SEAT León ST 1.4 TSI review, the perfect balance

The SEAT León is one of the most popular models on the Spanish market. After a light facelift a few weeks ago, we wanted to invite it into our road test section.

With us is the SEAT León in its ST estate body, powered by its 1.4 TSI ACT engine producing 150 CV, a combination that is supposedly one of the most balanced.

At the end of last year we got to know first-hand the mid-life update of the third generation SEAT León, a model that has become one of the cornerstones of the Spanish manufacturer’s range. Its design remains practically the same, but small details have made its look fresher and more up to date.

Exterior design, attractive and modern

The León keeps its personality intact despite the refreshed image. The aesthetic update is limited to a new front bumper, with a more refined lower section. Also noticeable are the light clusters, with a redesigned interior and improved light output.

The exterior design is more modern yet equally attractive In the Xcellence and Xcellence Plus versions, the upper front grille, where the brand logo sits, features a new 3D texture with chrome details that enhance the sense of quality. The León’s “gaze” offers that dose of “aggressiveness” typical of the model, something that, fortunately, has not changed over time.

The León’s side profile stands out for its strong lines, with a firm and robust presence. Two tension lines, starting at the front headlights and rear lights respectively, give volume to the bodywork, offset by the dynamic details such as the chrome strip at the base of the windows, the very raked A-pillar, or the roof rails in a satin finish, which are very pleasing to the eye.

The alloy wheels on our unit are 17″, fitted with 225/45/R17 tyres, with an attractive multi-spoke design that, however, does not seem very easy to clean. Depending on the version, different wheels are available ranging from 16 to 19″. The glazed area is more than sufficient to provide the necessary brightness to the cabin.

At the rear the design is very well executed, and although the estate body derives from one originally conceived as a compact, the third volume is very well integrated and does not look like an “add-on”. The rear lights have been redesigned on the inside, and can feature, as in our case, 100% LED lighting.

The rear bumper is well integrated and includes a black lower moulding which, together with the rounded twin exhaust outlet on the left, adds a dynamic and sporty touch. The tailgate is wide, giving access to a generously sized loading aperture, very easy to use.

Interior design, comfortable and functional

The León’s cabin is pleasing to the eye, with a well-finished dashboard whose design has evolved noticeably compared with the previous generation. Slightly oriented towards the driver, the dashboard features a “two-level” structure, with driving data positioned higher up.

The build quality is faultless. All materials used in the dashboard, centre console and doors are entirely in keeping with the segment and the price of the vehicle. The upper part of the dashboard and front doors are made of padded plastic, providing a greater sense of warmth and comfort, which is repeated on the armrests of all four doors.

The remaining plastics are not padded, but the feel remains correct and the fit and finish very good, with joints that convey solidity. The decorative trims, in a soft grey, blend perfectly into the overall look, while the red backlighting, combined with the new ambient lighting on the doors with 8 different colour settings, enhances the perceived quality.

The instrumentation, very clear and simple, consists of two large dials, two gauges with digital segments for coolant and fuel — of improvable accuracy — and a central colour screen that complements the data and available information perfectly.

Comfort is guaranteed inside the León The interior improvements brought by the aforementioned update are evident, for example, in the multimedia system, with new operating logic, fewer buttons and greater speed. The handbrake has changed from mechanical to electric, freeing up space on the centre console, which has numerous storage compartments and, in this version, a wireless charging surface.

The seats are very comfortable, which, combined with improved sound insulation, results in a very comfortable and relaxed cabin in which the kilometres pass almost unnoticed. The upholstery in the Xcellence versions is a mix of leather and fabric, with a pleasant feel to the touch.

Speaking of comfort, the arrival of the new Kessy keyless entry and start system improves everyday convenience, adding a fun touch with the simulated “heartbeat” that the button shows before starting, a real invitation to get going.

Space on board is more than sufficient in both the front and rear rows, the only drawback being the bulky transmission tunnel, which is necessary for fitting the all-wheel drive system on models that require it. With slightly tinted windows, folding sunshades and air vents, the second row is a great place to travel.

Boot capacity is, as expected, more than notable. The compact body already offers a generous 380 litres, which in the estate body we are testing rises to 587 litres. Of course, the second-row backrests can be folded down — asymmetrically, 65:35 — conveniently from the boot thanks to two flush pull tabs on the sides.

The loading lip, with a fairly low edge, makes loading and unloading large objects easier, and the regular shape of the boot allows better use of space, complemented by various storage recesses both on the sides and in the floor.

Driving dynamics, a SEAT touch in every corner

That all SEATs have a dynamic character that sets them apart from their rivals is something everyone knows. The León is one of the best examples of this, and it remains intact despite the update. The Spanish compact remains one of the best in this respect.

Our unit is equipped with one of the most advanced and recommended engines in the range, a 1.4 TSI four-cylinder with 150 CV and 250 Nm, paired with a 6-speed manual gearbox. This engine features the ACT cylinder deactivation system, which shuts off two of the four cylinders under certain driving conditions.

If you don’t need diesel, look no further, this is your engine, no doubt With this engine, the León ST accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.2 seconds, reaching a top speed of 215 km/h. Undoubtedly, figures more than sufficient for everyday use, making it a very agile estate if we choose to be. On homologated figures, this version has an average consumption of 4.9 l/100 km, equivalent to 114 g/km of CO2.

In real life, our León performs with absolute competence in any situation, making it practically impossible to find a marked lack of “vigour”. The 1.4 TSI pushes in an extremely linear way from just past 1,500 rpm, allowing us to drive with the engine very relaxed in terms of revs.

The ACT system can engage across a range between 1,500 and 4,000 rpm, provided the torque demanded does not exceed 100 Nm. When the conditions are met, electromagnetic actuators engage, closing the valves of cylinders 2 and 3 and cutting off the fuel supply.

The operation of this system is completely transparent to the occupants, who would never be able to tell when the engine is running with half its cylinders deactivated unless paying extreme attention, at which point a slightly different sound may be heard. Otherwise, only the “2-cylinder mode” message on the instrument display will indicate it.

As for consumption, on motorways, with cruise control set to 130 km/h, the figure ranges from 6 to 6.5 litres, dropping to 5 to 5.5 litres on national roads. In town, it typically hovers around 7.5 litres. We are therefore talking about a fairly frugal engine, which over more than 1,200 km of testing recorded a final consumption of 6.4 l/100 km.

When the bends arrive, we find a very well-tuned chassis, rigid, with well-balanced suspension — MacPherson at the front and multi-link at the rear — and a steering that, while not very communicative, is precise and allows good control of the car’s movement. The brake set-up is very assisted in the first few millimetres of pedal travel, which is typical of Volkswagen Group creations.

Our unit featured the SEAT Drive Profile system with DCC, offering five different driving modes: ECO, Normal, Comfort, Sport and Individual. Together with the DCC adaptive dampers, the León is able to adopt different “attitudes” depending on the situation.

The wide range of driver assistance systems is enhanced by the refresh, now including, for example, a traffic jam assist. Our unit was equipped with Front Assist with sign recognition and adaptive cruise control, as well as Lane Assist, which gently intervenes in the steering to prevent an unintended lane departure.

In addition, the LED lighting system has had its intensity improved, and now lights up more and better. Although not one of the best systems in the segment, its light output is greater or, at least, better utilised, extending the light both wide and far for improved visibility.

Range and prices, how much does the unit you see cost?

Our unit, with ST bodywork, 150 CV 1.4 TSI ACT engine, 6-speed manual gearbox and Xcellence Plus trim, has a starting price of €22,280. It includes all kinds of equipment such as dual-zone climate control, Full LED headlights, the Kessy keyless entry and start system, and 17″ wheels.

To that figure must be added, as optional equipment, Morado Boheme metallic paint (€550), the SEAT Sound System (€250), the panoramic roof (€790), the Winter Pack (€380), the Navigation Plus system (€1,100), the DCC chassis control system (€690), the fatigue detector (€130), adaptive cruise control with braking assistant (€360) and the 18″ spare wheel (€100). The final total comes to €26,750.

The León ST range starts at €16,830 for the 110 CV 1.2 TSI in Reference trim, with the most affordable diesel being the 115 CV 1.6 TDI at €19,110. The most expensive León ST? The Cupra DSG 4Drive with the 300 CV 2.0 TSI, with a starting price of €35,440. Not bad at all.

Photography | Daniel Valdivielso

Technical specifications of this car

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