I also think it's good looking, although I'm not quite so sure about the rear end which looks a bit bulbous I like the front, though. The model supplied was top of the range and sporty and appealing from a driving sense, but I think a lesser model would be disappointing after this. Rear passengers might find the seats upright and too firm on long journeys. The dash is clear and simple - I liked the black carbon fibre finish.
It was a delight around town as well as being very comfortable and confident on the motorway. A good value, interesting alternative to a saloon like the 307 or small people-carrier.Amarjit Dhaliwal, 37, Production engineer from Chatham, Kent USUAL CAR: VOLVO V40 AND TOYOTA MR2I loved the cute yet menacing front of the car but hated the back. I would recommend the 2litre TDI engine in any car of this size, along with the six-speed gearbox. Handling was good, the gear change quick and positive and the engine economical. It was difficult to judge where the ends of the car were and rear visibility was poor, but was aided by the effective wing mirrors.
There's a lot interior space, a large two-layer boot and plenty of cubbyholes. Its interior is well put together, with lots of imitation carbon fibre, trendy sunken dials and nice detailing. For all its use of Spanish place names, Seat has avoided calling a car after its own home city, which is, perhaps, the most fashionable in Europe.That's hardly surprising; any car to bear the name of this achingly cool city will also carry an almost unbearable weight of expectation.If the company ever dares to launch a Seat Barcelona, we'll know it's finally hit the mark.Ed Stevens, 33, Agronomist from Faversham, Kent USUAL CAR: LAND-ROVER FREELANDER COMMERCIAL TD4The Toledo stands out, with a streamlined killer whale front, accentuated by the pillar-mounted wipers and crease line along the front doors. For the avoidance of doubt, that's not, in itself, a bad thing; the 2.0-litre diesel engine is smooth and strong, while the six speed transmission is slick and precise.The Toledo's cornering is flat and secure. It's just that the auto emocion of the Seat experience doesn't differ very much from, say, the Vorsprung durch Technik of the Audi experience, which is hardly surprising when so many parts are shared between the two.So the Toledo is a good car, but it hasn't quite got this Latin passion thing right. That description makes it sound dreadful but it actually looks and feels very attractive; I suspect it would also be hard-wearing.As soon as you set off in the Toledo, though, it is clear that what it offers is a completely standard Volkswagen Group driving experience. You may have difficulty distinguishing it from the very similar noses of Seat's own Altea and new Leon, but at least you won't mistake it for the products of any other car manufacturer.Inside, there is a certain freshness of design as well; the interior features lots of curves and an intriguing seat fabric that has some unusual pimply rubbery stuff woven into it.