As the most southern partner of the Volkswagen Group, SEAT has always succeeded with its 3 and 5-door models, such as the Ibiza and especially the León, which has always been the most stylish of the range; one thinks of course of the first one (1999-2005), but also of the second one, which was a lowered and embellished variant of the Altea (2005-2012). The break is not a new concept at Seat, but it had so far been limited to the Córdoba Vario and its successor, the Ibiza ST. That is. The fact that the León is now back as a Sportstourer is excellent news, because it offers new alternatives to customers loyal to the group’s brands. This is true both in terms of the richness of the offer and in terms of perceived quality. Yes, the Sportstourer proves to be a formidable and frugal machine to devour mile after mile.
Life goes on in the automotive ecological transition. The industry is changing. Gasoline, hybrid, electric, biofuel… Faced with this avalanche of technologies and motorizations, it is not easy to find one’s way. In this very changing context, the Seat Leon Sportstourer is almost a comforting choice. Even today, there are still few other forms of propulsion that allow you to drive almost 900 km at a good pace and in one go without having to worry about refueling. After all, that’s about the range of a Seat Leon 2.0 TDI 150, despite its only 45-liter tank. After more than 1,400 kilometers, even though it was driven with a heavy right foot, the on-board computer shows an average fuel consumption of only 5.9 l/100 km. Really, this car is impressive and good for the wallet. Believe me, in this day and age, it’s a real revolution!
With its 7-speed DSG robotized gearbox, there is no need to force the car and the 360 Nm of torque are enough to limit the transmission’s downshifts during relaunching and underline the enduring and willing character of the engine. So much so that this TDI sometimes makes more than its 150 hp. Even with its compact wagon status, this Leon also knows how to be more roadworthy. The handling is impeccable and reassuring. Long journeys are all the more easy to handle. With a minimum of 620 liters of space, the trunk swallows everything that comes along.
The only weak point I find with this vehicle is the multimedia interface. Its screen is sorely lacking in responsiveness and the navigation is not very simple. It’s a shame not to find any shortcuts. This is a minor and very personal detail. I got too used to its already too intuitive interfaces.
The Spanish Sportstourer offers a lot of advantages and this combination of comfortable power and diesel makes it a vehicle of choice for those who spend a lot of time on the road and for families who travel.
SEAT Leon Sportstourer, from 31 110 € – seat.com
