It seems every car maker wants a slice of the compact SUV segment and SEAT is the latest to join the competition writes Geraldine Herbert What is it?  SEAT’s first SUV has found favour with Irish buyers and already accounts for 30% of their sales this year. Styling? Outside, it is robust and handsome and SEAT have struck a nice balance  between muscular aggression and  style with the design of the Ateca. Under the Bonnet? Powering the range is a good mix of petrol, a 1.0 and 1.4 and 1.6TDI and 2.0TDI diesel (with 150 or 190 PS) engines.  Our test car was the 1.4 petrol. What about inside? Inside, it is functional and some of the plastics feel cheap, but durable nonetheless. Back-seat passengers fare well with a lot of headroom, and the driver and front passenger, likewise, have a lot of space and legroom. The boot, at 510 litres, can swallow a weekly shop and more, and is 80 litres larger than that of the Nissan Qashqai On the Road?  On the road, the Ateca is good to drive with plenty of grip and little body roll but it feels harsh on poor roads.  The 1.4 petrol may not be the obvious engine choice, but it is well worth considering as it is perky and offers reasonable economy. The optional all-wheel drive gives it an adventurous feel and the reassurance of knowing you can survive the rigours of an Arctic blast. And Safety?   Packed full of safety features, it achieved the full five stars when tested by the Euro NCAP crash-testing, with an impressive 93% for adult occupant protection. What are my options? Five equipment lines are offered: entry-level S, SE, SE Technology,  First Edition and the top of the range XCELLENCE.  The entry level S trim  includes 16-inch alloys, electric door mirror adjustment, SEAT’s Media System Touch with Bluetooth, USB port, SD card slot and four-speaker audio, height-adjustable driver’s seat, split-folding rear seats, boot light, front armrest, leather steering wheel and gear knob trim, power windows, seven airbags, Tiredness Recognition system and the new Front Assist and City Emergency Braking. The new SEAT Ateca FR will be available to order from 3 July 2017, with first deliveries to UK customers expected from October. Will it break the bank?  Compared to rivals the Ateca is competitively priced and should...