Newly crowned with the Car of the Year 2021 trophy in Portugal, the SEAT Leon there are many good arguments that help explain this distinction. One of the most important is, perhaps, the wide range of engines it has. From gasoline engines to CNG to plug-in hybrids and mild-hybrid (MHEV), there are options for all tastes.
The version that we bring you here is the 1.5 TSI with 130 hp, a configuration that, on paper, promises to be one of the most balanced of the Spanish model. But is it convincing on the road? That's precisely what we're going to answer you in the next few lines...
We spent four days with a Leon 1.5 TSI 130 hp with the Xcellence equipment level and we presented him with several challenges, from the usual routes in the city to the most demanding excursions on highways and expressways. Enough to understand all that this Leon has to offer. And without wanting to reveal the verdict too soon, it came to surprise us.
Xcellence's level of equipment matches the sportiest FR, but asserts itself as the most refined “vision” of this model, with softer, more elegant touch finishes and more comfortable seats (no electric regulation as standard), but without the specific (and firmer) suspension of the FR, which could anticipate a less dynamic driving experience.
But to our surprise, this test unit was equipped with the optional “Dynamic and Comfort Package” (783 euros), which adds progressive steering (standard on the FR) and adaptive chassis control to the package. And what a difference it makes.
Thanks to adaptive chassis control — which SEAT dubs the DCC — you can choose from 14 different settings, making this Leon more comfortable or, on the other hand, more suitable for a more demanding and sporty drive. Versatility is, therefore, the watchword for this Leon, which always shows itself to be a very balanced and reasonable car.
Chassis leaves no doubt
Here, at Razão Automóvel, we had the opportunity to drive the fourth generation of the SEAT Leon in several different configurations, but there is always one thing that stands out: the chassis. The MQB Evo base is exactly the same as that found in the “cousins” Volkswagen Golf and Audi A3, but the new Leon features a tuning that allows it to claim a distinct identity.This is a predictable and very effective model, capable of providing us with a very high level of comfort on longer journeys, but which never refuses to go on more challenging roads, where the weight of the steering is right and the engine/binomial box comes to life.
After all, what is this 1.5 TSI with 130 hp worth?
The four-cylinder 1.5 TSI (petrol) block produces 130 hp of power and 200 Nm of maximum torque. Looking at the alignment of this model, this appears as one of the intermediate engines and, as such, has everything to be one of the most balanced. But is it in the middle that virtue lies?
Combined with this six-speed manual gearbox, this engine is capable of accelerating the Leon from 0 to 100 km/h in 9.4s and up to 208 km/h of top speed. These are far from being impressive registers, but the tuning proposed here by SEAT proves to be quite expedient on the road, quite pleasant to use and capable of making us believe that there is more power than what is advertised.
Even so, this is a kind of engine with two faces: below 3000 rpm, it is always very smooth and not too noisy, but it is not impressive for its performance; but above this register, the “conversation” is totally different. It remains a refined engine, but it gains another life, another joy.
The “blame” for this is, in part, the six-speed manual gearbox, which despite being precise and pleasant to use, has somewhat long ratios, ideal for our driving to always go below 3000 rpm, thus favoring consumption. Therefore, to “rip” something more out of this engine — and this chassis — we have to resort to the gearbox more than expected.
What about consumptions?
We traveled with this Leon 1.5 TSI Xcellence many kilometers spread across cities, highways and highways, and when we handed it over to SEAT Portugal, the consumption balance was an average of seven liters for every 100 kilometers covered.
This record is above the official 5.7 l/100 km (combined cycle) announced by the Spanish brand for this version (with 18” wheels), but it is important to remember that on motorways and on open roads we can, without much effort, make averages below 6.5 l/100 km. But urban routes ended up “pushing” values further up.
Still, and taking into account what this SEAT Leon 1.5 TSI Xcellence with 130 hp has to offer, the 7.0 l/100 km we recorded is far from being a problem, because we haven't been really “working” for the averages. Remember that this engine has a system that allows deactivating two of the four cylinders when the accelerator is not loaded.
bold image
As the months go by, it becomes more and more obvious that the Spanish brand has nailed the look of the fourth generation of its compact. The more aggressive lines, the longer hood and the more vertical windshield help create a feeling of greater dynamism. But it is the renewed luminous signature, a trend already presented at the SEAT Tarraco, that gives it a more distinct and impactful profile — a theme that was detailed by Diogo Teixeira, when he first came into contact with the Spanish model.
Space is not lacking...
As for the interior, the MQB platform of the Volkswagen Group allows this Leon good levels of habitability, which, as it has a wheelbase 5 cm greater than the “cousins” Golf and A3, allows it to offer more legroom in the second row. of banks.
The rear seats are practical and very welcoming and the space available for the knees, shoulders and head are above the average of the segment, putting — also here — this Leon in a very good plan.
The luggage compartment offers 380 liters of capacity and with the rear seats folded down it can grow up to 1301 liters in volume. Both the Golf and the A3 offer the same 380 liters of cargo.
Technology and quality in the interior
Inside, the materials and finishes are also at a very good level, something that is even more reinforced in this level of Xcellence equipment, which “offers” more comfortable seats and a very welcoming coating. Here, there is nothing to point out.
Cabin organization is very sober and elegant.
The same cannot be said of the tactile bar that allows us to control the volume of the sound and the climate, as happens with the other models of the Volkswagen Group that use the new electronic platform MIB3. It is a visually interesting solution, as it allows us to dispense with almost all the physical buttons, but it could be more intuitive and precise, especially at night, as it is not illuminated.
Is it the right car for you?
All our road tests end with this question and as always happens, there is no completely closed answer. For those, like me, who travel several kilometers a month on the highway, it is perhaps interesting to consider the Diesel proposals of this Leon, such as the Leon TDI FR with 150 hp that João Tomé recently tested.
If, on the other hand, your “obligations” lead you to walk mostly on mixed routes, then we can guarantee that this 1.5 TSI engine with 130 hp (and six-speed manual gearbox) will do the job.
The SEAT Leon 1.5 TSI 130 hp Xcellence is a very interesting model to drive, especially when associated with the progressive steering and adaptive chassis control that this unit relied on. With the particularity of showing itself so capable on a highway, appealing to smoothness and comfort, as on an open road with more challenging curves, even though there we are forced to rely heavily on the gearbox to take advantage of everything this fantastic chassis has to offer.