SEAT Leon SC vs rivals
The new three-door SEAT Leon SC promises to mix sportiness and practicality. But can it beat the Kia Pro_cee'd GT and Vauxhall Astra GTC?
There was a time when the small three-door family hatchback was nothing more than the equivalent five-door minus its rear doors. While some car makers still stick to this simple template, other brands are aiming to diversify their line-ups with dynamic three-door hatches that incorporate some of the style and sportiness normally associated with coupes.
The Vauxhall Astra GTC pioneered this approach. It looks similar to the five-door model, but nearly every body panel is different, and it looks more attractive as a result. This hasn’t gone unnoticed by others – here we test two newcomers that use a similar formula.
The SEAT Leon is already Auto Express’ Car of the Year 2013, but the company isn’t resting on its laurels: it’s just introduced the three-door Leon SC model. This shares engines and running gear with the five-door version, and for this first test, we try it in flagship FR specification with 1.8-litre TSI turbocharged petrol power.
Another car maker looking to boost its profile in this class is Kia, which has just launched the Pro_cee’d GT. This tops the Pro_cee’d range, so it gets racy hot-hatch looks and uses a 1.6-litre turbo engine that’s more powerful than even the SEAT’s 1.8-litre.
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Cash £4,000To see where these two newcomers stand, we’ve lined up an Astra GTC powered by Vauxhall’s 1.6-litre turbo petrol engine in mid-range SRi trim. It’s more expensive than its rivals here, yet offers similar performance and running costs. Can the Leon deliver another victory for SEAT? Or does the Kia back up its looks withdriving thrills? And where does the Astra GTC fit into the mix?
Verdict
Each of these three-door hatchbacks is a great sporty alternative to its five-door counterpart.
Unfortunately for the Vauxhall Astra GTC, the two new arrivals show it a clean pair of heels. It’s not a bad car by any means – it looks smart and handles well – but it’s expensive to buy and run, and doesn’t have as much standard kit as rivals.
The Pro_cee’d GT is a fine first performance car from Kia. It looks the part, and while the 1.6 turbo isn’t the punchiest engine around, it’s still pretty quick. We just wish the steering had more feedback and the gearbox and pedals were more positive, to help make the most of the chassis.
That leaves the SEAT Leon SC to take victory. It’s sharply styled, has a first-class interior and offers the best handling and lowest running costs here. It’s not the fastest car on the test, but its torquey 1.8-litre TSI engine will be more than powerful enough to satisfy most drivers.
