Used Seat Toledo 2013-present review

There are some cars that sell well in foreign markets, but when a manufacturer brings them over here, something is lost in translation. While the Seat Toledo (the Spanish brand's take on the Skoda Rapid) sells well in Europe, does it make sense in the UK’s highly competitive used car market?

The Toledo is somewhat at odds with the sporty image Seat likes to portray its cars as having, aimed more at the sort of people who want a car that's cheap to run and has a big boot and lots of rear leg room. Natural rivals are therefore the Kia Cee’d and Hyundai i30, as well as the aforementioned Skoda Rapid.

The engine choices on the used market are fairly limited; the majority of examples available come with either a 103bhp 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol, a 103bhp 1.6-litre diesel or a 108bhp three-cylinder 1.0-litre turbo petrol that replaced the 1.2.

To drive, the Toledo isn't all that engaging, but it is easy to use, with light and direct steering that makes parking a breeze, plus reasonably good body control that keeps excessive movements in check. This, unfortunately, means that the suspension is on the firm side, so the Toledo thumps into bumps and potholes in an uncouth manner. On diesel models and cars with the 1.0-litre petrol engine, you’ll also feel plenty of engine vibration through the pedals.

On the upside, space in the Toledo is very good. Luggage space is on a par with cars from the class above and the hatchback tail means putting taller items into the back is a straightforward process. If you have older children, the Toledo will cope well, because there's lots of room to allow those with long legs to stretch out. Three abreast will be a struggle, but adults should have no trouble spending time back there.

Likewise, front seat occupants will have few complaints to make, although the absence of adjustable lumbar support might be an issue for some drivers. This was an inexpensive car when new, so this oversight is par for the course.

Since it’s a budget car, the interior is littered with cheap-feeling plastics, whereas a number of rivals, including the i30 and Cee’d, look and feel much better inside. It is all well screwed together, though, so it should last. Just be prepared from some scratched and scuffed plastics, because they mark easily.

Find a used Seat Toledo in the What Car? Classifieds here

Prices for an early diesel Toledo with more than 100,000 miles on the clock start at a reasonable-sounding £4000. However, if you want something less leggy, you’ll need to spend at least £6500. A nice 2014 1.2-litre turbo petrol in SE guise can be found for around £7000.

If you’d like the newer and more efficient 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol model, you’ll need to spend upwards of £11,000, while a pre-registered 1.0-litre Xcellence with delivery mileage can be found for less than £14,000, thanks to big discounts from new.

Check the value of a used Seat Toledo with What Car? Valuations

The Toledo is a fairly cheap car to run. The 1.6 diesel is the economy star with an NEDC official average figure of 64.2mpg, or 72.4mpg for Ecomotive models. The 1.2-litre petrol isn’t that far behind at 57.6mpg, while the 1.0-litre petrol engine that replaced it averages 61.4mpg.

The yearly road tax rate will either be £20 or £30 depending upon the engine, unless you buy a Toledo registered after 1 April 2017. Due to changes in the system, you will have to pay a flat rate fee of £140 on newer cars.

Seat has fixed-price servicing, the details of which are displayed on their website. You can either pay on the day, or you can spread the cost of maintenance over two years by making a series of monthly payments. Having your car serviced by a Seat main dealer means you get 12 months' worth of UK and European breakdown cover from the date of the service and two years' warranty on the parts used.

Entry-level S trim looks a little spartan, because it does without alloy wheels, despite getting air conditioning, rear parking sensors and electric windows all round. We’d recommend spending a little more and getting an SE Toledo, because it will come with 16in alloy wheels, climate control and cruise control. However, if you buy an SE registered after 2016, it came with less kit, essentially taking the place of the S in the Toledo range, so be mindful of that. Style Advance comes with even more luxuries, such as front parking sensors and part-leather, part-Alcantara seats. Style Advance was replaced by Xcellence, which added full LED headlights.

Unless you do lots of miles, we’d stick with the 1.2-litre petrol engine over the 1.6-litre diesel. It has a broad spread of power, it’s reasonably refined and its fuel economy is really good. The later 1.0-litre petrol is more efficient, but it's less refined and a little too expensive at the moment.

Our favourite Seat Toledo: 1.2 TSI SE

If you like interior space of the Toledo, check out the Skoda Rapid, because it’s essentially the same car as the Toledo and there’s also an even more practical version called the Rapid Spaceback that looks great.

Other than that, the Hyundai i30 would be much nicer to own and drive, because its interior is much more appealing to the eye and uses lots of soft-touch plastics. It also has a longer warranty from new, so there should still be cover left on most used examples.

The Kia Cee’d has an even longer warranty from new, and you should be able to take advantage of this. Like the i30, it has a well-finished interior that’s a pleasure to spend time in.

Find a used Seat Toledo in the What Car? Classifieds here

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