2020 Seat Leon - prices and specifications announced

Seat has confirmed its all-new fourth-generation Leon will have a starting price of £19,855 for the hatchback and £22,455 for the estate. Available to order now, first deliveries are expected to arrive later this year. Ultimately the range will include a plug-in hybrid which that can travel up to 38 miles on electricity alone.

Set to go head-to-head with its VW Group rival, the Mk8 Golf, the Spanish company’s new Leon will initially be available in a choice of three trim levels; SE, SE Dynamic and FR.

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Standard on the entry-model SE are 16-inch Design alloys, an eight-inch infotainment system, SEAT Connect technology, cloth upholstery, leather steering wheel and gear stick, plus LED headlight technology with automatic high beam, electric and heated side mirrors, electronic parking brake, two USB points in the front, and ‘Kessy Go’ keyless start.

Mid-range SE Dynamic and sporty FR

There will be three trim levels at launch, with the comfort-oriented XCellence joining the line-up later (Photo: Seat)There will be three trim levels at launch, with the comfort-oriented XCellence joining the line-up later (Photo: Seat)
There will be three trim levels at launch, with the comfort-oriented XCellence joining the line-up later (Photo: Seat)

The mid-range SE Dynamic — which starts from £20,955 — adds upgrades the infotainment to the SEAT Digital Cockpit with Navi, complete with 10-inch infotainment screen — with support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto — and 10.25-inch digital driver binnacle, park Assist (front and rear sensors), and tinted rear side windows. It also comes with larger Dynamic 17-inch alloys.The sportier FR, which starts at £23,185, features adds a host of additional elements both inside and out, on top of the SE Dynamic trim. Sporty front and rear bumpers, Dynamic 17-inch alloys, dual exhaust pipes and a unique suspension set-up (15mm lower ride height than other trims) ensure FR models stand out from the crowd visually and acoustically.

And what about the cabin and new tech?

Inside the cabin, FR includes contrast stitching, a leather multifunction steering wheel, three-zone air conditioning, wireless charging tray in the front and two additional USB points in the rear.The FR trim also brings full-LED technology to the rear of the vehicle, including the coast-to-coast light and LED dynamic indicators (front and rear), and illuminated front aluminium door plates.Customers can option an electric panoramic sunroof and either a fixed or electric towing hook on all trims.

Seven colours are available on Leon: two solid (Candy White and Pure Red) and five metallic (Nevada White, Midnight Black, Desire Red, Mystery Blue and Magnetic Grey).

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Will there be a more ‘luxury-based’ spec?

Oh yes. Later in 2020, the new Leon range will be further supplemented by the addition of its pair of comfort-focused trim-levels, the Xcellence and Xcellence Lux. A more generously equipped FR Sport trim will also join the range.

The latter — which expands on the spec found in the ‘standard’ FR — includes a winter pack (heated front seats, a heated steering wheel and heated windscreen washers), a wraparound interior ambient lighting system and 18-inch alloys.

Like its predecessor, the Xcellence will deliver a more luxury-focused option for Leon owners. In addition to the same winter pack and ambient-light tech as found in the FR Sport, there’s a suede cloth finish on some of the interior, plus chrome trim on the side windows. The Xcellence also gets its own design of alloys. Those stepping up to the Xcellence Lux not only get leather seats, but also 18-inch alloys.

Is the new Leon bigger than its predecessor?

Definitely. Built on the ubiquitous MQB architecture that underpins most of the bread-and-butter models in the VW Group, the new Leon is almost 90mm longer than before; 50mm of that has been inserted into the wheelbase. The result is more space for passengers in the rear seats.

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The new Leon has a longer wheelbase, meaning more passenger space (Photo: Seat)The new Leon has a longer wheelbase, meaning more passenger space (Photo: Seat)
The new Leon has a longer wheelbase, meaning more passenger space (Photo: Seat)

Externally, both the nose and windscreen sit more upright; the combination gives the car a more powerful, taut stance, while also appearing to make the bonnet look longer. At the back, the 2020 Leon gets Seat’s familiar tail-light motif, but now incorporating a full-width LED set-up.

There’s also Seat’s new badge. Out has gone the old Leon scrip, replaced by a new ‘signature’ which will be rolled out across all the Spanish manufacturer’s range in the future.

What about the plug-in hybrid and new engines?

Ah, yes. Varying levels of electrification will be included in the Leon’s updated engine range. The entry-model will get the 109bhp three-cylinder 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine. Next-up is the 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine, available in two states of tune, either 128bhp or 148bhp. There’s also a 187bhp petrol. Diesel lovers get the choice of two 2.0-litre powerplants delivering either 113bhp or 148bhp.

A six-speed manual gearbox will be fitted as standard, though an auto ‘box is available as an option on all the petrol models. The auto route also opens up the possibility of adding 48-volt mild-hybrid technology on the 1.0 and 148bhp 1.5 petrol variants.

More significantly, the new Leon range will also include a 1.4-litre petrol-based plug-in hybrid edition which can travel up to 38 miles on electricity alone.

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