SEAT’S Ace Design
SEAT’s latest Leon is a worthy rival to the VW Golf, especially if you prefer a softer ride, writes Mark Gallivan
Volkswagen Group’s Spanish subsidiary SEAT has thrown down the gauntlet to its German parent with the new fourthgeneration Leon. For years SEAT has tried and failed to best the VW Golf, but the new model should prompt Golf enthusiasts to sit up and take notice. Pricing for the Leon starts from €24,660 and rises to €32,840 (without options). Pitched against the Golf, the Leon offers sharper design and handling, better rear-seat legroom and a lower sticker price.
I tested the most expensive Leon at launch: the FR 2.0 TDI with 150hp and a DSG auto gearbox. Design-wise, the car’s creased side haunches hide the c-pillar’s slab-sided construction better than most rivals. The Leon’s front design is also more appealing than the Golf’s, with a more aggressive appearance. Exterior design flourishes include a new slender LED rear light bar that runs the length of the car’s bootline, joining both tail-lights.
It may be a reflection of the more leisurely Barcelona lifestyle but the Leon’s front seats are softer than the Golf, and I found them offering comfort that would rival a Volvo. They offer adequate support without inducing backache — a common complaint for drivers in many German cars — and hats off to SEAT for bucking the trend.
Under-thigh support is generous and the driving position provides ample adjustment. The Leon’s rear seat passengers are also treated to a class-best for rear legroom. Boot space is 380 litres with a 60/40 rear seat folding split, similar to the Golf. SEAT has lifted the dark cabin with an adjustable LED ambient light strip that runs continuously from midway in the left door, across the top of the dashboard and around to the right door.
The Leon serves up a firmer ride than the Golf. Buyers will need to judge if the FR model with tighter dynamics in corners suits their lifestyle better over the more softly sprung models. The downside of the SEAT’s dynamic agility is higher tyre noise at motorway speeds. The optimal Leon for
Performance:
Price: families may be the forthcoming Leon SE Plus, or the currently available Xcellence if you are considering the Sportstourer model.
Like Volkswagen, SEAT has updated the Leon cabin, ditching buttons and knobs for touchscreen icons and symbols that activate primary functions, with the exception of the air conditioning and primary volume controls. To control the temperature, front seat passengers swipe small horizontal grooves located under the central screen to the left or right. It’s a clumsy process that takes several attempts to operate and for me, it is a triumph of aesthetic style over road safety.
The infotainment system, while fast, is overly complicated, with too many menus to scroll through. On my test, the interface froze on several occasions. The driver’s binnacle gets standard digital displays from the Xcellence version upwards.
The 2.0 litre diesel unit in the Leon FR is decently economical, managing just under 40mpg. Disappointingly, the engine sounds harsh when extended, and the 1.0 litre petrol is a far sweeter unit.
Pick the Leon 1.0 TSI 110hp SE at €24,660 (non-hybrid engine) with a manual gearbox and you’ll have bagged the best allrounder in the range.