The SEAT Leon is based on the same hardware as the Volkswagen Golf and Skoda Octavia, which means that it’s one of the best family hatchbacks you can buy right now. It’s cheaper than both, so does that make it a better long-term bet? We’re going to find out over the necxt six months.

Reports by Elliott Humbles.

Update 1: Welcome

Introducing the SEAT Leon SE Dynamic 1.0 TSI

I am now the proud owner of a Seat Leon hatchback. It’s an SE Dynamic 1.0-litre TSI with a six-speed manual gearbox in what SEAT calls Mystery Blue. But the colour is not the only mystery to me… I’ve never had the pleasure of owning a SEAT before.

So, what do we get on the Leon in SE Dynamic trim? For staters you get 17-inch Dynamic tri-spoke alloy wheels, instead of the 16-inch ones you get on the SE spec. There’s also a Digital cockpit and upgraded 10-inch infotainment set-up called the Media System Plus with Connected Navigation. And, last in the SE Dynamic upgrades, you get Park Assist (including front and rear sensors) and the extremely important… dark tinted rear windows.

Then there’s the standard tech. Worth a mention is the cruise control with speed limiter, stop-start and regenerative braking. It’s a well-equipped car, and well worth mentioning that it also comes with lane-keep assist, tiredness recognition system and autonomous emergency braking system.

Lots of tech, great value package

All of which I mention because it seems that the Leon’s main objective is to keep you safe and sound on the road. Other than that, it’s – well, it’s fairly basic-looking place in which to sit.

However, minimalist is probably to be expected as this Leon comes in at a cash price of £21,505 before discounts. For perspective, my previous long-termer, the Ford Kuga PHEV, was somewhere upwards of £40,000 and it had everything, so much so I rarely felt like I was the driver. But we can’t compare this Leon to a Kuga.

The Leon does have a whole number of rivals though. Ranging from its Volkswagen group sister cars such as the Volkswagen Golf and Skoda Octavia, both of which we’ve spent extended time in. SEAT’s competitive pricing certainly catches the eye, but can it compete in every other category.

Is it comfortable? Is it practical? How does it drive? And, importantly, Is the SEAT Leon a cut price Golf? We’ll find out in the next few months.