SEAT Leon 2005 review

Item: SEAT Leon 2005 Review
Author: Phil Hall

Quick overview

Stylish looks
Good to drive
FR models offer sporty performance and looks

Not the best looking or nicest feeling interior
Early diesel models are noisy
Boot opening on the narrow side

The SEAT Leon is both robust and reliable, thanks to the Volkswagen influence. Front, curtain and side airbags are fitted as standard, alongside stability control, central locking, an immobiliser and alarm.

Infotainment, comfort and practicality

The boot is a little awkwardly sized, being quite shallow and the floor is low in relation to the boot lip. The Seat Leon lacks a few much-needed cubbyholes too. The moulded plastic centre console doesn’t come fitted with a storage box and glove box is relatively small.

Euro NCAP safety crash test results have awarded the SEAT Leon SE Copa 1.6 TDI CR 5dr a total of four stars. All engines and electrics have been tried and tested before.

The SEAT Leon SE Copa 1.6 TDI CR 5dr has a spacious and solidy built cabin. The dashboard appears to be coated with a padded material, the other parts of the interior are however created in a hard grainy plastic.

The equipment that comes as standard with the SEAT Leon SE Copa 1.6 TDI CR 5dr includes climate control, power steering, alloy wheels, electric door mirrors, electric front mirrors, CD player, MP3 connectivity, Bluetooth and satallite navigation. Metallic paint and leather seats are available at an extra cost.

2005 SEAT Leon 2005 engines: how does it drive?

Producing 184 lb-ft torque power at 1500 rpm and 104 bhp at 4400 rpm, the SEAT Leon SE Copa 1.6 TDI CR 5dr has a top speed of 115 mph and reaches 0-62 mph in 11.3 seconds.

The gear change is smooth, the steering is accurate and road holding is impressive. Refinement is not great though and the engine is quite noisy. Visibility to the front is not great, due to the windscreen pillars which are quite thick.

Value for money: how much does a 2005 SEAT Leon 2005 cost to buy and run?

The SEAT Leon SE Copa 1.6 TDI CR 5dr is priced at £18,665.

The diesel boasts great economy with a combined average of 67.3 mpg and CO2 emissions of 109 g/km, which is excellent. The SE Copa also comes with loads of kit as standard including satallite navigation and Bluetooth. It is great value for money and will serve as an efficient, cost effective family car for urban, everyday use.

Verdict: Should I buy a 2005 SEAT Leon 2005?

The Leon SE Copa 1.6 TDI CR 5dr is a great hatchback with loads of kit as standard including satallite navigation. The price is a little higher than other versions of the Leon hatchback, but in return you get a decent performance and lots of equipment, plus the practicality of the hatchback (although the boot is not as useful as it could be due to the awkward size).