SEAT LEON 1.6 S
SEATs Are Supposed To Offer Good Value For Money. Why Not Maximise The Value Proposition By Going For The Entry Level Trim Level? Andy Enright Reports...
Those of us of a certain age who remember
Ford Capris and
Fiat Mirafioris still associate an S trim level as something special, something a bit sporty, worthy of rubber spoilers and side stripes. Fortunately, evolution has done its thing and we now live in a far more sophisticated age. The
SEAT Leon 1.6 S does without a whole heap of styling affectations but it might just be the pick of the Leon range.
| Build |
 |
| Comfort |
|
| Depreciation |
 |
| Economy |
 |
| Equipment |
|
| Handling |
|
| Insurance |
|
| Performance |
|
| Styling |
|
| Value |
|
SEAT, we're told, is the VW Group's sporting brand. The
Alfa Romeo, if you like, for the conservative buyer. Evidence, according to the marketeers, comes in the form of the Leon, a five-door hatchback aimed at the small family buyer looking for something a little out of the ordinary. Although that may be VWs aspiration, it seems that UK buyers view the brand somewhat differently.
Rather than appealing to those after a semi-premium sporting bauble, SEAT has instead attracted the
smart money. Those with the savvy to work out that youre getting
Audi-style quality at sub-
Skoda pricing have embraced the Barcelona brand. Although closer inspection reveals the Leons DNA to be about as Spanish as sauerkraut and lederhosen, that in itself is no bad thing. The Leon shares the same floorpan as other VW Group offerings in this sector, both past and present, VW's mkIV Golf, Audi's original A3 and Skoda's Octavia. The 1.6-litre engine as seen under the bonnet of this particular Leon is also used in other VW Group stables. Its a decent powerplant, far less coarse than the 1.
8-litre engine that VW has based most of its upspec models around and in this guise can muster a respectable 105bhp. 60mph is but 11.3 seconds away on the steady climb to 117mph. Fuel consumption is class competitive too, the Leon able to average a laudable 36mpg.
"Those with the savvy to work out that youre getting Audi-style quality at sub-Skoda pricing have embraced the Barcelona brand."
Whats not common-or-garden, run-of-the-mill or fair-to-middling is the sticker price. Just £11,200 seats you behind the wheel of the Leon 1.6 S, with only its 75bhp 1.4-litre counterpart working out cheaper at £10,215.
But what are you actually getting for your refreshingly modest wad? Let's start on the spirit - at which point even the most ardent SEAT enthusiast has to admit that this is no Alfa Romeo. That, however, doesn't mean the Leon isn't a refreshing change from the family hatchback norm. For a start, it appears to be longer than Astra or Focus-class alternatives (from the outside at least) and is (not that this means a bigger cabin). The styling's smart and purposeful too: the kind of car you really might buy if you fancied a specialist brand but couldn't face the hassle. At the top of the Leon range, models such as the Cupra R are there to generate showroom traffic and create a halo effect for the rest of the Leon brand - pretty vital of course if the Leon is to fulfil its objective of becoming SEAT's best selling model. Those familiar with the marque will instantly recognise it as a five-door version of its close cousin, the Toledo saloon (which is 220mm longer) - though to be fair, there's a bit more to it than that. The rear section is cleverly crafted, with nice touches like a boot handle incorporated into the SEAT logo. Space in the back isn't huge by Toledo standards but is more than adequate for the smaller family hatchback sector in which this car competes. Even so, you can understand why SEAT decided not to do a three-door version. Sheer space apart however, that interior should be seen as one of the SEAT's strongest suits. Like all VW-sourced products, you feel behind the wheel that you're in something much more expensive, thanks to the choice of trim materials and the way the switches and stalks snap into place with an expensive click. There are lovely touches everywhere, including red backlit instruments and a steering wheel adjustable for rake and reach. On the road, the driving experience isn't much different to that of a mkIV Golf (or an Octavia or an original Audi A3 come to that). Surprise, surprise. That means a predictable, easy, forgiving but not particularly inspiring recipe. If you plan to cover intergalactic mileages, the 1.
9TDi model may well work out cheaper to run over the course of three years than the Leon 1.6 S, but the sheer versatility of the petrol powered car will win many admirers. Its one of those cars that seems to do nothing badly and quite a lot with a surprising degree of Ă©lan. Every Leon model comes well equipped. Air conditioning, front fog lamps, power steering, twin front and side airbags, ABS and EBD (electronic brake distribution), electric front windows and remote central locking are included, even on this entry-level S 1.6-litre.
If youre dizzied by the value pricing and feel you could afford a few more bells and whistles, SE level (from £14,015), gets you traction control, five spoke alloys, electric folding door mirrors and lowered sports suspension along with a wider choice of more powerful engines: petrol 1.6 and 1.8-litre units (developing between 100 and 210bhp), plus that 110bhp turbo diesel. Having sampled the Leon 1.
6S, few will bother spending more. Its a cheap car that will never give you the impression that youve cut corners. Like Las Vegas hotels offering cheap rooms in the hope theyll recoup their investment at the gambling tables, the smart punter beats the system by turning his back on the blackjack. Likewise, the Leon 1.
6S acts as a temptation to join the VW family, graduating to more profitable Volkswagens and Audis. Dont play the game. Stick with SEAT and laugh all the way to the bank.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: SEAT Leon 1.6 S
PRICE: £11,200 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 6
CO2 EMISSIONS: 170g/km
PERFORMANCE: Max Speed 117mph / 0-60mph 10.3s
FUEL CONSUMPTION: [urban] 26.4mpg / [extra urban] 46.3mpg/ [combined] 36.2mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Driver, passenger and side airbags, ABS
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Heightmm 4184/1742/1457
<< Back to SEAT car reviews
<< Back to car reviews homepage
Find New & Used Cars in the UK |
New & Used SEAT Cars For Sale UK
