Seat Leon review

Over the past few years Seat has worked hard to raise the Leon’s cabin towards Golf quality, and for the most part the results have been successful. But this one is super Golf-y, largely because it is the new Golf’s simplified, minimalist interior. 

There are subtle textures and material changes, but nasty hard-touch plastics are a thing of the past on the dash top, and the seats and stitching are smart. It hasn’t quite got the wow factor of some rivals, but it’s nice all the same.

Has it nicked the infotainment set-up, too?

Yep. All but the base models get a 10.25in customisable digital binnacle display and you can spec either a 10.4in or 12.9in (up from the previous 8in or 10in) freestanding display. Surrounding it aren’t many buttons, as it's the 2020s and apparently they're banned, while those that are there – for adjusting the volume or changing the temperature – are frustrating to use. Which is a shame.

Still, compared to previous Leons that could feel meagrely specced even when loaded with kit, the new infotainment system, ambient lighting and introduction of connective tech makes the Leon feel properly grown up and more premium. 

There’s speech recognition, gesture control, Car2X connectivity, wireless smartphone pairing and charging, a pair of USB-C ports in the rear, and the latest Seat Connect app, which provides remote access to driving data, can lock and unlock the doors, sends an alert if the car has been stolen and can sound the horn. Just in case you want to annoy your neighbours while inside.

It all feels a big step up on the likes of the Ibiza, Arona and Ateca which get a different cabin and infotainment setup, and though you do get a lot more physical switchgear in those cars including proper climate controls, this feels far more luxurious.

Is it comfortable?

The extra length added to the wheelbase also helps the cabin feel spacious, providing plenty of legroom for lanky types in the back. If you opt for DSG models, this volume is accentuated thanks to the nubby, pebble-like shift-by-wire gear selector that frees up space on the centre console.

Boot space remains the same as the previous generation at 380 litres (that’s like-for-like with the Audi A3, BMW 1 Series and VW Golf) though worth noting the plug-in hybrid loses 110 litres due to the internal gubbins and raised floor.