Summary
The SEAT Leon is a family hatchback and estate model that shares its platform with the Volkswagen Golf and several other cars in the Volkswagen group.
This model was launched in 2012 and ended production in 2019. An all-new model arrived in the UK to replace it in late 2020.
The SEAT Leon range received consistently good to very good scores from the UK media all the way through its production cycle, with the general consensus that it enjoyed most of the qualities of the Volkswagen Golf Mk7 from the same era – but at a lower price.
In a 2020 What Car? survey of the 50 most reliable cars in the UK up to eight years old, the petrol-engined versions of the SEAT Leon ranked 46th. The diesel models didn’t make the top 50. In its 2021 owners’ survey, What Car? rated the petrol-engined Leon in equal seventh place (alongside the Volvo V40) on its list of the most reliable family cars up to five years old. However, the diesel-engined Leon finished dead last, with four times as many problems as the petrol models.
Key specifications
Body style: Five-door hatch and estate
Engines: petrol, diesel
Price: From £18,265 on-road
Launched: 2012
Last updated: Winter 2016/17
Replacement due: Summer 2020
Image gallery
Media reviews
Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
The Car Expert
Score: 8.6 / 10
“It’s thoroughly practical while offering more personality than its more mainstream sister, the Volkswagen Golf. “
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Auto Express
Model reviewed: Cupra R ST ABT
Score: 9 / 10
“More power isn’t always a guarantee of more fun but in the case of the SEAT Leon Cupra R ST, the ABT tuning package is an absolute no brainer. It moves what is already a thrilling and fast family car into even pacier territory with little trade off.”
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Model reviewed: Leon Cupra R ST
Score: 9 / 10
“The Leon Cupra R ST will be a rare sight, with just 150 coming to the UK. But those who take the plunge will be in for a treat: it’s a deeply engaging, entertaining and rapid estate car.”
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Autocar
Model reviewed: Cupra R ABT 4Drive ST
Score: 8 / 10
“If you want a family car that’s fast, rare and a bit of a hoot to drive when undertaking more than just the school run, the Cupra R ST should be right up your street.”
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Score: 7 / 10
“Overall, we’d class the Leon as belonging in the chasing pack of family hatchbacks amid the likes of the Hyundai i30, Honda Civic and Kia Cee’d rather than as a challenger to the Volkswagen Golf and Ford Focus at the head of the field.”
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Model reviewed: Leon Cupra R ST
Score: 8 / 10
“As a sort of sub-Audi RS4 or Mercedes-AMG C63 fast family estate car, you’d really rather like the Seat Leon Cupra R ST.”
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Car
Model reviewed: 1.4-litre TSI 150 FR petrol manual Technology
Score: 8 / 10
“The Leon has always been a sensible buy for those who want something a bit sharper – in look and drive – than the VW Golf (not to mention a bit cheaper). That hasn’t changed, and the Leon now looks and a feels more modern than before.”
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Carbuyer
Score: 8.6 / 10
“The SEAT Leon is a talented family hatchback, thanks to its stylish looks, impressive engines and generous trim levels.”
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Carwow
Model reviewed: Hatchback range
Score: 7 / 10
“The SEAT Leon is a sporty-looking, practical family car with a brilliant range of engines, but it trades some comfort in the name of being fun to drive.”
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Evo
Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 8 / 10
“SEAT’s Leon is much more than a Volkswagen Golf understudy.”
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Score: 8 / 10
“SEAT’s Leon is much more than a Volkswagen Golf understudy.”
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Honest John
Score: 8 / 10
“Out on the road, it’s good to drive with sporty handling and good agility. The Leon FR gets a new SEAT Drive Profile which lets you vary the characteristics of the steering, throttle response and the engine sound via a sound actuator in the exhaust.”
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Parkers
Model reviewed: Hatchback range
Score: 9 / 10
“A good-value Golf hatchback in Spanish garb”
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Model reviewed: ST estate range
Score: 8 / 10
“A sharper-looking alternative to the Golf Estate”
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Top Gear
Score: 6 / 10
“SEAT’s strongest car in a long time, the Leon is now a Golf-baiting player.”
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What Car?
Score: 8 / 10
“An interesting alternative to the class leaders, but behind them in some areas.”
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Which?
Model reviewed: Hatchback
“The SEAT Leon is not only cheaper than the VW Golf on which it is based but also more interesting to look at and just as satisfying to drive. Some cheap plastics in the cabin do let the side down a bit, though, in what is otherwise a very competent family all-rounder.”
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Model reviewed: Estate
“Well designed, practical estate.”
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Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: November 2012
Read the full Euro NCAP review
Adult protection: 94%
Child protection: 92%
Vulnerable road users: 70%
Safety assist: 71%
Notes on safety rating
The SEAT Leon was awarded a five-star safety rating from Euro NCAP back when this model was launched in 2012. However, this rating expired in January 2019 as the Leon no longer met the requirements for a five-star car. This is normal practice, as Euro NCAP reviews its ratings on most cars annually with most ratings expiring after about six or seven years.
However, if you are comparing a used SEAT Leon to vehicles of similar age, whose ratings will have probably also expired, its safety rating score is still useful.
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
The SEAT Leon was not lab tested by Green NCAP during its production life.
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
Total claims: 77
Average repair cost: £623.78
Last updated: October 2022
Reliability score
All data based on MotorEasy average workshop costs for extended car warranty claims
As of October 2022, the SEAT Leon has a reliability rating of 56%, which is slightly above average – although the score is based on a relatively small number of vehicles to date. Our scores are based on warranty claims data provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our commercial partner, Motorway, and the Leon’s rating applies to this model as well as both newer (2020 onwards) and earlier (pre-2012) models.
To date, the average repair cost for a Leon is just over £600 – which is fairly average but still more than the cost of a used car warranty, so that’s worth considering.
Given the relatively small sample size, engine issues are something of a concern with an average repair bill of more than £1,500. Other repair bills are pretty much as expected.
Awards
Trophies, prizes and awards that the SEAT Leon has received
2018
- What Car? Awards – Best Family Car for less than £18,000
2017
- What Car? Awards – Best Family Car, £18,000 – £20,000
2015
- Auto Express Awards – Compact Family Car of the Year
2014
- Auto Express Awards – Compact Family Car of the Year + Estate Car of the Year
2013
- Auto Express Awards – Car of the Year + Best Compact Family Car
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the SEAT Leon, you might also be interested in these alternatives
Alfa Romeo Giulietta | Citroën C4 Cactus | Fiat Tipo | Ford Focus | Honda Civic | Hyundai i30 | Kia Ceed | Mazda 3 | Mini Countryman | Peugeot 308 | Renault Megane | Skoda Scala | Skoda Octavia | Toyota Corolla | Vauxhall Astra | Volkswagen Golf
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