The Ateca is just such a brilliant car to drive. Maybe it is not eye candy but I drive my car; it is a tool and a pleasure. The steering is light enough around town. The Quashqai is trendy, perhaps more for being seen in and driving the kids around town. The Ateca would blow it away on a windy country road.

Ateca for me in this spec.

Totally agree. As a previous shape (2014-21) Qashqai owner I test drove both - and bought the Ateca. The new Qashqai looks great and has some amazing tech, but the Ateca feels much faster (in 1.5 petrol DSG spec compared to the Qashqai CVT), has a more responsive gearbox, much more comfortable supportive seats and more reliable wireless phone charging/carplay. At the end of the day you spend most of your time driving a car not just looking at it. And the Ateca isn't bad looking either, it's just a more subtle design.

Been driving the new Ateca for a while and I have to say it is a pretty good car. I am especially pleased with the interior- so much is right about it. Especially the fact that it has physical knobs for all the controls. I am glad Seat didn't go for the newer VW touch buttons which frankly said is not a clever design decision.

Bought the Qashqai Tekna CVT. brilliant car and no complaints about the performance or ride.. a big improvement on the previous generation and a real head-turner.

Don't know why Seat hasn't updated the Alteca's interior, that interior design is from 2016 if I'm not mistaken. The Ibiza, Leon and Arona all got interior updated.

My ateca has a volume control wheel in the steering wheel which is brilliantly placed and works perfectly. No taking any eyes off the road at all. I love it

A really well balanced review Rebecca. I have to agree with your verdict out of the two I'd also go for the Ateca. As a driver I want to have that little bit more feeling of involvement behind the wheel. After all I'm more likely to be inside it than just looking at it. Personally I prefer the more integrated look of the more responsive infotainment system, I've never really been a fan of the Velcro an iPad to the dash approach. A good point about the sliding rear seats, even some models of the old and arguably less dynamic styled Skoda Karoq had these and they could be removed entirely. Many thanks for sharing. Keep up the great work.

I've got exactly the same Qashqai in automatic and absolutely love it. The technology is just amazing and it drives beautifully. You Wouldn't know how much better this car is compared to the rivals until you drive it for a while.

I agree with a lot of this, except for the final verdict. The greater technology in the Qashqai is significant. The HUD is superb, and adapted cruise control is a real fatigue beater. The adaptive auto beam headlights don't get a mention either.... they work really well and I no longer get drivers flashing their lights at me as the 9 LEDs continually adapt to the conditions. I don't feel the need for blistering acceleration....I suspect both cars are more functional than exciting. I like the look of the Seat, but the Nissan's tech does it for me on this occasion. Just my humble opinion!!!!!

From a hardcore car enthusiast & someone that practically follows every car channel on KZfaq, Rebecca makes really well balanced, straight-forward reviews. Well done on you & keep up the great content. Oh & one more thing, you have charm in spades Rebecca.

I have the Ateca experience. What a great spec for the money. Great economy and performance for the 1.5 dsg. It’s probably the best handling in its class. There is a physical volume knob on the steering wheel. A much better value car compared with the other vw products. Good presentation as always from this presenter.

Recently test drove a brand new Qashqai. I really don't understand how it was a best seller. Found it boring to drive nothing special. The Ateca is a brilliant drive and in my opinion looks better.

The Ateca for Me in Fr trim.

I can't understand the modern trend for car reviewers to bemoan the lack of a 'physical volume button', can't you control the volume from the steering wheel?

Go on about volume knobs, but if you're driving would you not just use the ones on the wheel!!?? I'll take the Ateca thanks! (owner (on order) of a mk4 Leon)

I prefer the Seat Ateca ! Better engine, Better styling, better interior, cheaper, more reliable and more fun to drive. The Nissan still is a good SUV

What I've always cared about in a family car is space ...that's it...9 out of 10 family cars are for getting the kids to school getting the shopping getting to work ..i don't care about " scratchy plastic" interiors or how fast it goes or how sporty it looks ...can I fit my family and dog in the car comfortably , is it good on fuel ....we're due to change cars in the coming months and the ateca is at the top of my list ...

just ordered my 2024 ateca, from seat 2 days ago.. loved it the supra ateca wow,, but too much for me, ive got the 1.0 ltr ateca, in red

Nissan/CVT....sorry, just no, so from these 2, definitely the Ateca. But at this family SUV price point, I would take a Skoda Karoq all day long!

Nissan a great car, but just bought the Experience Lux Ateca. More kit than you can shake a stick at, but externally what a looker, with sharp Audi, VW lines. Beautiful build quality as well and a real sharp driving point. Audi/VW TSI engine and gearbox - what’s not to like? Economy not bad either after a 60/70mph motorway run. Cars always have been a personal choice.

Entry level car comes with adaptive cruise control, that‘s nice. I don‘t even have that in my £62000 Mercedes C class 🙄

Nissan for me. We are getting it in April

Given the choice I'd have the Seat over the Qashqai as I would also prefer/need a diesel and the Qashqai no longer has that as an option. In addition to that I think the Qashqai us ugly and the Ateca looks better plus the fact that tho' the Qashqai can be had with an auto I hate CVT gearboxes. I prefer a manual anyway but if I was going auto it'd be dual clutch everytime. I also prefer the infotainment screen to be integrated into the dashboard as opposed to sitting proud of it, I'm not a fan of that in the Nissan at all.

Ateca looks classier outside and in, the Nissan looks and feels out of date already on the inside.

DSG is just much better, CVT is a such a largish, noisy gearbox. I couldn't exactly UK spec of ateca, but lane assist and adaptive cruise control are just chip options in Europe. Design perception is subjective matter , but I like ateca interior a lot more. Outside quashqai looks more modern, but I would stay with seat.

Have a seat ordered for 2024 cant wait

Ateca is boring to look at !? Jeez ... How about you leave looks to everyone's choice and not try to tell us what looks better. In this case, Ateca looks way better for me, Qashqai is just too weird for me, too much creases and weird angles. That doesnt mean it will be bad for everyone, but looks are really subjective, so to each their own, i guess

I've been driving an Ateca Xperience automatic on motability for nearly 3 years. I've just spent the last month test driving other cars as a replacement. I'm booking the Ateca Xperience Lux next week. Qashqai epower Tekna was totally underwhelming to drive. Plus, all the other cars were asking for more money for extras, that were standard on the Ateca. Ateca has great seats. Personally, it's more important to look out the windscreen than get distracted by the infotainment etc. The new Ateca 2023 is even better. The self parking is incredible and SO easy. The steering wheel has volume controls, much better than leaning over to turn the volume up/ down. There's also the fact that the Ateca drops down to 2 cylinders eco mode using less petrol.

I've just bought the 2TDI 4Drive Ateca. It impresses me in many ways: dynamic, interior, DSG etc but what concerns me is the diesel consumption: in a city's traffic jams I have 12+ l/100km. Is it normal? I had a petrol car and it was OK but people told me that diesel is free of such "epic fails". Please share your experience. Thanks in advance.

Quasquai for me.

We currently have a Karoq, which drives well and is pretty nippy (still miss the Galaxy we had before it, though). The Ateca currently tops our motability shortlist on price and features (the Karoq has jumped in price since we got this one), although it is really boring and dated to look at. So I was looking at more interesting alternatives but this review has pretty much settled it for its handling and performance.

I am at a bit of a loss as to why Seat/Cupra removed the volume knob. Ok they went to a touch screen based setup, and the screen got a whole extra inch of real estate, but there's been three iterations. The original 8 inch with direct shortcut buttons to all important functions - 4 on each side. Real buttons. One click Nav, phone, radio, etc. Then they went all touch to 9 inch but kept the volume rocker and another on the right which must do something. This is a decent compromise. Now, they went 100% touch. The only thing I can think of was to save the few cents LOL and maybe they think the actual volume control dial on wheel (which admittedly works responsively and is the same as in an Audi Q3) is enough and a volume knob on the screen is redundant? I dunno. Something tells me it's purely about money though. And the Ateca is already cheap ass inside.. The Formentor is 1000 bucks more for same top line model with almost identical engine outputs but was too low for me with my back issues to get in and out of. But the interior is a MUCH nicer place to be even though the car is basically the same price. They have cheaped out so much in Ateca. Surely they could at least trim the door arm rests and centre arm rest with the blue leather like they do in the Formentor? The formentor also has a beautiful blue stitched dash - The Ateca is just a SEA of PLASTIC and that is my one big complaint about the car and was the major hurdle for me to get over to buy one at 66.75 AUD. OTOH, as stunning as the Formentor interior was, best ambient lighting ever and just a beautiful place to be, it's gone the stupid way of touch for everything in the car bar some real buttons on steering wheel. The Ateca having tactile climate control is awesome to me. Just that Cupra is their premium brand so I don't know why they didn't do more to snazz up the interior a bit from the base SEAT model. It's exactly what you see here, a 60+ grand car, with the only difference being blue leather seats. That's it.

Ateca any day, just a more fun car to drive. In Australia, Qashqai comes with anaemic engines and front wheel drive only, and Ateca is only in 300 PS all wheel drive and I have one, so I am biased, but they are in a different class in terms of power and handling, and of course in this guise the Ateca is more expensive, but the base SEAT car still looks good to me. What I love about my Ateca is that it's small and so easy to park, yet interior is somehow so generous with room and I am a 6ft 4 driver and have HEAPS of legroom at front and even someone up to about 6ft can sit behind me. That's impressive. Then there's the adaptive dampers which are wonderful and in Cupra mode the car genuinely handles so well for a FWD biased Haldex AWD car. Cupra have tuned it to perfection, as good as a car using that particular system could possibly handle, period. It's better to drive than the 10K more expensive SQ2 with same engine and lack of electric seats and adaptive dampers that the Ateca has. The ONLY spot the Audi beats it in is more lush trim on dash and centre footwell area where it has leather cushions for your legs, basically it looks more posh inside but made no sense at the price.

Buy a copy of Picasso painting and look it from morning to evening - very modernly stylish! I prefer classic, practical and conservative car from outside and inside, and more importantly - fun to drive and good visibility and comfy to get in and out from driver seat (no high sides to crawl in)

I have had and enjoyed 3 qashqal’s, just been for a test drive in the new j12 tekna with a view to buy. However the front seats are uncomfortable with a big dip where your rear goes, and the ride was very disappointing there was a continuous wobble sensation up through my body even on a smooth road, and the UK pot holes made it even worse. Also the large floating screen is just too high and distracting. I off to test drive the Ateca.

The seat looks a bit dated & the face lifted Nissan looks quite the part,may I add your looking fabulous Rebecca & thanks for another great review!⭐️👍

I have top of the range Ateca and I love it. Great car.

Always in ♥️ with u !!!

I have the Qashqai Tekna plus, automatic and the economy is abysmal compared to it's predecessor. The automatic tailgate works when it feels like it and it it has several more odd quirks that has made my decision to purchase it regretful. If I could go back in time I'd buy the VW Tiguan.

You left carbuyer? What a big loss 2 them. Good luck anywhere. 1 question please, regarding body roll, qashqai is worse?

Well as I already have a 19 plate FR + 2.0 TDI DSG, and happy so.

Qashqai might have better interior and exterior looks but engines not as good as ateca. As far as reliability is concerned qashqai is second least reliable of all SUV in UK. Ateca hands down wins.

I think the Qashqai is a better car. But I think I’d just get the Toyota RAV4 anyway, it does everything you need in an SUV at this price

Really like the exterior of the Nissan. The interior meanwhile doesn’t meet the same standard imo

We have a 2021 Ateca FR Sport DSG with the 1.5tsi engine in rhodium grey and it looks much much better than this model here. The grille and trims are a dark grey on my model and the 19in wheels have matching grey inserts and look amazing (when clean!!) Also the interior and ambient lighting looks very good in my opinion. I do like the look of the qashqai but as a person who does 15k+ mileage every year is a no brainer to me. I did own a 2018 qashqai n- connecta before this and I loved it but the Ateca drives and handles like a hatchback and the qashqai rolls around corners and I find it quite a sickly feeling.

Ateca vw rialebility 2.0 diesel engine choice 👌

You should of used the ateca fr sport as this gives you the leathers better wheels and looks miles better than the lux

I own the previous good looking Qashqai, but this new styling looks so bland. Haven't seen of this new model on the roads, which is probably the reason. Losing the superb Nissan/ Renault 1.5 diesel is a real loss, as these so called mild hybrids are a joke. Mystified why you would think just 44 mpg is fine? This review took ages to even clarify what the engines were, diesel or petrol.

The seat is a country mile better than the Nissan.

Azteca by a country mile

Qahqai ❤❤❤

The Quashquai is a step forward, but I can’t forgive the poor infotainment, weedy engine and questionable reliability imo.

I'll stick with my Yeti thanks

It’s funny to read peoples opinions. Opinions!

Can't imagine being so bored I would want either of these, paying for them monthly would be seriously depressing IMO

A Seat or a Renault?

Love it!

I really do't like the old fashion interior as we can see in some German or Spanish cars, if they go through technology the price will go up and they can not sell their cars in the UK, so Nissan really makes a balance between driving capability and technology but Ateca is still an old version and I am sure if your age is between 20-50 you will never like to have an old style car these days. As we drive in the UK with just 70mph NSP then who cares about speed or racing? I personally prefer Japanese or Korean cars rather than European or American cars that look very old and are less reliable than Asian stylish cars

Ateca

Seat isn't a good looking car but it's reliable nice drive. Nissan looks good but they don't hold their value and not as punchy to drive.

Seat

Nissan is more futuristic!

Have a j11 qashqai 1.3 digt. And I'll never buy another nissan. The engine is rough. The gearbox clunky. 4th set of front tyres in 44000 miles. 3 years. Battery issues. Clutch issues, and 2 new calipers on the rear.

Where's the Cruella DeVille in the thumbnail?

Ateca is typical VW (parent company) with clean design and tight road manners. The Qashqai should be more reliable and is less expensive to own.

Ateca if no other choice. XC40 instead of both.

Nissan infotainment looks trash

It has to be said, the Ateca is dull to look at

Qashqai is so beautiful 😍

the tablet on the nissan looks like a chinese crap addon that was done to cars from 2000s. and interior of the nissan is unrefined. lacks any upmarket anything

Nissan looks crap your bias jumps out ,ateca for me

A lot better ones then these two a Peugeot,Kia,etc

Who cares about cars

The Ateca is basically a vw Tiguan under the skin and cheaper so I’d go for the Ateca. The front could do with a better look but that’s about it. And the only good look on the Nissan is the front, the rest is awfully in my opinion!! Great review 👍