SEAT Leon buyer’s guide
Our former Car of the Year is now top value second-hand
MORE small family cars are sold across Europe each year than any other type of vehicle, so when SEAT launched an allnew Leon in 2012 the stakes were high.
It was a move that worked well for the Volkswagen subsidiary as SEAT posted its best results ever in the UK. The third take on the Leon formula looked distinctive and offered Volkswagen Group underpinnings with a sharp suit – at prices rather more palatable than for an equivalent Golf.
So it was no wonder we crowned the smart SEAT Auto Express Car of the Year in 2013. The question is, how does the Mk3 stack up as a used buy three years later?
History
THE Leon five-door hatch hit showrooms in March 2013; four months later there was a super-stylish three-door SC edition, and by autumn 2013 an estate (called the ST) had been launched. Each came with 1.2, 1.4 or 1.8-litre TSI petrol engines or there were 1.6 and 2.0 TDI diesels. The 1.6 TDI Ecomotive offered from January 2014 had CO2 emissions of just 87g/km, while the Cupra that arrived at the same time offered up to 276bhp, which was enough to take it from 0-62mph in just 5.7 seconds. December 2014’s X-perience was a Leon estate with a 2.0 TDI engine and four-wheel drive.
A refreshed Leon is due to land in showrooms in February 2017, offering a 1.0-litre TSI petrol engine option, luxurious Xcellence trim level, lots of driver assistance systems and a step up in connectivity.
Which one?
THE 1.2 TSI feels underpowered in the cut and thrust of everyday driving, but all other Leon engines have enough muscle to cope. That said, the 1.8 TSI and 2.0 TDI options are brilliant for any occasion – as is the DSG box.
All Leons are well equipped – even the base S edition features air-con, Bluetooth, heated mirrors, powered front windows, a multifunction steering wheel and tyre pressure monitoring. Move up to SE and you get alloys, cruise control, electric rear windows and hill hold assist. The FR has dual-zone climate control, parking sensors all-round, privacy glass, electric folding mirrors, sports seats and an upgraded stereo.
Alternatives
MOST car manufacturers offer a Leon rival so you are spoiled for choice. The easiest to recommend is the Ford Focus thanks to its wide model range, ready availability, great driving experience and low prices. The spacious and well equipped Vauxhall Astra also represents good value for money.
Closely related to the Leon are the VW Golf and Audi A3, which are easy to applaud but more costly. While they don’t share the SEAT’S distinctive looks, they have most of its other characteristics, plus posher cabins.
For reliability and value check out the Hyundai i30 and its cousin the Kia Cee’d, while the Toyota Auris, Honda Civic and Volvo V40 are also well worth a look.
Verdict
CREATING something that stood out from the crowd in this competitive market was never going to be easy. But it’s fair to say that SEAT succeeded with its sharp-looking Leon and, even four years after we first saw it, the car looks superb, especially in threedoor SC form. There is a wide choice of engines, transmissions, bodystyles and trims available, so there’s a Leon for everyone, whether your focus is on economy or performance, practicality or sportiness.
Considering low-mileage Leons are available for less than £10,000, the Volkswagen Golf is suddenly looking a bit too expensive – especially when in some ways the SEAT is the superior car.
“This third take on the SEAT Leon formula offers Volkswagen Group underpinnings with a sharp suit”
OUR VIEW
FOURTH place in our Driver Power 2015 satisfaction survey was a mightily impressive result. In 2016 the SEAT dropped to 23rd, but that’s still pretty good. The highlights were in-car tech (third), handling (17th) and performance (15th). Build quality scores (136th) were disappointing, although 85th for seat comfort wasn’t great, either.
YOUR VIEW
MICHAEL Abbott from Chesterfield owns a SEAT Leon 1.6 TDI. He told us: “Bought used, the car was excellent value and still stands out. The engine is smooth, flexible, economical (I average around 60mpg) and quiet, while the dash is easy to get on with, although the navigation could be more intuitive.”