Leon ST FR150 - Is it as good as family wagon?

[Woody]

It's coming round to changing company car time and as much as I like my current Hyundai i40 it just won't fly on the new scheme as rental cost has gone up quite a bit....

So I've lokoed around and the Leon ST FR150 cropped up within budget - spec looks good with apparently a massive boot (according to Parkers etc. the boot is bigger then the Hyundai...)

So, has anyone got one?

The engine is only 1.4 petrol but its the TSFI thing - I've only driven a Scirocco with one and that seemed OK - what's it like in an estate?
Will be going for the manual as the DSG is more expensive.

How big is the boot? I know what the capacity is in litres, but I don't want to fill it with water - I'd like to know the load area size with the seats up.

I have one booked for a test drive but will apparently be another 3 weeks.....

Thanks in advance!

[Woody]

Anyone?
Can't get a test drive until August at the moment.....

[sato]

I have one.
It does the job. Boot is pretty large (there is a movable floor). Have absolutley no complaints about handling (ie it is very good). Engine seems a good compromise of power and economy, but isn't exactly inspiring. As you can tell I dont love it, but I do think it is miles ahead of anything at a similar price point.

[Woody]

Thanks for the reply.
Appreciate it's not going set the roads on fire with performance, just wondering what the power/torque delivery is like on the 1.4.
Have had diesel's as Co. cars for years and fancy a petrol.

[Rutter]

Can you test a golf estate instead to get most of the flavour?

[AJB88]

The little 1.4 TSI vag engine is a cracker. Coming from somebody who has owned Stage 2 2.0TFSI and TSI for the last 6 or so years.

its a very surprising engine while still returning decent MPG.

[sato]

Woody said:

Thanks for the reply.
Appreciate it's not going set the roads on fire with performance, just wondering what the power/torque delivery is like on the 1.4.
Have had diesel's as Co. cars for years and fancy a petrol.

Probably a shock at first, as it doesnt have a wedge of low down torque of a TD but change down a gear and it wont be any slower. Other point to mention is that the Leon is remarkably light for what it is, which helps as well.

[acme]

Assuming the 150 is the same as in the Golf 1.4 TSI ACT then it's superb. I've had it in the Golf since September '14 covering 54k miles. Yes it doesn't have the low down power of a derv, but it's so much smoother, super quiet and recorded on a brim to brim basis I've tracked it at 45mpg - an easy 30 mile commute, driving sensibly and long work drives helps. Use the power and the turbo and it's much worse than a diesel - do I regret getting it, not a bit, as a daily I'd happily spend my own money on it.

[BraveSirRobin]

I have the earlier 140bhp version (without cylinder shut-off) and it's a little jewel of an engine. Can be a bit slow off the mark, but otherwise smooth and economical(unless you thrash it). Suits the Leon very well.
I've had a 2.0 TDI Golf & Scirocco and the Leon is as quick point-to-point - you don't get the same slug of torque but the engine doesn't run out of puff so quickly.
Leon itself probably just behind the Golf & Focus at the top of the class, but runs them close.

Edited by BraveSirRobin on Tuesday 20th June 23:58