Item: Used Seat Toledo Hatchback 2005 - 2009
Author: What Car? Team

What is it like?

Ownership cost

Advice for buyers

Our recommendations

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Hatchback

Today, the resurgent Seat brand is selling better cars than at any time in its history.

In large part, that’s because it is one of the brands owned by the VW Group. Underneath, all of the cars it sells are strongly related to similar models sold by Volkswagen itself, or the likes of Skoda and even Audi. If you are buying a Leon, for example, the hardware will be similar to that of the Golf, Octavia and A3.

But while Seat makes the most of this tie-up to offer everything from city, small and family cars, including estates, through to a full range of SUVs, it also adds in its own slice of character, both with its distinctive styling approach and because its engineers generally tune the cars to deliver sportier handling.

While all of its cars are decent, it is the SUVs that stand out. The Arona and Ateca are among the class leaders and have enjoyed triumphs at the What Car? Awards.

SEAT

TOLEDO

It's good, but it's little better than the cheaper Altea XL that the Seat Toledo is based on

Used Seat Toledo Hatchback 2005 - 2009

Stick with the 1.9 TDI diesel for low fuel bills, thanks to a claimed 51.4mpg. You'll never get that in real-world driving, but mid-40s is perfectly possible.

If you prefer the more powerful 2.0-litre diesel Sport, it's still not a disaster, with an official 47.9mpg.

Other running costs aren't great, though, as the Toledo has slightly higher servicing costs than the Leon or Altea. And that's despite the fact that the service intervals are the same, with work required every 10,000 miles.

Dealers tend to be pricier than <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/citroen">Citroen</a>, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/ford">Ford</a> or <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/ford">Skoda</a> franchises, so find a recommended independent garage.

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It's good, but it's little better than the cheaper Altea XL that the Seat Toledo is based on

The Toledo was launched in 2005 with four engines. The best all-rounder - especially if you plan a lot of motoring in a heavily laden car - is the 1.9 TDI diesel. It has 104bhp and, more importantly, a healthy 184lb ft of pulling power.

By comparison, the 101bhp 1.6-litre petrol does a reasonable job, but struggles under a full load. However, there are no such problems with the rapid 150bhp 2.0 FSI petrol Sport.

Sport trim is also available with a 140bhp 2.0 TDI diesel is also available and both models get electronic skid prevention. Traction control, six airbags and anti-lock brakes are standard fit across the entire range.

Opt for the perfectly adequate Reference spec, though, and you'll get air-con, rake- and reach-adjustable steering, remote central locking, electric front windows and a CD player. Stylance models add alloy wheels, cruise control and rear electric windows.

Parking sensors were an option at launch, and it's worth looking out for a car equipped with these.

For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter <a href="https://pages.haymarket.com/whatcar/wcar-form.html">here</a>

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<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Plenty of practical space </li> <li>Low running costs </li> <li>A comfortable ride </li> <li>A healthy equipment list </li> <li>Quality materials and thoughtful touches inside </li> <li>Rock-solid reliability</li></ul>

Family cars arguably have the toughest brief of all: they have to be good at pretty much everything. They’re used as the daily drive, on the school run or work commute (often both), and have to be able to cope with a family’s clutter on weekends and holidays.

The Skoda Scala is a relative newcomer, but it's&nbsp;already carved out a name for itself in this segment.&nbsp;If you're looking for a moderately priced car that combines a supple ride, neat handling, a spacious interior and a capacious boot&nbsp;it's well worth a look.&nbsp;Alternatively, if you're looking for entertaining handling then the&nbsp;BMW 1 Series may well be for you. It's great to drive, rides well&nbsp;and also comes with a top-notch interior, featuring one of our very favourite infotainment systems.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Toyota Corolla&nbsp;is another great choice. This latest version of one of the world's best-selling cars of all time can be had with a choice of two different petrol-electric hybrid engines, both of which should mean&nbsp;potentially lower fuel bills. It's comfortable, well equipped and should be very reliable, too.&nbsp;

Family

Seat continues to make improvements in build quality, and the Toledo feels solidly screwed together, so you shouldn't have to worry unduly about loose trim and fittings.

Underneath that oddly styled body, the floorpan, engines and gearboxes are pure VW. So, too, is the suspension, although Seat tunes that to its tailor-made settings. On your test drive, check the steering for accuracy and any signs of the vehicle pulling to the left or the right.

If the car feels overly 'floaty', or takes a long to time recover and recompose itself after a big bump, it could indicate worn suspension parts.

The Toledo's poor visibility means parking scrapes to that big back bumper and overhanging front end are not uncommon on models without parking sensors. So, have a good look for any damage. Paint chips won't be too hard to rectify, but cracked bumpers are expensive to replace.

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If you see a Seat Toledo parked up next to a Seat Leon, it makes you believe in that depressing theory that for everything positive allowed into the world, something negative must also be sent to counteract it. Alongside the genuinely beautiful Leon, the Toledo looks plain ungainly.

Its other family problem is the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/seat/altea/estate/used-review/n601">Altea</a> hatchback. That model does just about everything the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/seat/toledo/hatchback/used-review/n607">Toledo</a> does, but for less money. Even the Toledo's huge boot is negated by the larger Altea XL. If you do go for a Toledo, though, it can swallow five adults and their luggage comfortably.

The interior is solidly put together and, like all modern <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/seat">Seats</a>, there's a sporting feel to the cockpit. Visibility is poor all round, though, so you need to take care when reversing or pulling onto roundabouts.

There's little to complain about in the drive, though. Based on the excellent <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/golf/hatchback/used-review/n711">Mk5 Volkswagen Golf</a> platform, the handling is tight and tidy, and the ride comfortable.

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Used Seat Toledo Hatchback 2005 - 2009 review

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Alternatives

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