The SEAT Altea offers a neat blend of conventional car and MPV, with the bonus of eye-catching styling and great interior practicality. In the sector dominated by the likes of the Ford C-Max, Citroen Picasso and new Peugeot 5008, the Altea is perhaps not the first model that springs to mind, but it is well-worth checking out.

Part of the VW-Audi stable, Seat turns out interesting and well-built cars, many with a sporty edge, such as the Altea TDi Sport which I tested recently. This model is powered by a 2.0 litre diesel engine offering 170 hp , and a top speed of 131 mph. The 0-60 mph time is just 8.5 seconds - quick by class standards.

Yet despite its performance capability, its fuel consumption is surprisingly good Ð even in urban driving it returns 38 mpg, and the official combined figure is an impressive 50.4 mpg. The Altea has been around since 2004, but in recent months has been re-vamped, with a new grille, front bumper and larger headlights, and at the rear, revised bumper and new light clusters. There has also been an equipment upgrade.

On the test model, priced at £19,000, standard features include climate control, sports seats and sports suspension, cruise control, all-round power windows, radio/CD/MP3 player, remote locking, anti-lock brakes, front and side airbags, and alloy wheels. From the outside, the Altea looks sleek, classy, and potent. Inside, it exudes practicality, with no less than 30 different storage compartments! There are storage boxes/drawers everywhere, including one beneath the rear parcel shelf.

A five-seater, the Altea offers various load/occupant configurations, and the rear seat also slides forward to boost boot space. It offers a smart-looking, very comfortable cabin, well laid out and very user-friendly. On the road, despite its sports suspension and low-profile tyres, it still provides a comfortable ride, not as hard as you might expect yet with the firmness for good cornering stability. Steering feedback is excellent, smoothly and with zest - hence the 0-60 mph time being only 8.5 seconds.

Overall, I found this Altea a very good package, ideal for those who want sporty driving but with family versatility. The SEAT brand is still a little under-rated in the UK, and models like this help boost its image.