Used SEAT Leon for sale: everything you need to know
The SEAT Leon has become a firm favourite as a quality hatchback, offering value for money and a sporty Spanish image. This combination of keen used values and Iberian flair has made it a popular alternative to the closely related Volkswagen Golf.
Competing in one of the most important new-car markets leaves the SEAT Leon with plenty of rivals. Along with the Volkswagen Golf, there is the Vauxhall Astra and ever popular Ford Focus to consider along with the impressive Peugeot 308.
There is also a high performance version, badged the Cupra Leon, available as both a hatchback and an estate.
Should you buy a SEAT Leon?
The SEAT Leon is a fun and practical family hatchback that demonstrates an SUV isn’t the answer to every question. It is a great option to buy used.
What makes the SEAT Leon stand apart from rivals such as the Vauxhall Astra or Toyota Corolla is the driving experience. Its steering is sharp and direct, with handling that will make travelling along country roads very enjoyable. It comes close to matching the benchmark Ford Focus, and does so without an overly stiff ride.
Compared to the previous model, this generation of SEAT Leon has lots of space inside. Rear-seat passengers have benefitted from extra space, while those in the front have a plentiful supply of headroom and legroom. The 380-litre boot is comparable to the SEAT Leon’s rivals, and there is the separate estate model for those who need even more capacity.
Interior quality is more than respectable, coming close to what the Volkswagen Golf can offer. It might not be quite in the same league as the Audi A3, but nobody buying a SEAT Leon will feel short-changed. The only frustration is likely to come from the multimedia touchscreen, which also controls the heating and ventilation. It can take time to become familiar with.
Beyond that, there is very little to find fault with about the SEAT Leon. The broad range of engines cater to every need, with peppy petrols or economical diesels for those with long commutes. There's even a plug-in hybrid model. It all makes for a very impressive family hatchback.
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What's the best used SEAT Leon model to buy?
While there's a range of petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid engines available, the majority of buyers will be well catered for with one of the petrol units. We rate the entry-level 1.0-litre engine, but you might want the extra power of the 1.5 if you regularly drive out of town.
In terms of trim level, none are particularly poorly equipped. The SEAT Leon SE Dynamic strikes a sweet spot of value for money and standard equipment – a 10-inch infotainment system is standard, as well as 17-inch alloy wheels, and parking sensors. It does without the firm suspension of the SEAT Leon FR, though.
Used SEAT Leon fuel economy and performance
With six petrol options and two diesels, the engine range for the SEAT Leon is comprehensive. Some feature mild hybrid technology to boost efficiency. Depending on the engine chosen, either a six-speed manual or seven-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic gearbox is fitted.
SEAT Leon 1.0 TSI Evo 110: The starting point for the SEAT Leon engine range is this 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol. Its lively nature suits the SEAT Leon’s fun image, and with 110hp it does not feel slow around town. It comes fitted with a six-speed manual gearbox, and achieves up to 51.6mpg.
SEAT Leon 1.0 eTSI Evo 110: For FR Sport and Xcellence trim levels, the 1.0-litre eTSI engine is the starting point. It adds mild hybrid technology to the turbocharged three-cylinder petrol unit. It reduces the 0-62mph time to 10.6 seconds, and comes with the seven-speed DSG automatic gearbox as standard.
SEAT Leon 1.5 TSI Evo 130: For those doing frequent journeys outside of the city, the 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engines offer more power and flexibility. They start with the 130hp version, which can accelerate from 0-62mph in 9.4 seconds. Despite this extra performance, it still achieves the same 51.6mpg average as the 1.0-litre engine.
SEAT Leon 1.5 TSI Evo 150: Offered for SEAT Leons in FR trim and above, this is a more powerful version of the 1.5-litre petrol engine. Stretching the output to 150hp reduces the 0-62mph time to less than nine seconds. Fuel economy does also fall slightly, with a potential average of 49.1mpg the payoff for more performance.
SEAT Leon 1.5 eTSI Evo 150: As with the smaller 1.0-litre engine, eTSI adds mild-hybrid capability to the 1.5-litre petrol engine. Along with a standard seven-speed DSG automatic gearbox, the mild-hybrid technology helps increase fuel economy to 49.4mpg. It is available on FR trim levels and above.
SEAT Leon 2.0 TSI 190: For the most powerful SEAT Leon (without turning to Cupra-branded versions), buyers can have this 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine. It comes with the quick-shifting seven-speed DSG automatic as standard, with 0-62mph taking just over seven seconds. Naturally, such performance does see the average fuel economy fall to 42.2mpg.
SEAT Leon 2.0 TDI 115: Doing long motorway miles? The 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel engine could be a good option in the SEAT Leon. This is the cheaper 115hp version, offered only for SE and SE Dynamic models. It is the best SEAT Leon for fuel economy, with a potential average of 65.7mpg. It comes with the six-speed manual gearbox.
SEAT Leon 2.0 TDI 150: A more powerful diesel can be specified on FR-spec SEAT Leons and above. As the name suggests, output is pushed to 150hp, and it too comes with the six-speed manual gearbox. The extra power helps cut the 0-62mph time to less than nine seconds, with only a minor payoff in terms of fuel economy (64.2mpg).
SEAT Leon eTSI Hybrid 204 12.8kWh: A plug-in hybrid version of the SEAT Leon with 1.4-litre petrol engine coupled to an electric motor. The combination delivers a total of 204PS for 0-62mph in a nippy 7.5 seconds. However, most buyers will be looking to the 27g/km carbon dioxide emissions and 235.4mpg combined economy, though you need to make the most of electric driving to get close to this figure.
What used SEAT Leon trim levels are available?
The SEAT Leon is available with a number of engines offered across six different trim levels. It means there should be a SEAT Leon to suit every taste and budget.
SEAT Leon SE: The starting point for the SEAT Leon certainly does not feel miserly in terms of equipment. With LED headlights, alloy wheels, rear parking sensors and cruise control, it has all the essentials.
SEAT Leon SE Dynamic: Adding more equipment to the SE model, the most important difference here is the 10-inch multimedia touchscreen, along with the digital instrument panel. Bigger 17-inch wheels add to the package, too.
SEAT Leon FR: With racier styling on the outside and sports suspension, FR trim makes the SEAT Leon a little spicier. Wireless smartphone charging and electrically folding side mirrors are included on this trim level as well.
SEAT Leon FR Sport: For even more equipment, the FR Sport version takes the same FR styling and adds 18-inch alloy wheels, microsuede interior upholstery, heated front seats and a heated steering wheel. The driver’s seat also gains electric adjustment, with a memory function to store your perfect settings.
SEAT Leon Xcellence: SEAT reserves Xcellence trim for its most luxurious models. Along with features like microsuede upholstery, heated seats and wireless smartphone charging, this version also gains a rear-view camera as standard.
SEAT Leon Xcellence Lux: The top-of-the-range SEAT Leon comes with virtually every available option included. This includes fancy black Nappa leather upholstery, distinctive 18-inch alloy wheels and a safety pack. The latter adds adaptive cruise control, high-beam assist and a dynamic road sign display.
Used SEAT Leon dimensions and boot size
The SEAT Leon hatchback’s exterior dimensions are:
Length: 4,368mm
Width: 1,799mm
Height: 1,456mm
The SEAT Leon hatchback’s boot space is:
Used SEAT Leon road tax
The cheapest SEAT Leon for road tax is the plug-in hybrid model as it enjoys a £10 discount on the standard annual rate of £180. However, if the list price for any Leon eTSI plug-in model, there will the same £390 additional charge to pay just as with the rest of the range that fall into this category. The extra cost applies until the car is five-years old. All the other models in the Leon line-up simply pay the flat rate of £180 per year.
How much is it to insure a SEAT Leon?
With such a wide range of trim and engine options, the SEAT Leon can be affordable to insure. The entry-level SEAT Leon 1.0 TSI 110 in SE specification is rated in insurance group 11 (out of 50), with the same engine in FR trim in group 12. As the most powerful engine, the 2.0-litre TSI 190 is the most expensive to insure. However, insurance group 23 still isn’t too prohibitive.
Read our full SEAT Leon review
