I was so chuffed about the idea of getting 47mpg with a hot hatch I didn't even want to tempt myself by trying out the Leon Cupra, or even the petrol version of the FR, so I stuck with this diesel Seat Leon and haven't regretted it at all. It was by far the fastest car I'd driven, so I wasn't going to be disappointed at all, and I really wanted to keep fuel economy high on the list. I suppose it's not quite 47mpg as I've been driving it like it's supposed to be driven, fast! It's still good though, really compares well to any other more boring car I could have got.
It's practical too, plenty of space all round. The biggest regular test is when we take my other half's folks out to the airport for trips places. They tend to pack everything including the kitchen sink, both have a huge hold luggage suitcase and then another maximum size cabin baggage case, and they all just about slot into the boot. It's nice and deep back there.
I'm not all that tall, and nor is my other half, so the back seats are fine for leg and head room, but I reckon if we were much taller it would get a bit cramped back there.
The torque is brilliant in this Seat Leon, so it must be absolutely immense in the more powerful ones. it's got something left at all speeds and all gears. I can overtake easily when cruising at 80 or higher, in pretty much any space that opens up.
Reverse parking is a bit of a nightmare, especially in the fog. The reverse light isn't all that powerful. The headlights also suffer from a bit of water collecting sometimes.
There's lots else really practical and cool about the car. You can adjust the windows with the radio key, which is pretty fantastic. There's some other practical stuff that you don't always get in hot hatches, like the separately folding back seats for more boot space. Definitely recommend the Seat Leon FR, the only problem being that it's pretty uncomfy to drive on anything other than tarmac, you really feel the bumps when they come.
I saw a boat once that had the name 'My mid life crisis' on the side, and if people named their cars then I'd probably do that with my Seat Leon 2.0 FSi Cupra. I'm happy with my mid life crisis, and my darling wife humours me. And what a beautiful way to pretend to be young again. I did a lot of careful research before getting the Seat Leon - which I suppose isn't very like a younger man! I wanted a fun car but really didn't want it to be breaking down all the time, and I wanted it to get more than 30 miles a gallon. The Seat Leon did those things on paper, and so far at least it's doing them all in reality.
I hardly drive it like I imagine some owners do, so it's probably getting a relatively easy ride, but I certainly have some fun in it from time to time, and really any drive is a pleasure, even the simple things like whooshing away from the lights and overtaking in pretty much any space available.
It's probably not a car for an inexperienced driver, all in all. Many years ago I used to do delivery driving, and when you've been speeding round in a van trying to get your deliveries done on time then anything else is a bit of a doddle. But the combination of loads of power and a pretty restricted rear viewport in the Seat Leon will probably confuse a lot of people. It needs some getting used to.
It does slip about a little bit when the rain starts and if it's a bit muddy, it's hardly one for all conditions, just pay attention and behave yourself when it gets slippy out.
It's been great for reliability and power so far, but this adventure may have to end on account of the firmness of the sports suspension, and my ageing back. I can't realistically drive my Seat Leon for more than a couple of hours without some serious gip arising. The seats are generally supportive and very good at keeping you in place round the corners, but the ride is just a little too firm. I'm looking at some BMWs that seem to get a better fuel return and obviously are built with a bit more comfort and luxury in mind. I think I could get a decent mix of mid life crisis and mature respectability that way!
We had a Seat Leon 1.8 R Cupra for a couple of years in the mid noughties. We got it almost just for a laugh, cos it's bags of fun to drive and takes corners like it's on rails. It was a bit of a bargain off the list price, it had done about 20k in just under a year so that made sense, and it seemed in good nick. It didn't need any repairs in the time we had it apart from tyres and a wheel bearing, and we hardly drove it like learners lol, gave it a good ragging most weekends.
I think the reliability is probably the second biggest thing to recommend it, after the power and sheer fun. I've heard a lot of bad things about other budget boy racer-mobiles, but the Seat Leon shouldn't disappoint based on our experience. We didn't have it long mind, and I suppose they'd all be quite a bit older by now.
I had to score the comfort a bit lower cos it's hardly a people carrier. It's not a real bone shaker either but it's somewhere in between. Basically you're not going to be driving a Seat Leon just for comfort, and the excitement is enough to distract from any firmness.
I recall it was a bit tricky to park. Visibility out the back was pretty rubbish and it didn't have fancy sensors or anything. It's not a car for a newbie anyway.
That said about good cornering, it did slither a bit on the wet, and if it got loose underfoot. Just get a feel for its limits before you start driving like a nutter.
Really tho the power is pretty huge, you can wheel spin in 1st 2nd and 3rd, and it all goes to the front which is surprising given how it moves.
The other thing about the Seat Leon Cupra is that it's pretty practical as well as being loads of fun. The glovebox could have been better but the boot is pretty big, nice and deep. The lip was a bit high, bit tricky to hulk things over the back, but it was fine really.
We had to ditch it in the end cos it wasn't really compatible with having kids on the scene, it just wanted to be driven too crazy all the time, plus it wasn't getting enough miles to the gallon. Really sad reason to sell a car, but we eventually moved to a Skoda (actually not all that bad) for better economy.
The Seat Leon Cupra was always one of my dream cars. Thankfully, being 24, I'm quite young but can still afford one, so I am a very lucky boy. It's got around 240bhp and can accelerate quicker than most things on the road. The amount of people who just want a passenger ride is ridiculous - it's that quick.
I've embarrased many a 911 and boxster off the line, which does sound unlikely, but it's thanks to the Leon's low kerb weight and high power output.
Inside, it's a VAG design. It's pretty basis really but seems relatively well made. The interior is probably the Leon's least attractive characteristic, but it's the price you pay for performance motoring and I don't mind at all.
If you want les power then go for the FR. That is a very good car. But if you want the ultimate in what a Leon can be, it has to be the Cupra. Nothing compares to it.
Hey guys, I own a Seat Leon FR. This was my first car - I know, lucky right? - and I've owned it since 09. It's never let me down once, never been in a fight with another car and is always there when I need him.
It's a good looking car overall, and especially in FR style, it makes it look even better. Fuel economy is a bit low but I do drive like I've stole it - oops. Thankfully if I did crash it's full of safety equipment; lots of airbags and safety bits and bobs.
Inside, it's a typical VAG car. Nicely made and a little boring, if I'm honest. It's still a nice place to sit, though, and I really do enjoy driving it on a daily basis.
I really like my Seat Leon but I slightly regret buying it. I was kind of hassled into it by the salesman which is really stupid, I know. There was a huge choice of models and I have no idea which one to choose and then when I got home I looked at the car and just thought 'this isn't really what I wanted'.
The main problem is that the boot is too small. The whole reason I wanted a Seat is because I kept hearing how practical they are so it is disappointing that I can barely fit a week's shopping in the back. It's pretty roomy in the back seats but my kids are quite small so I wasn't really bothered about that. It's also not all that comfortable. This my first unused car so I was expecting something a bit more luxurious.
On the other hand it's still a great car. It handles fantastically and it is really sporty. It's just that I wasn't really looking to buy a sporty car so it just seems kind of too noisy and too fast and not nice enough. Perhaps it's just not for me.
I've had this car for 6 months now and I love it! its just hit 77k miles and still going strong.
On a 120mile round trip I average 54mpg and thats doing 75-80mph in 6th.
I'd definately reccomend the Seat Leon 1.9 Tdi.
I had a drive around in a couple of models before I bought this – the standard 1.4 is something like 85bhp and I was severely disappointed. But then I had a go in the TSI trim (same capacity) and it was much better, so I was sold.
It’s the looks that first attracted me to the Seat Leon to be honest, but I kind of regret judging the book by its cover. There are some great things about the car – the suspension is the same kit as the VW Golf, apparently, which is probably my all-time favourite road car. It’s pretty reliable, too, thanks in part to its German DNA, I suppose, and all the warranties it comes with (12-year anti-rust). It has all the safety kit you could want and did well on all the crash tests (or so the dealer told me).
The Leon’s fuel consumption is surpsingly high for such a little car – I’m not that impressed by 40 odd mpg these days. But the bizarre view restricting pillars are the most annoying thing. I thought I would get used to them but I just haven’t. Not a bad all-rounder but nothing to get excited about.