Used Seat Leon 2013 - 2020 review

Chances are that if you asked people to name a medium-sized family hatchback, the Seat Leon would be quite a way down their list. They might easily be able to roll off the names of cars such as the Ford Focus, Volkswagen Golf and Vauxhall Astra, but the Leon has always been on the outer reaches of the public’s radar. Considering how good it’s always been and how much it undercuts its rivals on price when buying used, this is a real travesty of justice.

This third-generation version ran from 2013 to 2020 and is based, like those before it, on the underpinnings of the Mk7 Volkswagen Golf, and that alone has been enough to make it a very good car. It was not only shorter, lighter and roomier than the impressive 2005-2012 Seat Leon but also more efficient and much better to drive.

Diesel versions start with an astonishingly economical 1.6-litre engine, good for 70.6mpg in some models, then through the punchier 148bhp 2.0-litre and up to a noticeably swift 181bhp 2.0-litre unit.

Leons are well-equipped, too, with even the entry-level S getting a few neat toys, such as an infotainment touchscreen and air conditioning. The range moves up through SE and FR versions, adding cruise control and sportier styling respectively, both of which are also available with a popular Technology pack that includes LED headlights, a DAB radio and sat-nav. The Cupra hot hatch version sits at the top of the range, while, later in life, the luxurious Xcellence version was added to sit above the FR.

On the road, all the engines impress for their smoothness and flexibility. The Leon also feels sprightly, with distinctly sporty handling. Quick steering teams up with suspension that controls body movements well and there's plenty of grip to make it a rewarding thing to drive fast, even if it isn't quite as involving as the Focus. And despite a ride that errs on the firm side, the Leon is comfortable, too.

Inside, there’s plenty of space for a family and all its paraphernalia, whether in the front or in the rear. The boot is a good size, too, although its high lip means the Leon isn't the most practical family car out there. You get a smart, stylish dashboard, which, while lacking the ultimate quality of the Golf's, still feels better built than many other rivals.

The Leon received a light facelift in 2017, during which it gained a smattering of styling changes, as well as a new 1.0-litre and 1.5 petrol and updated 1.6-litre diesel engines. Other changes included a larger, more modern touchscreen infotainment system, higher-quality plastics inside and an electronic handbrake in place of the old manual one.