SEAT Leon SC Road Test | New Release - Car News Dec 2013

16:29 Monday 11 May 2015

At the risk of sending you into a catatonic trance from which you may never return, I'd like to start off my review of SEAT's new Leon SC by talking about the Volkswagen Group's Modularer Querbaukasten, or MQB platform, for those of you who aren't conversant in technical German.

Essentially, the MQB platform is a sort-of paint-by-numbers kit for family hatchbacks. All of the current crop of VW Group small family cars -- the VW Golf, the Audi A3, the Skoda Octavia and the SEAT Leon -- are based on it, and as a result, they're all pretty much the same.

If you want a car with a badge to keep up with the Joneses, you buy the Audi. If you're uninterested in badge and want value for money instead, you buy the Skoda. And if, like 30 million others, you want the default choice, you buy the Golf.

SEAT Leon SC review

So where does that leave the SEAT? Well, in a bit of a pickle actually. You see, whereas the other MQB cars have established personalities of their own, the Leon's character is a bit more confused. It's just a sort of 'Spanishy Golf', and one which has always been in the shadow of its more famous -- and vastly more successful -- sibling. It is, in short, the Dannii Minogue of the C-segment.

But here's the thing: it's actually very good indeed. Peel back the layers and appreciate the Leon for what it is -- rather than what it isn't -- and you'll come to one inescapable conclusion: that the Leon, unlike Ms Minogue, has real talent.

Let's start with the looks. When was the last time you saw a family hatchback which looked quite as good as the Leon? Our test car was one of the three-door SC variety and, although we know looks can be subjective, we reckon it's the most attractive car in the sector.

SEAT Leon SC review

On the inside; however, it's a different matter. The dashboards in SEATs of old majored on funkiness at the expense of quality whereas in the new Leon there seems to have been something of a role reversal. As a result, it's hardly the most exciting cockpit in the world, but on the other hand, and more importantly, the plastics exhibit some genuine quality.

We had the range-topping sporty FR model which comes as standard with superb sports seats. I put nearly 500 miles on the odometer in less than two days and, despite having an abnormally bad back for a 24-year-old, I arrived at the other end pain free.

Overall it's a very comfortable car. The ride manages to strike a fine balance between firmness and suppleness and, although things can get a bit harsh if you press the sport button, on the whole the Leon can best be described as 'cossetting'.

SEAT Leon SC review

It can also be described as 'practical'. Even though this is the sporty three-door model, there's plenty of space in the back for a couple of six-footers and you get the same 380-litre boot you'll find in the five-door.

All of which brings us on to what the Leon SC is like to drive. There are a number of engines on offer, ranging from a turbocharged 1.2-litre petrol to a 2.0-litre diesel. We tested the 1.4-litre TSI turbo petrol and we're happy to report that it's an absolute peach. 138bhp is more than enough to make the Leon feel lively and thanks to the engine's free-revving nature and smooth power delivery, it makes for a highly enjoyable drive.

On urban roads the Leon is a capable performer but it's on the motorway that it really begins to shine. The refinement can only be described as superb for a car of its size, with wind and engine noise almost not existent at cruising speeds. There is a fair amount of road noise, especially on poor road surfaces; however, this isn't enough to spoil the Leon's refined character.

Take the Leon onto a B-road, however, and you'll reveal another element to its character. Although a tad over-light, the steering is precise and direct, making it an engaging car to drive quickly. The SC also weighs a full 20kg less than the five-door which has undoubtedly contributed to the car's agility.

SEAT Leon SC review

Where the Leon SC really starts to make a case for itself, however, is on the matter of price. Not only is it around £300 cheaper than the equivalent five-door, it also undercuts the Golf by around £3,000 and should hold on to its value better too. On top of this, we managed to coax over 45mpg out of our test car which, considering much of the test drive consisted of a Saturday morning blast across the South Downs, is very impressive indeed.

So, should you buy a Leon SC? In a word, yes. SEAT has created an immensely tempting proposition with the new Leon and, as an overall package, it's hard to fault. Although the Golf is a marginally better car in a number of areas, the Leon more than makes up for this with its substantially lower price tag, striking looks and eminent likeability.