Testers’ notes
IT’S not often that three of the most important new family cars on the market come along at once. Last week we tested the new Skoda Octavia. This week it’s the turn of the latest SEAT Leon and the fresh Volkswagen Golf.
Both are significantly more ‘digital’ in their approach, but are still based on known tech from the VW Group. That means we’re expecting some evolutionary updates to keep these two big contenders in the family hatchback sector feeling fresh relative to the competition we’ve lined up for this new duo. The SEAT and VW are both conventional five-door family hatchbacks, which is why they’ll be going up against one of the class’ current yardsticks: the Ford Focus.
While it’s a little older, it’s also had one or two subtle upgrades throughout its life, and we know the Ford blends ride comfort with fun handling, refinement with punchy performance, and practicality with a newfound sense of tech thanks to infotainment upgrades not so long ago. The Focus will definitely be a tough rival to overcome if either of these machines from sibling brands SEAT and VW is to make it to the top in this test.
“SEAT and Volkswagen have both taken a much more digital approach with the new Leon and Golf respectively. However, we’ll see in this test if that digital focus has hurt usability, and whether the Ford’s blend of technology and ergonomics give it a leg up in this closely run contest.”
Chief reviewer
Price: £22,210
Engine: 1.0-litre 3cyl turbo, 123bhp 0-62mph: 10.0 seconds
Test economy: 43.1mpg/9.5mpl
CO2: 125g/km Annual road tax: £150
PRICE: £23,515
ENGINE: 1.5-litre 4cyl, 128bhp
SEAT Leon 1.5 TSI 130 FR