GazM said:
Two other points to keep in mind .... the 4wd drive versions have a marginally smaller boot ( 485 litres v 510 litres I think). I don't know how this will impact on the dimensions of the boot, whether it results in a slightly higher floor or if you lose capacity behind/around the wheel arch intrusions. On the plus side the 4wd versions have a more sophisticated rear suspension set up which should ride/handle better. I think all the pre-production reviews were on 4wd versions so you might to delay your decision until you see some reviews of a 2dw model. Best of luck...
On depth, I invited myself to the Silverstone Fleet World show with tape measure. Checking out the back of the 4WD albeit a left hand drive European model I would say basically you loose half the depth of the lower level boot. Enough for the skinny but not for full size. Having a Altea I was concerned about how much stuff I would have to omit from the lower region of the boot which I cram around the full size spare, I expect over a half. Your subwoofer goes in the centre of the spare with the enhanced sound system. The top loading area of the Ateca is flush with the higher floor e.g. load just straight into the boot if you have the Seat Sound.
I didn't feel that the lower level cover would be strong - could be wrong. The Altea is a three if not four folding ABS material type of boarding, the Ateca was a one piece cover shown in the picture below, bit like hardboard. Maybe this wasn't a production model and the final top floor boot cover would be stronger or is made of load bearing materiel.
So no, not a higher floor, but a reduction in lower boot space to accommodate a skinny rather than a full size wheel, the balance going to the 4WD mechanics. Plastic polystyrene type of moulding around the spare wheel with gaps for the tools to go in.
The actual boot height to the shelf from the upper floor is pretty high, over 50 cm - needed that measurement for my rigid chiller box. My impression build quality good, seating on this Xcellence good, nice bucket seats although this was in cloth for the European market not leather.
If you have read my stuff on that other forum I have been preoccupied to understand the sat navigation and media formats ☺. Think I'm happy on that now. Going to go for a full spec 4WD since I'm intending to move to the countryside - Wales way, where it snows and have in the past travelled through Germany / Luxembourg / Belgium on those annual Xmas gaunts with sometimes throw up thick snow in difficult conditions, so my thinking is I will take a hit on price and economy but have more assurance of not getting stuck or sliding off the road. My 2 WD Altea DSG isn't good on snow, it just slides on a slight incline just to get in a drive. Tyres and all that but not gripping all round is also a factor.
4WD back end:
Skiny spare:
Boot closed:
