The SEAT Leon comes with five doors as standard, along with a choice of trims and engines. It’s a better all-rounder than most of its family car rivals, but is it the right choice for you?
Equipment, options and extras
The Leon’s entry-level SE trim is surprisingly well equipped, with aircon, keyless start, cruise control, metallic paint and 16in alloy wheels. That being said, we reckon the SE Dynamic is worth the premium, with its various infotainment upgrades, as well as its bigger 17in wheels, tinted rear windows and three-zone climate control.
However, our pick of the bunch is the FR trim, with rain-sensing wipers, auto-dimming rearview mirror, and dynamic indicators which illuminate LEDs in sequence. Then there’s also the FR Sport to consider, with 18in wheels, plusher upholstery, sports suspension, an electric driver’s seat, and heated seats and steering wheel. There’s the Xcellence, with 17in alloy wheels, keyless entry, suede-lined seats, heated front seats, heated leather steering wheels, and a powered driver’s seat with memory function. And finally, the Xcellence Lux brings bigger 18in wheels, leather seats, adaptive cruise control and wraparound interior lighting.
Costs, insurance groups, mpg and CO2
The 1.5 TSI 130 in sporty FR trim is probably the best buy, with its economical engine and healthier price tag compared to the more powerful 1.5 TSI 150. We don’t recommend the mild-hybrid eTSIs unless you’re especially keen on an automatic gearbox, as they’re pricey compared to the manual versions, and don’t boast a particularly impressive fuel economy.
Safety and security
Euro NCAP rated the Leon a full five stars for safety, offering marginally better adult crash protection than its rival the Audi A3, although the A3 in turn offered slightly better protection for children sitting in the back.
All versions of the Leon come with emergency automatic braking, tyre pressure monitoring, lane-keeping assistance and a driver fatigue monitor. The FR trim brings the Driving and Safety Pack M, which include a raft of additional safety aids, like adaptive cruise control and traffic sign recognition. It’s well priced and definitely warrants consideration. There’s also the Driving and Safety Pack L, which brings blind spot monitoring. Finally, all versions of the leon come with an alarm and immobiliser as standard.
Reliability
All versions of the Leon come with a 2-year unlimited-mileage warranty, as well as third year of cover as long as your mileage doesn’t exceed 60,000 miles. That’s pretty standard, and not as impressive as the 7-year warranty of the Leon’s rival the KIA Ceed. Of course, you can always pay extra to extend your warranty if you plan on keeping your Leon longer.
The Car Planet verdict
The SEAT Leon is a brilliant all-rounder: well equipped, roomy in the back, and a great drive. It’s also relatively cheap thanks to the frugality of its petrol engines, especially the 1.5 TSI 130.
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