SEAT Leon Hatchback (05 on) - Review

Review by Ben Wall on
Last Updated: 07 December 2009
SEAT has a reputation for producing sporty cars based on reliable Volkswagen components and the Leon shows the company at its best. It may be based on the Golf but you'd never know from the looks - it's distinctive and athletic with some neat touches like the concealed rear door handles which make it appear like a coupe. The sporty styling is reflected in the handling - the Leon is sharp, precise and great fun to drive - even with the more modest powerplants. It's good value too, however some of the interior plastics feel a little cheap and the older diesel engines, especially the 1.9 TDI, are on the noisy side. In 2009 the Leon was revised with subtle exterior changes, a more sophisticated interior and new engines. There are also Ecomotive models, some of which qualify for free road tax.
4 out of 5

Other SEAT reviews

4.5 out of 5

Running costs

The Leon is keenly priced, particularly considering it uses a Volkswagen platform. It will hold its value better than other mainstream family cars and SEAT dealers are always keen to part-exchange good examples. The Ecomotive model, available from summer 2008 is cheap to tax and economical too while any 1.9 TDI model is ideal if you're looking to save costs.

* based on most recent data

Estimated fuel cost for 10,000 miles per year

Unleaded

£1,180 - £1,860 *

Diesel

£866 - £1,335 *

The estimated fuel cost figure is a guide to how much this model will cost to fuel each year, so you can compare between cars. It's calculated by using the model's average mpg (calculated from both town centre and motorway driving) and the average fuel price. It's based on the following cost-per-litre: petrol 135p and diesel 141p. Prices are updated daily.

Summary Running Costs

Servicing period

Minor service at 10,000 miles. Major service at 20,000 miles.

Warranty

Three years/60,000 miles.

Road tax (12 months)

£0.00 - £250.00

Vehicle excise duty (VED) varies according to the CO2 emissions and the fuel type of the vehicle. For cars registered after March 1st 2001 VED or road tax is based on the car's CO2 emissions. For cars registered before March 1st 2001 it is based on engine size.

Full running costs data

4.5 out of 5

Green credentials

  • A
    99
  • B
  • C
  • D
  • E
  • F
  • G
  • H
  • I
  • J
    200
  • K
  • L
  • M

CO2 emission figure (g/km)

Fuel economy rating

The arrows indicate the best and worst CO2 bands for this model.

Emissions summary

The SEAT Leon range offers competitive fuel economy and carbon dioxide emissions. In June 2008 the Ecomotive model was introduced powered by the 1.9 TDI which emits 119g/km of CO2 so is free to tax, but in late 2009 this was improved with a 1.6 TDI engine and emissions dropped to 99g/km of CO2, meaning road tax is free.

Find the exact engine and CO2