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SEAT Leon ST FR – Still As Rare On UK Roads As A Cat On A Lead

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The ST estate has only been out a few months – they’re still a rare spot on UK roads. Almost as unusual as seeing a man take a cat for a walk, which is what I did this morning.

To be fair, Hubble the Burmese followed me and the dog around the farm. It makes you wonder why it doesn’t happen more often. In London, where owning a dog is virtually impossible these days, a cat would be much more practical. You could pop your feline in a man bag.

Hubble has also taken to exploring the ST. He’s been roaming the 1470-litre luggage area (only a kitten’s width smaller than a VW Golf estate) and trying to get underneath the moveable boot floor.

We haven’t been for a drive with him yet but it wouldn’t be the first time he has been a stowaway. And although the seats are trimmed in black cloth and alcantara, rather than leather, Hubble thinks they are the cat’s whiskers too…

 

 

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SEAT Leon ST FR – Are You Sitting Comfortably?

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There’s something not quite right about the driving position in the SEAT. I’ve been wriggling around all week, trying to find the perfect spot but it has yet to happen. I am not sitting comfortably.

Car seats these days are soooo much better than they used to be. It’s not so long ago that all we had to fiddle with was a lever to go for and aft, and a tilt for the back of the seat. Actually, my 1972 Land Rover has neither.

After 29 years of testing cars, all I can say is that the best, most ergonomically designed seats are no longer available. Saab were simply brilliant and a survey by the Back Pain Society discovered they had the best support.

Whatever it is about the Leon seat I just can’t identify. The rest of the interior is exceptionally good, even in the back. Maybe it’s just those 29 years of testing cars catching up with me…

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SEAT Leon ST FR 180 TSI – Sensible Not Sexy?

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Just for a brief moment today I had the Hyundai i40 on the driveway at the same time as the SEAT Leon ST. The two cars cost about the money and have had equally upbeat reviews.

However, Car Couture thinks you should always choose a motor that is as visually appealing as it is sensible – which means there is only one option here.

Yes, the i40. It’s by far the more attractive car. It has stylist lines, proper curves and doesn’t blend in with the crowd when you park it at Waitrose.

I can’t say there is anything wrong with the SEAT, it reminds me of the latest VW Golf in many ways, confidently refined but not about to set the world on fire.

I imagine that might change when I drive it to London tomorrow to watch Manchester City beat Arsenal. 180bhp is a lot of power for a car this size – it’s going to be an interesting week…

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Saturday – SEAT Leon SC

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Everything on the farm is green – green grass, green wellies and green jackets. This column should be sponsored by Barbour. So, imagine how out of place a brilliant blue SEAT looks parked in the middle of it all.

Thankfully, blue is my second favourite colour, after green. And I also know from reading endless reviews of the new SC, that beauty is much more than skin deep with this car.

Autocar’s Car of the Year, the Leon offers owners the perfect mix of power and economy, with well balanced steering, annual road tax of only £20 a year and sharp if unspectacular looks.

So, what’s not to like? Well, nothing so far. Even the delivery driver was cooing and seemed reluctant to hand over the key. Let’s see if we feel the same after seven days….