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SEAT Altea XL running costs and reliability

2007 - 2015 (change model)
Running costs rating: 4 out of 54.0

Written by David Ross Published: 6 June 2019

Miles per pound (mpp)

Reliable fuel consumption data for comparison purposes is not available for this model.
What is miles per pound?

Fuel economy

A more stringent standard for fuel economy (WLTP) was introduced from September 2017, and this model was not required to undergo that test. Its fuel economy measured under the previous test system was 31 - 62 mpg. However these figures are less likely to be achievable in real world driving and so should never be compared to another car's mpg which was measured under the newer, more realistic WLTP system.
View mpg & specs for any version

The XL should be reasonably cost effective to run with all models economical and with reasonably low emissions. Insurance groups are 4 or 5 for most models going up to 11 for the newer TDI 170 Sport, while servicing tends to be good value at SEAT dealers. Depreciation is the biggest burden. The Altea XL is quite expensive if looked at as a five-seat hatchback – e.g.

a Ford Focus or Vauxhall Astra – and used values have fallen to reflect this. For the most cost effective model, go for the Ecomotive, introduced in 2010. It’s cheap to tax thanks to CO2 emission of 119g/km.

The Altea XL is a fairly environmentally friendly choice for green buyers. With an average of 175g/km CO2 across the range, its emissions are quite low for a people carrier. The 1.9 TDI is pretty clean, emitting 146g/km of CO2 and averaging 52mpg, but the newer 1.6 TDI Ecomotive, launched in 2010, is even better with emissions of 119g/km of CO2 and average fuel economy of 63mpg.

The Altea has proved extremely reliable and we’ve heard of no problems. The XL uses the same engines and components, so should prove equally as durable and trouble-free.

Ongoing running costs

Road tax £35 - £415
Insurance group 10 - 21
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