The battle of the big hatchbacks continues apace. They may call them mini-people carriers, or use a plethora of abbreviations from MPV to MSV, but we all know what they are - high-roofed hatches.
The car industry has some questions to answer: are they building regular hatchbacks too small, or do they have evidence that a sudden growth spurt is set to strike the human race?
The answer probably is that we want more room, desire the spaciousness of a family saloon but in hatchback format and at hatchback prices.
Admittedly these tall hatches have been around for some time. However, they're getting ever bigger. If you compare the current generation with the previous generation Megane - credited with opening up the market for so-called five-seater mini-people carriers - you wonder just how we managed to squeeze into it. The latest versions are positively cavernous in comparison.
Now the Spanish are getting in on the game. Or to be more precise, the German alliance that is Volkswagen. Hot on the heels of the VW Touran, its Iberian sister company is entering this market with the new Altea.
But it represents more than simply a rebadged VW with some Spanish flair. The Altea, according to every voice in the firm, the standard-bearer for what is to become the firm's three pillar strategy, built around this car and the upcoming new versions of the Ibiza and Leon.
There's no doubting its eyecatching looks. The front has the appeal of a sporty hatchback and even from the side it manages to avoid the normal boxy profile of others. In fact, it could be credibly described as beautiful. Now how often would you use that word in connection with a people carrier?
Designed by a Seat team led by renowned Walter de' Silva of Alfa Romeo 156 fame, the lines of the Altea are very alluring. Every car has its colour and in this one, the deep red is a must. Combine the two and you've got a really eyecatching combination.
The Altea is up against some serious competitors, none more so than the Ford Focus C-Max which sits on a new Focus platform. Ford has gained great kudos for the Focus handling and the C-Max really impressed when we drove it earlier in the year.
However, somehow Seat has matched the Ford for its fun, in particular the way it stays remarkably flat in corners, despite its height. It's remarkably nimble for its size, which, despite the sporty lines, looks like it's going to be rather unwieldy when you first cross its path. To find a car of this size that's still fun to drive is a rare occurrence indeed. The fact is it handles like a regular small car, let down only by a slightly neutral steering that could be more positive. But that's only a minor gripe, for this is not meant to be a sports car.
The rather sporty drive is assisted by a surprisingly perky 1.6-litre engine developing 102bhp. Behind the wheel, it belies its relatively lethargic acceleration time from 0-60 mph of 12.8 seconds, and feels quicker. We also tried the 1.9-litre diesel and found it equally enthusiastic and also quite frugal.
The five-speed gearbox is perfectly to hand and adds to the sporty feel with short throws between changes. A six-speed box is available on the 2-litre versions and the much-hyped DSG automatic from Audi is also fitted as an option to the 140 bhp 2-litre turbodiesel version.
However, these larger engines are unlikely to feature much on the Irish market. The trend in this market is to go for smaller engines and higher specifications, so the 1.6-litre will be the most popular here and owners should have no complaints.
As for the specification, the lack of air-conditioning as standard is a mistake, and the semi-automatic air-con unit fitted on the higher-spec S range is rather clumsy and imprecise. Yet the controls themselves are quite well positioned in the car and the central console, also housing the radio/CD, bears a striking resemblance to the Ford Focus format - thus worthy of praise. Cruise control fitted on S models is also well-positioned and easy to use.
The dash itself is covered in a sort of chequered plastic, possibly aimed to keep the sporty theme but in the end looking rather tacky. The light grey colouring of the rest also lets the car down slightly. Yet in its entirety, the finish is approaching German standards of sturdiness and practicality.
Comfort is the aim of these bigger five-seaters and the Altea does a very good job of it for the driver and front seat passenger. Height adjustable front seats combine with the large sweeping windscreen and truck-like side windows give a really spacious feel to the car and great visibility. The lumbar support on the driver's seat makes it one of the most comfortable cabins in its class.
In the back, however, things have gone a little awry. As much as this is aimed to fight it out in the five-seater market and take three burly passengers comfortably in the back, the Altea's back row is really designed for 2.5. The strange use of side bolsters in the rear seats adds to the comfort for the two side passengers and the cars sporty character. But they limit the space for the middle passenger who sits on a rather firm and tight bench, an afterthought in the design.
That said, there's more than ample legroom for adults, and even the tallest passengers shouldn't have anything to complain about, even on cross-country runs. Well, perhaps just one thing - the view. Because of the wide comfortable front seats and high seating position, the view forward is rather impeded. But it's hardly a deal breaker.
Seat has also been busy in the boot, where several ingenious cubbyholes have been created - one under the parcel shelf, and another under the boot floor.
A total of 30 compartments throughout the car mean that you can carry all the usual detritus involved in family motoring these days and still keep the car relatively clutter-free. The boot is not exactly enormous, but it will take the shopping and the back seats do fold down. However, fully loaded with kids, shopping, and perhaps a buggy, it would be a squeeze. Removing the first floor of the boot adds more space and we expect this particular shelf will spend most of its time in the garage.
Then we close the bootlid and again, there's the sense that the design team were concentrating too much on getting the new look face of Seat just right. It couldn't be further from the front's sleek and seductive lines. It's bulbous and rather bland, lacking in sparkle. Some will like it, others will not. We can't really make up our mind as yet, but striking it is not.
What's more, the high and relatively small back window makes reversing a chore, further hindered by the lack of reversing sensors as standard. Then there's the incredibly low rear fog lights, sure to become victim to a kerb or two over the lifetime of the car.
But if we can get over our qualms about the rear visibility and middle rear seat, there's a great deal to attract us to the Altea. Perhaps the most alluring feature is the price. Starting at €20,900, the Altea is better priced than many equivalent competitors. Add on the five-year AA cover and various bells and whistles and if we were looking for a hatchback with a bit more headroom and prepared to pay the premium over the regular hatches then it would definitely be on our final test list. If, however, we were looking to transport an ever-increasing progeny then we'd still only consider the seven-seaters.
In terms of looks you should compare the likes of the C-Max and the Altea with the hatchbacks on offer. Somehow the Altea looks better than its older hatchbacks. Supposedly it carries the face of Seat's future. With this alluring new look and the highly competitive pricing, its future looks bright.
