2010 Seat Leon reviews

SEAT Leon Ecomotive 2010

To my way of thinking, the hybrid road is not the one to take when diesel economy can reach high peaks. So - to the Seat Leon Ecomotive: You’ll do all round good owning one of these. You’ll delight in the performance, marvel at the economy and revel in the plaudits of the Green Lobby because the purity of its exhaust - whilst not quite fume free - emits just 99g/km; so this Leon is road fund licence exempt, making it the most environmentally responsible car in its class and probably less polluting than a driver with a bad case of halitosis. It is, I suggest, a three times winner in fact. Certainly my money is on this one to run and run. Twist the key and you start a smooth and quiet1.6,105 PS Turbodiesel engine - which is one of SEAT’s newest engines.(You’ll never know there’s a diesel under the bonnet). This makes for the most fuel efficient Leon, with a claimed ’combined’ fuel consumption of over 74mpg and an amazing 83mpg achievable in the extra-urban cycle. I was not able to replicate these figures, which might have been because of the Arctic conditions during the test - but readers can rest assured that my non numerical conclusion about the economy was that the Ecomotive Leon is ’jolly good on fuel’. Despite all this goodness, thankfully the ’man-in-a-hurry’ will not be disappointed either. 118mph and walloping torque is surely ample for all but the deranged. I’m pleased to report that enthusiastic overtaking is easy and you’d be would be forgiven for concluding that little performance has been sacrificed on the altar of righteousness and low fat diets. The engine revs freely and responds with alacrity to a squeeze on the throttle. The car can be especially satisfying to the driver who is willing to use that slick five-speed gearbox. The Leon, of course, is an elegant car that combines the sleek looks of a coupe with five-door practicality, so it’s rather more dynamic looking than some of its anodyne rivals. It’s a step away from the mundane; from boring clone cars. It’s an indulgence and it puts a bit of fun back into motoring. The stylish, flowing lines are in keeping with the ’sporty’ image of the brand and it’s not hard to accept it as more appealing than its key competitors such as Ford Focus, Peugeot 308 or Renault Megane. The interiors roomy feel is confirmed by use - and my three ’hamburger size’ passengers fitted in easily and had no complaints. It’s an excellent cabin design that is simply laid out and recognisable as SEAT: and there’s top quality too - so typical of anything from the VW Group. Bristling with equipment, the SE builds on an already generous S specification with the addition of tinted rear windows, dual zone climate control, one touch power windows, a top line sound system and cruise control. For the driver, seat and wheel adjust to provide an excellent driving position and as you set mirrors and minor controls, you soon realise that this is a car that can be tailored easily and accurately to your needs. Driving on all roads from Motorways to twisty lanes clearly reveals that this is a driver’s car in all-important aspects. It takes only a mile or two to appreciate the refinement and flat-riding suppleness, which gives the Leon good grace and poise without allowing it the hint of a wallow over bumps. If you’re in the mood for making rapid progress, you find that the Leon flows effortlessly through bends; handling with real aplomb. There is, of course, grip in abundance and you would need freakish bad luck to come unstuck. Even in the Arctic conditions of the test the Leon was surefooted and confidence inspiring on surfaces more slippery than Teflon. Too often people overlook ’Greeny’ ’Eco’ variants of a model because the perception is that they’re strangulated and boring. With the Leon Ecomotive this is definitely not the case. It’s reasonable price of £16,860 and the extensive equipment say ’good value’ and it makes fundamental real world sense. It’s a spacious, comfortable, soundly constructed, five door hatchback that’s an abundantly easy, reassuring and relaxed car with which to live. On those grounds alone its case is strong.