SEAT LEON TDi 130
Packing a Diesel Engine With 130bhp On Tap, SEATs Leon TDI130 Offers A Powerful Argument To Shop Spanish. Andy Enright Reports
This may be old news to those with good antennae for a new car bargain, but
SEAT showrooms are often the first places canny buyers look when shopping for value. The tried and tested routine of
Volkswagen Group build quality at pricing which hovers somewhere between south-east Asian cheapies and the mainstream brands such as
Ford and
Vauxhall has proved a winner with British buyers, SEAT recently turning in their best sales figures to date. The Spanish marques most impressive car is probably the Leon and a powerful TDI130 diesel version is now on the books. Resistance, it would appear, is futile.
The Leon has long proved that buying a five-door family hatch neednt be an express ticket to pipe and slippersville. The halo effect of the sporting Cupra models has boosted sales of lesser Leons but the TDI130 model is almost up there with the racy Cupras in terms of driver appeal. Deploying full boost in the Leon TDI130 feels like riding a rodeo bull massively powerful and at first a little bit offputting but the feeling soon becomes addictive. Able to well and truly lay the boring diesel ghost to rest, the Leon TDI130 is a good deal brawnier than its on-paper performance figures would suggest.
| Build |
 |
| Comfort |
|
| Depreciation |
 |
| Economy |
|
| Equipment |
 |
| Handling |
|
| Insurance |
|
| Performance |
|
| Styling |
|
| Value |
|
Fitted with a six-speed manual gearbox, the Leon TDI130 will accelerate to 60mph in 9.7 seconds and run on to a top speed of 128mph. True, these are the figures of most 1.8-litre petrol rivals, but the sheer verve of the Leons midrange punch make it feel a class above.
The reason lies in the sheer amount of torque the engine can generate. Consult the physics books and youll discover that torque is defined as a measure of how much a force acting on an object causes that object to rotate although Leon owners define it as that moment when the turbocharger starts whistling and the tailgating rep in the Mondeo 1.8 rapidly becomes a dot in the rear view mirror. Available solely in well-specified SE trim and priced at £15,265, the Leon TDI130 looks very good value when pitched against the almost identically priced
Ford Focus TDCi115 LX five-door.
The Ford is recognised as the best in class and in terms of outright refinement, the SEATs Pump-Duse direct injection engine cant touch the butter smooth common rail Ford unit. As a diesel engine that does a great job of masking its diesel origins, the boys from Dagenham have turned in a masterful performance. The Leons powerplant, however, seems to revel in the fact that its an unapologetic black-pump barnstormer. It rumbles gruffly at idle and that urgent mid-range wallop could come from nothing but a purposeful diesel unit.
It may not be the last word in diesel high-tech, but when its this much fun and when youre going through fuel at the miserly rate of 54mpg grumbling seems churlish.
" Its time to recalibrate your radar when it comes to assessing a bargain buy."
Handling is safe without being overly sporting, the TDI130 riding a good deal more comfortably than the Cupra models that many associate with the Leon sub brand. Sharing a floorpan with the mkIV VW Golf, the original
Audi A3 and the
Skoda Octavia should let you know what to expect.
SEAT's assertion that it represents a Spanish
Alfa Romeo falls rather flat here, but most will trade a little flair in the handling stakes for a ride that soaks up road imperfections with consummate ease, making long journeys decidedly cosseting. Recognising that this Leon TDI130 will be bought buy the latest generation of drivers after a sporty, economical diesel, SEAT have wisely stiffened the suspension a tad to offer improved feel through corners. Compared to a Ford Focus, there's a decent amount of space in the back, and with five doors access is always good - coupe roofline notwithstanding. 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. Power steering, twin front and side airbags, ABS and EBD (electronic brake distribution), CD stereo, front fog lights, electric folding mirrors, electric windows and remote central locking are included as well as sports seats, climate control, electric mirrors and body coloured bumpers. Here at SE level you get traction control (a definite requirement with the gale of torque generated by the TDI130 engine) and that lowered sports suspension.
This gives the car a slightly more aggressive stance on the road. There really is very little to touch the Leon TDI130 in terms of sheer value for money. For some time now weve championed the closely priced 180bhp Leon Cupra as the best bargain around, but it now has a challenger from within. If you feel the petrol Cupras fuel bills and insurance rating will sting, the Leon TDI130 represents a very capable fall back option.
Theres always the TDI150 Cupra to consider but at £16,015 its significantly pricier than the 130. Just when we think weve seen it all from SEAT, they return to confound us. Its time to recalibrate your radar when it comes to assessing a bargain buy.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: SEAT Leon TDi 130
PRICES: £15,265 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUPS: 8
CO2 EMISSIONS: 140g/km
PERFORMANCE: Max Speed 128mph / 0-60mph 9.7s
FUEL CONSUMPTION: [combined] 54mpg
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
