Overview

The SEAT Leon offers sharp exterior lines and a busload of hybrid tech borrowed from the latest VW Golf at prices that comfortably undercut the popular German hatchback. This has always been the Leon’s ace card, perhaps explaining why it remains SEAT’s most successful family car in the UK to date.

The Leon is likely to end up on the same shopping lists as buyers considering the Ford Focus, Mazda 3, Toyota Corolla, Peugeot 308 and Honda Civic, as well as the countless small SUVs that buyers are increasingly turning to. That’s a tough crowd to make a significant impact in, but the good news is that SEAT has created a wide range of models to tempt you.

There are a fair few engine options, but no electric version – that’s covered by the Cupra Born. The petrol engines consist of a 110hp 1.0-litre, and a 1.5-litre in 130hp and 150hp outputs. There’s only one diesel, a 2.0-litre producing 115hp.

There’s also a mild-hybrid petrol engine badged eTSI and a plug-in hybrid version is also available. Badged e-Hybrid, it has a 13kWh lithium-ion battery that can be charged at home via a cable to offer a claimed 40 miles of electric-only running.

We have written separate reviews for the two other variations. The SEAT Leon Estate, as you’d imagine, is an estate version, while the Cupra Leon is the hot-hatch model.

The exterior design, complete with full-width LED rear lights, makes the Leon one of the more desirable hatchback propositions on the market. It’s certainly more adventurous than its VW group sister cars. And most versions come with a host of driver-assistance aids as well as a modern digital dashboard and connected technology to sync with your phone and apps.

Click through the next few pages to read everything you need to know about the SEAT Leon, including its practicality, how much it costs to run, what it’s like to drive – and whether we recommend buying one.