SEAT Leon

It’s easy to forget exactly how radical the Leon is. The previous model was seen by many as merely a rebodied Volkswagen Golf, but with a rather bland interior. However, the new car is every inch a SEAT. While it follows on from the Altea and Toledo, it’s better-looking than either of its larger counterparts, and there’s now no hint of the Golf’s boxy proportions anywhere in the curvaceous design.

	The Leon has the best steering set-up, with good feedback making it the most involving car to drive

The Spanish company actually refers to the Leon as a five-door coupé, and you can see why. The hidden rear door handles, along with a low roofline, give it a sporty appearance, while the front is dominated by the large, rounded grille and that unique bonnet design. Its distinctive shape is further enhanced by the slab sides and arching swage line that runs from the headlights right down to the rear wheelarches.

Inside, it’s equally different. And, as you’d expect from a VW Group product, fit and finish are excellent. However, our test car did develop a rattle from around the glovebox – it’s a problem we’ve experienced on several Leons. Still, the rest of the cabin is well laid out, while the dials are easy to read. The SEAT also has the best driving position on test, with the widest adjustment in the chair and steering column. For taller owners, it’s the most comfortable car for long journeys.

Visibility is a problem, though – thick A-pillars make pulling out of tight junctions tricky, while the rearward view isn’t great, either. Even more disappointing, however, is the 1.9-litre TDI diesel engine. SEAT describes it as ‘well proven’, but it’s simply getting old, and from start-up, the lack of refinement is instantly obvious. On the move, it seems crude compared with its rivals’ powerplants, and hard acceleration results in the dreaded diesel clatter.

The Leon feels lethargic, too, especially at higher speeds, and this was evident in our performance tests. The sprint from 0-60mph took a leisurely 11.3 seconds – about half-a-second slower than the Kia – and through the gears in our 30-70mph assessment, it was only 0.3 seconds quicker than the Citroen with its EGS transmission.

In-gear performance was more acceptable, but on the open road it feels the slowest here, and motorway journeys can be frustrating. Around town, the sudden power delivery also makes the SEAT hard to drive smoothly at slow speeds.

Things improve when it comes to the handling. The Leon has the best steering set-up, with good feedback making it the most involving car to drive. It’s also the most responsive and agile, boasting good levels of grip, plus minimal body roll. Other points in its favour are the positive five-speed gearbox and decent brake pedal feel. True, it did record the longest stopping distances, but it was the only car tested in the wet.

As with most SEAT models, the ride is pretty firm and can become a little uncomfortable around town and on rutted surfaces. It’s better on the motorway, but there is noticeable road noise.

At £14,495, the Leon is cheaper than both the Fiat and Citroen, although it’s still £250 more than the Kia. Still, you get plenty of kit for the money, with climate control, folding mirrors, cruise control and stability control as standard – none of the other cars can compete with this. SEAT can’t match Kia’s seven-year warranty – no manufacturer can – but it has gained a reputation for robust build quality and reliability. The question is whether this will compensate for the Leon’s flaws.