Seat's Toledo lifts the brand

SEAT's old Toledo won fans among taxi drivers and farmers, mainly because it was rugged and simple ... but it could never be called sophisticated either in looks or hardware.

All is changed, changed utterly, with the current model, which is based on the floorpan and running gear of the parent group VW's Audi A4 and Golf and their derivatives, as well, of course, as the Skoda Octavia.

Of them all, my personal view is that the Toledo is the version executed with most flair. Something, perhaps, to do with Mediterranean styling savvy.

And so we start with the front view, which is done with a panache that rivals luxury brands such as BMW. The latest incarnation of SEAT branding is svelte and stylish, and unmistakable. It could have gone all wrong, making an 'S' motif so big, but it didn't - a fine line between bold and brash wasn't crossed.

In side view the Toledo is equally smooth, with some very subtle sculpting that gives it a feeling of something higher classed than might be expected in a mass-production saloon in this segment. The rear end with its full-width reflector echoes the style of the predecessor car, and I have a niggling doubt that perhaps they shouldn't have, but that's just personal taste.

Just while we're there, we open the boot and find it very capacious indeed, though the access is not quite as good as in the old car because this particular Toledo is not a hatchback. No matter, there's ample room to get things in.

Moving inside the car proper, we have again such a quantum difference in quality and finish compared to Toledo Mk I. Even if you take it that the review car was to the top-level Signum specification, all the basic material is spot on, with build quality to a level of which Mercedes-Benz would be proud. Be sure, there's nothing avant-garde about it, but it is ergonomically good, visually clean, and pleasant to feel.

Seating is something which most manufacturers have brought to a very high level recent years in even the cheaper segments, so it has become hard for the quality carmakers to have something better, but the Toledo really does feel excellent in this department, both front and rear. Headroom is also very good throughout, thanks to to the high-roof styling begun by the VW's larger Passat. If any complaint is possible, it might have been wiser to sacrifice a little of the boot space to give just a small increase in rear kneeroom.

And I have one other crib, which relates more to the car's underlying Audi heritage than anything else - Audi's ventilation system has never been up to the level of competing brands, and the Toledo inherits the deficiency. Of course, a very high percentage of continental owners will opt for air-conditioning, which ends the problem. However, I don't see an aircon option available here for Toledo, except that climate control is standard on the top version V5.

I also don't see an automatic option on higher-capacity engines, but there is an automatic version of the 1.6-litre car.

Enough carping, cars are about driving. And the review car, powered by the 110bhp turbodiesel engine, turned out to be a real driver's car. This is now an engine well-known for its smoothness, low-down massive punch, and very good economy. The motor at idle speeds is commendably quiet.

The engine shows its merit from the first tickle of the throttle, lifting forward robustly in even the smallest traffic gap, an attribute which is really useful in the traffic lights sprint. Later, for overtaking opportunity on faster roads, it is reassuringly punchy right across the rev range. And if you have a long-legged journey to do across country, it's a diesel I'd be very comfortable in. This engine is only available with Signum specification, and so is costing a bit over £1,600 more for the privilege. If you can afford the money, it's worth it.

The suspension is well able to take the power, and handling is sharp while comfort levels remain high with a well-damped ride which is only mildly discomposed by pretty serious road irregularities.

In safety matters, the Toledo shares a 4-airbag system with its siblings in the VW group - the extra bags made available after crash tests showed this really made a difference in passenger safety.

I've briefly driven the other engine options in Toledo, which include 1.6-, 1.8- and the magnificent 2.3-litre V5 in petrol, and a 90bhp version of the turbodiesel. All were good, but the 110bhp oil-burner is the best for those of us who really can't justify the £22,450 for the V5 (but I would try, I would).

Toledo starts at £15,740. The review car will set you back £18,700. Highly recommended.