SEAT's new roomy Toledo has the looks and feel of a real family car: attractive design, bags of space, and friendly towards the wallet. Motoring editor Malcolm Baylis reports.

SEAT, the Spanish car builder, took to the highways and byways of Sherwood Forest, to launch its new Toledo family mover.

The new car is on sale now, providing a range of high-spec cars, a choice of petrol or diesel engines, and a price list starting at a respectable £13,350.

Its size, features and general get-about attitude means that the Toledo is seen as first and foremost a family car. It has the look of a nice large saloon, provides plenty of space for passengers, and a large boot reached through a rear hatch.

With a length of 4,458mm and a width of 1,768mm, it is roomier than some longer cars thanks to the single space design from the Volkswagen stable, and its height of 1,568mm.

What makes the new Toledo stand out visually is its attractive design: the large front grille, shapely headlamps and a design line that can be clearly followed as it runs over the front wheel arch, along the doors to the back wheel.

Wander round to the back and the rear light clusters are designed to resemble the iris of an eye, with the sidelights, brake lights and indicators arranged in concentric circles.

There are twin exhaust pipes on all models, except the entry-level version, which has been given a single pipe.

Cabin space is excellent; big doors and that high roofline make getting in and out easy, and the seats - firm, well-shaped, and adjustable - are very comfortable.

There are three trim levels available, Reference, Stylance and Sport, all kitted out from a substantial equipment list, that includes air conditioning and six-speaker audio systems.

All cars have anti-lock brakes and traction control.

Other safety measures include six airbags: driver and front passenger, front side and side curtain. The two back outer seats have an Isofix system for anchoring child seats firmly and safely.

Toledo offers customers a choice from four engines, two petrol and two diesels, all super efficient when it comes to power and economy. The petrol units are a 2.0-litre FSI 150PS (110kW) and a 1.6-litre 102PS (75kW) and the diesels, a 2.0-litre TDI 140PS (103kW) and 1.9-litre TDI PD 105 PS (77kW).

The entry-level Reference variant, powered by the 101bhp 1.6-litre petrol engine, turned out to be a really enjoyable motor. With similar performance to the TDI (112mph maximum, 0-62 mph in 12.9 seconds), it returns 36.7 mpg in the official figures and has a CO2 rating of 185g/km.

The smallest petrol version proved a willing performer and very refined, even when being worked hard. At the other end, the turbo-charged 2.0-litre diesel, demonstrates why SEAT models are looked on as the really sporting side of the Volkswagen family. A blistering starter (under ten seconds to 62mph), it can also return a welcome and healthy 45.6mpg at the combined rate, not quite as good as the 51.4mpg returned by the 1.9-litre diesel, but then you expect to pay more for extra power.

The 2.0-litre engines, both petrol and diesel, are matched to a six-speed manual gearbox, although for those who like an alternative the petrol version is also available with an automatic and sequential clutchless Tiptronic six-speed transmission and the diesel with a six-speed gearbox.

The focal point of the dashboard is the large central console, slightly angled towards the driver, and also home for the audio system, climate controls and, where fitted, a navigation system. The whole lot is quite sporty to look at, with three dials for all the important information, including a maintenance/service indicator.

The Stylance and Sport models have height and reach adjustable three-spoke steering wheels, with thumb-operated buttons for the audio system.

The boot, with a 500-litre capacity, is a double-decker with a false floor, which can be folded, concertina style, to reveal a handy hideaway for valuable bits and pieces.

The three-tier boot means that the lowest level can house a space saver spare wheel or puncture repair kit, while the middle level has a concertina floor which can be folded up against the back seat rests to create one large space.

There are plenty more stowage points dotted around the car, including glove box, front door pockets, cup and bottle holders, and a special slide out shelf beneath the front seats.

Model prices are: two with Reference spec, 1.6-litre 102PS at £13,350 and 1.9-litre 105PS TDI at £14,500; two Stylance starting at £14,400 for the 1.6-litre and £15,500 for the 1.9-litre, and four in the 2.0-litre Sport range with prices starting at £16,500 and topping out at £18,100.

Dealer: Wills & Ellis, Poppleton Garage, Boroughbridge Road, York (01904 792651).

Updated: 12:48 Friday, February 04, 2005