Skip advert
Advertisement

SEAT Leon 1.4 TSI Stylance

Hi-tech new engine adds another string to Spanish star’s bow.

The sporty arm of the VW Group is renowned for its hot FR and Cupra models, but SEAT is no one trick pony. And to prove it, the stylish Leon is now available with the company’s clever turbocharged 1.4-litre petrol engine under its heavily contoured bonnet.

It sounds racy, but the advanced powerplant is actually tuned to deliver low CO2 emissions and strong fuel economy, rather than outright pace.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Video: watch CarBuyer's video review of the SEAT Leon

[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"content_narrow","fid":"69200","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image"}}]]

Without the huge alloy wheels or aggressive bodykit found on hotter versions, you might expect the Leon to look bland in mid-spec Stylance trim.

But you’d be wrong. Its sleek profile is very attractive. You also get to enjoy detailing treats such as hidden rear door handles, plus a chunky SEAT logo on the tailgate which doubles as the boot release.

It’s the same story inside. The swooping dashboard is more interesting than the simple layout inside the Lancer, and its chequer-board texture looks and feels much more luxurious. Rear space is comparable with its rival’s, but the narrow windows give the Leon cabin a much more cosy feel.

Unfortunately, that extends to the luggage area, because the tight-fitting tailgate restricts the maximum capacity to 1,166 litres. The boot opening is also smaller, with a large lip to lift items over.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

UX 300e

2021 Lexus

UX 300e

25,972 milesAutomaticElectric

Cash £14,600
View UX 300e
CLA

2022 Mercedes

CLA

21,157 milesAutomaticPetrol1.3L

Cash £23,500
View CLA
Discovery Sport

2023 Land Rover

Discovery Sport

36,613 milesAutomaticDiesel2.0L

Cash £27,500
View Discovery Sport
Sportage

2023 Kia

Sportage

55,816 milesAutomaticPetrol1.6L

Cash £19,500
View Sportage

To find the biggest difference between the two cars, though, you’ll have to hit the road. Where the Mitsubishi does its best work at the top of the rev range, the flexible 1.4 TSI responds quickly and smoothly at seemingly any engine speed. And at the test track, that meant the Leon was quicker from 50-70mph in sixth gear than the Lancer was in fifth.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Thanks to its extra ratio, the SEAT engine is also a more relaxed companion on the motorway – although our noise meter provided identical cabin readings for the two cars at cruising speeds.

In keeping with the brand’s sporty image, the Leon has a firmer suspension set-up. This is good news for body control and steering, which are respectively much sharper and more responsive than in the Lancer. But there is a price to pay in terms of comfort. The SEAT doesn’t cope with small surface imperfections as well as the softer Mitsubishi – although this isn’t enough to make the Leon uncomfortable.

During the course of our test, the 1.4-litre car returned 33.2mpg economy, compared to 28.6mpg for the Lancer. It’s also considerably cleaner. CO2 emissions of 155g/km place the SEAT two road tax groups lower, while company buyers will be better off choosing the Spanish model, even though it costs more to buy.

The case for the SEAT is strengthened by its extensive options list, because it gives customers much more scope for personalisation. And with climate control rather than air-con fitted as standard, along with ESP stability control, the Leon easily justifies its £724 price premium.

Details

Price: £14,425
Model tested: SEAT Leon 1.4 TSI Stylance
Chart position: 1
WHY: Sporty Leon now comes with the 1.4 TSI engine – and it could be the pick of the range.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Vauxhall Corsa

Vauxhall Corsa

RRP £19,200Avg. savings £4,670 off RRP*Used from £16,745
Kia Sportage

Kia Sportage

RRP £28,065Avg. savings £2,773 off RRP*Used from £15,876
MG MG4

MG MG4

RRP £26,995Avg. savings £6,040 off RRP*Used from £13,000
Dacia Spring

Dacia Spring

RRP £14,995Avg. savings £4,500 off RRP*
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Peugeot 208 GTi: electric hot hatch gets stunning looks and plenty of power
Peugeot E-208 GTi - reveal front

New Peugeot 208 GTi: electric hot hatch gets stunning looks and plenty of power

Hot Peugeot E-208 gets racier styling, 276bhp and does 0-62mph in just 5.7 seconds
News
13 Jun 2025
New BYD Dolphin Surf Comfort review: the best BYD yet
BYD Dolphin Surf Comfort - front

New BYD Dolphin Surf Comfort review: the best BYD yet

The new BYD Dolphin Surf Comfort is arguably the Chinese brand's most convincing model in its range
Road tests
11 Jun 2025
New entry-level Renault Symbioz is £3k cheaper than a Nissan Qashqai
Renault Symbioz hybrid - front angled

New entry-level Renault Symbioz is £3k cheaper than a Nissan Qashqai

The Renault Captur has also been fitted the new full-hybrid powertrain, which gets a bigger battery for more pure-electric driving
News
12 Jun 2025