| In the cluttered, hatchback car market, it's getting | | | | conditioning and a built in tyre pressure monitors, |
| increasingly difficult to stand out in a crowd. | | | | which check your tyres when you start the |
| Fortunately for us, Spanish manufacturer Seat | | | | engine and alert you if the pressure is too high or |
| ticks all the boxes with their Seat Leon model. It | | | | too low. |
| doesn't try to copy any of its rivals and sensibly | | | | It's a tough little car which, in testing, has |
| sticks to its own unique take on what a | | | | withstood vigorous knocks and impacts in |
| hatchback car should be. | | | | simulated accident environments. The addition of 6 |
| Small and perfectly formed, this is a very | | | | airbags is also a welcome bonus. It feels strong |
| attractive car that will appeal to everyone. | | | | while you are driving it, no mean feat in a car that |
| Aesthetically pleasing both inside and out, it is fast | | | | it a lot lighter than its peers. It drives very |
| becoming a very popular model with car hire and | | | | smoothly and the manual gear box is also very |
| leasing services, as it combines its good looks with | | | | comfortable to use. |
| reliability and good fuel consumption. | | | | As one of the main selling points of Seat's |
| The bodywork is cool and sleek, with clean lines | | | | marketing campaigns is the sportiness of its cars, |
| and a deceptively large interior. For a long time | | | | it comes as no surprise to hear the rawness of |
| the Volkswagen Golf has been the benchmark for | | | | the engine when you switch on the ignition. |
| this car class and it's great news that Seat are | | | | Underneath the bonnet sits the sporty 1.4 TSi |
| now challenging their supremacy with the Leon. | | | | engine, the low capacity of the is petrol driven |
| The handles on the rear doors are a lift up square | | | | engine gives you a lot of power while at the |
| of steel bearing the Seat logo; this is a clever | | | | same time results in lower carbon monoxide |
| design feature and is pleasing on the eye, as | | | | emissions as well as a enviable fuel economy of |
| many a car's profile has been spoilt by unsightly | | | | 44.1 mpg. You also have 124bhp and 0-60 in 9.7 |
| door handles. | | | | seconds. |
| The cabin is minimalistic and uncluttered, which | | | | This mean machine has an awful lot going for it. |
| makes for comfort and ease of driving. There is | | | | Its RRP is cheaper than its rivals and it doesn't |
| plenty of room for even the tallest of drivers to | | | | depreciate rapidly the minute you drive it off the |
| feel comfortable, without compromising the | | | | forecourt. The hatchback gives plenty of room to |
| comfort of the passengers in the spacious back | | | | easily fit in suitcases or a large grocery shop. The |
| seat. The seats find just the right balance of | | | | sporty design of both the body and the engine |
| comfort and support, essential if taking the car on | | | | gives you a feeling that you are driving a sports |
| a long drive. The dark fabric interior and high | | | | car, but without the unpredictable steering issues |
| window line have in other cars given the | | | | that are often reported. |
| impression of being boxed in; thanks to the layout | | | | This is one of those rare roadsters that are |
| of the Seat Leon it doesn't encroach on the | | | | appreciated by both the longstanding, experienced |
| impression of spaciousness at all. | | | | driver as well as those who have just passed |
| When it comes to comparing the Leon with some | | | | their test. This is a car that is going to be around |
| of its rivals, its very good to see that Seat | | | | for a long time to come. Whether driving around |
| include as standard some features that you would | | | | town or giving it a really long run on a motorway, |
| have to pay extra for from other manufacturers. | | | | the Leon looks good, handles well and is a dream |
| These include dual zone climate controlled air | | | | to drive. |