Both models have list prices higher than £20,000, but both are also well equipped (including a rear DVD player). However with SEAT having no off-road credentials, it would be too much to expect them to depreciate as slowly as more established 4x4s. Expect them to be worth about one third of their cost new after three years. Servicing costs should be typical of a mainstream manufacturer, and insurance groups are 11 for the diesel model and 13 for the petrol model.

There is probably no 4x4 on the market that really sits well with environmental concerns and both petrol and diesel versions of the Freetrack 4 have high performance engines. The petrol model has CO2 emissions of 223g/km, which is a little higher than most petrol compact 4x4s, but it is a powerful engine. Must customers are likely to choose the diesel model, which offers CO2 emissions of 179g/km.

This is a little higher than the best diesel compact 4x4s, but the SEAT offers strong performance from its 170bhp engine and economy is around 42mpg.

SEATs tend to perform quite well for reliability, so no major problems are expected in the first few years of ownership.