BUYER’SGUIDE: SEAT L Leon
CO2/tax
123-132g/km
£165
Running costs
44-52mpg (1.5 TSI 130)
£86 fill-up
Performance
0-62mph/top speed
8.7 seconds/135mph
SEAT was founded more than 70 years ago in Spain as a state-owned car maker that produced a range of models based on Fiats. It always focused on providing good-value motoring for families, and that philosophy didn’t change when the firm was taken over by the Volkswagen Group in 1986.
For a long time now, all SEATs have used VW Group technology, and its perennially popular Leon is a case in point. First seen way back in 1999, the original Leon looked distinctive in what was generally a rather bland segment. It also offered some great engines, typically good VW Group build quality and excellent value – something that’s still true now. As a result, the latest edition is more accomplished than ever, if perhaps not quite so distinctive.
