SEAT's now-improved second generation Leon Estate might be the best car you've never heard of. Jonathan Crouch reports.

Ten Second Review

With 620-litres of luggage space and riding on the same MQB chassis as the Volkswagen Golf MK8, the improved version of this second generation SEAT Leon Estate offers sharp handling, excellent build quality and solid practicality. Plus the imptroved version of this car delivers improved media connectivity and some fresh new engine options. As before, the prices being asked represent a substantial saving over those of a comparable, identically-engined Golf Estate. It's hard to grumble at that sort of deal.

Background

So to the SEAT Leon Estate, launched in fourth generation form back in 2020 as a compact station wagon that actually wasn't that compact. And a sensible estate that claimed to be sporty. It's always been a car of contradictions then, but one that promises to be quite appealing family transport, especially in the improved form we look at here with its updated engines, smarter cabin and improved media connectivity. Practical and sporty, it aims to offer a more dynamic option to family estate buyers, with a 'lifestyle' appeal that might even pique the interest of folk looking at Qashqai-class crossovers. That's what SEAT says anyway. Time to look at this car in a little more detail.

Driving Experience

You might not be surprised to learn that this Leon Estate offers a very similar driving experience to that of its hatchback stablemate - which wasn't guaranteed given the fact that this variant must carry along so much extra length behind its rear axle. With this fourth generation Leon, most mainstream versions continue to persist with an old-school torsion beam rear suspension set-up. Which isn't to suggest that nothing has changed here with this revised model. Quite the contrary. Take the engine range, which is now four cylinder-only. That's a reference to the fact that the previous entry-level three cylinder 1.0-litre TSI petrol unit has been replaced with a four cylinder 1.5-litre TSI powerplant developing 115PS (5PS more than the old unit) and 220Nm of torque (20Nm more). It's linked to 6-speed manual transmission. As before, there are two mild hybrid eTSI petrol units available, also based around the 1.5-litre four cylinder powerplant, exclusively available with 7-speed DSG auto transmission and developing either 115PS or 150PS. SEAT has also taken the opportunity of this update to introduce a new generation eHybrid Plug-in Hybrid unit. This is now based around the 1.5-litre petrol unit (replacing the old petrol 1.4) and develops 204PS in combination with a 115PS electric motor and a now-bigger 19.7kWh battery pack which can now take the car up to 62 miles between charges. As before, you'll also be offered the option of diesel power - there are two versions of the efficient VW Group 2.0 TDI 'twin dosing' unit, offering either 116 or 150PS. Closely related to this ordinary Leon Estate is the CUPRA Leon fast estate variant, which can be had with either an uprated 245PS version of that 1.5-litre Plug-in Hybrid powertrain we just mentioned. Or with a conventional 2.0-litre TSI petrol unit, developing either 310PS in 4WD Estate guise.

Design and Build

There are no significant visual changes with this updated model. Thanks to this Leon Estate, nobody, SEAT says, now needs to have to compromise in their choice between a sporty car and a practical one. That may be over-stating things a bit but it's true that this is still one of the more dynamic shapes in the family estate segment. To create it, the Spanish designers have had to compromise a little on ultimate carriage capacity: without the smartly angled rear screen for example, you could certainly fit a bit more in, but then the car would look a little more boxy and boring. We're guessing that most potential family buyers would rather sacrifice a few cubic inches for a more assured driveway statement. Full-LED headlights feature at the front and there's a more distinctive full-width 'coast-to-coast'-style lamp arrangement at the rear. The mid-term updates are more evident inside, where this improved Leon Estate gains a smarter 10.4-inch central touch screen, with an even bigger 12.9-inch monitor available as an option. The fiddly temperature control slider is now illuminated and an upgraded 15W smartphone charging pad is available, with refrigeration to cool your 'phone whilst charging. Otherwise, things are as before. The interior design centres around the use of SEAT's 'Digital Cockpit' layout, which brings together a high-resolution 10.25-inch configurable driver instrument cluster and the aforementioned central screen. That middle monitor's 'diagonal' graphic design positioning apparently gets its inspiration from the Diagonal avenue of Barcelona. Interior light is an important feature here. It includes a wraparound dashboard light that covers the fascia's entire width and continues through the doors. In the rear, there's decent leg space (a slight failing of earlier generation Leons); a 50mm increase in wheelbase length for this MK4 design usefully improved that. Boot space rises significantly over the hatch - from 380-litres up to 620-litres (though that falls to just 470-litres with th e-HYBRID).

Market and Model

The Leon Estate commands a price premium of around £1,300 over the hatch version, which means asking price figures mainly in the £26,500 to £40,000 bracket. Customers get a choice of four trim levels - 'SE', 'SE Dynamic', 'FR' and 'FR Sport'. Even base 'SE'-spec gets you quite a lot: 'Kessy Go' keyless start, full-LED headlight technology with automatic high beam and 16-inch alloy wheels, plus an eight-inch centre-dash infotainment screen with SEAT Connect technology and access to the 'Apple CarPlay' or 'Android Auto' media systems. 'SE Dynamic' mid-range trim upgrades you to the SEAT Digital Cockpit package, which gets you a 10.25-inch digital driver instrument binnacle display, plus a larger 10-inch centre-dash infotainment screen with navigation. Plus at this level, you get Park Assist (front and rear sensors) and tinted rear side windows, as well as larger Dynamic 17-inch alloy wheels. To make your Leon Estate really stand out, you'll need one of the meaner-looking 'FR' trim levels, which add sporty front and rear bumpers, Dynamic 17-inch alloy wheels, dual exhaust pipes and a unique suspension set-up that gives a 15mm lower ride height. 'Xcellence' trim adds luxury touches like microsuede cloth upholstery and Predictive Adaptive Cruise Control.

Cost of Ownership

It's not easy to cut back the weight of a modern family estate in a market where buyers want their cars to be safer and more heavily equipped. Yet thanks to the installation of the Volkswagen Group's MQB platform, this SEAT manages to be singularly impressive in its lack of bulk. Lots of work's been put into engine efficiency here. The standard 1.5 TSI and 1.5 eTSI petrol units feature a Miller-cycle combustion process and variable geometry turbocharger, along with integrated Active Cylinder Management. The Miller-cycle optimises valvetrain control with early closure of the inlets which, combined with a higher compression rate and turbocharging, better control the air-fuel mixture and improve fuel efficiency by up to 10 per cent. As for the WLTP figures, well expect around 50mpg on the combined cycle and about 125g/km of CO2 for the 1.5 TSI and 1.5 eTSI variants. For the 2.0 TDI 115PS diesel, the figures are up to 67.3mpg and up to 111g/km. As before, the brand's Mild Hybrid eTSI tech uses a 48V starter-generator and lithium-ion battery enabling the vehicle to coast with the engine switched off (while retaining all key electric functions, such as power steering), harvest energy under deceleration and provide electrical torque assistance during acceleration. If you want to go further, the Plug-in eHybrid model's 1.5-litre TSI engine is now paired to a 19.7kWh battery pack which can be fully charged in about 3.5 hours and offers up to 62 miles of electrified range.

Summary

Once upon a time, not so very long ago, estate cars were purely for estate people - those with dogs, photocopiers to cart about and weekend leisure equipment. You wouldn't really consider one if you didn't actually need to. But station wagons like this improved version of the second generation Leon Estate are rather different. Why wouldn't you choose one of these rather than a standard Leon five-door hatch? After all, the Estate variant isn't much more expensive, looks just as good, drives just as well and offers a lot more everyday flexibility Like the best of its family hatchback-based competitors, it's also successful in offering nearly all the practicality in a larger estate car with the easy parking and deft manoeuvrability of a much smaller one. Is there really any point in considering a five-seater compact SUV or MPV when a car like this SEAT can be so versatile? Your call.

Body Glass

Electric front/rear windows

Windshield wiper intermittent control with light/rain sensor

Rear wash/wipe

Dark tinted rear windows

Brakes

Rear disc brakes

Electronic parking brake

Hill hold control

Brake control system - ESC and brake booster

Anti-lock brake system

Chassis/Suspension

Sports suspension

Communication

Full link smartphone integration with Mirror Link, wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Google Android Auto

E-call

Driver Aids

Lane assist

Power assisted speed sensitive electro-mechanical steering

Park assist (inc front/rear parking sensors)

Front assist with forward collision warning braking reaction to vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists

SEAT drive profile with 4 modes (Eco/Normal/Sport/Individual), throttle response and gearshift mode

Intelligent speed assist

Rear view camera

Driver attention alert with drowsiness warning

Driver Convenience

Start/stop system with regenerative braking

Lockable tailgate

Driver Information

Digital cockpit with multifunction display

Service interval indicator

RPM, trip computer, outside temp gauge, instrument light brightness, low fuel warning light, lights on reminder, gearshift indicator

Driving Mirrors

Cosmo grey exterior mirrors with integrated LED indicators

Automatic dimming rear view mirror

Electrically adjustable, heated and folding door mirrors

Embellishment Trims

Chrome interior detailing

Entertainment

7 speakers

Auxiliary input socket

2 front and 2 rear USB-C ports

Exterior Body Features

Body coloured bumpers

Black roof rails

Body colour door handles

Rear side wing doors

FR sports bumper

Illuminated front door sill

Exterior Lights

LED rear fog lamp

Welcome light silhouette from exterior mirrors

Separate daytime running light with automatic headlight control and coming home feature

LED headlights and infinite rear tail lights

LED front fog lamps

Third brake light

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

Three zone climate control

Dust/pollen filter

Interior Features

Front centre armrest

Height/reach adjust steering wheel

Luggage tie-down hooks

Grey headlining

Two tone cloth upholstery

12v power point in centre console

Front seatback storage pockets

Sliding boot cover

Interior Lights

Front and rear reading lights X 4

Ambient lighting with glovebox, footwell and single monocolour

Packs

Media system plus with navigation - Leon

Safety

Seat belt reminder for front and rear seats

Child proof door locks

3 point seatbelts on all rear seats

Driver and front passenger airbags with front passenger airbag de-activation, front side and curtain airbags

Tyre pressure monitoring system

Extended safety system - seat belt tensioner, window closure and hazard lights

Seats

Front and rear height adjustable headrests

Single front passenger seat

Lumbar adjustment for front seats

ISOFIX points in outer rear seats with top tether anchorage points

60/40 split rear bench seat with armrest

Driver/passenger manual seat height adjustment

3 seat bench in 2nd row

Security

Wireless phone charging

KESSY Go (Keyless start)

Anti theft alarm system with interior monitoring in cab, backup horn and towing protection

Locking wheel bolts

Transmission

XDS electronic differential lock and dynamic traction support

Vanity Mirrors

Sunvisors with covered illuminated mirror

Wheels - Alloy

17" Dynamic Bi-spoke alloy wheels with 91W tyres

Wheels - Spare

Tool kit

Emissions - ICE

Standard Euro Emissions: EURO 6

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEH: 135

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEL: 125

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb: 125

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Extra High: 132

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - High: 107

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Medium: 116

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Low: 156

Particles: N

HC+NOx: N

NOx: 0.019

Engine and Drive Train

Gears: 7 SPEED

Cylinders: 4

Cylinder Layout: IN-LINE

Number of Valves: 16

Camshaft: DOHC

Fuel Delivery: TURBO DIRECT INJECTION

Catalytic Convertor: No

Engine Layout: FRONT TRANSVERSE

Compression Ratio: 12.0:1

Transmission: SEMI-AUTO

Cylinders - Bore (mm): 74.5

Cylinders - Stroke (mm): 85.9

CC: 1498

Fuel Consumption - ICE

WLTP - MPG - Medium: 55.4

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEH: 5.9

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEL: 5.5

EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies: 0

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb: 5.5

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Extra High: 5.8

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - High: 4.7

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Medium: 5.1

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Low: 6.8

WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEH: 47.9

WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEL: 51.4

WLTP - MPG - Comb: 51.4

WLTP - MPG - Extra High: 48.7

WLTP - MPG - High: 60.1

WLTP - MPG - Low: 41.5

General

Special Edition: 0

Did at least one aspect of this vehicle's safety give cause for concern?: 0

Special Order: 0

Based On ID: N

Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 15E

Badge Power: 115

Badge Engine CC: 1.5

Vehicle Homologation Class: M1

Generation Mark: 4

Coin Series: FR [DAP]

Manufacturers Corrosion Perforation Guarantee - Years: 12

Manufacturers Paintwork Guarantee - Years: 3

Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage: 60000

Standard manufacturers warranty - Years: 3

Coin Description: eTSI 115

Performance

Engine Torque - RPM: 1500

Engine Torque - NM: 220

Engine Power - BHP: 115

Engine Power - PS: No

Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 162

Engine Power - RPM: 5000

Engine Power - KW: 85

0 to 60 mph (secs): 0

Engine Torque - MKG: 22.4

0 to 62 mph (secs): 10.7

Top Speed: 122

Test Cycles

Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP

RDE Certification Level: RDE 2

Tyres

Tyre Size Front: 225/45 R17

Wheel Style: DYNAMIC BI-SPOKE

Space Saver?: 0

Alloys?: No

Tyre Size Rear: 225/45 R17

Tyre Size Spare: TYRE REPAIR KIT

Wheel Type: 17" ALLOY

Vehicle Dimensions

Width (including mirrors): N

Height: 1450

Height (including roof rails): N

Width: 1799

Wheelbase: 2686

Length: 4642

Weight and Capacities

Gross Vehicle Weight: 1960

Minimum Kerbweight: 1341

Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): 45

Max. Towing Weight - Braked: 1500

Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked: 700

Max. Loading Weight: 619

Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 620

No. of Seats: 5

Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 10.8

Exterior Body Features

Panoramic sunroof

Solid paint

Interior Lights

Interior wraparound lighting (FR)

Packs

Safety and Driving pack (XL) - Leon

Safety and Driving pack (M) without Dynamic road sign display - Leon

Safety and Driving pack (L) - Leon

Paint - Metallic

Metallic - Graphene grey

Metallic - Glacial white

Metallic - Magnetic tech grey

Metallic - Desire red

Metallic - Midnight black

Metallic - Sapphire blue

Paint - Solid

Solid - Fiord blue

Solid - White

Service/Warranty

Warranty - 4 Years/75,000 miles

Warranty - 5 Years/90,000 miles

Towing

Electric towing hook

Tow bar pre-installation

Trim - Cloth

Two tone Dinamica cloth - Grey with lava red stitching and black door panels

Wheels - Spare

Space saver spare wheel with jack