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Richard Dredge
SEAT was founded more than 70 years ago in Spain as a state-owned car maker that produced a range of models based on Fiats. It always focused on providing good-value motoring for families, and that philosophy didn’t change when the firm was taken over by the Volkswagen Group in 1986. For a long time now, all SEATs have used VW Group technology, and its perennially popular Leon is a case in point. First seen way back in 1999, the original Leon looked distinctive in what was generally a rather bland segment. It also offered some great engines, typically good VW Group build quality and excellent value – something that’s still true now. As a result, the latest edition is more accomplished than ever, if perhaps not quite so distinctive.
CO2/tax
Running costs
Performance
123-132g/km
44-52mpg (1.5 TSI 130)
0-62mph/top speed
£165
£86 fill-up
8.7 seconds/135mph
NEED TO KNOW THE e-Hybrid’s 1.4 TSI petrol engine and electric motor give it a total output of 201bhp. The official electric range is 40 miles; expect 50-70mpg in realworld use depending on driving style and journey length.
History
THE SEAT Leon Mk4 arrived in May 2020, in five-door hatchback and estate forms. Hatchback buyers could choose between 109bhp 1.0 TSI and 128bhp or 148bhp 1.5 TSI petrol engines; a mild-hybrid version of the latter was offered, known as the eTSI. Diesel fans could buy a 114bhp 2.0 TDI, while only the 1.5 TSI and eTSI engines were offered in the Leon estate. In October 2020, SEAT introduced the e-Hybrid, the first ever Leon plug-in hybrid, as well as a 1.0 eTSI engine. There were more new engines in April 2021, when a 187bhp 2.0 TSI engine was added to the hatchback line-up, and a 114bhp 2.0 TDI engine became available in the estate. Both engines came only with DSG automatic transmissions; the 2.0 TSI engine was offered in the estate from July 2021.
BUYER’SGUIDE: SEAT L CHECK ON...
Warm hatch The Leon FR is the sporty model. It comes with drive profile selection that allows the throttle response to be adjusted.
68 20 July 2022
Extras SEAT offered few options on the Leon: ambient lighting, added driver-assistance features, a panoramic roof and tow bar – that was it.
Spare wheel All Leons came with a tyre repair kit, but a space saver spare wheel was available at extra cost on all models except the e-Hybrid.
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