Used car check
Seat Leon – this is how the beautiful brother of the VW Golf performs
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The Seat Leon is the Spanish counterpart to the VW Golf. It has been available since 1999 and is now in its fourth generation since 2020. The third (2012 to 2020, Type 5F) is now in prime used car age. The TÜV knows what used car buyers should pay attention to.
Quality
In the third generation, the Seat Leon was also available as a three-door model.
(Photo: Seat)
The Spanish compact does generally well in the TÜV general inspections (HU). However, those interested in using a used car should have their desired model checked for axle springs and dampers. This is where the Type 5F weakens. A look at the exhaust system doesn't hurt either.
Body and interior
The third generation came with three body styles. The 4.26 meter long five-door car debuted at the end of 2012, followed in mid-2013 by the three-door car called SC, which is around three centimeters shorter.
The Seat Leon is more practical with two additional rear doors.
(Photo: Seat)
The 4.54 meter long station wagon (ST) supplemented the range from 2014. It offers a trunk volume of between 587 and 1470 liters depending on the seating configuration, while the other variants fit a maximum of up to 1200 liters in the luggage compartment. The space available for passengers is slightly less than in the station wagon.
When designing the interior, the Leon benefited from access to the VW Group's modular transverse matrix (MQB). Drivers from other VW Group brands will quickly find their way around. In 2016 the Leon received a facelift. Since then, visually it has been based on the Seat Ateca.
Engines and drive
The Leon III is also available as a family station wagon that is over four and a half meters long and has a trunk with a capacity of 587 to 1,470 liters.
(Photo: Seat)
Petrol, diesel and a natural gas variant were available from the large VW Group shelf. For the gasoline engines with three and four cylinders, the power range extends from 63 kW/86 hp to 228 kW/310 hp (Cupra R). All engines are turbocharged and direct injection. Some of the Cupra models also offered all-wheel drive. The diesel range started at 66 kW/90 hp, the most powerful diesel engine produced 135 kW/184 hp. All-wheel drive was available for the versions with 81 kW/110 HP, 110 KW/150 HP and the top variant. The natural gas version (from 2018) had 96 kW/130 hp. Depending on the engine, power is transmitted via manual five- or six-speed gearboxes, and six- and seven-speed DSGs were also available.
Equipment and security
The cockpit of the Cupra version has a sporty design.
(Photo: Seat)
For older Leon vintages, interested parties should make sure that there is air conditioning on board. This was only part of the standard scope from the second comfort level “Reference”. If you like something sporty without immediately wanting to go for the Cupra models, you can take a look at the FR equipment line. FR stands for Form Racing and scores with a firmer chassis and seats with more lateral support. When it comes to safety, the Leon made no mistakes and completed the NCAP crash test in 2012 with a five-star rating. With the facelift, the functionality of the assistants was expanded, so there has since been pedestrian detection or improved traffic sign recognition.
Conclusion and market
The Leon is more stylishly designed than the Golf. Thanks to MQB, he benefits from the company's technology and an extensive range of equipment. According to mobile.de's evaluation, around 6,500 used Seat Leon types 5F are currently offered for sale on this platform. It starts at around 5000 euros.
