The SEAT Toledo III redefined the concept of the classic saloon when it was launched in 2004. Developed in parallel with the Altea, the new model combined the tailgate of the Toledo I with the attractive three-box design of the Toledo II to create an innovative family car.

SEAT showed great ambition with the launch of the third generation of the Toledo. Designed by Walter de Silva, then design director at SEAT and the Audi brand group, it was the second model in the new SEAT range, after the Altea. Actually, the Toledo III was built on the same platform as the Altea. SEAT decided to keep the name ‘Toledo’ for the new model because it considered the Toledo III to be a saloon. ‘It broadens the definition of a saloon’ was the slogan used by SEAT in its advertising at the time.

Indeed, the Toledo III combined the essence of the two previous generations. It brought back the much-loved tailgate of the original Toledo and merged it with the three-box concept of the Toledo II, while retaining one of the Toledo's most appreciated features: a large boot. The boot had a capacity of 501 litres and, thanks to the sliding rear seat, could be expanded to 600 litres while retaining five seats.

The result was a three-box car just a couple of centimetres longer than the Toledo II, but with more interior space, a large boot and greater versatility. And all this without sacrificing the innovative design and sporty character that were the hallmarks of the brand's models.

The Toledo III was unveiled as a prototype at the 2004 Madrid Motor Show in May. The Toledo Prototype was already very close to the future production version and featured an attractive two-tone paint finish in copper and Toledo grey, which enhanced the characteristic dynamic side line of the SEAT models designed by De Silva. The final production version made its debut in September of that year at the Paris Motor Show, and the car went on sale shortly afterwards.

The engine range was the same as that of the Altea. It consisted of two petrol engines, a 1.6-litre 102 HP and a 2.0 FSI 150 HP, and two diesel engines, a 1.9 TDI 105 HP and a 2.0 TDI 16v 140 HP. The two most powerful engines were combined with a 6-speed manual gearbox. As an option, the petrol FSI was available with a Tiptronic sequential gearbox and the TDI 140 with the new DSG dual-clutch gearbox. Later, the 170 HP TDI was also available.

The DSG gearbox was a brand-new feature in the SEAT range, based on the Altea and Toledo III platform, and an exclusive technical advance for the VW Group. With a petrol engine, the first SEAT with DSG was the Leon II Supercopa racing car in 2006. Other new features included electric power steering, direct petrol injection and independent multi-link rear suspension. The latter, combined with the Agile Chassis, gave it excellent stability and very dynamic handling. The new Toledo also offered a high level of safety, being equipped with ABS, TCS and ESP with brake assist. Built in Martorell, laser welding for the body assembly gave it a 12-year perforation rust guarantee.

The Toledo III showed its strong family focus with details such as Isofix anchors for child seats in the rear seats and plenty of storage space for small items in the cabin. In addition, the large rear window provided plenty of light inside. It was half saloon, half MPV, like a three-box version of the Altea, and boasted excellent value for money with its standard equipment (all Toledos had air conditioning and six airbags).

SEAT reintroduced a classic three-box saloon with the Exeo at the end of 2008, and the Toledo III was discontinued in September 2009. This also marked the temporary farewell of the Toledo name in the SEAT range, until its return in 2012 with the Toledo IV.