Seat Leon Review

Seat have been enhancing their model range over the last couple of years, the Ateca compact SUV was released in 2016 and the Arona late last year. These new models and updates brought the manufacturer back into the spotlight, another generation of the popular Ibiza also followed last year. But first for a refresh was their best-selling model, the Leon. So just how did their flagship Cupra version rate in various bodystyles?

Sometimes you want the sportiness but need a car larger than a two-seater sports car. The Leon Cupra combines power with practicality as it’s available across all the model’s bodystyles so nobody is left out here. Seat have also increased the power by 10 PS, the 2.0 TSI petrol producing 300PS with 380 Nm of torque that’s also up. Foot to the floor with a six-speed manual ‘box will ensure you get the max out of the engine and with a 0-62mph time of 5.7 seconds then it’s definitely no slouch.

Driving it with a seven-speed DSG automatic transmission in the Sports Tourer is very quick but it doesn’t engage you as a manual 'box does.

If you’re looking for a less powerful Leon then there’s a new three-cylinder 1.0 TSI delivering 115 PS that is now available for UK buyers, while other petrol engines are out there such as a 1.2 with 110 PS, a 1.4 EcoTSI with 150PS and a 1.8 producing 180 PS.

The diesel range includes a 1.6 TDI with 115 PS and a 2.0 with either 150 PS or 184 PS.

What’s good about the Leon model is it now comes in a variety of bodystyles; three door Sports Coupe, five-door and an estate Sports Tourer which now has an off-roading X-perience version, the latter appearing on UK roads in 2015.

The ride is good on the Cupra estate, it comes with their 4Drive system which gives you that extra level of grip when you need it.

The Cupra sports coupe naturally has quite a firm, often unforgiving ride, sits on 19-inch wheels and is lower by 10mm so if you’re looking for comfort this isn’t the version to go for.

Handling though is superb; it is so reactive that you can go mad chucking it into corners knowing you’ll emerge from it with your pride...and a Leon intact.

The steering is light if you’re manoeuvring it around town, great for nipping into parking spots and offers a more weighted feel when you’re out munching up the motorway miles.

There is also the option to adapt the cars characteristics to your driving needs with three modes, Eco, Sport and Normal.

When the latest generation launched in 2012 it looked super stylish and sporty and to be honest apart from some slight tweaks Seat designers have stuck with their winning formula for this update. There are changes to the front bumper, the bonnet is lower, the significant crease lines along car remain, while the Cupra version has snazzy red brake callipers and Cupra emblazoned door sills.

The LED daytime running lights are impressive when you catch sight of them in your rearview mirror and the gap between the mirrors and corners of the windows give it that extra bit of identity.

Naturally the Leon Cupra comes with sporty, alcantara seats which are comfortable and snug. The downside is you have to manually adjust them, the same with the steering wheel which for a car of this calibre should all be electronic.

There’s a nice to the touch, flat bottomed steering wheel with the Seat badge emblazoned across the middle of it, the gearstick has Cupra detailing too.

A new infotainment system is on the Leon, the version we drove had a very intuitive 8-inch touchscreen which can be used much like a phone or tablet with swiping or pinching movements. It is also compatible with Android, Apple Car Play and Mirror Link for phone connectivity.

There is a vast range of trim levels available for the Leon, entry level S boasts LED daytime running lights, Bluetooth, 15-inch ‘Urban’ alloys, air-conditioning and a five-inch colour touchscreen, this is followed by SE Technology, SE Dynamic Technology which features an eight-inch touchscreen, rear parking sensors, voice control and Bluetooth audio streaming, while the new Xcellence trim has additions including chrome exterior touches, front sports seats, ambient lighting, keyless entry, full LED headlights, twin exhaust pipes and a wireless phone charger.

If you’re looking for something larger than the Ibiza then the Leon has plenty of space in each of its bodystyles, there is enough head and legroom, the sports coupe is pretty easy to get in and out of the back and rear passengers will have adequate space.

The sports coupe and five-door has 380 litres of boot space, which increases to 1,150 litres for the SC and 1,210 for the five-door with rear seats folded flat. The sports tourer has a 587 litre boot which will take plenty of luggage, or even bikes as this goes up to 1,470 litres. There is a separate boot floor which houses the spare tyre but there is a decent amount of space above it to hold items.

The Seat Leon is priced from £18,960 for the 5-door S Leon, the Cupra starts at £30,095 for the sports coupe, the five door is £30,495 while the sports tourer is £31,490.

If you’re looking for a well-priced, practical model, available with a wide range of engines then the Seat Leon is a really good alternative to the Ford’s Focus RS and the bonus is it’s available in different body styles.

Across the Cupra range CO2 emissions will be as low as 158g/km so will fall into tax band I which will cost £500 for the first year. Expect combined MPG figures around the early forties.

Like its fellow Volkswagen Group brands, Seat offer up well produced cars; the cabin has plenty of durable materials with touches of swish, black gloss mated with chrome accents to make it stylish, yet of a high quality. It’s not in-your-face with lashings of colour so it’s quite understated.

Seat fair well when it comes to reliability, the brand now regularly features in the top ten of owner surveys with them praising low running costs and the quality. The latest version of the Leon is already an award winner having scooped the top prize in the What Car? Best Family Car category.

The Seat Leon comes with everything you expect in a car regarding safety and has plenty of airbags, Isofix points, a tyre pressure warning system, hill hold control and driving assistance systems include Front Assist and Pedestrian Protection, Traffic Jam Assist, Multi-collision braking and adaptive cruise control.

It’s no wonder that when the model was last tested in the Euro NCAP tests in 2012 it scored the maximum five stars with 94% for adult occupant protection and 92% for a child.