WHEN SEAT designed the Altea estate, some thought its big boot might not be enough, so it came up with the Toledo - a very different car to the saloon which previously carried the name.

This is a five door hatch with a huge interior and a sort of notchback at the rear giving a massive stowage area.

It isn't the prettiest car in the world, but not the ugliest either, and of course it's based on the VW Golf floorpan, suspension and engines, giving good performance, comfort and handling.

Petrol engines are a 1.6 with 103bhp and 2.0-litre FSI with 150 and the oil burners are represented by 1.9 or 2.0-litre TDi's with 105bhp or 140bhp.

Top diesel and petrol engines have a six speed gearbox to make best use of the power and to give better economy when cruising.

But there is also a six-speed tiptronic automatic available on the petrol 2.0-litre and a six-speed DSG is the auto option on the TDi's.

All come well or very well equipped in the SEAT tradition, but avoid sports suspension. The standard setup is excellent for every purpose, wheras the sports setup spoils the comfort.

: Skoda Octavia