• Logical cabin layout with easy-to-use buttons and switches
• Feels a little dated compared to some rivals
• Lack of buttons around infotainment screen is frustrating 

Slip into the driver’s seat and it couldn’t be easier to navigate your way through the various controls and settings. If you have driven new Skoda and Volkswagen cars recently then the dashboard and centre console will be fairly familiar to you.

From 2017 onwards the Leon ST has been equipped with a new-generation multimedia system measuring 5- or 8-inches. This does away with the physical selector knob so you have to navigate its various menus using the touchscreen itself, somewhat irritatingly.

The sat-nav in our long term Leon began to annoy us – find out why here.

As well as comfy seats, owners of the new SEAT Leon will also enjoy a variety of practical storage options which will make access to your things on the move much easier.

The materials around the cabin are of good quality with only a couple of cheap plastics lingering. Behind the wheel is perhaps not the most exciting place to be, but it is comfortable, practical and easy to operate, which for most of us, will be more than enough.

• Seats are comfy and supportive
• Excellent driving position
• Plenty of room in the rear

SEAT Leon ST comfort levels are very good. The ride quality is excellent on the whole, yet the optional Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) is worth the extra outlay if you opt for a car fitted with the larger alloy wheels. There is also a lack of engine noise intruding into the cabin and wind noise is kept to a minimum.

Interior space is also very good, with plenty of room for passengers to stretch out – especially useful on longer journeys. There is a variety of storage options in the back including a centre armrest with cup holders and storage cubbies.

The car’s Bluetooth system is easy to connect up and the USB port is conveniently placed in front of the gear shifter, alongside a wireless charging pad in some models.

Furthermore, the rear doors are relatively short which is useful when getting out of tight spaces in busy car parks.

Cupra brings extra standard kit

Pleasingly, the Cupra version of the Leon ST comes with the aforementioned Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) as standard – something which not even its pricier Golf R Estate sibling can match.

The upshot of this is that despite the Cupra’s 19-inch alloy wheels, the ride quality in Comfort mode is surprisingly good for such a performance-orientated model.