Looking head on the Toledo’s styling is interesting and different thanks mainly to a windscreen that looks almost square. The side view resembles the poor selling Renault Vel Satis, while the rear comes in for the same criticism that the big Renault endures.
My test car is the top of the range 2 litre TDi ‘S’ Auto (DSG six-speed). It has torque to burn (320nm) and in anything other than dry road conditions will spin the front wheels. Traction control is fitted, thankfully, and does a reasonable job of assisting getting the power down. 140bhp is lively enough, producing a top speed of 201 km/h (125mph), but the lazy nature of diesel pulling power means this Toledo is a great cruiser. Fuel consumption is impressive for a 2 litre, averaging 6 litres per 100 kilometres.
The DSG automated manual gearbox can be used in ‘D’ like a conventional automatic, ‘S’ where it holds each gear longer and produces more power, and, of course, used like a tiptronic with gears shifting manually as you tip the gear lever forward or back.
The engine range features two diesels, a 1.9 (105bhp) and 2 litre (140bhp) while the volume seller will be the 1.6 (105bhp) petrol, with a hotter 150bhp 2 litre FSi available in manual or automatic. Prices start at €22,800 and rise to my test car’s €32,920.
Specification in Europe is very flowery (Reference, Sport, Stylance & Sport-Up) but here the importer has decided to keep it simple with ‘R’ (entry level) rising to ‘S’.
Inside the five-door Toledo is really spacious and very versatile. It features a two level 500 litre boot (i.e. there’s a false floor under which is a useful compartment) and a parcel shelf with another handy out-of-sight tray underneath. The dash features a little too much hard plastic and, despite being ergonomically sound, lacks personality.
My only hate with Seats in general is the use of red illumination for the dash instruments. It is very hard on the eyes and a million miles away from the cool elegance of VW’s blue.
The driving position is focused with high backed hip hugging sports seats. The steering wheel is less sporty as it could be smaller. The wheel also features a shiny Seat badge that could do with a redesign as it can catch sunlight (whenever we get it!) and dazzle eyes.
Seat prides itself on being a niche player and not just the Spanish arm of the Volkswagen Audi Group. The Walter De Silva designed trilogy of Toledo, Altea (a more conventional looking hatchback) and Leon (the VW Golf alternative) all make clear style statements. They also have many innovations that owners will get a kick out of, like the wipers that park in the ‘A’ pillars and sweep down then up, or Leon’s hidden rear door handles, but Toledo’s backside will always remain controversial.
The Toledo is a spacious family car that certainly looks different, possibly too different. I like it but would opt for the cheaper Seat Altea.
Michael Sheridan
