Anyone got a new shape Seat Leon?

[zabba]

I'm looking at company car options and like the look of the new Leon. I had a look over one in a dealership and the interior especially seems a step up from the previous version.

I'd like to hear from any owners on how you are getting on with the car, especially if you have a 1.4 140 or the 2.0 150 TDi. FR spec seems to be pretty good, and look great in the red paint. Are the LED lights with the tech pack worth it? which models have the independent rear suspension?

I'm also looking at the equivelant A3, Golf, 1 series models but it's the Leons looks that appeal most.

Edited by zabba on Sunday 9th June 21:36

[Rutter]

Are the LED lights with the tech pack worth it?
A friend has it on his and the lights are superb. VW won't let staff order cars on the loan scheme without it, my SC that I've ordered has this option.

which models have the independent rear suspension?
All models with 150ps or above have it, so at the moment only the 150 diesel or the 180 petrol

[va1o]

Technology Pack is well worth having, £500 gets you Nav, DAB and LED headlights. Would be rude not to order!

I think only the 2.0 TDI 150 upwards has the Multilink suspension but could be wrong. It doesn't seem to make a huge amount of difference though from the reviews I've read. Affects the ride a little but not so much the handling.

[zabba]

Well I test drove a 2.0 FR Tdi and a 1.2 Tsi SE.

I have to say, very impressed with the car and both engines. The Tdi had lots of grunt and felt almost as quick as Mk5 Gti (although obviously isn't), but have to say I loved the the 1.2 Tsi, not massively quick but having such a light engine upfront really helped the handling and turn in, very very impressive. I want to try a 1.4 Tsi now to see if it has a similar drive to the 1.2 but more of the grunt of the Tdi.

Things I liked:

Interior massive improvement over the Mk2 I've been in.
Good to drive, ride is firm but not uncomfortable and handled well.
Felt solid and well made, no rattles and not much road noise.
Tech pack is great value, love the lights and the touchscreen Nav/Media works very well, and so easy to use!
Lots of space in the back and the boot
Didn't feel like they suffered from not having the rear multi link suspension


Didn't like

Stereo sounded a but tinny compared to my A1 and Mk 5 Golf, cheaper speakers?
Key fob - they revered the angle of the key, why?..
Don't like the standard 17" alloys on the FR

It's now leading contender for next company car, but want to try that 1.4 engine.

[zabba]

Also should mention, both the 1.2 Tsi and 2.0 TDi got similar fuel economy on the test drive, average of about 46-48 mpg which was impressive given both engines had less than 2k miles on clock

[Butter Face]

I think you can have a Bose stereo option in the FR? My colleague has one and the bass is fantastic.

The 18" alloys are a great upgrade too.

LED headlights are a great setup also, definitely worth ticking the box.

[va1o]

I've taken the 1.4 TSI in the new Leon for a spin and it goes pretty well. Feels nippy and responsive when it needs to be but its also a very quiet and relaxed engine. For comparison I currently drive the old shape Leon 1.4 TSI and Audi A1 1.2 TFSI, and it felt a lot quicker than both of those. You shouldn't be disappointed! Oh and I agree on your criticism about the key angle, it didn't quite feel right to me but they've also changed it on the new Octavia and Golf so seems to be a VAG wide thing.

[zabba]

va1o said:

I've taken the 1.4 TSI in the new Leon for a spin and it goes pretty well. Feels nippy and responsive when it needs to be but its also a very quiet and relaxed engine. For comparison I currently drive the old shape Leon 1.4 TSI and Audi A1 1.2 TFSI, and it felt a lot quicker than both of those. You shouldn't be disappointed! Oh and I agree on your criticism about the key angle, it didn't quite feel right to me but they've also changed it on the new Octavia and Golf so seems to be a VAG wide thing.

What sort of fuel consumption did you get in the 1.4TSI, both old and new?

[ReallyReallyGood]

I'm in the market for a new family hatch, I'm hoping to test-drive the 1.4 Leon this weekend.

(Had considered an A3 but telling me I'd have to wait 'til November to take delivery is a deal-breaker)

[va1o]

zabba said:

What sort of fuel consumption did you get in the 1.4TSI, both old and new?

The old 1.4 TSI normally gets 30s around town and mid 40s on the motorway, I've averaged 40mpg overall in the last 1000 miles. Didn't pay much attention to the mpg on the new 1.4 TSI whilst I was driving, but on paper it should be quite a bit more frugal and is very close to the 2.0 TDI for fuel consumption figures.

ReallyReallyGood said:

I'm in the market for a new family hatch, I'm hoping to test-drive the 1.4 Leon this weekend.

(Had considered an A3 but telling me I'd have to wait 'til November to take delivery is a deal-breaker)

I've had a sit in the new A3, the interior is lusciously nice and built to an impeccable standard compared to the Leon but you have to pay a fair bit extra and as you've found wait longer! What I'd say though if you go for the Leon stick with FR trim and you need to order by 30th June (Sunday) to get the £500 Technology Pack. That combined with the optional 18" alloys (£350) makes for a stunning looking and thoroughly well equipped car. Quite tempted to order one myself.

[chris285]

not seen one in the flesh but the interior is supposed to be a big step up the mk2, making it a much more serious alternative to the golf/a3

[zabba]

va1o said:

you need to order by 30th June (Sunday) to get the £500 Technology Pack.

I asked the dealer about this, and he said he was 90% sure this offer was going to be extended for the next quarter. It is a great offer but isn't going to push me as not looking to order until August/September time.

[zabba]

I quite like the Alor Blue colour, but it's a pricey option, so might have to stick with Red which I also think suits it.

[va1o]

White seems to be the only free colour, also suits it quite well and should be desirable on the used market when you sell it.

EDIT: Seems White is now £175 and Red is now free

Edited by va1o on Monday 1st July 19:06

[va1o]

zabba said:

va1o said:

you need to order by 30th June (Sunday) to get the £500 Technology Pack.

I asked the dealer about this, and he said he was 90% sure this offer was going to be extended for the next quarter. It is a great offer but isn't going to push me as not looking to order until August/September time.

Seems they've done better than that and now made it a free upgrade! Available until 30th September apparently. Seriously good deal IMO

Also noticed the Convenience Pack is only £100 and that gives you Auto Lights/ Wipers and an Auto Dimming Mirror so probably worth having too.

[Luketopps]

Just been looking at these new Leon's on the Internet, they look SO good! My dad had a mk2 which was nice, but IMO this blows the mk2 out of the water!

Also saw an Alor Blue SC at FOS this year, bloody lovely thing! Was thinking of buying an Audi A5 when I get back from Oz next year, but now I'm thinking it has to be one of these Leon's!!

Which model to get though?! 1.4 TSI, 1.8 TSI, or either of the 2.0 TDIs?!

[Rutter]

Luketopps said:

Just been looking at these new Leon's on the Internet, they look SO good! My dad had a mk2 which was nice, but IMO this blows the mk2 out of the water!

Also saw an Alor Blue SC at FOS this year, bloody lovely thing! Was thinking of buying an Audi A5 when I get back from Oz next year, but now I'm thinking it has to be one of these Leon's!!

Which model to get though?! 1.4 TSI, 1.8 TSI, or either of the 2.0 TDIs?!

Mine is the 180ps 1.8 FR SC, engine is great, good mix of economy and performance and sounds surprisingly good too. I have driven the 150ps diesel in the mrs' old golf and it had plenty enough go but economy wasn't as high as i expected.

Gearing is very long on mine I guess for economy reasons, my friends DSG 5 door with the same engine seems to have a better set of ratios but i'd expect that with 7 gears.

Alor blue is very nice, sadly it wasn't available when I ordered mine, I wanted emotion red but was given montsant red which I thought i'd hate but its growing on me.

[va1o]

Luketopps said:

Which model to get though?! 1.4 TSI, 1.8 TSI, or either of the 2.0 TDIs?!

I'm a big fan of the 1.4 TSI as its fantastic to drive but can't really go wrong with any of them to be fair! The diesels are better suited to the DSG 'box.

The free technology pack deal is still on - http://www.seat.co.uk/content/uk/brand/en/models/n...

Also Nationwide Cars are doing some big discounts across the range, highlights include the 1.2 TSI SC SE for £13,692 and 2.0 TDI 184 FR DSG 5-dr for £19,329. The latter has got to be the best new car on the road today for under £20k! SEAT have done an awesome job with these

[atom111]

I've got one a 1.2TSI SE with tech pack, led lights are really good, bought car as a motorway hack done 2500 miles in 3 weeks and can do 3 or 4 hours straight and get out feeling fresh, it's comfortable, smooth easy to drive, economical has all the features I wanted for motorway. 1.2 is also pretty impressive for its size performance relative of course it's never going to win a sprint but flexible enough to do what I need. It has far exceeded my expectations in pretty much every area, cracking cars and nicely put together too.

[chris285]

Sounds like the new cupra could really shake the hot hatch market up, lapped the ring significantly faster then the renault sport megane which I was v suprised over