Most impressive hire car of 2015 is... the Seat Leon 1.2 TSI
Discussion
Since giving up a company car around 18 months ago, I've sampled the delights of most C-segment hatchbacks as hire cars.
The list of cars I've driven on mainly gentle, lengthy M-way work excursions include the likes of the Astra, i30, Megane, Focus and Mazda 3. These are all in typical SE type spec: reasonable kit, but often weedy bottom-end petrol engines and naff cloth interiors. The one to beat, so far, has been the Mazda 3 (2.0 NA petrol).
I gazed dismissively at the Leon 1.2 SE that turned-up yesterday outside my house, ahead of a long journey today. Despite the online reviews praising the interior, a first glance revealed some decidedly cheap door cards and switchgear. The interior plastics and rear legroom are also definitely a step behind a 10-year-old Golf.
Having spent a day in it though, I was genuinely impressed - not so much by the interior; but by the handling, electronic interfaces and the 110PS engine. I managed to average 55mpg, brim-to-brim, on my motorway journey today!
If you are looking at the less exciting / expensive end of the hatchback market, this engine and possibly the car would be my pick.
The list of cars I've driven on mainly gentle, lengthy M-way work excursions include the likes of the Astra, i30, Megane, Focus and Mazda 3. These are all in typical SE type spec: reasonable kit, but often weedy bottom-end petrol engines and naff cloth interiors. The one to beat, so far, has been the Mazda 3 (2.0 NA petrol).
I gazed dismissively at the Leon 1.2 SE that turned-up yesterday outside my house, ahead of a long journey today. Despite the online reviews praising the interior, a first glance revealed some decidedly cheap door cards and switchgear. The interior plastics and rear legroom are also definitely a step behind a 10-year-old Golf.
Having spent a day in it though, I was genuinely impressed - not so much by the interior; but by the handling, electronic interfaces and the 110PS engine. I managed to average 55mpg, brim-to-brim, on my motorway journey today!
If you are looking at the less exciting / expensive end of the hatchback market, this engine and possibly the car would be my pick.
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