SEAT Leon X-PERIENCE 2.0 TDI 150 review, Spanish-style adventure

The concept of the versatile vehicle, capable of meeting all the hypothetical needs of its buyer with flying colours, is increasingly fashionable.

This is the case of the car that this week stars in the road test section of Highmotor. We are talking about the SEAT Leon in its most capable version, the X-PERIENCE, combined with a 2.0 TDI engine producing 150 CV.

The SEAT Leon is one of the most successful vehicles from the Spanish brand. In fact, a few months ago it overtook the Ibiza as the best-selling model within the company owned by the VW Group. Over three generations, the Leon has consistently written a story of success and popularity among compact vehicles.

In this third generation, the Leon has become a more mature product than ever, capable of satisfying the demands of the most demanding buyers thanks to a wider and more complete range, which includes the X-PERIENCE version, new to the model, which is something like an Allroad, Spanish style.

Exterior design

Little remains to be said about the design of the current generation of the SEAT Leon. After three years on the market, the Leon is a very established product thanks, among other reasons, to a very attractive design which, although not excessively eye-catching, seems to stand the test of time well.

The front is typically SEAT. The elongated grille with the central logo, the trapezoidal headlights and the bumper with angular shapes give the Leon a very defined personality, even more so in this version thanks to elements such as the LED headlights or the textured black plastic mouldings.

The alloy wheels, in this case 18″, fill the wheel arches correctly, which, together with a couple of pronounced lines on the bodywork, make the model fully distinguishable. The glazed area, while not excessively large, is sufficient to give the Leon brightness and visibility in keeping with the aspirations of a family-oriented vehicle.

At the rear we find a tailgate (let us remember that this bodywork is basically the same as the estate version) with a fairly pronounced rake, which emphasises the dynamism this vehicle aims to offer. There are no shortage of split, elongated rear lights with a very defined light signature. The bumper protrudes slightly and incorporates a protective plate that makes the car’s look even more robust.

The X-PERIENCE version is distinguished from its siblings by a bodywork profile entirely clad in black plastic, both at the front and rear as well as on the sides, including the wheel arches. In addition, the bodywork can be painted in a specific brown shade, while the wheel fitment also comes with 17″ or 18″ alloys with special designs.

Interior design

Inside, there are few changes compared with a traditional Leon. The design of the cabin seems to stand the test of time well despite being just over three years old. Some rivals in the C-segment have recently been renewed and display a more modern presentation, although in this case it is more than sufficient.

The dashboard has a pleasant design with soft lines, with an upper section that brings together the instrumentation (with clear display and a large amount of information thanks to the on-board computer), the air vents and the multimedia system. In the lower central part we find the climate control knobs, as well as a row of buttons for controlling elements such as the hazard lights, the parking assistance system or the driving profiles.

The build quality of the interior is noticeably better than in the previous generation

The storage compartments are sufficient in both quality and quantity. Both in the doors and in the centre console there are two compartments with enough capacity for most of the “artillery” we carry in our pockets every day. There are also a couple of cup holders beside the handbrake lever, which in this SEAT is still mechanical, unlike its “posh siblings”, the VW Golf and Audi A3.

If the Leon has improved in anything with this third generation, it is in build quality. Both the materials used and the fit between parts are noticeably better. Soft, matt plastics, pleasant to the touch, now abound. The joints are precise and the gaps minimal. In this version, the orange-coloured details stand out, such as the stitching on the gear lever gaiter or on the steering wheel seams. Our unit was fitted with full leather upholstery, which gives a more “premium” and cosy feel.

The cabin offers more than enough space for four people to sit comfortably in both rows. Even the third occupant in the rear row will enjoy relatively good space for this type of model. The boot, as expected, offers good load capacity, 587 litres. In addition, the seatbacks fold down easily thanks to pull handles on either side of the boot.

This Leon wants to move. We start the engine with a turn of the key, as this model does not have keyless start available. On starting, a powertrain already well known within the VW Group comes to life: the 2.0 TDI of 150 CV. When cold it is somewhat noisy and transmits some vibration to the cabin, especially through the pedals and gear lever, but as soon as it reaches temperature, these disappear.

The 2.0 TDI of 150 CV is one of those “do-it-all” engines, equally suited to a SEAT Leon or to an Audi A4, an Skoda Superb or a Volkswagen Sharan. Mounted transversely at the front, the 2.0 produces 150 CV and 300 Nm. It is turbocharged via a variable-geometry turbo with an intercooler, and also uses a direct-injection fuel system with a common rail (better known as Common Rail). Its homologated consumption figures are 5.7 l/100 km in the city, 4.3 l/100 km on the extra-urban cycle, giving a combined figure of 4.8 l/100 km, equivalent to CO2 emissions of 125 g/km.

In this version it is paired with a 6-speed manual gearbox, although a DSG with the same number of ratios is available as an option. The X-PERIENCE offers, depending on the engine, a non-permanent all-wheel drive system, standard on all versions except the 1.4 TSI of 125 CV and the 1.6 TDI of 110 CV. It is based on a Haldex-type connectable clutch which fits an electro-hydraulic actuator capable of engaging the rear axle in just 100 milliseconds when a loss of traction is detected. When the vehicle decelerates, it disengages to allow systems such as ABS to operate.

Once on the move, at normal speeds it is very difficult to tell this X-PERIENCE version apart from a standard Leon ST. The steering, with electric assistance, behaves in line with current standards, that is, good feel but no feedback. The brakes work adequately, and the damping is firm enough, although it rocks slightly over sharper bumps. Let us recall that this rugged version sits 15 mm higher, an additional height shared between the suspension and the tyres.

All-wheel drive gives the Leon a versatility that leads its segment

The X-PERIENCE bases one of its purchase arguments on the ability to tackle somewhat “difficult” terrain with confidence. It is clear that it is not an off-roader, nor even a run-of-the-mill SUV, but it does perform well in this respect. On slippery surfaces or loose gravel, this model offers a welcome extra grip, allowing us to travel along waterlogged tracks, grass or snow with greater confidence. It offers no specific driving mode for off-road use.

The Leon comes as standard, as is now customary, with a well-functioning Start&Stop system. Although it is not especially quick in any circumstance, it acts with enough speed not to leave us stranded. Furthermore, both stopping and starting are carried out smoothly, without the passengers noticing.

This system helps reduce consumption, which in normal, carefree use will hover around 6–6.5 litres on the on-board computer. On the motorway it is possible to hover around 5.8–5.9 litres, while in the city it is easier to see figures close to 7. Over 1,050 km of testing, the on-board computer recorded a final consumption of 6.4 litres per 100 km.

How much does the unit you see cost?

A SEAT Leon X-PERIENCE 2.0 TDI 4Drive has a starting price of €24,480, although our test unit came with numerous options that made it more attractive. To begin with, the paint on our unit, called Plata Estrella, costs €572. The 18″ “X-PERIENCE Machined” alloy wheels cost €416.

Inside, the X-PERIENCE black leather upholstery costs €1,548, the driver’s electric seat costs €281, the Navigation Plus system with a 6.5″ screen costs €1,361, to which must be added the SEAT Sound audio system at €260.

The tinted rear windows cost €208, the glass panoramic roof with LED interior lighting costs €883, the folding heated mirrors €125, the rear door sunshades €145, and the Full LED headlights carry an extra cost of €1,029.

The Driving Assistance Pack (dipped/main beam assistant + lane departure warning) costs €312, the Convenience Pack (light sensor + rain sensor + electrochromic interior mirror) costs €125, the front and rear parking sensors + OPS (schematic view of the car and obstacles) cost €509, adaptive cruise control with proximity radar (including braking assistant) costs €395, and the volumetric alarm €312.

In total we are talking about a unit with a final configurator price (taxes included but without any discount applied) of €33,154, which represents an extra outlay on options of roughly €9,000.

Other versions

The Leon X-PERIENCE range starts at

€19,610

for the 1.4 TSI of 125 CV with front-wheel drive. If we do not need all-wheel drive, the 2.0 TDI diesel option of 110 CV (€21,440) can also be chosen. Both versions are paired exclusively with a 6-speed gearbox.

In petrol, the range is completed by a more performance-oriented option, the 1.8 TSI of 180 CV (€26,310), paired exclusively with a 7-speed DSG transmission and all-wheel drive, while in diesel one can opt for the variant in our test in manual and 6-speed DSG versions, as well as a more powerful 2.0 TDI of 184 CV with a 6-ratio DSG gearbox (€28,770).

Technical specifications of this car

HatchbackSEAT Ibiza14 versions · from 18,520 €