Key facts:
Models tested: SEAT Exeo TDi Multitronic
Price range (estimated): £23,300 - £26,310
Date tested: February 2011
Road tester: Martin Gurdon

• Now offered with diesel engine and automatic gearbox
• Arrives in April, priced from around £24,300. Saloons are cheaper
• Well-equipped, spacious, great value and good to drive

The SEAT Exeo is a well-equipped executive car sold as a saloon or estate, and is based on the 2001 Audi A4. It's a bargain-priced executive model, that fills a useful niche for SEAT. But a gap in the range remained - a diesel automatic, which the seven-speed Multitronic versions now fill.

The self-shifting CVT gearbox is more efficient than a conventional automatic, and can work in normal or Sport mode, which speeds things up. In either mode it's smooth and quick.

Drivers can select gears themselves with either steering wheel paddles or the shift lever. Once again, these are painless to use.

The Exeo has benefitted from the safety kit that has found its way into newer Audis, and is thoroughly up to date in this regard.

Other familiar parts include a dash taken from younger Audi A4s, and the car's interior ambience is reassuringly solid. The doors shut with a Germanic 'thunk,' and all the trim feels classy and well made.

There are plenty of toys, including dual-zone climate control while SE versions get a poshed-up Bose sound system, leather trim and connection for iPods and Bluetooth-friendly mobile phones. Outside there are LED tail lamps and bi-xenon headlamps.

The Exeo Multitronic is blessed with the latest VW group common-rail diesel engine, in 2-litre 141bhp guise. It goes very well indeed, getting to 62mph in 9.3 seconds. Top speed is about 130mph, combined fuel consumption is 48.7mpg with CO2 emissions of 153g/km.

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Mechanical noise is muted, even when the engine is revved. Tyre roar is virtually absent, although there's some wind noise at speed, but anyone covering a lot of miles would find this Exeo a relaxed companion.

The old Audi A4 had a sometimes-jittery ride, but the Exeo is very composed, riding firmly but always comfortably, even on poor surfaces.

The suspension remains composed and quiet even when being made to work hard, when there's a commendable lack of crashing and banging.

Handling is sure-footed, with accurate steering and tidy cornering characteristics, which don't involve an excessive amount of roll.

Overall this car is easy to like. It's a clever development of a good model, and even if it's an old design with a makeover, that makeover is very thorough, and the model is classy, well made, well-equipped and good value.

British buyers will get the first Multitronic Exeos in April, so SEAT is being a little coy about exactly how much the cars will cost, so our prices are estimates.

Entry-level cars are badged SE Tech, are expected to cost £23,300 in saloon form, with the ST estate carrying a £1,040 premium.

The SE Tech comes with sat-nav, leather trim, Bose audio upgrade, iPod connectivity, 17-inch alloys, dual-zone climate control, electric windows front and rear plus Bluetooth.

The Sport Tech is the range topper, priced at around £24,270. These come with 18-inch alloys, sports door trims, sports suspension and privacy glass.