SEAT says the new Altea is first and foremost a family car and there is no disputing that.
Although it has compact exterior dimensions, inside it offers real roominess in all five seats and has a large boot to swallow up a shed-load of family gear.
And as well as being family friendly, it combines driving pleasure with fine handling and a distinctly sporting feel.
It's also one of the safest motors around. It is the first SEAT sold in the EU to be equipped as standard with six airbags: driver and passenger airbag, front side airbag and curtain airbag.
The large passenger compartment is comfortable for both driver and all passengers, and the boot has a capacity of over 400 litres. And with more than 30 storage compartments, the Altea has a place for pretty much everything.
Storage spaces include a glasses holder above the driver's door, a large glove compartment in front of the passenger seat, a compartment and two cupholders beneath the central console, a drawer beneath each front seat and a large compartment in each front door. Even the front armrest has a two-tiered storage compartment and the passenger seat has a side compartment with space for a drinks can.
I was particularly impressed with the size of the two-tiered boot. The first level has ample capacity for everyday use, but substantially more space becomes available with the rear seats folded.
This operation is easy and can be done with one hand without removing the headrests. This leaves a completely flat load area on the same level as the floor of the boot.
The Altea's fascia is well designed with instruments well placed and simple to use. Behind the steering wheel there are three sporty, black-faced instrument dials.
Three spec levels are available: Reference, Stylance and Sport. I drove the Stylance which was powered by a 1.9 TDI oil-burning engine and managed to get close to 50mpg over a week in mixed driving conditions.
All versiosns of the Altea are well equipped with power steering, ABS, air conditioning, a six-speaker radio/CD player, one-touch electric front windows with anti-squeeze and remote central locking. The driver's seat has height and lumbar adjustment.
The Stylance model has an even higher level of kit including electric door mirrors, an auto-dim rear view mirror, climate control aircon, an eight-speaker audio system with steering wheel controls, sun visor lights, cruise control, 16 inch 7-spoke alloy wheels with locking wheel bolts, a front passenger seat with height and lumbar adjustment, leather covered steering wheel and gearknob plus many more features.
As for the actual driving experience, the Altea offers a comfortable mode of transport. It corners well, absorbs the worst of the bumps and cruises on motorways with very little road or wind noise.
Only one complaint, really, and it's a fault with many of today's motors. The very thick A-pillar of the screen obscures the view round corners.
But for £15,050 the Altea offers good value for money and is ideal for someone who needs a roomy, stylish motor for the family.
FAST FACTS
SEAT Altea 1.9 TDi Stylance
Price: £15,050
Mechanical: 105bhp, 1,896cc 4cyl diesel engine driving front wheels via 5spd manual gearbox
Max speed: 114mph
0-62mph: 12.3 secs
Combined mpg: 51.4
Insurance group: 5
CO2 emissions: 149g/km
BiK rating: 19%
Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles; 1yrs paint; 12yrs anti-rust