)
Diesel: 2.0 TDI (140/170 HP), 1.6 TDI (105 HP)
LPG (liquefied petroleum gas): 1.6 (90/105 HP)

SEAT Altea Freetrack

In 2007, the SEAT Altea Freetrack (model 5P8) was officially presented at the Barcelona Motor Show. Sales of this crossover, created on the basis of the SEAT Altea XL, began in the third quarter of the same year.

Since SEAT did not have an SUV, the Altea Freetrack became a direct competitor to models such as the Kia Sportage, Hyundai Tucson, Honda CR-V, Nissan Qashqai and Toyota RAV4. It is available with front or all-wheel drive and the following engines: