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 tests 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. “
Read review

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.”
Read review

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.”
Read review

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.”
Read review

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.”
Read review

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.”
Read review

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.”
Read review

Carbuyer+

Score: 8.6 / 10
“The SEAT Leon is a talented family hatchback, thanks to its stylish looks, impressive engines and generous trim levels.”
Read review

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.”
Read review

Evo+

Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 8 / 10
“SEAT’s Leon is much more than a Volkswagen Golf understudy.”
Read review

Score: 8 / 10
“SEAT’s Leon is much more than a Volkswagen Golf understudy.”
Read review

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.”
Read review

Parkers+

Model reviewed: Hatchback range
Score: 9 / 10
“A good-value Golf hatchback in Spanish garb”
Read review

Model reviewed: ST estate range
Score: 8 / 10
“A sharper-looking alternative to the Golf Estate”
Read review

Top Gear+

Score: 6 / 10
“SEAT’s strongest car in a long time, the Leon is now a Golf-baiting player.”
Read review

What Car?+

Score: 8 / 10
“An interesting alternative to the class leaders, but behind them in some areas.”
Read review

Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: November 2012
Date expired: January 2019
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: 209
Average repair cost: £798.16
Last updated: January 2024

Reliability score

All data based on MotorEasy average workshop costs for extended car warranty claims

As of January 2024, the SEAT Leon has a below-average reliability rating of 56%. Our scores are based on workshop and extended warranty claims data provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our commercial partner, MotorEasy, 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 about £800 – which is certainly a lot more than the cost of a used car warranty, so that’s worth considering.

The most common problems to date are also the most expensive. Engine issues make up about a quarter of all Leon faults, and have had an average repair bill of more than £1,300. Gearbox problems are also quite common, with an average bill of £1,200.

Running cost rating

Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

Fuel consumption	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	47 mpg	C	34 – 53 mpg	B – D
Diesel models	56 mpg	B	55 – 59 mpg	A – B

CO₂ output	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	138 g/km	B	120 – 190 g/km	A – C
Diesel models	133 g/km	A	125 – 138 g/km	A – B

Insurance group	Average	Score	Variation	Score
All models	19	A	12 – 35	A – C

The SEAT is a relatively affordable car to own and run, according to whole-life cost numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.

We don’t have five-year servicing costs due to the Leon’s age, but insurance should be fairly inexpensive and fuel consumption is good on the diesel models. The petrol models are thirstier, however.