SEAT makes a serious move up in the world with the third-generation Toledo. While the last model, launched seven years ago, was a genuine step up in style and build quality and was a cracking car to drive, it never had that ability to stand out from the crowd.

New Toledo buyers have no fears on that score. The latest model has a rear hatch with stand-and-stare avant-garde styling to match Renault's distinctively-different Vel Satis and the attention-grabbing front looks of its recently-launched sister, the Altea.

What it thankfully shares with both its predecessors is value for money and family friendly-sized space, with the addition of a whopping, well-thought-out, triple-level boot, which I will come back to.

Do not let all this talk of useful space lull you into thinking this is a load-lugging lifeless hatchback, handy only for pootling youngsters to Scouts complete with four rucksacks and camping equipment, or running granny through rush-hour traffic to her doctor's appointment.

The three-trim level Toledo range, which starts at £13,350, is available with four engines, two petrol and two diesel and the two most powerful engines - the 2.0-litre FSI and TDI - are both coupled to a six-speed manual gearbox. The former is also available with automatic and Tiptronic six-speed gearbox and the 2.0 TDI with the new DSG six-speed gearbox.

I tried the new car on a variety of country roads in rural Nottinghamshire and all proved quiet, stable, capable cars, but the 2.0-litre models in

particular provided a surprisingly dynamic, satisfying driving experience.

All Toledos come with six airbags and three-point seatbelts on all seats, anti-lock brakes, a traction control system and that oh-so-practical boot, which is a model of how really useful cars should be designed.

It is still astonishing how you can get behind the wheel of vehicles costing more than £40,000 and find a boot which has nowhere to securely hold a bottle of wine, or pin down fragile objects to stop them from rolling around.

The lowest level of the new Toledo's boot has room to store a space saver spare wheel or a puncture repair kit.

The middle level is separated from the main upper area by a concertina floor which can be folded up against the back seat and the lower space also has moveable dividing panels that can be adjusted to suit the size of the objects being carried. The uppermost level above the false floor and beneath the parcel shelf is large enough to carry most everyday objects.

This flexible cargo space also comes equipped with hooks on the floor, side nets beside the wheel arches, hooks for hanging bags and even a small concealed tray under the parcel shelf. All the dividers, parcel shelf and the false floor can be completely removed if the whole space is required.

Other classy options on the car include the option of Bluetooth, which allows a wireless communication between two mobile devices. The great advantage of this is that no physical connection is required between the mobile telephone and the vehicle to provide a completely hands-free system.

The Bluetooth system is operated by means of multifunction buttons in the steering wheel to accept and disconnect calls and access one of its most important features, voice recognition. This allows users to verbally request a call to a number or a name and save names and numbers in the phone book, and all while keeping their hands firmly on the wheel.

David Duffy

AUTO FACTS

MODEL SEAT Toledo Stylance 1.9 TDI PD

PRICE £15,550

INSURANCE GROUP Six

FUEL CONSUMPTION (COMBINED) 51.4mpg

COMFORT Excellent

TOP SPEED 114mph

LENGTH 445.8cm

WIDTH 176.8cm

LUGGAGE CAPACITY 17.6 cu ft

FUEL TANK CAPACITY 55 litres/ 12.1 gallons

CO2 EMISSIONS 149 g/km