SEAT Toledo (2012 – 2018) Review
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SEAT Toledo (2012 – 2018) Verdict
Looks like a conventional saloon but is actually a hatchback. Huge boot space. Good quality and impressively spacious interior. Great value for money and an ideal family car.
Not the most dynamic looking design.
Find out more about the SEAT Toledo (2012 – 2018)
After a few years absence, the SEAT Toledo is back. The model survived a midlife crisis when it turned into the ugly cousin of the Altea, but now it's slimmed down and once again is very much its own model. SEAT has gone back to a traditional saloon shape - like the popular second generation model - and the Toledo is all the better for it.
It's no secret that the Toledo is the sister car to the Skoda Rapid, but the two look considerably different with the SEAT getting its own front and rear styling. This is the new SEAT family look which we've seen on the revised Ibiza.
The Toledo is a neat looking car and while it's not the most exciting of designs, that probably says more about SEAT's recent design history. We've become used to distinctively different cars like the current Leon and Altea.
Sitting between the Ibiza and the Leon in the SEAT range, the Toledo is based on the same platform as the Ibiza, albeit a stretched one, but is a much bigger car.
In fact the photographs are quite deceptive because at a smidge under 4.5 metres it's almost as big as a Skoda Octavia and actually longer than a Ford C-MAX. Sounds good so far. So you'd think the one big fly in the tapas would be the fact it's a small saloon. Never a popular choice in the UK.
It may not look like a conventional hatchback but the Toledo offers everything you'd get from a family five-door plus a whole lot more. Okay, so the looks are far from exciting and it's fairly ordinary to drive but it still has plenty going for it.
It's impressively practical and surprisingly spacious given its modest size, while the cabin is well finished even if some of the plastics are a touch on the hard side. It's also well equipped, cheap to run and refined on the motorway.
Reviews for SEAT Toledo (2012 – 2018)'s top 3 rivals
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SEAT Toledo (2012 – 2018) handling and engines
- Engines range from 1.0 TSI to 1.6 TDI 115
- Readers report Real MPG to be between 36–72 mpg
The engine line-up includes all the familiar SEAT units from the Ibiza. The cheapest model is the 1.2-litre 16V petrol with 75PS but the turbocharged 1.2 TSI with either 86PS or 105PS looks a better bet and is more economical too.
The top petrol is the 1.4 TSI with 122PS that gets a seven-speed DSG automatic gearbox as standard. It's a real gem of an engine that's fitted in several cars including the Audi A1 and it's just as good in the Toledo with a 0-62mph time of 9.5 seconds. There are rumours of an FR version in the pipeline which would get a more powerful version of the same engine.
However, our choice would be the diesel. The 1.6 TDI unit has 105PS with a five-speed manual gearbox and returns a claimed 72.4mpg in S trim with steel wheels. Go for the SE with alloys and it still manages 70.6mpg. Emissions under 110g/km mean it's band B for VED, currently only £20 a year.
With 250Nm of torque, the common rail diesel pulls well in-gear and at 70mph it's barely breaking sweat at just over 2000rpm, making for relaxed motorway progress. Thanks to the light weight of the Toledo - the diesel is around 1250kg - it never feels underpowered either and providing you don't rev it too hard, it's quiet and unobtrusive. It suits the Toledo perfectly.
The Toledo feels very settled at motorway speeds and it's impressively refined with very little wind or road noise. Take it onto more demanding roads and it's still very capable with good steering and nice positive gear changes from both the five and six-speed 'boxes. The ride can be fairly unsettled and bouncy on poor quality roads but the handling is reassuringly safe.
| Engine | MPG | 0-62 | CO2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 TSI | 60–61 mpg | 9.8–9.9 s | 106–108 g/km |
| 1.0 TSI DSG | 60 mpg | 10.2 s | 107 g/km |
| 1.2 75 | 46 mpg | 13.9 s | 137 g/km |
| 1.2 TSI 105 | 55–57 mpg | 10.3 s | 116–118 g/km |
| 1.2 TSI 110 | 58 mpg | 9.9 s | 110 g/km |
| 1.2 TSI 85 | 55 mpg | 11.8 s | 119 g/km |
| 1.4 TDI 90 | 72 mpg | 11.7 s | 89 g/km |
| 1.4 TDI 90 DSG | 71 mpg | 11.8 s | 94 g/km |
| 1.4 TSI DSG | 49 mpg | 9.5 s | 134 g/km |
| 1.6 TDI 105 | 64 mpg | 10.4 s | 114 g/km |
| 1.6 TDI 105 Ecomotive | 71–72 mpg | 10.4 s | 104–106 g/km |
| 1.6 TDI 115 | 67–72 mpg | 10.0 s | 107–109 g/km |
| 1.6 TDI 90 DSG | 63 mpg | 12.2 s | 118 g/km |
Real MPG average for the SEAT Toledo (2012 – 2018)
Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.
Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.
Average performance
85%
Real MPG
36–72 mpg
MPGs submitted
109
SEAT Toledo (2012 – 2018) interior
- Boot space is 550 litres
- Euro NCAP rating of five stars
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 4482 mm |
| Width | 1706 mm |
| Height | 1461 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2602–2636 mm |
From the front the Toledo looks very much like an Ibiza but inside it's far more spacious with plenty of shoulder room. It's even more impressive in the back. With the front seats slid all the way back there is still enough legroom for those sitting behind while getting in and out is easy thanks to wide opening doors. It's far better than your everyday hatchback.
Interior quality is good too while the simple layout of the cabin means it's easy to work out what all the buttons do. The driving position could do with being a touch lower and some of the plastics on the dashtop and doors are hard rather than soft touch, but aside from that it's all spot on as a family car.
It feels well built and hardwearing, there's plenty of storage including a big glovebox plus there's good all round visibility, even with the high boot, so parking isn't a problem.
Standard equipment from launch (November 2012):
E models have black door handles, tinted windows, two cupholders, illuminated boot, height adjustable front headrests, two height adjustable rear headrests, electric front windows, height and reach adjustable steering column, 12v power supply, CD stereo, aux-in port, 15-inch steel wheels and 'Urban' covers with 185/60 R15 tyres, tyre repair kit, driver and front passenger airbags, head-thorax front side airbags, ESC Electronic Stability Control, Isofix points in outer rear seats with Top Tether anchor points.
S models get air conditioning, body coloured door handles, heated and electrically adjustable door mirrors, a rear windscreen wiper, height-adjustable driver's seat, chrome air vent trim, Bluetooth with voice control, USB port, six speakers, trip computer, split folding rear bench, front electric windows and electronic stability control and a spare wheel.
SE adds 16-inch alloy wheels, front foglights with cornering function, climate control, height-adjustable front passenger's seat, a cooled glovebox, front and rear armrests, cruise control, side storage compartments in the boot, rear electric windows, 16-inch 'Design' alloy wheels with 215/45 R16 tyres plus a leather steering wheel and gear lever. The SEAT Media system which adds a colour touchscreen, sat nav, DAB radio and Bluetooth streaming is available as an option.
SEAT Toledo (2012 – 2018) models and specs
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 4482 mm |
| Width | 1706 mm |
| Height | 1461 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2602–2636 mm |
| Miscellaneous | |
|---|---|
| Kerb Weight | 1135–1292 kg |
| Boot Space | 550 L |
| Warranty | 3 years / 60000 miles |
| Servicing | 18000–20000 miles |
| Spare Wheel | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | Space-saving spare wheel | ||
| Costs | |
|---|---|
| List Price | £12,505–£22,685 |
| Insurance Groups | 8–20 |
| Road Tax Bands | A–E |
| Official MPG | 46.3–72.4 mpg |
| Euro NCAP Safety Ratings | |
|---|---|
| Adult | - |
| Child | - |
| Pedestrian | - |
| Overall | 5 |
On sale until July 2019
| Hatchback | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 1.0 TSI 110ps SE EZ 5dr | £17,330 | 60.1 mpg | 9.9 s |
| 1.0 TSI 110ps SE EZ DSG 5dr | £18,410 | 60.1 mpg | 10.2 s |
| 1.0 TSI 110ps Xcellence EZ 5dr | £20,930 | 60.1 mpg | 9.9 s |
| 1.0 TSI 110ps Xcellence EZ DSG 5dr | £22,010 | 60.1 mpg | 10.2 s |
On sale until November 2018
| Hatchback | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 1.0 TSI 110ps SE 5dr | £17,330 | 61.4 mpg | 9.8 s |
| 1.0 TSI 110ps Xcellence 5dr | £20,930 | 61.4 mpg | - |
| 1.6 TDI 115ps SE 5dr | £18,985 | 67.3 mpg | 10.0 s |
| 1.6 TDI 115ps Xcellence 5dr | £22,685 | 67.3 mpg | 10.0 s |
On sale until March 2018
| Hatchback | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 1.0 TSI 110ps Style 5dr | £18,350 | 61.4 mpg | - |
| 1.4 TDI 90ps SE DSG 5dr | £18,070 | 70.6 mpg | 11.8 s |
| 1.4 TDI 90ps SE Ecomotive 5dr | £17,830 | 72.4 mpg | 11.7 s |
| 1.6 TDI 115ps Style 5dr | £20,090 | 67.3 mpg | 10.0 s |
On sale until September 2017
| Hatchback | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 1.2 TSI 110ps Style 5dr | £17,780 | 57.6 mpg | 9.9 s |
| 1.2 TSI 110ps Style Advanced 5dr | £18,230 | 57.6 mpg | 9.9 s |
| 1.6 TDI 115ps Style Advanced 5dr | £20,230 | 72.4 mpg | 10.0 s |
On sale until July 2015
| Hatchback | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| I-TECH 1.2 TSI 105 5dr | £17,015 | 55.4 mpg | 10.3 s |
| I-TECH 1.6 TDI Ecomotive 105 5dr | £18,870 | 70.6 mpg | 10.4 s |
| S 1.2 TSI 105 5dr | £15,295 | 56.5 mpg | 10.3 s |
| S 1.2 TSI 85 5dr | £14,265 | 55.4 mpg | 11.8 s |
| S 1.6 TDI 105 Ecomotive 5dr | £17,150 | 72.4 mpg | 10.4 s |
| S 1.6 TDI 90 DSG Auto 5dr | £16,985 | 62.8 mpg | 12.2 s |
| SE 1.2 TSI 105 5dr | £16,515 | 55.4 mpg | 10.3 s |
| SE 1.4 TSI 122 DSG Auto 5dr | £17,965 | 48.7 mpg | 9.5 s |
| SE 1.6 TDI 105 Ecomotive 5dr | £18,370 | 70.6 mpg | 10.4 s |
| SE 1.6 TDI 90 DSG Auto 5dr | £18,205 | 62.8 mpg | 12.2 s |
On sale until June 2014
| Hatchback | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| E 1.2 75 5dr | £12,505 | 46.3 mpg | 13.9 s |
On sale until September 2013
| Hatchback | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| SE 1.6 TDI CR 5dr | £17,490 | 64.2 mpg | 10.4 s |
Model History
March 2012
SEAT Toledo Concept revealed
Measuring 4,480mm in length, and based on a stretched Polo/Ibiza floorpan, the new Toledo offers a generously proportioned interior for five people, a luggage compartment of more than 500 litres and the convenience of a large rear hatch and folding rear bench. Thus, the Toledo manages to reconcile perfectly the apparently incompatible – combining an almost coupé-like profile with the comparable functionality of an estate car.
With its spacious interior and generous luggage capacity, it is nevertheless well equipped for long journeys and family transport. The wheelbase of 2,602mm delivers plenty of room for driver and up to four passengers.
The luggage compartment is exceptionally well-proportioned, with impressive volume and excellent usability. Although perhaps not apparent at first glance, the new Toledo possesses a large rear hatch for optimum loading. Finally, the folding rear seats facilitate a long load length and give the Toledo a functionality that is almost on par with that of an estate car. With the rear seat backs folded forward it boasts a maximum load capacity of more than some ‘regular’ estate cars.
The SEAT grille with its honeycomb mesh retains its typical trapezoidal form, but with a very wide and low look. The same applies to the large air inlet beneath the bumper. The pentagonal form of the similarly broad front headlamps is one of the key characteristics of the new SEAT model generation.
The interior of the Toledo Concept reflects the modern, clear lines of the exterior. The light, roomy cabin boasts a cockpit conveying a feeling of ergonomic clarity, with the top of the dashboard seeming to float effortlessly above the air vents and trim elements.
June 2012
SEAT Toledo unveiled
With keen dynamics, elegant, modern design, highly efficient TSI and TDI engines, outstanding practicality and excellent workmanship, this hatchback sticks to the recipe for success that proved so popular for its predecessors.
With a length of 4,480mm, the new Toledo is four centimetres longer than its predecessor from 2004. In contrast to the Toledo II, which was equipped with a conventional boot lid, the latest version of the model line – despite its saloon-like profile – comes with a large, wide-opening rear hatch. The comparatively long wheelbase of 2,602mm (80 mm longer than the Toledo II) delivers a generous feeling of space and plenty of legroom for all passengers.
As a completely new model, the Toledo makes use of the very latest Volkswagen Group engines. At the pinnacle are highly efficient TSI petrol engines in 1.2 and 1.4 displacements, and a 1.6 common-rail TDI unit. A seven-speed dual-shift gearbox (DSG) is offered in combination with the most powerful petrol variants.
The petrol engines generate between 75 PS and 122 PS; the petrol Ecomotive version boasts CO2 emissions of just 116g/km. The Ecomotive version of the TDI diesel engine – which produces 105PS from a displacement of 1.6 litres – also offers a best-in-class CO2 figure of 104g/km. During 2013, SEAT will expand the Toledo diesel line-up with a 90 PS TDI variant.
The standard safety package for all SEAT Toledos includes driver and passenger airbags, front side airbags and head/thorax airbags. The base model also comes with central locking, a two piece folding rear bench and power windows in the front. The more extensively equipped Reference and Style versions offer additional extras in comfort and design.
August 2014
SEAT Toledo I-TECH introduced as flagship model over SE. Has 16-inch 'Design' alloy wheels with titanium finish, grey alcantara and black simil leather upholstery, metallic dashboard inlays, plus I-TECH badges on the side and an I-TECH key cover. Priced from £17,015.
What to watch out for
Warranty on DSG 7 speed dry clutch DQ200 gearbox extended to 5 years or 150,000 kilometres in Russia and China.
23-02-2014:SEAT dealers now up to speed to change the synthetic oil in 2012 and 2013 DQ200 7-speed DSGs to mineral oil.
30-09-2016:Report of engine oil pressure light coming on during DPF regeneration of SEAT Toledo 1.6TDI. Only comes on during regeneration. Never any other time, and not every regeneration. Oil and filter recently changed, no difference. Could be that sump oil strainer gets blocked.
26-07-2017:Repeat disasters with 7-speed dry clutch DSG of 2014/64 SEAT Toledo 1.6TDI DSG bought for use as a taxi. It was not even a year old when it had a "shredded" gear selector cable then at Christmas 2016 the gearbox dumped its oil and gave no drive. Car was 8 days within the warranty but driver had to wait for the gearbox to come from Germany and so had to rent a replacement vehicle. SEAT gave a £150 voucher to spend on future services. 6.5 months after the brand new gearbox was fitted it has the same issue, but the new DSG only carried 6 months warranty and is now 2 months out. Advised that as long as the mileage is under 60,000 the supplying dealer can still be held liable.
11-08-2017:Report of DPF light coming on after NOx emissions fix on a SEAT Toledo 1.6TDI. No mention of age or mileage.
12-10-2017:Report of EA189 NOx emissions fix carried out on 2013 SEAT Tolded 1.6TDI at 90k miles and car now very sluggish, engine is noisy and can hear rattling noise on high revs. Feels very heavy and powerless. We would guess that the EGR is clogged or failed or the injectors have been unable to cope with the more complex injection sequence.
