Styling/Image
A recent facelift has done little to reduce the visual impact of the rakish Leon. With its bold front grille, sweeping roofline and sculpted flanks, the SEAT is unmatched in the style stakes. Buyers can choose from six different trim levels – S, S Emocion, SE, Sport, FR and Cupra. Entry-level models get steel wheels with cheap looking plastic trims, while S Emocion versions upwards benefit from alloy items. Eco-friendly motorists can pick the S and SE versions in fuel efficient Ecomotive guise. For performance fans there is the FR and Cupra models, which are distinguished by a deeper front bumper, lowered sports suspension and chromed twin exit exhausts.
Interior/Practicality
Despite the use of higher quality materials, the latest Leon’s cabin still lacks the classy feel of the VW Golf and Ford Focus. And thanks to dark seat trim and dashboard plastics the interior feels a little gloomy too. At least it’s roomy, with room for five adults. Better still, the five-door layout means decent practicality, although the high boot lip makes it tricky to lift heavy items into the 341-litre load bay. There’s plenty of kit, with all models getting air-con and a trip computer. Further up the range you are treated to cruise control, a multi-function steering wheel and privacy glass.
Engines/Performance
The Leon takes its engines from parent group VW, which means buyers aren’t short of choice. Entry-level 1.4-litre and 1.6-litre petrol units lack urge and are best avoided, while the turbocharged 123bhp 1.4-litre TSI unit is a gem – punchy, refined and frugal. Diesel fans can choose from the gruff 1.9-litre TDI, or the torquey and refined 2.0-litre common rail oil-burner with either 138bhp or 168bhp. The sporty FR gets the scorching 208bhp 2.0-litre TSI powerplant from the Golf GTI. This is boosted to 238bhp for the Cupra. Five and six-speed manual gearboxes are standard, while the rapid-shifting DSG transmission is an option on most versions.
Driving experience
With a chassis from the VW Golf MkV it’s no surprise to find the Leon delivers decent driving dynamics. Even entry-level models are surprisingly entertaining with well-weighted steering, strong grip and good body control. The hot FR and Cupra have the firm’s new XDS electronic limited slip differential, which boosts traction out of the corners. They also get lowered and stiffened suspension that sharpens responses in corners, but also delivers a bone-shaking ride.
Ownership costs
Like all models in the SEAT line-up, the Leon represents decent value for money, undercutting most mainstream rivals. Go for a diesel-engined version and you can expect at least 50.4mpg, while the green-themed Ecomotive will squeeze out 62.8mpg. The petrol engines are less impressive, although the 1.4TSI emits just 148g/km of CO2, meaning an annual tax disc costs £120. Residual values are average for most models, although the 1.9 TDI Ecomotive holds onto around 44 percent of its value after three years.
Safety/Environment
Before its facelift the Leon secured a respectable four star EuroNCAP rating. All models benefit from six airbags and electronic stability control, while bi-xenon headlamps and tyre pressure monitoring are extra cost options. Buyers wanting minimise their impact on the planet should pick the Ecomotive, which emits only 119g/km of CO2 – a useful reduction of 71g/km over the fiery Cupra.
Our choice: Leon SE 1.4TSI
Tell us about your car in our Driver Power survey.
For an alternative review of the latest Seat Leon visit our sister site carbuyer.co.uk
For more breaking car news and reviews, subscribe to Auto Express magazine. We'll give you 6 issues for £1 and a free gift!
Yeah, as if the Focus has got an exceptional cabin quality and a classy interior!
Your pictures related to the article show a pre-facelift Leon.
My question is: have you ever tested the f/l Leon in reality and if so, then why didn't you post any pictures of it ? I hope you are not the kind of journalists who think they can judge a car without even testing it...
I don't think there is anything cheap or below par about the old shape Leon or new shape, I've had mine for 3 years and almost 40k miles.
It's been absolutely brilliant, nothing has fallen off, great dealer support for servicing etc, drives brilliantly, everything still works perfectly and the cabin quality is fine by me, in fact everyone who has been in it has been very impressed.
Well done Seat I would definitely have another car from your range of cars.
it's in a completely different league to the 307 i had before it... what a crock of a car that was...
And it is quite good. Actually excellent for its money, But the ford focus has a class above cabin than my car in many details. That and only that is the truth and does not subtract from how good of a car the leon is.
The guy below??? Irrelevant about cabin quality
Having driven a number of F/Focus Hire cars - my Seat is in a much higher league - Ford is average - the Seat - interesting, cool and fun to drive ...
Do you really test these cars or are you just comparing the brochures...
It does not say anything about the size of the boot whether there is enough room for a wheel chair and groceries. It would give a better insight as to its suitability for disabled people.
Had a couple of focus cars and never had the leon but had the Altea model for a few years and driven the leon many times i think the seat is a cut above the F/ Focus, in looks although the interior could look better, now driving a Volvo C30, Quite like the look of the new 2110 focus, which looks very much like the new fiesta which my wife purchased 2 weeks ago, thaat is quite impressive in many ways. Derek
I am also in greece. The seat is a great car, the focus is also a great car : FOR THE MONEY they cost. That sums it up. The focus has superior quality, I tested and own the leon. The leon is very very capable but steering feel is below the ford or the mazda3 I owned. The mazda was the sportier of the three and had the best built...The leon was the better all round package because it was cheaper and had the most potent motor for the price: 1.4 TSI...but the main complain is/was the interior design and some assembly errors (the focus too had assembly errors). Small but noticeable. The mazda did not offer soft touch plastics but so what? Not a single error...
II have driven numerous Ford Focuse hire cars and all leave me totally disinterested. Sure, the interior quality is fine, but the design is so old fashioned it makes me feel old sitting in it. I own a Leon FR550 Tdi - quite simply it is superb and very economical for a seriously quick car. In terms of style, fun, price and looks it beats the Focus, and most other cars hands down. The new version with the latest Common Rail engine is just as quick but more refined, so has to be good. Interior quality may not look quite as upmarket, but it is hard wearing, well built and lasts.
If you really tested the new model you would know that the new FR and Cupra does NOT deliver a bone shaking ride and the damper settings have been reduced considerably. Other testers have commented on how good the ride is now. If you haven't driven these versions, don't comment based on previous models!!
And for your reader who questions the boot space for disabled drivers - yes you can get a wheelchair in. My daughter needed one until recently and it went in fine.
I took delivery of my face-lifted Leon 2.0CR TDi FR just before Christmas and it generally rocks!
I had a Passat for a few years before which was admittedly a cut above in the interior finish stakes but I knew it would be. That's not to say there's anything wrong inside the SEAT - it's actually very nice - things are just a little bit "plastickier". The other minor gripe is that it doesn't have many storage nooks and crannies (e.g. sunglasses holder, change holder) but maybe I have just been spoilt by a VW!
That's the negatives out of the way. The rest is ALL good. Ride comfort is excellent (17" rims) and performance great fun. When you boot it in 4th the kick in the pants is ace and it ghosts past dawdlers on the motorway with just a little extra toe pressure. I also read somewhere that it produces more torque than a Porsche Boxster (don't know if that's true, I've not tried it yet!)
It's great to drive around town too and plenty roomy inside, even sat behind me (6'3"). The boot's not huge but it's not meagre either (compared to, say, a Volvo C30) and the split rear seats offer the usual flexibility.
It's cheap to run too (I think I get about 40mpg) which in a 2.0 motor that get's you to 60 in 8.1s is pretty impressive.
So, all in all, I can thoroughly recommend the Leon as a top notch, exciting all-rounder. It even looks cool in white.
I have been reading Auto Express for 10 years now. Through this 10 years I have read numerous Focus test drives on its own and against its rivals. I see a great admiration for all Focus models in the Auto Express stuff and I really cannot understand it. I have driven the old and new, the petrol and diesel versions of the Focus and felt nothing special. Its just an ordinary car and does not make you feel special in it. It does not look good inside or outside. Interior is no way near a Golf and also not better than a Leon. Engines and transmissions are not better than the VW group engines. The only good thing Auto Express always writes about Focus left is the handling, which is not as good as exaggerated by the Auto Express stuff I think. And I think that is not enough to make a car a class leader.
I own a great looking white Leon 2.0TDI DSG for two years. It has been all great. I love to look at the car and drive it. The ride and handling is very good and feel sporty (17' rims). And the driving experience is fun. About the interior, if you buy the aluminium center console covering and the crome rings for the airvents and speedometer (which are really cheap), the hiden interior quality will come out.The driving position is perfect and the seat is very comfortable and hugs you well, which makes long trips feel shorter. Standart equipment list is very long too, where you can find all the comfort needs. The only thing I critise about the car is the engine isolation. It must be better. Other than that I am sooo happy with my car and would definitely buy another SEAT in the future.
I have my Leon for 4 years and counting. Im just after picking it up from its 5th service and I have to say, it still puts a big smile on my face. Love the Leon so much. Also my friend has a 06 1.9TDi. It has 202,000 miles on the clock. It needed a new starter a few weeks ago and thats it. Great car :D