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SEAT Leon FR 2.0 TSI DSG road test report

FR 2.0 TSI DSG

Sitting just below the range-topping 150+mph Cupra in SEAT’s extensive Leon line-up is the almost-as-sporty FR model. The FR costs a little less, and it isn’t quite as blindingly quick, but this particular hot hatch offers more than enough power and pizzazz for all but the most hard-core of speed freaks.

Road Test Reports Says 4 star rating
A front-facing image of the SEAT Leon FR 2.0 TSI DSG

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TOM SAYS

Performance Performance - 5 stars

The FR comes with a choice of two engines: a 170PS TDI or a 211PS petrol TSI. I drove the latter – one that was also equipped with the optional (£1,050) DSG 6-speed auto – and to describe it as an eager performer would be a major understatement. Whichever way you look at it 211PS is a lot for a C-sector (Astra/Focus/Golf-sized) hatchback and so this car really flies. Though it’s fun to manually flip through the gears using the DSG’s wheel-mounted paddles, it’s just as fast, if not faster in auto mode – 0-62 in 6.9secs with a max of 145mph.

Ride & Handling Ride & Handling - 4 stars

It’s fair to describe the Leon FR’s ride as taut – this is after all a GTi by any other name – but it’s not so firm as to be irritating or uncomfortable. Riding on optional low-profile 18-inch tyres, small ripples and bumps aren’t completely ironed out but as keen drivers will appreciate, you can at least feel road surface nuances through the seat of your pants. The steering offers no surprises. In common with so many other contemporary cars there’s not a surplus of feel at the wheel, but the FR goes exactly where it’s steered, and there’s bags of grip too, partly due to the standard electronic diff lock system.

Build Quality & Reliability Build Quality & Reliability - 3 stars

Following my a brief test drive it wouldn’t be right to make definitive statements about quality, but based on this and previous, longer-term experiences with other current SEAT models, Leons included, I’ve no cause to suspect that anything is amiss. The Leon, along with almost all other SEATs, is manufactured in the company’s ultra modern factory near Barcelona where the latest production techniques are used and fit, finish, feel and quality of plastics and materials are all up to par. Of the 29 manufacturers in the ’09 JD Power Vehicle Ownership Satisfaction Study SEAT scored an industry average of 781 points.

Safety & Security Safety & Security - 4 stars

The Leon has a 4-star (occupant and child) Euro NCAP score and standard equipment includes front, side and head airbags (six in total), ESP Electronic Stability Programme, EBA Emergency Brake Assistance and ABS braking with TCS traction control. In addition there’s tyre pressure monitoring, five 3-point seatbelts; ISOFIX child seat anchoring points, remote central locking with deadlocks, a volumetric alarm and an electronic rolling code immobiliser. Optional safety equipment fitted to my test car included rain-sensing wipers, automatic bi-xenon headlamps and an auto-dimming rear view mirror.

Space & Practicality Space & Practicality - 4 stars

Despite it’s sporty coupé appearance the 5-door Leon offers much the same accommodation as other similarly-sized hatchbacks such as the A3 or Golf, with which the Leon shares a very similar chassis and underpinnings. There’s ample space and comfort for the two front seat occupants, and the FR’s body-hugging sports seats do a fine job of holding you securely in situ during spirited cornering. I had no trouble fitting my largish 6ft frame into the rear, although three adults of my dimensions would find it a squeeze; at least one of the three rear bench-seat passengers needs to be child-sized. The 341-litre boot is usefully sized while loadspace increases courtesy of the 60/40 split/fold rear seats.

Ownership & Value Ownership & Value - 4 stars

In addition to the standard dual-zone climate control, trip computer and MP3-compatible CD player with auxiliary inputs my FR boasted a sophisticated SEAT media system with Bluetooth comms, satnav and parking sensors. All this and more (mostly mentioned above) boosts the FR’s price from £20,100 (inc. DSG) to £22,325 otr, but both figures include a 3yr/60,000m mechanical warranty with a two-year Europe-wide rescue service. Fuel consumption is quoted as 37.7mpg combined, along with 174g/km of CO2 (£175 annual road tax) and group 15 insurance. In short the FR is as much fun as a Golf GTI, and as quick, but at least £3,500 cheaper.

Submitted: 16/11/2009 14:06:05

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