"If it ain't broken, don't fix it" is an expression commonly used by engineers. Seat has adhered to this principle with many of its cars.
Consider the Altea... A couple of years ago I was cruising the the Cape's West coast in a two-litre, turbodiesel model and here I was looking over the petrol-powered FSI and wondering if my eyes were deceiving me.
Looking back on my notes and pictures I realised I was in fact still very sane. The Altea hasn't changed a bit in the past two years and I'm very pleased with that. Seat hasn't blinged up the vehicle with spoilers and skirts or made minor cosmetic changes to the lights and grille just to push a few more out the dealership doors each month.
Right in one
Seat gets it right first time when it says this number combines "all the space and versatility you would expect of this type of vehicle with the driver orientated dynamics that you won't".
The vehicle remains sturdy and stylish, sporting creases that run along its sides and smart, five-spoke alloys with low-profile rubber. It still turns heads after all these years.
Seated at the wheel, I'm again reminded why I love this car. Everything just feels right. The upright seating position and firm cushions are so comfortable and clever control placement lets you operate the majority of the vehicle's equipment without taking your eyes off the road.
Crisp continuity
Rolling along on the tar, the Altea moves crisply through the corners. The steering is so light you can throw it around with just two fingers on the wheel. The combination of independent Macpherson struts in front and multi-arm, semi-rigid axle in the rear - used across a range of Seat models - is a winner here.
The sharp engine response comes out strong as always. As with all the Seats I've driven, the power feeds out smoothly all the way to redline and the six-speed transmission is comfortable with cruising leisurely near 2000rpm or spinning up rapidly to deliver acceleration for overtaking - or just for the fun of it.
The two-litre motor can hold its own and puts out a respectable 110kW at 6000rpm and 200Nm at 3500rpm.
Slowing down is just as comfortable with discs all round and hydraulic servo-assist brakes that respond to a feather-light touch on the pedal.
Little things that count
The windscreen wipers tuck away neatly in the A-pillars and the triangular windows at their base remind me again of the unique design touches that won me over years ago.
Don't forget the sunroof. As my kids point out, never underestimate the boost to your 'king of cool' ranking provided by a piece of motorised glass in the headliner. If it opens incrementally - as the Altea's does - then you have hours of in-car entertainment for the younger crowd too.
The car works best if you forget about the features (and there's plenty in all categories) and simply enjoy it as an MPV. Drive it to the office, shoot down the road to the local or plonk your kids in the rear, picnic kit in the roomy boot - 409 litres of it - put a CD in the centre-console player and take the long road.
Prices
Altea 2.0 FSI - R218 300
Altea 2.0 FSI Tiptronic - R229 600
Altea 2.0 TDI - R235 600
Altea 2.0 TDI DSG - R248 700
Price includes a three-year or 100 000km warranty, five-year or 90 000km service plan, three years of roadside assistance and a 12-year anti-corrosion warranty.