Significant others are:
• VW Golf
• Ford Focus
• Vauxhall Astra
• Honda Civic
• Peugeot 308
• Renault Megane
• Toyota Auris
• Alfa 147
• Mazda 3
Models and Engines comprise of:
• Reference, Emocion, Stylance, Sport, FR, Cupra , Cupra K1 & Ecomotive
• 1.4 TSI, 1.6, & 2.0 TSI Petrol engines
• 1.9 TDI 105ps & 2.0 TDI 140/170ps Diesel Enegines
Vehicle Appraisal
Styling
Seat’s unique sense of style began with the Salsa design concept. Their cars certainly stand out in a crowded car park and the Leon is no exception. Designed to look like a coupe with features that include a long sloping windscreen into the bonnet, rear door handles stealthily hidden in the door frames and undetectable shut lines. There is a sense of movement in its design. From a practical perspective, it’s bigger than its predecessor.
Interior
A good driving position and easy adjustment allows the driver to gel instantly with the car. There is plenty of leg and headroom for rear passengers, and the boot is a fair size. Those with young families should note that the tailgate and aperture is narrow so it may be a challenge to fit in a pram. Even the most basic models enjoy air conditioning and traction control as standard. While trim is bland and not quite at the standard of a VW Golf, it’s good for the price.
Handling/ Performance
The drive and performance mirrors the Golf, although the high door lines are a reminder it’s a Leon. Steering is more precise and responsive on the sportier models, but the ride is a little harsh in low speed town driving situations. The Cupra variants offer tyre-blistering pace and take performance to another level.
Summary
The Leon’s styling is not to everyone’s taste. However Seat has produced a very attractive proposition that stands out from the Fords and Vauxhalls in car parks. Especially the FR or Cupra (K1)
