SEAT Inca road tests and consumer car reviews

Lovely drive, I have previously had three Citroen Picassos, the last being the C4 7 seater DSG, so it had a hard act to follow, but so far, after one year, it is doing a great job. It is easy to handle with very positive steering and excellent pick up when you need to put your foot down. Very responsive. It is very economical, although there is not quite as much internal room as the Citroens, but you can’t have everything. The only trouble is that when my son, who is my second driver, gets hold of it I have to crowbar him out, he can’t get enough of it and his last car was an Audi Quatro 3 litre with tiptronic. He says it is just like driving the Audi, same gearbox, same handling and stability. And to compare the Altea to the Audi, is saying a lot.

This car has done less than 50,000 miles with a full service history. It looks very nice with a nice’ish interior, but it seems like the gearbox needs replacing, which seems to be a very poor quality build to me. This seems typical of a VW type of gearbox, but maybe we are just unlucky? I don’t think we would get another one!

I brought the Leon from new, I had a BMW prior to this, but there’s no comparison, the Leon beat it hands down. It has achieved everything I have asked of it. Why only 3 stars? I have had all the major engine components (Cam belt, etc) replaced and just after 75000 there is a major problem with the engine and gearbox. Greenflag came to recover me from the Motorway, checked the vehicle and stated that it should not be driven without urgent attention. The car has been taken to two different garages and they ’cannot find a thing wrong with it’. But the problem continues to happen (when the garages are closed Grrr). Neither garage were prepared to start replacing parts of the engine/gearbox/clutch because of the cost and it might not solve the problems. To top it all the Leonhas started to develop electrical problems with intermittent lights appearing on the dash!! I am gutted. It has been a fabulous car. I was expecting us to grow old and rusty together. I feel very disappointed that realistically 75000 is all that I will get from it. I would recommend a LEON to anyone, it is a fantastic car. I just hope I will get the same joy from my next car...the search begins!!! : (

A nice car to drive and it seems quite good on fuel too. I’ve had the car 6 months and the only problem so far is a water leak into the front and rear passenger side footwell, which is quite bad. I had noticed a strange smell in the car for a few weeks so decided to give it a good clean out and that’s when I discovered the carpets were sopping wet. I’m hoping the warranty will cover me to have this problem sorted, but I have a sneaking suspicion it’s not going to.. I will update further when I know.

This car is something else! I’ve been a Ford driver all my life and this is my first car which isn’t. The power and rigidity is tremendous. Very good spec level and love the six speed box and cruise control! I might upgrade the audio but that’s something for a bit later. I’m amazed to get such barnstorming power and great economy! Keep it up VW! Sorry SEAT ha ha!

Do not believe the advertised MPG!! I won’t hold back here, I’m really gutted about the MPG I’m receiving (and this is why I bought this car). I drive 120 miles a day and cannot even achieve the urban figure stated. I am having to drive at 55-60 MPH on the dual carriageway to get close to 70MPG. I am along way off from the 80 combined and 90 extra urban which is advertised. The car has been in and the dealer has stated nothing is wrong with the vehicle, although they couldn’t achieve the figures and stated they were achieved in test conditions. The 2 stars are for everything else going for the Ibiza; I love the look and the gadgets this car has. I personally think its the best looking of the Eco cars on the market at the moment.

Being only 19, this is my first car, bought second-hand off my cousin for £1500. When I first saw it I thought it was just going to be a fancy Nissan Micra, but it was nothing of the sort. It is a compact lupo-based hatchback and the perfect first car for anyone. When changing gears, the noise is crunching - and a pleasant, powerful crunching. The noise the little engine makes is also surprisingly powerful for such a little car. The small 1 litre engine means you’ll never have to keep glancing at the gauge. At night the inside gauges light up bright red. The stereo it comes with is small and can be taken out of the car for safety reasons. Top speed is 145mph, but for an amazing compact city car you will only need to reach max 80mph to feel the power the car can deliver. The car does not come with sat-nav and has poor boot space - it will hold just about your weeks shopping. These two sacrifices can be refurbished by purchasing a tomtom and putting things in the back seats. Other than that there are no more faults. The car feels like a go-cart when going round corners, and is a pleasure to drive in the confinments of a city or the open twisting roads in the countryside. It is a great, reliable little car worth purchasing as a first car or if you need a small urbanised car for shopping and getting you from A to B. It’s a magnificent triumph in compact car engineering and definitely recommended.

I bought this second hand, with 12,000 miles in 2002. It has now clocked 98,000 miles. It runs on dio-diesel and I’ve never had to change the diesel filter since using biodiesel. Everything still works perfectly and it has never has let us down once. A truly reliable car. SEAT are the unsung heros. I have had more trouble with all VW models, but not the Cordoba Vario. An amazing car!

I have just got my first SEAT Leon Cupra 20v turbo. It is running at around 268bhp, what a car! My wife loves it and now she is looking to get one too.

I have owned my Ibiza from new and have loved every minute of driving it. It looks really smart, and is much better than the lower models with its trim and 17" alloys. It is really nippy around town, but is also a fantastic moterway drive. It will happily sit at 90 and with the turbo has great acceleration even from 70- or 80 miles an hour. Everything in the interior is where you would expect it and the driver’s seat has plenty of movement for all sizes to be comfortable; I am 5 foot 2" and my husband is over 6 foot and we both enjoy the driving position. Having sat in a 58 plate Golf SE the other day I realised how good the quality of the interior was in the Ibiza! The boot is spacious for its class, and with the back seats down we have moved house and made numerous Ikea trips with no issues! The rear leg room is also good. You can easily fit 4 adults in the car for long journeys with no issues. The only issue I have had with it is the cost of running it! With tax of about £260 a year and only managing 35mpg if you are really careful (even on a motorway journey!) it is definitely worth considering. I have only done 30k in nearly 5 years so it hasn’t been a massive issue, but it is quite frustrating when you can see the fuel gauge moving on a long journey! It has been very reliable, with no issues apart from a couple of electrical issues when new which were all sorted out by the dealer quickly. Servicing is reasonablby priced. Overall a fun car to drive and an opportunity to drive a VW engine at a much lower cost!

A great value car with plenty of room, good economy and performance, and as it’s basically an older A4 you know it should last. OK so SEAT isn’t as good a badge if you are a snob, but who cares? Pay more if you wish. I’ll happily stick with my Exeo.

I previously drove the Exeo and thought it was great. Now I have a Exeo ST on lease through work and I can honestly say it is every bit as good as the A4 Avant. I like the styling and quality feel of this car.

Had my 143 Diesel for around 8 months now, slightly higher milerage at 30k but drives and feels like new so taught. Can get up to late 50’s mpg, which is brill. Lovely touches like auto lights. Would have another in a minute and probably will in the next few years look at a sport or SE lux, especially as they have increased the rear leg room for my lanky 6 year old! All the rubbish spouted by aficionados that they would rather have an Audi A4 is just rubbish you could never pick up a 59 plate SE model Audi with remainder of three years warranty for under £13K. It was a no brainer for me and the rarerty factor adds to the appeal.

I’ve had my SEAT Exeo a week and I’m very happy so far. Fabulously appointed with just about every gadget you could want and all at a bargain price (no VAT promotion!) Drives like the Audi it was, tight and smooth. Looks a little bland and the SEAT badge is not the most racy of logos but overall a great offer and should be test driven!

I think this car is very comfortable, really smooth on the road and high, that gaves you more view around you. I love my car. Every car I’ve had before was a SEAT, but the Altea XL is the best, lots of room in the front and back. The boot is great.

The engine is a cracker with turbo and supercharger. It pulls well above what a car of only 1.2cc should do. It averages around 40 mpg urban at present, but should be better with more miles on clock. Handling and steering are also excellent, a great all-round package. One minor niggle, rear legroom could be better.

I have the 1.8 tsi 160 bhp with DSG transmission. This engine is powerful and yet fuel consumption is small. It’s a firm ride but still comfortable. Fun to drive and plenty of space compared to it’s size. But above everything, the car just looks fantastic.

Quick.

Our 1.4 auto Seat Arosa, purchased two years ago second hand with 70k on the clock for £1500. The perfect choice for the rural Cornish winding lanes, Small in size but big inside. it`s comfortble and nippy through the lanes and zippy on the motorway. With the mileage when bought there were the inevitable wear and tear problems that in the first year cost about £500 to bring up to scratch, Since then it`s probably the best little car we’ve had for reliability and the fun to drive factor. We’re retired now and previously serially owned Audis, Jaguars, Saabs, Range Rovers and a Porsche 911. For our two grand our little Arosa takes a little bit of all these cars and builds them into one fine liitle baby with a comforting gurgle and a smile on its face. A little dated it maybe in style, but so is the wife and I wouldn’t change her for anything.

This car is the cheapest most reliable car you can buy before the likes of your Polo Bluemotion and Seat Ecomotive models. It will run on 100B biodiesel and pulls like a train through the gears. Find one if you can!

I bought a Ibiza in December 2008, it’s the 1.4 Sport model and I am far from impressed with it. As people have been saying below. the interiors are absolutely foul and whoever designed it didn’t think too much about safety because it’s very hard to make out all the switches that are down under the dash and the black shiny radio. I have had the car towed away to SEAT a few times due to it not starting or dying at traffic lights. Overall I have come to one conclusion, DO NOT BUY A SEAT IBIZA!

Firstly, due to downsizing from an estate Saab, I was given this small sporty black hatchback! I thought this would be cramped, but actually it’s comfortable and reasonably laid out! Good equipment on this model (FR-170), ride is very hard but you get used to it. If you ride in the rear it is not comfortable because of the hard shocks, but generally it handles great and is fun to drive! Top Speed? Sorry, but you need to drive one to believe it! I would like to also say that SEAT Cars are very good on quality now.

I have a Altea Reference Sport 1.9 Diesel which is now just over 3 years old, having purchased the car from new. Only problems I have had with this car is a water leak in the front nearside footwell. According to my local Seat dealer this is quite common place but luckily it was sorted out under warranty in the third year. However the dealer took over a week to trace the leak! And finally, the stitching on the front seats started to pull away, this was also replaced under warranty on 2 separate occasions! Generally, the car has been very realiable with no mechanical problems. Obviously with the Ref Sport the suspension is very hard and the engine noisier then other diesels but would I buy again? Short answer, Yes!

Excellent car, reliable and comfy. Great for size of car fuel consumption 40 mpg short journey, early 50’s on runs. Would have given 5 star rating if not for squeaks and rattles.

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.

I’ve got the Leon Cupra had the car from new. It will be 4 years old in March 2011. Its fast the 240 bhp engine is a joy and the gear box is great with short sharp gear changes. Most of the running gear is borrowed from the golf the engine is form audi so the car is mostly bullet proof. The interior is sound and well put together although some of the plastics are cheaper than you’d find in a golf. The front seats are great and hold you firmly through the corners although for rear passengers the ride can be slightly harsh on minor roads where there are pot holes. The car is not without it’s faults. The paint is soft and can suffer easily from chips. The rear tyres wear unevenly causing them to bobble which can cause road noise and the front tyres do wear out quite quickly. The boot is very small so this may not be the best car for a small family. I’m replacing it next year. I’m getting something bigger so sadly it wont be another cupra. If I was looking for another hot hatch then I’d have another in a heart beat.

In Crono Yellow I love the appearance of this 3door. The driving position is good with comfortable leg room and plenty of steering wheel adjustment but in this sport version the seats feel hard and with sports suspension the ride is poor with pronounced road noise. Behind the wheel some controls are hap-hazard, the under steering wheel radio control is a waste of time. Otherwise the controls are light and the car is a pleasure to drive. Performance is adequate to brisk but high gearing requires the use of third in built up areas. My main concern is dreadful fuel economy. I am used to bettering published combined figures whilst traveling at the legal limit when safe to do so. In this car I have difficulty obtaining 50mpg against a claimed 65. The supplying dealer offers no explanation after four sessions in the workshop. Would I recommend this car? NO.

I bought this car with the arrival of my 1st child and 3 years on I am convinced I made the right decision. Its looks are either loved or hated, which makes it stand out from the mediocre looks of other family hatchbacks. The DSG gearbox is amazing. The extra height makes driving a more comfortable experience - and my wife does not feel intimidated by van and huge 4x4 drivers(!). Fuel economy is very good (50mpg on motorway) and it adapts very well to the driver’s mood. Make sure you get/install the rear parking sensors and you will have all the car you need.

Had the Freetrack for 6 months now and I am very pleased with it. Loads of power at hand from the VW diesel engine and have left a few surprised drivers behind in their lower end Audis and BMW’s etc. The interior is very well equipped with auto lights, auto windscreen wipers, cruise control etc, and a dvd screen and connection for my ipod. My car is the yellow one, which some people may not like but it is definitely eye catching and it turns peoples heads when driving through the streets. I haven’t really noticed any advantages from the 4 wheel drive system yet as I have only owned it through the summer so far, I am hoping it becomes helpful if we have snow again this year.

I have had 3 new SEAT cars this past 10 years, the one I have now is the Leon 2006. My problem is the traction light is on all the time, SEAT have said it would cost £1500 to fix. I have since been told this is a fault in these models. The car has only done 32,000 miles, otherwise it’s a lovely car.

This my third VAG Tdi and my second SEAT. I continue to be impressed by the VAG build quality and the road holding of the XL is surprisingly good. The suspension may be too firm for some and the rear seats when folded do not result in a flat loadspace. What I do not understand is why the performance and emission and economy of the PD engine is such a backward step from the previous 1.9 TDI with conventional injectors. The 105bhp engine provides mediocre performance in the XL which is further reduced to poor performance and thirsty motoring if the climate control is used. The tailgate on mine gets covered with sooty specs which is due to the marginal combustion caused by fundamentally poor fully computerised EGR control - inexcusable on a modern diesel! Add to this the fact that the cambelt, in common with all VAG PD engines, requires changing every 3/4 years and you may think twice before you decide to own one. This car required a new dual mass flywheel and clutch at 8k (under warranty) which is also another component like the second rate climate control compressor with built in failure. My vehicle has only done 15K and I’m disappointed. My two previous VAG vehicles, a Toledo and an Octavia were better performers, were much quieter and used far less fuel. Oh and you will need fully synthetic oil in the PD at £8 a litre.

I have the 2L auto. It is one of the best cars I have driven and the load space is big.

Great car, roomy both front and especially in the back, great for carrying 5 adults. I have just had to downsize to an Ibiza due to my family all having their own cars. Sorry to see it go. Only downer is parking, you would really need sensors fitted as standard. I was always frightened of young children around the rear of the vehicle...

We have the Leon FR tdi with the btcc bodykit and the black alloys. The car looks the business and feels it too, it has awesome power and is very economical. It’s an all over good sporty car with practicality when needed for the family.

Bought my 2nd SEAT in 04 with 11k on the clock. Had no problems whatsoever in the seven years I’ve had the car. Passed MOT every year and only had to replace tyres. Looking to buy new car for my husband and will definately buy another SEAT.

Eager for a test to tickle my fancy, I postponed taking the net curtains to the dry cleaners, in order to grab the keys from the delivery driver, rush to the front door and trip over the neighbour’s cat. Fortuitously this granted me a worms eye view of the suspension underpinnings and a reassuring confirmation that the four wheels were attached to the vehicle - essential for my kind of work. If you’re after a stylish motoring package with punch, the 3 Door SEAT Ibiza SC TDi Sport combines aesthetics with ergonomic and economic good sense. It’s a smooth and rapid ’A to B’ machine wrapped attractively in one of the slickest bodyshells I’ve seen from the latest crop of aerodynamically contoured hatchbacks. My test car was delivered in a stunning shade of Galia Blue that offset the styling facilities to perfection. Razor edged contours blend effortlessly with sensuously rounded curves - put simply, it’s a real eye pleaser. Drivers are awarded the satisfaction of owning a vehicle in which style and sense complement each other. It’s rather like owning a fashionable outer garment with the most durable underpinnings. So, I liked what I saw - and from behind the wheel with the car in motion, I liked what the engineering delivered. Climb inside and the harmonious effect endures. A sensibly appointed and comfortable cabin subtly styled to conform with sophisticated notions of taste - nonetheless reassures with a sense of durability. It’s terrifically habitable and attractive. There are nice details to be found everywhere. I especially admired the sunroof, visor and shade which imparted a real feel of luxury. A boring commute would be a pleasure in such an environment. The anticipated electronic displays were toned down to conform with propriety, offering everything the technophile needs, with nothing outlandish to scare off the technophobe. Blessed on the day with a blue sky, I couldn’t wait to get going and put the car through its paces. Firmly shod on wide tyres on alloy wheels it moved away like a dream - and attracted admiring glances from the neighbours; partly on account of its splendid blue colour, bright in the sunlight - but also because of its inescapable elegance of form. Top marks to SEAT for achieving individuality of appearance while maintaining adherence to contemporary templates of climate-efficient motoring. It’s a car for the times but ahead of the field. Tested with the new 1.6 litre 105PS diesel this Ibiza lives up to its ’sport’ name, dashing to that pointless benchmark 60 mph in10.5 seconds and on to a top speed of 117 mph. (119.7778364 mph if you blow up the tyres and fold in the door mirrors and choose a damp day - all stuff and nonsense really.). Much more important is the way this car drives in terms of throttle response in the mid range. I’m pleased to tell you that thanks to nicely chosen five gears and walloping torque of 250Nm at just 1500rpm it ’feels’ quick on the road and is capable of leaving Pedro Sombrero in his screaming Ballistic Banshee Nitro- Glycerine powered Coupe from the Orient, for dead on normal roads. Claimed fuel consumption is 65.7 mpg on the combined cycle - an astonishing figure don’t you think? But I achieved around 56mpg overall. 65.7mpg could probably have been achieved by Reginal Molehusband, but readers will, no doubt, appreciate that this Ibiza invites exuberant driving - so everything is, of course, a compromise. As we all know, you can’t make an omelette without squeezing a chicken. CO2 emissions are low too, so that means low road tax, high efficiency and a happy planet. On the motorway I really enjoyed driving, delighting in confidence inspiring performance allied to an abiding sense of security - but ever cautious, I kept a firm eye on the spy cameras and an even firmer hand on my wallet. I took my foot off the gas like a cautious leopard and gave the similes a chance to catch up. On my secret test route I enjoyed tackling bends wholesale, revelling in the secure and grippy feel, taut suspension and the steering’s acuity. Serenity will be too stronger word in modern motoring conditions but few cars today can so nearly approach that ideal state. I could sense the fact that I was being afforded respect by fellow road users and, quite frankly, felt it was only my due at the wheel of such a fine machine. Lots today is written about incomprehensible technologies and impenetrable enthusiasms for the arcane when it comes to motoring. I have to say that I’m a simple soul and merely want to be given wheels that work in combination with a certain dash of stylistic piquancy: the rest I leave to the anoraks. I can say with confidence that I never cease to be surprised at the quality engineering within reach of even modest pockets these days - and this Ibiza is a prime example with prices starting at £13,295. For as long as the motorcar is a necessity - and for the moment it surely is - we need good cars and should be grateful to manufacturers like SEAT for delivering the goods. It’s a testimony to the virtues of this desirable car that beneath the beauty there’s a toughness so necessary for our potholed, pockmarked, shockingly bad roads. Nothing disturbed its equanimity. There were no rattles: no shaking loose of bits of trim. Everything was tight, tough, comfortable - and there I was, perfectly seated to ’wind up the wick!’

Very good performance and roomy. Good handling a little too harsh ride poor vision due to large windscreen pillars. Bad flat spot when entering a junction on the turn. Only one remote key supplied.

Hi, After owning an Ibiza 14 Sport I bought in September 2003 brand new I said to myself never again am I buying a SEAT because my Ibiza lost power all the time. I was crossing a busy dual carriage way and I put my foot down to get accross quickly as there were cars pretty close to me. But it simply moved off at a snails pace and almost had me killed! Losing power was the least of my problems because the suspension gave alot of trouble and also the engine was making a very bad knocking/ rattling sound. I brought it back to Seat and they couldn’t of been any les helpfull if they tried! But foolishly I fell for the new model last year and bought a 1.4 Sport, and I DO NOT like it at all any more. The cabin is so drab and boring to sit in and the seat fabric feels and looks so cheap but it does feel durable. The engine isnt particulary progressive and its not as economical as my old Ibiza. I’m not impressed to be honest, I was expecting to be pleased but I’m not.

SEAT’s Leon FR diesel is, without a doubt, a lionhearted car committed to a crusade on behalf of better motoring. Modern, functional and thoroughly alluring, it’s a leap away from the mundane - from boring clone ’cars-as-an-appliance’. It’s an indulgence: a lot of fun and more. At your first involvement, the word ’humdrum’ is removed from your vocabulary. From most angles the lean, low profile looks tremendous - a coupe with five-door practicality. Stand back and feel the sense of integrity and solidity of that arresting shape with its glossy paint and startling presence. Fastidiously sculpted and with just the right hint of bicep in the design to let you know that it’s a thoroughbred for keen drivers - the Leon is still a capacious, comfortable, family sized car. Getting into a Leon is always to be reminded of that ample interior space and splendid ergonomics. Big seats, loads of room, excellent visibility and a cohesive air of quality (SEAT is part of the Volkswagen Group) let you know that this car is a finely honed machine. Second only to the range-topping Cupra version, the FR is the civilised performance model for ’Captain Sensible’. ’Zesty’ rather than ’ballistic’ it has that everyday charm for today’s traffic conditions - yet with a capability to go supersonic when conditions allow. The most important ingredient for capturing that elusive essence of fun in any car is its engine and in the FR version of the Leon there’s either a 2.0 litre 211PS petrol or a willing and lusty 170PS diesel. Testing the diesel version, I could tell that engineers who really understand what makes one engine a workhorse and another a pure delight, had been at work. Smooth and restrained at low revs for relaxed urban use - yet ride on the crest of the creamy torque and the once unassuming engine thrusts you forward with impressive alacrity - satisfyingly bowling you along at speeds up to nearly 135mph. All this though, would be a chore if the six speed gearbox was less than delightful. Thankfully the changes are light, swift and pleasant - slotting home with almost military precision to provide you with enjoyment pure and simple. But you can only have so much fun travelling in a straight line, so bend swinging must match the straight-line experience. Thankfully the Leon FR is deliciously ’chuckable’ letting you ply your chosen line with total confidence to make ’press on’ driving a pleasure. The test model was vivid Crono Yellow (Sunflower yellow to you and me) that left the cheeky young stripling driving a Focus ST, blinking in our wake as we scorched along Shropshire’s secret roads at Warp Speed. Whilst the Focus was burning fuel at an alarming rate I delighted in enough pep to make Salvador Dali’s moustache curl - with a surreally low fuel consumption to boot. Averaging nearly 55mpg overall means that even if you can’t stretch to a Goya, you should be able to stretch to this ’goer’ at £19,500. You have to pay more, of course, if you want to add the various ’option’ packs - ’Winter Pack, Bluetooth ’wired to Mars’ Communications Pack, Convenience Pack (No lavatory included I’m afraid) or Technology Pack. But this is certainly one of the few cars available today to offer all the convenience you need plus the performance you crave to shrug-off the traffic queue and take the freelance route - a practical combination that sacrifices nothing in the driving stakes. Decent ride comfort and sharp handling makes for a lovely car either to drive like fury or to savour slowly. The Leon FR is a splendid ’all rounder’ - and it’s not only me saying this. Jaded old colleagues with advanced rigor mortis assure me that they have been rejuvenated by Seat’s Leon FR. "Keep it on the road! There’s a good chap" cried my old pal Dougie. "The lady wife’s expecting a late holiday". But he needn’t have worried - the Electronic Stability Programme, Emergency Brake Assist and Stall Warning Buzzer - plus lovely sticky tyres were guaranteed to save our bacon. Similarly the man from the Saturn Five Gazette assured me that it met with his full-boost, inter-galactic approbation. So I’m pleased to report that this is no Spanish donkey. Indeed it will give many an Italian stallion a run for its money. It certainly hit the spot with me. An ’Ole!’ in one for SEAT, you might say.

I have owned the SEAT for 4 years now. It has had a couple of faults, which were luckily covered by the warranty. It has only driven 13,000 miles in 4 years so things could be different if it was driven more. Main dealers not very good with aftersales.

Great small car, the inside is more spacious than it appears with 4 proper seats, the only bad thing is the engine is a little noisey.

Second SEAT Altea XL I have owned, 1.9 tdi, great car. I am 66 years old, there’s plenty of room for stiff legs, ample room for grandchildren and their luggage going to school. Put your foot down and it feels like a boy racer car, feels great, but when things go past you it makes you realise it’s time to slow down. SEAT is five star motoring at very good prices. If I survive I certinly will buy another SEAT Altea XL to ferry my great grandchildren around.

Picked up the Altea XL second hand in June 2009 as my family were out growing my supermini! I’ve had a SEAT Leon in the recent past which I enjoyed, nice and perky, lots of grunt but well made, so picking another SEAT was an easy choice. Obviously, it’s a lot bigger than the Leon but I can just about pretend that I’m still in a hot hatch, it’s got good acceleration, looks pretty on the eye too. The TDI engine is great, well it is a Volkswagen! And I get good fuel economy out of it. I don’t keep too much tabs on it but I’m not heading to the petrol station every other day, so I’m pleased about that. Would I recommend one? No! Unless you’ve got a family!! That’s when I would totally recommend it!

I love this car so much I have just ordered a brand new one, 1.4 sc se 3 door in Citrus. Can’t wait to drive it. Never gone for the same car twice, but so impressed with the ’chill’ that I won’t ever go for any other make now and I have had a few in my time!! The only problem I had was with electrics, luckily when still under warranty and so it was sorted at no cost to me . It’s a trendy little car and pretty zippy for the likes of a ’young’ pensioner. With VW under the bonnet you can’t go wrong really.

Excellent performance and handling. Harsh ride on some surfaces. Needs a light foot at low speeds to avoid a jerky gear change. Wind screen pillars badly obstruct view. Some flat spots when momentarily stoping then trying to pull away quickly. All round a delight to drive. Good economy.

Great Car. Good Alternative to a Golf.

Great handling but very hard ride due to the sport suspension. Visibilty also a problem as front windscreen pillars obstruct forward vision. Very practical with a good size boot and additional storage under the boot floor. Seats are excellent and very supportive front and back. I have the 1.9 tdi version which pulls strongly but is quite noisy, but if driven carefully can achieve 50mpg plus on a run. Overall very plesed with the car and have covered 40000 miles in just over two years with very few problems.

This is a 168bhp diesel that is very comfortable and well equipped with loads of storage room. Great for families and it works well off road and on. It normally runs as 2 wheel drive which helps economy and its Audi developed 4 wheel drive system works seemlessly to give extra grip when required. I used it in the recent snow and with its enhanced ride hight and wide tyres made easy work of the hills in my area that had other 4x4 vehicles abandoned. You can accelerate hard in the wet from a stand still using its mountain of low down grunt and it just takes off on full throttle without any slippage or fuss. It has a DVD player front and back, satnav, bluetooth, an auto option on the lights. Its great on the motorway as there is loads of power in the low revs and it will pull hard in top from 1500rpm all the way to its top speed of 128mph. Its a very relaxing drive that leaves you fresh at the end of a long journey and I think this is because it maintains very low revs so you don’t get the vibration that can intrude with a petrol engine. It returns about 40 miles per gallon with normal driving. I am very pleased with it.

Great little(?) car, very smooth and easy to drive, with a gutsy little engine that returns 45mpg on the trip computer in everyday driving. Fully loaded equipment that would cost over £3000 more for a similar fiesta with the same level of equipment. Fantastic looking with a superb ride in the SE version although. I test drove a sport version as well and the ride was fidgety on that, so I would recommend the SE. The interior quality is superb with no rattles or squeaks, and the quality of materials is like a Mini Audi, and the quality of plastics put the Fiesta to shame. Nice and quiet on the motorway with a lot less tyre noise than my father New Model Honda Jazz. The only downside is that the interior is a bit dull and dark, great from the drivers seat but boring for everyone else, try to spec one with the lighter dash pack at no extra cost as it makes all the difference. A very underrated car with a 14 week delivery time, we went to 3 dealers and were lucky to get a cancelled order for the colour that we wanted... a very underrated car, much better quality than a fiesta and a better drive than a Honda Jazz... try one you will be happy, we were!

Had the car for 1 year since new. The TDI 140 is a superb car but lacking that wee bit of oomph - had the ECU remapped boosting power to 190bhp and 395 torque. This is the car as it should have been. I will keep this car for a long time - need I say more.