SEAT Leon

[censuspro]

Im looking at a 1.4 petrol SEAT Leon. Has anyone ever driven or owned one of these before. What is it like in terms of value for money, maintenance, reliability, etc.

 

[RonanC]

What year Leon are you looking at? There are two totally different models, older and newer.

Value for money you cannot go wrong at all.

Reliability and Maintenance - You basically are driving a VW Golf with a Seat badge on it. Same engine, same gearbox, same chassis. So no real problems there that you wouldnt get with a VW.

 

[Ancutza]

I'd be wary of using VW as a benchmark for reliable cars. Nice cars to drive (I've had 5 of them one-after-another) but they are hopelessly prone to electrical defects. As long as the SEAT doesn't inherit that particular trait then indeed it's likely to be good value.

 

[packard]

Not a bother on them, Three cars in one there, Leon, Golf and Audi A3. Every car can hava bad day, regardless of Make. I love my Leon

 

[Caveat]

AFAIK, statistically, the Leon is more reliable than the golf - the platform on which it is based. A bit odd - maybe chassis/engine aside it's a bit more basically built otherwise in terms of electrics etc?

This happens - a Mazda 3 is 'basically a Focus' too - but again, it's a fair bit more reliable.

Anyway, FWIW, I think Leons are a great car - the older model was very good and if anything the 'new' one is better - it certainly looks the business IMO. Great to drive. I'd take one over a Golf any day for a few reasons - not least cost.

The engine variants will be similar to the Golf I'd say - in which case the standard 1.4 wouldn't be great as a 'drivers car'. A bit lacking. Try the 1.6 if you can. The 1.4TSI would be just about right without being mental.

 

[Frank]

A mate has a leaon cupra 150 bhp tdi 1.9

Road rocket lovely car to drive.

Did feel as solid as the equivelabt VW but great car none the less.

 

[oldtimer]

Seat have just dropped their prices on all new models including the Leon. If buying new watch the tax bands on the Leon, I think emissions may be high on some models and do not qualify for lower road tax bands.