IT'S hard to believe that the SEAT Ateca is coming up to its tenth birthday.

Still fresh looking, acceptably frugal - despite lacking hybridisation - and with enough punch to make driving enjoyable, it was introduced in 2016 to combat the rising tide of mid-size high riders and crossovers that were flooding the market.

Today, it seems almost every other car on the road is an SUV, so competition for the Ateca is still more fierce. Of course, of the years it has benefited from tweaks, upgrades and minor facelifts. But have they been sufficient to allow it to keep up with the pack?

We drove a Black Edition of the 1.5 TSI FR, a well judged five-seater which succeeds in combining good economy with the sort of performance that is likely to satisfy keen drivers as well those whose focus is on practicality and family values.

Priced at £36,560, the FR Black Edition comes with leather seating, 19-inch alloys, electric driver's seat adjustment and parking camera.

One the the Ateca's lasting qualities, aside from its ageless looks, is its good use of space. Despite its compact external dimensions, there's decent legroom front a rear and the boot, which is regularly shaped, can swallow up all the family luggage with a volume of 500litres - more than many rivals.

As part of the VW Group, it's no surprise that facia and cabin design is somewhat staid in comparison with fresher competitors. It is, however, smart enough and appears well made and long lasting.

A quibble we had was that the onboard computer ceases to operate when the sat nav is being used. So the petrol range read-out and mpg are only available when the sat nav is disconnected.

Plenty of cubbies, drinks holders and storage bins plus wide door pockets help make the Ateca an easy travelling companion.

With a tall stance and generous ‘living accommodation' you don't expect handling to be the main focus of a family SUV. So the Ateca may well surprise many drivers.

It hugs the road nicely, turns into bends sharply and precisely and there's little body roll around bends.

There is, however, a slight penalty for this sporty behaviour - the presence of pot holes and road scars are sometimes passed on through the cabin to passengers.

Available as dual clutch automatic or a six-speed manual, it was the three pedal version we drove. The gearbox is sweet and slick with quick positive changes. Ratios are quite high geared so you need to drop down a cog on inclines or in readiness to overtake.

The plus side is that cruising at the legal limit is both economical and relaxed.

The four cylinder 1.5 engine - seen across the VW Group range - is a likeable, eager unit that revs freely and has reasonable torque. Only when revved hard does it become a tad harsh.