Used SEAT Leon for sale: everything you need to know
The SEAT Leon has had many faces over the years, but it’s always been a stylish alternative to the otherwise mechanically similar Volkswagen Golf. That continues with the latest model, which went on sale in 2020, and the latest Leon also joins its predecessors in being just slightly more affordable than its VW-badged cousin.
There are no performance models this time around, at least not those wearing SEAT badges - you’ll need the Cupra Leon for that. But for practical and frugal family transport the Leon’s still well worth a look, and the addition of a plug-in hybrid model to join the petrols and diesels only broadens its appeal. We’ve covered the engines and trim levels in detail below.
Should you buy a SEAT Leon?
Buying a sensible family car doesn’t have to mean sacrificing style. That’s not SEAT’s mission statement, but it’s something that’s always applied to the SEAT Leon. Now in its fourth generation, it’s always had handsome looks on its side, plus a value advantage over several of the cars it shares its platform with, such as the VW Golf and Audi A3.
For the 2020-on model we’re covering here, the Leon feels more grown-up than ever. Perhaps it’s lost a little of the old car’s sense of fun as a result - and for a hot version, you now need to look to sister brand Cupra - but the Leon is still good to drive, with a lineup of lively engines, neat handling with precise steering, and a pretty decent ride too.
It’s slightly more spacious inside than the old model and the interior has taken a step up in quality too - it’s less obvious where SEAT has had to cut costs to provide strong value, than it used to be. If you need more space, there’s always the estate version too, but even the hatchback has a reasonable 380-litre boot. Only the widespread use of touch-sensitive controls frustrates - a few more knobs and switches would’ve been nice.
The most obvious alternatives to the Leon are its platform-mates, the Volkswagen Golf, Audi A3, and the larger Skoda Octavia, all of which offer varying levels of styling sensibility, quality, equipment, and space. But the market is awash with other family hatchbacks too - think the Vauxhall Astra, Toyota Corolla, Mazda 3, Renault Megane, and of course the ever-popular Ford Focus.
What’s the best used SEAT Leon model to buy?
It’s impressive how much a little 1-litre engine can do in the Leon, and if you’ll mainly be driving around town or have a fairly gentle commute, its decent performance, thrummy engine note and fuel-sipping economy will all be most welcome. We’d step up to the 1.5 TSI if you take in more motorway or out of town driving though, as there’s barely a fuel economy penalty. SE Dynamic trim strikes a good balance between value and equipment levels, and it looks sharp enough too on its 17-inch alloy wheels.
Used SEAT Leon fuel economy and performance
- SEAT Leon 1.0 TSI Evo 110: With a 1-litre, three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine you get 110PS in the basic Leon, with the promise of 51.6mpg economy.
- SEAT Leon 1.0 eTSI Evo 110: Some models get mild-hybrid tech - note the ‘eTSI’ for that - but the same 110PS power output. 0-62mph takes 10.6 seconds though confusingly, economy drops to 49.6mpg.
- SEAT Leon 1.5 TSI Evo 130: With capacity upped to 1.5 litres and the cylinder count now four, you get 130PS, a 0-62mph time of 9.4 seconds, and 51.6mpg on average.
- SEAT Leon 1.5 TSI Evo 150: A yet more powerful version of the 1.5-litre engine makes 150PS, dropping 0-62mph to under nine seconds. SEAT claims 49.1mpg for the average economy figure.
- SEAT Leon 1.5 eTSI Evo 150: There’s also an eTSI version of the 150PS 1.5, with a standard seven-speed DSG automatic, and 49.4mpg economy.
- SEAT Leon 2.0 TSI 190: Things are getting quick now, with a 190PS 2-litre turbocharged petrol (with a standard DSG automatic gearbox) resulting in 0-62mph in a shade over seven seconds. Economy drops but is still in the 40s, at 42.2mpg.
- SEAT Leon 2.0 TDI 115: The first of two diesels is a 2-litre making 115PS, offered on lower specification cars. It’s the most frugal though, at up to 65.7mpg.
- SEAT Leon 2.0 TDI 150: With 150PS, the same diesel engine gets you from 0-62mph in under nine seconds, and economy is only a touch behind the 115PS engine, at 64.2mpg.
- SEAT Leon eTSI Hybrid 204 12.8kWh: The plug-in hybrid Leon is most powerful, thanks to the combined efforts of a 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine and an electric motor. You get 204PS, 0-62mph in 7.5 seconds, and thanks to electric running, a lofty combined economy figure of 235.4mpg.
What used SEAT Leon trim levels are available?
- The SEAT Leon SE starts the range with LED headlights, alloy wheels, rear parking sensors and cruise control.
- The SEAT Leon SE Dynamic builds on SE spec with a 10-inch multimedia touchscreen, digital instrument display, and 17-inch alloy wheels.
- The SEAT Leon FR has a sportier look outside and in, plus wireless phone charging, and electric folding door mirrors.
- The SEAT Leon FR Sport makes the sporty one… well, sportier. 18-inch wheels are standard, as is microsuede upholstery, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, electric driver seat adjustment, and a seat memory setting.
- The SEAT Leon Xcellence is a more luxurious model with microsuede upholstery, heated seats and wireless smartphone charging, this version also gains a rear-view camera as standard.
- The SEAT Leon Xcellence Lux tops the range with Nappa leather upholstery, unique 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
Plug-in hybrid models will be cheapest to tax, thanks to a small discount reserved for ‘alternative fuel vehicles’. They’re currently £180 per year, whereas the rest of the range will set you back £190 per year. The exception is any version with a list price of more than £40,000 - these attract a surcharge, lifting tax to £600 for the five years following the first year of registration.
How much is it to insure a SEAT Leon?
At the bottom end of the range, insurance shouldn’t be too steep for Leon buyers - a 1.0 TSI 110 in SE trim starts in group 11 out of 50. All the way at the other end of the Leon lineup is the 2-litre TSI in group 23, the same insurance group as the plug-in hybrid in the top Xcellence Lux trim.
