2003 Seat Leon SE TDi

Summary:

The Leon is stylish and has a great blend of performance, handling and economy

Faults:

The dealer added a 6-CD auto changer at my request. This failed and was replaced under warranty without quibble. However the replacement unit has also failed!

The steering wanders to the left all the time. Not a problem in town, but tiring and a nuisance on long motorway journeys. The dealer checked it out and claims that there is no fault, but I am not satisfied.

General Comments:

The TDi engine pulls smoothly and strongly from just under 2,000 RPM and the gearchange is light and smooth.

Steering is sharp with excellent feel and the handling is excellent with a firm, but smooth ride.

The car feels very well put together with absolutely no squeaks or rattles. My previous Toledo TDi covered 54,000 without a problem.

48 mpg is easily achieved with a mixture of heavy city driving and fast motorway runs.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 14th December, 2004

2003 Seat Leon CUPRA R 1.8 petrol

Summary:

Beautiful

Faults:

CD player started to chew the Cd's.

General Comments:

The car is extremely reliable and acceleration is excellent.

This car is exciting beyond belief and attracts a lot of gazes!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 25th November, 2004

16th Dec 2004, 13:33

My Cupra R is pants and so are the dealers.

10th May 2005, 16:05

My dealer still refuses to pick up the phone to arrange to fix the car. Customer services couldn't care less.

2003 Seat Leon S 1.4

Summary:

Better than the staid VW Golf

Faults:

Nothing so far.

General Comments:

The car is based on the Golf, but looks far more stylish. I am not saying I like the styling (its different, but not the best looking car!) but at least the car tries to look good and does not just rely on its suppos-ed fabulous image, like the Golf does to win round buyers.

Interior quality seems very good, but its very dark and sombre- luckily the optional electric sunroof lets in some light.

High Spec including standard alloys, the tyres 195/65R15 look a bit too fat and bus like for my liking, but again they are not as bad as the Golf's 175/80R14!

What lets it down is the engine and drive. Again, better than a Golf in terms if handling, but the engine is slow and gruff, steering heavy and gear change ponderous.

Its better than a Golf though (have I already said that???)

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 16th August, 2004

27th Aug 2004, 08:52

Better than a Golf

Better than a Golf

Better than a Golf.

Sounds like the mantra from a Leon driver who regrets he did not buy a Golf.

Accept that you drive a Spanish car based on the old Golf and it makes live much easier.

26th Oct 2004, 05:35

Just to clear something up. I do not regret not buying a Golf. If I wanted to buy a Golf, then I would have done. But then my name would be Mr Bland from Blandford Forum. Obviously this person knows nothing- the Seat is virtually a VW in the interior layout, engines, materials etc, but it has more style and a more realistic price tag.

27th Oct 2005, 16:19

Anything is better than a leon, or was that the dealers!!!

2003 Seat Leon cupra 2

Summary:

A beautiful bargain

Faults:

Nothing.

General Comments:

This car is beautiful to drive, it has a massive amount of power and the handling is excellent.

I was involved in a serious accident in the car, the airbags and fantastic build of the car not only save my life, but left me practically unmarked.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 10th December, 2003

2003 Seat Leon SX 1.9 TDI

Summary:

Where is that mpg?

Faults:

Bought car to save money, tempted by the 50+ mpg. I have now reached over 3000 miles and still only achieving 46mpg. No mention that this is a gradual increase when I bought the car.

How is mpg test achieved if it takes 10,000 miles to run the car in?

Annoying whistle around door mirror area at about 50mph, went in to dealer to investigate, after 4 hours and lots of tape, I still have whistle, but not as much.

Started car this morning and had a horrific scream come from the engine area, like a fan belt squeal, I will get dealer to investigate.

Seat have changed the retaining clips on the foot well mats to a lozenge shape. They have not however manufactured any mats to fit the new mounting. I have had car for two months and still no sign of mats. Will Seat pay for valet or replacement carpets, I don't think!

Had rear mud-flaps fitted to car when new, as I couldn't retain from Toledo because of different fitting. Mud-flaps were about £25. I was charged over £50 with them fitted. fitting is three screws per flap.

General Comments:

General Build quality is very good. Very impressed with the cars style and comfort.

Drive is enjoyable and smooth.

Service staff have always been polite and helpful.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 11th November, 2003

13th Nov 2003, 03:16

I have a 110TDI MY01, basically same car as yours without the body coloured bumpers. All engines don't free up until way beyond 3000 miles. IIRC I was getting 46-50 if I drove reasonably in the first 10k.

Now, at 50k I'm averaging 50mpg on all motorway journey, higher on a-roads, let the car loosen up. All cars do this.

28th Nov 2003, 09:11

Our Passat TDi 110 (same engine) does between 48 and 54 mpg. Even a steady 46 in a car with this level of performance is damn good.

9th Feb 2004, 02:01

Anyone any idea what petrol consumption you get from a Seat Leon Cupra (not Cupra R) does at a constant 70mph?

15th Dec 2004, 06:44

I have a Toledo TDi SE 130 and have easily got 55+ mpg from the beginning, (28 miles on the clock). Even seen 67.7 on a run to Manchester from Southampton once, 80 mph most of the way. Think its the luck of the draw, but most easily give 50+