Seat Leon Estate review

Prices start from £26,865, which gets you into a Leon Estate with the 1.5-litre 113bhp turbocharged petrol. That’s around £1.5k more than the hatch like for like.

It’s a small step up to £29,850 for the mild hybrid, which gets the same petrol engine with some added electrical assistance. The more powerful 1.5-litre 148bhp turbocharged petrol starts from £31,995, or £33,945 for the mild hybrid.

Then you're looking at £38,295 minimum for the plug-in hybrid. That’s obviously significantly more expensive to buy outright, but teeny tiny CO2 emissions mean you’ll pay much less company car tax (six per cent) than you would with any of the petrols or diesels. And the more you can run it on cheap electricity at home, the quicker you'll claw back that extra outlay.

On lease, the ball park figure is £260 a month over four years with £5k down on the base version. You may be able to find cheaper if you shop around.

What trim options are available?

There are two key specs – SE and FR – plus upgraded versions of each (SE Dynamic, FR Sport and FR Black Edition) for a total of five options. 

But even the basic trim is pretty generously equipped as standard, with LED lights, heated mirrors, 10.25in digital dials, a 10.4in infotainment system, cruise control, wireless smartphone pairing, and front and rear parking sensors. 

SE Dynamic adds 17in alloys, a bigger 12.9in infotainment display, rearview camera and tinted rear windows. You can do without the alloys and tints, but the bigger screen and rearview camera is a nice to have.

Step up to FR trim and you get sportier front and rear bumpers, a lower ride height, and dual exhaust pipes, while FR Sport adds 18in alloys, matrix LEDs, heated front seats and steering wheel, wraparound ambient lights, and posher upholstery.

FR Black Edition is a fairly recent addition and adds 18in black alloys, mirrors, side skirts and spoiler. Very stealthy. Unless someone spots you through the panoramic roof.

What’s the best spec then?

We wouldn’t look below the more powerful 148bhp 1.5-litre petrol engine – if you’ve opted for the estate you’re 1) a very smart individual, but 2) have likely got regular family/load-lugging duties. For which you’ll appreciate the extra power.

The middle one, FR, is the sweet spot. That's £31,995 up front or £350 a month.