SEAT Leon Review 2024

If you want a stylish hatchback that's a bit of a left-field choice, the SEAT Leon could be a really solid purchase. It's stylish, fairly spacious, cheap to run and great to drive. It's also relatively affordable.

There are lots of very good family hatchbacks on the market that are worthy of your attention. For a start, the Volkswagen Golf and Skoda Octavia share engines and other mechanical bits with the SEAT Leon, so should definitely be on your shortlist. Then there's the uber-popular Ford Focus which, like the Leon, is brilliant to drive.

We'd also chuck the slightly left-field Mazda 3 into the mix for its superb interior. Then there's the excellent Toyota Corolla, which is sold as a conventional hybrid model. You could also look at premium alternatives like the BMW 1 Series, Mercedes A-Class and Audi A3 – or crossover SUVs like the SEAT Ateca, Peugeot 3008 and Kia Sportage.

The SEAT Leon isn't as plush as an Audi A3 in terms of interior quality, but it's certainly closer to the Volkswagen Golf than it's ever been before. Even the most affordable models feel well-finished, with plenty of soft-touch fabrics and classy finishing touches.

You'll find a few hard plastics here and there, they're mainly positioned low down in areas that are out of view. One exception is the handle for the glove box which feels a bit flimsy to us. Probably not something that should be enough of an issue to influence your buying decision, though.

We're yet to try the 8.25-inch media system in the basic SEAT Leon SE, but most models come with the larger 10-inch display. This looks the part, perched high up on the dash with clear graphics and fast responses. It does everything you'd expect from such a system, including mapping with online updates, DAB radio and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto (the former without wires). It isn't the most intuitive infotainment system to use with the overly sensitive touchscreen and small menu buttons make it difficult to use when on the move.  

While everything's controlled via the touchscreen display, (we prefer the Mazda 3's rotary controller infotainment), you can bypass the screen by using SEAT's in-car voice control system. This is a bit like Siri or Alexa, only you shout 'Hola, Hola' followed by a command. Make sure you've got your windows closed first – you'll look a bit silly shouting at your sat nav otherwise.

All models but the Leon SE also come with a Digital Cockpit instrument cluster behind the steering wheel. This does a brilliant job of lifting the cabin, making it look ultra-modern and a little bit premium. While it's not as customisable as a similar system used in the Audi A3, there are a variety of displays to choose from and it looks crystal clear with sharp graphics.

The SEAT Leon's boot space is on a par with its rivals, but nothing more: it can lug up to 380 litres of shopping, dropping to just 270 litres in the plug-in hybrid model. 

That's comparable with the Golf and Focus, although you'd be much better looking at the Octavia (or the estate version of the Leon) if you're looking for a big boot. Access is easy enough as you don't have to lift items as high as you would in SUV alternatives, although SEAT doesn't offer an adjustable boot floor. That means there's quite a lip for hoisting things over.

There's a decent amount of space for passengers. Those in the front will find loads of headroom, while the seats can be moved back far enough to provide enough legroom for the tallest of passengers and drivers. The cabin is significantly more spacious than the old Leon, especially for rear passengers, who will also find head and legroom aplenty. 

Three adults can be squeezed into the back, although the middle passenger will draw the short straw slightly – mainly because of a lump in the floor leaving limited space for their feet. Access is easy, thanks to doors that open usefully wide, and there are Isofix points on the outer rear seats.

If you're hoping to fit the SEAT Leon in your garage, you'll be pleased to know that its exterior dimensions are smaller than the Skoda Octavia's. It measures 4368mm in length, 1991mm wide (including door mirrors) and 1456mm in height.

You'll notice that the majority of SEAT Leons used to be powered by a 1.5-litre TSI petrol engine. This is a popular Volkswagen Group engine and it works well in the Leon, providing plenty of performance for out-of-town driving (even the lower-powered 130PS version). 

The 150PS model doesn't feel as quick as its power output suggests but is available with a six-speed manual or seven-speed DSG automatic gearbox – go for the latter and it'll come with mild-hybrid technology to improve fuel economy. It's not a full hybrid so don't expect to travel under electric power alone, but it ought to be fairly efficient. With the current Leon line-up, the 1.5 is only offered in 150PS form.

However, the most common engine in the Leon hatch range now is the little three-cylinder 1.0-litre unit, also offered with a choice of manual or DSG automatic gearbox. Don't be put off by its size, this is actually quite a punchy little unit, more than capable of keeping up with fast flowing traffic. Sure, the 1.5 is a better option for motorway driving, but the 110PS 1.0-litre will accelerate to 62mph in 10.9 seconds (or 10.6 seconds with the seven-speed auto gearbox).

A plug-in hybrid model, badged the e-HYBRID, combines a 1.4-litre petrol engine with an electric motor to produce a surprising 204PS. It's not as quick as you might expect (it's also quite heavy) but, if you can charge a car at home and cover a lot of local journeys, it could be a good option for you.

There was a diesel option with a 2.0 TDI producing 115PS, but SEAT dropped this from the new line-up in 2021. While diesels are out of favour with car buyers these days, it could still make a lot of sense if you cover a lot of motorway journeys. This is offered exclusively with a six-speed manual gearbox.

You'll find little to complain about in terms of refinement. The SEAT Leon does a good impression of a much bigger, more premium car in terms of noise and vibration levels. Even the little 1.0-litre petrol feels surprisingly grown-up – indeed, it's much more relaxing than similar three-cylinder petrol engines used in alternatives.

The e-Hybrid can run around town in silence (provided it's fully charged) but will make a bit of a din if you try to hurry it along out on the open road. That's par for the course with plug-in hybrids, though.

Opt for one of the FR models and the sports suspension, as well as upsetting ride quality, does also create a little more noise – especially when paired with big wheels and low-profile tyres.

Euro NCAP crash tested the SEAT Leon in 2020 and awarded it a maximum five-star safety rating, which means it's a very safe car for transporting your family in.

There is a wide range of safety systems designed to prevent you from being involved in a crash in the first place. Pleasingly, most of these are standard across the range. Highlights include the Front Assist system, which can apply the brakes if it detects a potential collision with another car, pedestrian or cyclist. The Lane Keeping feature will nudge the steering if you stray out of your lane on the motorway, while all models feature cruise control with a speed limiter (so you can set the maximum speed you wish to travel).

There are a range of Safety and Driving Packs available too, adding things like Automatic High Beam Assist, Predictive Cruise control and Dynamic Road Sign Display. However, these three packs are only available for the FR models, not the SE versions.

The SEAT Leon shares its mechanical bits with a wide range of Volkswagen Group models, so it ought to be pretty reliable. Curiously, SEAT tends to be outperformed by sister brand Skoda in the annual HonestJohn.co.uk Satisfaction Index. We don't expect the new SEAT Leon to be a particularly troublesome car, though.

If you're a new driver or have a licence that your mother wouldn't be proud of, go for the 1.0-litre model. This falls into insurance group 11. Otherwise, no SEAT Leon will cost a fortune to insure. The e-Hybrid model is the priciest, sitting in insurance group 23E.

The annual VED car tax bill on most SEAT Leons will be a flat rate of £190 per year once you're over the first year rate, which varies depending on how high the emissions are. 

With the 1.0-litre engine, you pay first-year road tax of £220, though this is discounted by £10 for the DSG auto version thanks to its mild hybrid assistance. The 1.5 petrol motor comes in at a heftier £260 per annum, while the plug-in hybrid Leon will see you pay nothing in road tax in the first year.

SEAT doesn't really go big on options, so all trim levels are well-equipped as standard. The SEAT Leon SE is the most basic model, with equipment including 16-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, rear parking sensors, and metallic paint. Inside, there's an 8.25-inch infotainment system (including Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, DAB radio and Bluetooth connectivity), as well as chrome interior detailing and electric windows in the front and rear. Cruise control is standard, as well as safety features such as SEAT's Front Assist system, Lane Keeping and Isofix points for chilld seats.

We'd recommend looking for a SEAT Leon SE Dynamic as this brings with it quite a lot of desirable kit including 17-inch alloy wheels, a 10-inch navigation system, and Digital Cockpit. Front and rear parking sensors are standard, too, along with three-zone climate control.

The stylish SEAT Leon FR features LED headlights with dynamic turn signals, rain-sensing wipers and bespoke front bumpers. A wireless phone charger is a useful accessory inside, while ambient lighting gives off a premium vibe. You'll also find selectable drive modes and sports suspension, along with 17-inch alloys.

The Leon FR Sport builds on this spec with 18-inch alloy wheels, interior wraparound lighting, heated front seats (as well as a heated steering wheel), microsuede upholstery, and electric driver's seat adjustment.

The SEAT Leon Xcellence will appeal to used buyers looking for a bit of luxury. Standard equipment included 17-inch alloy wheels, a rear-view camera and keyless start/entry. The Xcellence Lux came with 18-inch alloy wheels, leather seats and the Safety and Driving Pack (with features including high-beam assist and predictive cruise control).