Used test: Ford Focus Zetec S vs Seat Leon 180 FR interiors

Interiors

Driving position, visibility, build quality, practicality

In most respects neither car differs much from its more humdrum counterpart. The Ford Focus Black Edition gets red stitching on its carpet mats and leather steering wheel. Both have more heavily bolstered sports seats up front with adjustable lumbar support.

The Seat Leon is fractionally bigger inside. There’s a little more leg and head room in the front and back, and the interior is a touch longer than its rival's. However, two tall adults will be comfortable in the back of the Focus and there’s enough room for a tall driver. Its driver’s seat gives you better support too, holding you in place more securely than the Leon’s flatter seat during quick cornering.

The Focus has a larger touchscreen of the two cars, but the Leon’s infotainment system is more intuitive and easier to operate while driving. Neither touchscreen is particularly quick to respond, though, and neither interior will wow you with its quality – although the Seat feels fractionally better screwed together.

In fact, other than its superior front seats, the Focus trails the Leon in virtually every aspect of its interior. Both cars have 60/40 split rear seats, but in the Focus you have to flip up the seat bases before folding down the seat backs, while the whole process is much simpler in the Leon. The Leon also has a deeper, longer boot, making it better for carrying bulky items. It’s just a pity there’s a hefty lip at the boot entrance.

Both cars provide a decent forwards view, but over-the-shoulder visibility isn’t great in the Focus. It’s also a bit harder to judge the Focus’s extremities when manoeuvring in a car park.

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