Used SEAT Leon ST for sale: everything you need to know

The SEAT Leon ST sold between 2014 and 2020 might have been replaced by a newer model, but time has barely wearied its looks - it’s probably still one of the more stylish small estate cars on the market.

It’s good to drive too, and despite its stylish lines didn’t compromise much on practicality. The Leon ST was offered in a bewildering number of trim levels and engine variants, so if you can find a car where both those aspects align, you’re onto a winner.

Under the skin the Leon ST was very similar to the contemporary Volkswagen Golf Estate and Skoda Octavia Estate, and both of these are well worth considering if you’re looking at the Leon. Others in this class include the Ford Focus Estate, Peugeot 308 SW, and Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer.

Should you buy a SEAT Leon ST?

The SEAT Leon ST could be the ideal small SUV alternative if you’d prefer something low and sleek to something tall and bulky. It’s one of the more practical family estates, with a 587-litre boot despite a relatively compact footprint, but also one of the more stylish models. There was even an X-perience version with raised suspension and all-wheel drive, if you still want some of that crossover styling appeal.

As you can see from the engine and trim level summaries further down, buyers had plenty of choice when the Leon ST was new, and that means if you’ve got your eye on a precise combination of features and engines, it may take a while to find the right car. But there are few real bad choices either, whichever model you opt for.

The Leon ST drives much like the hatchback it’s based on. Slightly more sophisticated rear suspension on more powerful versions means they can ride and handle better in some situations, but then lower-spec models also get smaller wheels which filter out bumps and potholes a little more easily. All models feel agile, and the hot Cupra models are great fun to drive.

Inside everything is straightforward and generally well-built. This Leon arrived before all minor controls were hidden in touchscreens, but late enough that most cars have an infotainment screen into which you can plug a phone for your audio, even if CarPlay and Android Auto aren’t widespread. The cabin is spacious too.

The Leon ST shared its platform with the Volkswagen Golf Estate and Skoda Octavia Estate of the same age, with the Octavia getting the biggest boot, at 610 litres. That makes the Skoda the one to pick for outright space. The Ford Focus Estate is probably the handling champ in this class, while the Peugeot 308 SW and Renault Megane Sport Tourer are a couple of stylish alternatives to the SEAT.

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What’s the best used SEAT Leon ST model to buy?

The 1.5-litre, 150PS petrol is probably the pick of the range as an all-rounder, with impressive economy, strong performance, and a smoother feel than the diesel engines. That said, the 150PS 2.0 TDI is a bit of an evergreen unit too - it’s better suited to those who cover a lot more miles so it can really work to its strengths, but it’s economical and has plenty of pulling power.

For high performance there’s only one way to go, which is the range-topping Cupra - it’s very quick indeed and with all-wheel drive, incredibly capable even in poor weather. For everyone else, we’d recommend you stay clear of the somewhat basic Reference trim, and find either a Style or Xcellence model or their earlier SE and SE Technology equivalents, for a good balance between price and specification. Each was available with a broad range of engines, too, so there’s plenty of choice on the used market.

Used SEAT Leon ST fuel economy and performance

• SEAT Leon ST 1.0 EcoTSI 115HP: The entry-level 1-litre three-cylinder turbo makes 115PS and comes with either a six-speed manual or seven-speed DSG automatic gearbox, for 0-62mph in 10.1 and 10.3 seconds respectively. Economy is up to 50.4mpg.
• SEAT Leon ST 1.5 EcoTSI Evo 130HP: With the six-speed manual only, the 1.5 makes 130PS in its basic form, with a 9.5-second 0-62mph time and up to 50.4mpg.
• SEAT Leon ST 1.5 EcoTSI Evo 150HP: 150PS versions of the 1.5 petrol had both manual and DSG gearbox options, getting from 0-62mph in 8.2 and 8.3 seconds, and up to 48.7mpg and 45.6mpg economy for the manual and auto.
• SEAT Leon ST 2.0 TSI 190HP: The 190PS 2-litre was offered in DSG form only, with a 7.3-second 0-62mph run and 39.8mpg combined consumption.
• SEAT Leon ST 2.0 TSI 300HP 4Drive: In Cupra form, the 2-litre made 300PS through a seven-speed DSG and all-wheel drive. 0-62mph came up in 4.9 seconds, and economy was 33.6mpg.
• SEAT Leon ST 1.6 TDI 115HP: The basic diesel got 115PS from a 1.6-litre four-cylinder, with a 10.6-second 0-62mph time in manual form and economy of up to 58.9mpg.
• SEAT Leon ST 2.0 TDI 150HP: 2-litre 150PS diesels got manual and DSG options, with 0-62mph in 8.7 and 10.1 seconds respectively. The manual was marginally the most frugal, at 56.5mpg to the DSG’s 55.4mpg.
• SEAT Leon ST 2.0 TDI 184HP: The 184PS version of the 2.0 TDI could get from 0-62mph in 7.9 seconds and return up to 61mpg, depending on trim level.
• SEAT Leon ST 2.0 TDI 184HP 4Drive: The same diesel engine was also offered with 4Drive all-wheel drive in the X-perience models, getting to 62mph slightly quicker at 7.6 seconds, and returning up to 52mpg.

What used SEAT Leon ST trim levels are available?

Combined with all the engine options there’s no shortage of choice when it comes to picking the perfect Leon ST. In fact, there’s probably a little too much choice, though most new buyers disregarded the lower trim levels, so on the used market you’ll mostly find FR spec or earlier trim levels like SE and SE Technology, which broadly align with Style and Xcellence among the later trims listed below.

• The SEAT Leon ST Reference got 15-inch steel wheels with trims, air conditioning, halogen headlamps, electric mirrors, fabric seat trim, and a 5-inch touchscreen infotainment display.
• The SEAT Leon ST Style stepped up to 16-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, chrome interior detailing, dual-zone air conditioning, an electric handbrake, and extra USB ports.
• The SEAT Leon ST Xcellence featured 17-inch alloy wheels, LED tail lights, chrome roof rails, electric heated and folding mirrors, an 8-inch touchscreen display, rear parking sensors, LED interior lighting, front sports seats in Alcantara, a rear-view camera, Beats audio, and auto lights and wipers.
• The SEAT Leon ST FR got 18-inch alloys, FR sports suspension settings, FR body styling, a dual exhaust pipe, dark tinted windows, fabric and leather sports seats, front and rear parking sensors, and a panoramic sunroof.
• The SEAT Leon ST Cupra got the largest wheels yet at 19 inches, plus Cupra suspension, Cupra body styling, double chromed oval exhaust pipes, rear and side spoilers, full LED headlights, Cupra driving modes, leather and Alcantara sports seats, and aluminium pedals.
• The SEAT Leon ST X-perience had 18-inch alloys, raised suspension, black roof rails, X-perience front and rear bumpers, halogen headlights, cloth and leather sports seats, and a panoramic sunroof.

Used SEAT Leon ST dimensions and boot size

The SEAT Leon ST’s dimensions are:

• Length: 4549mm (4548mm Cupra, 4551mm X-perience)
• Width: 1816mm (without mirrors), 1975mm (with mirrors)
• Height: 1454mm (including roof rails, 1431mm Cupra, 1481mm X-perience)

The SEAT Leon ST’s boot size is:

• 587 litres
• 1470 litres with the rear seats folded (to roof)

Used SEAT Leon ST road tax

All versions of the Leon ST attract the same flat rate of VED or ‘road tax’, since there are no hybrid models with discounted rates, nor did any model break through the £40,000 mark which attracts a hefty surcharge. That means an annual bill of £180, regardless of variant.

How much is it to insure a SEAT Leon ST?

Some earlier Leon ST models fitted with a 1.2-litre TSI engine started at group 12 insurance, but later 1-litre models bumped that to group 15 despite the smaller engine capacity. 184PS TDI models get up to group 26, while the X-perience runs from groups 19-24, and the Cupra from group 33-35, depending on the age of the car.

Read our full SEAT Leon ST review