Skip advert
Advertisement

SEAT Leon (2012 - 2020) review - Interior, design and technology

Interior is a big step up over previous Leons, featuring mature design and a cutting-edge range of in-car technology

Interior, design and technology rating

4.3

How we review cars
RRP
£24,805 £39,370
Avg. savings
£5,279 off RRP*
Find your SEAT Leon
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

Visual changes to the Leon are only minor. It looks a bit sharper at the front and rear, with different headlights (full LED units are standard on FR models and above) and tail-lights, but that’s about it.

The interior of the SEAT Leon looks a little plain at first glance, but in practice it proves a very satisfying, good to use cabin that carries all the hallmarks of solid Volkswagen Golf design, although just a little bit more adventurous at the same time.

SEAT Leon - front light detail

Quality of materials in the current car is high. The main dash structure is soft-touch and has a quality appearance, with big Audi-like dials set into the instrument binnacle and a Volkswagen-standard infotainment touchscreen high up in the middle of the dash. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

Metallic paint is standard on the base SE model and design touches include body-coloured door mirrors with integrated LED indicators, LED daytime running lights, a leather-trimmed steering wheel and gear knob, along with an LED interior illumination pack.

In the use of colours, the look of some minor details and the car’s general ambience, the Leon really does feel a bit like a more mainstream Audi inside, particularly if you choose darker colour schemes. This family resemblance is, we’re sure, no coincidence – but it’s a convincing one.

Sat-nav, stereo and infotainment

As with the recent VW Golf update, the biggest changes to the SEAT Leon were reserved for the infotainment system. All models now get an eight-inch touchscreen set high on the dashboard. 

SEAT Leon - sat-nav

Under the skin, it’s essentially the same hardware as used in the Golf, although the lack of hot keys on either side of the screen and different menu layouts mean it’s not quite as easy to navigate on the move. Bluetooth, DAB and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, while the base SE is the only model not to feature navigation, However, the smartphone integration is so easy and intuitive to use, that those opting for the entry-level version are hardly likely to be disappointed.

The high-spec Xcellence model also adds wireless charging for compatible smartphones. However, the online connectivity of the system lags behind its rivals. There’s no option to turn the car into a Wi-Fi hotspot or add 4G Internet, as you'll find on the Vauxhall Astra, for example.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Which Is Best

Cheapest

  • Name
    1.5 TSI 115 SE 5dr [Driver Assistance Pack]
  • Gearbox type
    Manual
  • RRP
    £24,805
Select car

Most Economical

  • Name
    1.5 e-Hybrid FR 5dr DSG [Driver Assistance Pack]
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • RRP
    £36,455
Select car

Fastest

  • Name
    1.5 e-Hybrid FR 5dr DSG [Driver Assistance Pack]
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • RRP
    £36,455
Select car

New & used car deals

Seat Leon

Seat Leon

RRP £25,025Avg. savings £5,279 off RRP*Used from £8,995
Mazda 3

Mazda 3

RRP £22,065Avg. savings £2,429 off RRP*Used from £8,290
Cupra Formentor

Cupra Formentor

RRP £32,315Avg. savings £5,713 off RRP*Used from £15,990
Mazda Cx-30

Mazda Cx-30

RRP £23,265Avg. savings £2,501 off RRP*Used from £12,500
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New baby Nissan Juke EV on the way to challenge the Dacia Spring
Baby Nissan Juke exclusive image - rear

New baby Nissan Juke EV on the way to challenge the Dacia Spring

Nissan to fast-track development of new battery-powered city car to take on forthcoming Volkswagen ID.1, and our exclusive images preview how it could…
News
18 Apr 2025
Best SUVs to buy 2025
Best SUVs - header image

Best SUVs to buy 2025

There are plenty of great SUVs to choose from, so we’ve picked out the very best
Best cars & vans
17 Apr 2025
You can run an electric car with nowhere at home to charge it, honest
Opinion - ease of EV ownership

You can run an electric car with nowhere at home to charge it, honest

Chris Rosamond explains why ultra-fast charging could convince you to make the switch to driving an EV
Opinion
17 Apr 2025