COVER Used buyer’s guide: SEAT Leon

Partwatch

Dealer price Independentprice

Part

Frontbrake pads(axle set) £94.69 £24.47-£170.49

Frontbrake discs(pair) £148.70 £53.34-£185.88 Door mirror glass(electric) £38.01 £16.82 Frontwiper set £49.16 £16.48-£41.79

Prices for a 2020 Leon 1.5 TSI. Dealer figures supplied bySEAT UK (seat.co.uk). Independent prices Euro Car Parts(eurocarparts.com)

Recalls

SEAT has recalled the Leon Mk3 on three occasions so far. The first time was in August 2021, because 346 Leons and Cupra Formentors had left the factory with the front seatbelts not properly secured. All of the cars affected were built between September 2020 and August 2021. The next recall came in November 2021, because five Leons built in September and October 2020 were fitted with poorly secured transmission components. The solution was to replace the parts.

The Leon was most recently recalled in March 2022. This campaign affected 2,309 Leons, Atecas, Tarracos and Formentors made between October 2020 and February 2022, which could suffer from the engine covers detaching. The solution wasn’t to replace the covers; it was to remove them altogether.

Which one?

THERE aren’t any poor choices when it comes to a Leon’s engine or transmission. All work well, and it’s the same with the trim levels, with even the entry-level Leon SE having 16-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and tail-lights, metallic paint, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, and an 8.25inch touchscreen. Also included are DAB, rear parking sensors and cruise control.

Picking SE Dynamic brings 17-inch alloys, privacy glass, digital instruments, front parking sensors and a 10-inch display. The Leon FR adds automatic headlights and wipers, three-zone climate control, plus sports suspension. The FR Sport has 18-inch wheels, heating for the front seats and steering wheel, plus electric adjustment for the driver’s seat, while Xcellence adds a rear parking camera, and Xcellence Lux has leather trim and adaptive cruise control.

Alternatives

YOU’RE spoiled for choice in this segment. The Leon is closely related to the VW Golf, Skoda Scala and Octavia, as well as the Audi A3, all of which are easy to recommend thanks to their versatile interiors, reassuring build quality and efficient engines. You’ll pay a lot more for the Audi, but if you’re in a position to do this, you should also consider the Mercedes A-Class and BMW 1 Series.

However, the Ford Focus is more affordable, readily available and very accomplished, while the Vauxhall Astra looks smart and has some impressive tech. The Kia Ceed and its cousin, the Hyundai i30, are reliable, decent value and good to drive, while the Mazda 3 is also entertaining dynamically and has a stylish interior.

TECHNOLOGY Every Leon comes with a touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, and DAB as standard

Verdict

A WIDE model range means there’s a Leon for you whether your priority is economy or performance. Although, since the arrival of the Cupra brand, the truly sporty Leon derivatives no longer wear SEAT badges.

As a result there’s less to excite with the SEAT range, but if you want an affordable family hatchback or estate, the Leon should be on your shortlist. However, when we tested the Leon 1.0 TSI FR against its Golf and Focus rivals last year, the SEAT came third behind the Ford and VW in that order. All three were appealing, but the SEAT’s firm suspension and disappointing refinement edged it out of first place. Another trim level might have produced a different result though. So while we recommend the Leon, check out a few rivals before committing.

Contacts

Official seat.co.uk Forums seat-forum.co.uk leonoc.com