By Ian Strachan.
SEAT’s Leon Estate has long been a family car which is roomy and practical but still looks elegant and sporty. In the latest version it adds sharp good looks and added technology to an already attractive mix.
With the addition of the upmarket CUPRA brand to the Spanish manufacturer’s offerings, it would easy to overlook cars which still have the SEAT badge. And that would be a shame. These vehicles are well-built, high spec family cars at a sensible price.
The SEAT Leon in estate form, as well as looking good, has a very smooth ride, good handling, a fairly frugal, well-powered engine and a comfortable and roomy interior, which all add up to everything you could want in a car of this size.
Clever use of space in this SEAT gives a good-sized load area which can gobble up620 litres of luggage. The 60/40 split rear seat adds yet more versatility.
I drove the Leon Estate FR 1.5 litre petrol-powered version, with a smooth and responsive 150 bhp engine which can return a respectable 47.9 miles to the gallon in mixed driving. My test car came with an ultra-smooth seven-speed DSG automatic gearbox
The power plant is easy-revving and is never under strain. It gives good acceleration through the range, and a sedate ride on long journeys. If you need performance it’s there, with a top speed of 135 mph where allowed and a 0-60 time of around 8.5 seconds.
Ride and handling is both refined and composed, with sure-footed cornering, even at speed.
Inside, the Leon Estate is impressively roomy, particularly in the back. Instruments are well laid out and clear. The high quality suede seats are comfortable and supportive.
Standard equipment on the well equipped FR spec which I tested includes a 12.9-inch colour touchscreen for navigation, media controls, seven speaker DAB radio/Bluetooth audio streaming system with steering wheel-mounted controls or hands-free. You also get cruise control, front and rear parking sensors with park assist and rear view camera, electrically operated and heated door mirrors with puddle lights, three-zone climate control, all-round airbags, electric windows and daytime running lights. You also get a wireless phone charger, ambient lighting, powered driver’s seat with memory, heated front seats and steering wheel, sports suspension and an impressive list of safety features including forward collision warning, braking reaction to pedestrians cyclists and vehicles, speed limiter with intelligent speed assist, lane assist and driver attention warning.
On the road price of this SEAT Leon Estate FR 1.5 TSI 150PS is a competitive £36,575. Metallic paint is a no-cost option.
This is an excellent, smooth running and sophisticated estate from SEAT that feels more expensive than it is.
