Introduction
The Seat Ateca is a compact SUV that has become a popular choice since its launch in 2016.
As the first SUV from the Spanish automobile manufacturer Seat, it boasts a blend of design, performance, and functionality that appeals to a wide range of drivers.
Under the hood mechanically, it’s based on the MQB platform by Volkswagen and share many parts with the VW Tiguan and and Skoda Karoq.
Drivers have the choice of both petrol or diesel with varying power outputs.
For the petrol heads, there is the 1.0L TSI, 1.4L TSI and the 2.0L TSI.
Diesel lovers can choose from a 1.6L TDI engine and a 2.0L TDI engine.
The car also comes in varying trim levels such as the SE and FR Sport among others.
Regardless of your version of Ateca, we’ll go over all the best mods and upgrades to boost its looks and performance.
Painted Brake Calipers
Painting your brake calipers is a simple yet striking mod that can really make your Ateca an eye-catcher.
Painting them gives an intriguing peep-through effect that makes them pop and adds a real high end look to the car.
When it comes to colours, the options are pretty much endless with hundreds of variations of brake caliper pain available.
The range of available paint colours offers you the freedom to create a harmonious colour scheme or a striking contrast with the overall colour of your Seat Ateca.
One of the best things about this mod if that you don’t have to be mechanically inclined to pull it off provided you have the right items.
Ensure you use a high temperature paint to withstand the intense heat your breaks generate, ensuring the paint won’t crack or fade over time.
Remember that with this, most of the work is in the prep!
Take your time to scrub the brake calipers using a wire brush to remove excess rust, brake dust, and dirt.
Use a brake cleaner or degreaser to further clean the surface and leave it spotless.
This step is crucial as it will ensure proper paint adhesion and longevity.
When it comes to painting, thin layers are best and you should be fine with 2-3 coats.
You can get high quality red brake caliper paint on eBay here.
Sports Exhaust
Investing in an aftermarket exhaust system for your SEAT Ateca can enhance both the car’s performance and exhaust sound.
An aftermarket exhaust system can increase your SEAT Ateca’s horsepower and torque, giving your vehicle a noticeable boost in power and better throttle response.
This is primarily due to the improved exhaust flow, which allows the engine to expel exhaust gases more efficiently.
One of the biggest advantages of installing an aftermarket exhaust on your SEAT Ateca is the deep, aggressive exhaust note it produces.
This enhanced sound will make your driving experience more visceral and enjoyable and is one of the main reasons why owners choose to upgrade.
While there are some off the shelf exhaust systems available for the Cupra version, there aren’t many for the standard Ateca models unfortunately.
It’s a good idea to get one custom made at a local exhaust shop and this way you can tailor it to suit your needs and have control over how loud or performance-orientated it is.
Remap
If you feel like the performance of your Ateca leaves a lot to be desired, then a remap is one of the best bang for your buck mods you can do.
If you were only able to choose one performance upgrade to transform the way the car drives, a remap should be it.
A remap is a fantastic and easy way to increase the horsepower, torque and responsiveness of the car and depending on the map, it can also potentially better your fuel economy.
Of course, this will obviously depend on your driving style!
The expected power gains will depend on your model of Ateca.
Let’s take a look at a couple of estimates for the models below:
2.0 TDI :
Original BHP: 147bhp Tuned BHP: 195bhp
2.0 TSI :
Original BHP: 187bhp Tuned BHP: 235-240bhp
These estimates are with just a remap and can vary depending on the particular model and engine health. If you have other performance mods fitted to the car prior to remapping such as an exhaust and intake, then you can expect even more power gains.
Side Steps
Side steps are a great functional upgrade that add a sleek look to the side profile of your Ateca.
One of the primary functional reasons for installing side steps is to enhance entry and exit from the vehicle, particularly for children, elderly passengers, or individuals with mobility challenges.
By lowering the step height, side steps can help eliminate the need for jumping or straining to get in and out of the car.
Side steps can also serve a protective role. They can shield the car’s chassis and sides from debris, road salt, or minor side impacts.
Aside from functionality, they also look great as well and add a hint of off-road character to the Ateca making it look ready for adventure.
You can get sidesteps from eBay here.
Air Intake
Although not a common mod on Ateca’s, an aftermarket air intake is a way to improve induction sound and even marginally increase performance.
By design, they are optimised to draw in cool air as efficiently as possible with minimal restriction leading to better performance.
When on the throttle, you will also get a deeper growl and hear more of the turbo which is a pleasing sound to any enthusiast.
Ramair offer intakes for both the petrol and diesel variants of the Ateca.
For owners of the 2.0L TDI, you can check out the Ramair option here.
For 2.0L TSI owners, you can check out another option by Ramair here.
Double check compatibility with your particular Ateca year and model on the manufacturers page.
If you don’t want to replace the entire factory intake but are still interested in an upgrade, then you can look at a K&N filter.
These slot into place inside the standard airbox in place of the OEM paper filter however are more durable and can allow for better flow to the engine.
Wind Deflectors
Wind deflectors are a great cost effective mod valued for their practicality and functionality.
Wind deflectors protect from elements like rain and snow (and wind!). They allow you to slightly open your windows even during adverse weather conditions, letting fresh air in without the interior getting wet or cold.
They also help reduce wind noise which is perfect if you like to drive frequently with the windows down or partly down.
Open windows at high speeds often cause a loud, whistling wind noise that can get annoying. Installing wind deflectors can significantly lessen this noise, enabling you to enjoy a smoother, quieter ride in your Ateca.
Plus, they also look great and give your Ateca a real slick streamlined look around the window areas.
You can pick up a set of Heko wind deflectors on eBay.
Finishing Thoughts
From performance boosting upgrades to aesthetic enhancers, there is a wide array of mods available to choose from.
Mods are exciting, but they can become expensive quickly. Knowing what you want and having a vision in your head can save you a lot of money down the line.
Are you just looking for some extra sound? Fit an exhaust and aftermarket intake.
Looking to increase performance on the smallest budget possible? Get it remapped.
Planning ahead can save you money on necessary mods.
You must also consider the warranty of your SEAT Ateca.
Some mods might void the manufacturer’s warranty, so it pays to check the terms and conditions of this.
The same goes with insurance, as mods can increase premiums and even void it altogether if mods are undeclared. Therefore, it would be wise to consult with your insurance provider before fitting any modifications or upgrades.
All this aside, modding your Ateca is a great way to set it apart from the majority of standard looking Ateca’s on the road and turn it into something that gives you even more driving pleasure every time you get behind the wheel.
Happy modding!
