| First Drive | Barcelona, Spain | SEAT Exeo ST TDI Multitronic |

SEAT's rebadged Audi gains a Multitronic automatic transmission mated to its 2.0-litre TDI engine - and rear seat passengers gain some room.

In the Metal

If the SEAT Exeo looks familiar then that's hardly surprising. Strip off the SEAT badges and you're simply looking at a previous-generation Audi A4. No harm in that really, though the Exeo doesn't quite boast the sharp style of its Leon and Ibiza relatives. That's perhaps not a bad thing, as the marketplace it competes in is a little more conservative than that in which the smaller hatchbacks reside.

That the old Audi A4 was a handsome car isn't negated by the SEAT re-design; indeed, it looks relatively fresh inside and out - whether in saloon or ST estate form pictured here. The cabin benefits from more rear space now too, with SEAT's interior designers increasing rear legroom by a useful 44mm by re-angling the rear seat cushions and scalloping out the front seatbacks. Like the exterior the cabin is older Audi, and given the praise heaped on the German firm's cabins that's no bad thing at all. It's solid, smart, comfortable and easy to use. What more could you ask for?

What you get for your Money

German engineering with a Spanish badge: it's a good combination, as the SEAT Exeo is competitively priced against mainstream family cars. This new model is all about the gearbox, which again has been lifted straight off the shelf in Germany. It's a Multitronic unit, which may not be our favourite of the VW Group automatic transmissions, but it actually seems relatively well suited to the 2.0-litre TDI engine's output. Prices haven't been confirmed as yet, but choosing it will add around £1,500 over the standard six-speed manual, and it is only available on SE Tech and Sport Tech trim levels.

Driving it

The SEAT Exeo will be sold predominantly to fleet car drivers. SEAT reckons that 75 percent will be bought by businesses. Big miles on monotonous motorways are the Exeo's natural habitat then and it's an accomplished performer under those conditions. There's some wind noise at higher speeds, but otherwise the Exeo delivers plenty of cruising refinement.

The Multitronic automatic is a CVT, which does mean it will hold the engine at the revs that best deliver performance and economy. With slick-shifting, twin-clutch DSG automatic transmissions increasingly the norm the Multitronic does feel a bit old-tech, though the 2.0-litre TDI engine it's mated to does help prevent many of the usual CVT woes. The 143bhp 2.0-litre's maximum 236lb.ft of torque is developed between 1,750- and 2,500rpm, meaning the engine isn't left spinning away at high revs to make decent progress. The usual sensation of a slipping clutch, lots of noise and little performance to match isn't quite so obvious, as the 2.0-litre TDI's low-rev urgency dampens the effect.

That's so long as you leave it in Drive. Select Sport mode and the transmission holds onto revs too long, upsetting refinement and bringing little corresponding increase in pace. If you really want quicker kick-down or engine braking then you can always drive the CVT via the wheel-mounted paddles; do so and you've seven 'ratios' to use.

The rest of the drive feels as you'd expect it to: like a previous generation Audi A4, only an A4 that's benefitted from a bit of Spanish fiddling to make it a bit sharper to steer and a little more comfortable on less than perfect roads. It's not going to thrill behind the wheel, but it's competent and composed, which is all most drivers will ever require.

Worth Noting

Choose the Multitronic over its six-speed manual alternative and CO₂ emissions rise to 153g/km - from 139g/km. You'll lose about five miles from every gallon too, with SEAT quoting a combined consumption figure of 48.7mpg. Road tax is cheaper in the manual car for business and private user alike.

Summary

The Exeo has been a surprising success for SEAT, offering a high quality quick-fix for the Spanish brand. It delivers good value on the road, though we'd really have to hate changing gears ourselves to opt for the Multitronic over the slick manual. It might be among the better CVTs we've experienced, but we'd bank the £1,500 it adds to the Exeo's price and enjoy cheaper running costs, too.