• Leon safety levels already high
• Five stars from Euro NCAP for regular Leon
• Extra safety features can be added

It’s unlikely that the SEAT Leon X-Perience will have its safety levels verified with a specific Euro NCAP crash test, however the Leon hatchback was through its paces and awarded it a full five stars back in 2012. As such, the regular Leon ST and X-Perience are expected to be just as safe.

Regardless of how many percent it scores for adult, child and pedestrian safety, the Leon is loaded with safety kit as standard; nine airbags, including one for the driver’s knees are fitted as standard and Isofix mounting points are found on the outer rear seats. 

In terms of active safety, adaptive cruise control with brake function is available as an option, as is lane departure warning and a city brake function to recognise slow-moving or stationary objects that may be involved in a collision without driver intervention. Tiredness recognition alerts the driver if they are fatigued enough to require a short break from driving to rest.

Should the worst happen and an accident is unavoidable the standard multi-collision brake system applies the anchors after an initial impact so as to lessen the chances of a secondary incident with passing vehicles or scenery.

There are plenty of driver assistance systems bundled into option packs available to add at extra cost, which will keep you and your occupants as safe as possible.

• Leon X-Perience boasts excellent practicality
• Plenty of passenger room and spacious boot
• Also plenty of extra storage throughout

As it’s based on the ST estate, Leon X-Perience practicality is impressive, and SEAT claims this car is aimed at lifestyle junkies just as likely to be running a triathlon as taking on the school run. Of course you’re more likely to see an X-Perience full of Tesco carriers or Ikea flatpacks rather than snowboards or muddy mountain bikes.

Regardless of items to transport, the headline figures still impress with 587 litres of bootspace with the seats in place, and a generous 1,470 litres with the rear seats folded flat. They actually do fold flat too, so longer or larger items sit securely. 

And achieving this cavernous and capacious state is simplicity itself, with the merest pull of a boot-mounted lever dropping the backrest for you – so there’s no need to clamber over the cabin (potentially with muddy boots, should the marketeers be believed) to transform it into full-on load-lugger. 

And of course for those chasing an active lifestyle the Leon X-Perience is perfectly practical, the all-wheel drive system allowing them to traverse the odd field on the way to the mountain bike tracks or ford a river to get to the sailing club. It goes without saying that you add to this practicality with a range of SEAT accessories including a tow-bar, bike rack or roof bars with a variety of adaptors specifically aimed at securing specialist sports equipment.