Used SEAT Toledo Review (2012-2019) MK4
Independent review by Peter Hayward from Driving Force
4-minute read
Overview
- Large boot
- Range of efficient engines
- Decent handling and roadholding
- Basic equipment
- Unremarkable looks
- Strong rivals
What's the SEAT Toledo like?
The SEAT Toledo really stood out from the crowd when it was launched, and regular updates since have kept it right up with class leaders like the VW Golf and Ford Focus.
Although it looks like a saloon, it’s a hatchback, and it has one of the largest boots and most roomy interiors in the class, making it very family friendly.
It’s based on the same floor pan as the Golf, Audi A3 and Skoda Rapid, and has a huge range of abilities with reasonable prices when bought used.
Engines
The 1.6-litre TDI diesel with start-stop returns a real 49mpg, which is still excellent even by today’s standards.
It's also good fun to drive, with performance well up to the average and despite a slightly rough sound from the engine at times, it's never too noisy.
This engine is available with 90bhp, 103bhp or 115bhp, and the 103bhp version has a government economy figure of over 70mpg.
The 103bhp and 115bhp versions also give good performance, with 0 to 60mph acceleration in 10.3 and 9.9 seconds respectively.
Petrol engine options are 1.0-litre, 1.2-litre and 1.4-litre, and all but a single 1.2-litre in the entry level E model are turbocharged TSI units.
The 1.2-litre came first, and the turbo version has either 85bhp, 103bhp or 110bhp. Best economy is in the 110bhp model, which can do 57mpg officially, but the other two are only slightly behind.
The 85bhp version is quite slow, but the 103bhp covers the 60mph sprint in 10.2 seconds and the 110bhp in 9.8 seconds, so performance is more than acceptable.
The 1.0-litre TSI, with a single power output of 108bhp, replaced the 1.2-litre around 2014, although later cars with the larger engine could have come to market.
The smaller engine gets the Toledo to 60mph in 9.8 seconds and takes economy up to 60mpg. This is a gem of a power unit and makes the car great to drive.
The 1.4-litre TSI turbo comes with 120bhp and is the performance king of the fleet, bringing the 60mph acceleration down to 9.4 seconds. But economy also drops – although down to a still very good 48mpg.
Driving Experience and Practicality
The handling and road-holding in all SEAT Toledo models is excellent, with marvellous grip and beautifully informative steering.
Peter Hayward
The ride is also very good over all surfaces, taking the worst of our potholed roads in its stride in town and smoothing out country roads at speed.
Inside, the Toledo is very spacious. Front and rear legroom are much bigger than those in the Focus, and it also has a massive boot that can hold a large amount of luggage with ease.
Equipment
Equipment in the mid-range SE includes steering wheel stereo and trip computer controls, very good seat and column adjustment, Bluetooth, climate control, alloy wheels, and an alarm system.
It also has traction control, parking sensors, cruise, part leather upholstery and sat nav.
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The SEAT Toledo is a great all-round hatchback that offers a range of efficient engines and an impressive amount of interior space. The Toledo's comfort and practicality are second-to-none, making it a reliable hatchback for all occasions.
