Just how badly does SEAT want to sell you a Toledo?

Story: DAVID WILKINS

The smart, practical and roomy SEAT Toledo looks like just the car for recession-battered businesses. SEAT reckons half of all sales will go to company car drivers – but you could be forgiven for wondering just how badly SEAT wants you to buy one.

The bottom rung of the Toledo ladder is within easy reach at just £12,500 but after that it’s quite a steep step up to the next model in the Toledo range – over £1600.

If you want the lowest-CO2 engine option to keep company car tax in check, the 104g/km 105 PS 1.6 diesel with stop-start is the obvious choice, you have to go for the mid-range S trim as well, and you’ll end up paying £16,640.

(Although there are two further petrol options with S trim that cost less, and also with 14% company car tax bands.)

And if you like the idea of the self-shifting dual-clutch DSG gearbox – a common option across the Volkswagen-owned brands – you can only get it with the 1.4-litre petrol engine and luxurious SE trim at a price of £17,780.

Not the diesel that many SME company car drivers would prefer.

There’s only going to be one body style – and don’t get your hopes up about a possible sporty FR version either. They’re not even giving the Toledo the new SEAT logo, already announced back in July – that’s going to make its debut on the grille of the new Leon at the Paris Motor Show.