Jérôme Cartegini February 03, 2021 at 2:07 p.m.11Jérôme Cartegini for Clubic

Presented to great fanfare at the Martorell plant, near Barcelona, ​​in early 2020, the SEAT Leon is available in the manufacturer's first hybrid version. Suffice to say that the cousin of the Golf is no longer there to play the stooges. Larger, better designed, and equipped with the latest engines and technologies, the new Iberian compact embodies the revival of the brand.

With more than 2.3 million units sold worldwide since its launch in 1999, the Leon is SEAT's best-selling model. A true pillar of the Spanish manufacturer, the fourth generation of the Leon required four years of development and no less than 1.1 billion in investments. Enough to boost innovation and move to the next level in terms of design, connectivity and engines. The brand is opening a new page in its history by launching its very first hybrid model in a rechargeable version.

Read also: Test of the CUPRA Leon 1.4 TSI e-Hybrid: the Iberian lioness more trendy and sporty than ever

A high-performance hybridization

Available in 5-door and Sportstouer (break), the Catalan compact s is endowed with all the arguments to impose itself on the nascent segment of trendy compacts. Ironically, the SEAT Leon must mainly face competitors from the Volkswagen group like it, such as the Audi A3, the Golf 8 and the CUPRA Leon. It can already boast of being the most affordable PHEV of the group with an entry ticket excluding ecological bonus of €34,500 (Xcellence finish), and €41,775 for our over-equipped test model Leon e-Hybrid FR.

The fourth-generation Leon takes it to the next level and has little to envy its German cousins. Like the latter, it is based on the MBQ Evo platform which allows SEAT to integrate all the technological innovations of the Volkswagen group. Starting with a latest-generation plug-in hybrid engine (identical to that of the Golf GTE and the Audi A3 TFSI) combining a 1.4 l TSI 150 horsepower thermal block with an 85 kW electric motor powered by a lithium-ion battery from 12.8 kWh.

In total, the SEAT Leon e-Hybrid offers a combined power of 204 hp (150 kW) and a torque of 350 Nm. 5 seconds. The maximum top speed is 220 km/h and 140 km/h in all-electric mode. According to the manufacturer, it is possible to travel up to 800 km with a full tank using the automatic hybrid mode (electric and thermal). On the electric range side, the manufacturer announces a range of 64 km (WLTP cycle). During our test, the longest distance we managed to reach by adopting a really economical driving mode was still 52 km.

A very good surprise compared to the average PHEV and in particular the CUPRA with which we had not exceeded 38 km in 100% electric mode. During a week on mixed routes in town and on expressways, we noted a very reasonable overall consumption of 5.6 l per 100 km in terms of fuel, and 6.9 kWh / 100 km for energy electric. CO2 emissions of 25 to 30 g/km entitle him to the ecological bonus of €2,000 which has been renewed until July 2021.

The FR finish is the top-of-the-range model of the Leon e-Hybrid

Controlled consumption

Even once the battery is exhausted, consumption of 7.1 l/100 km remains correct. If necessary, the battery can be recharged while driving via the internal combustion engine. The vehicle starts by default on the electric motor then automatically activates the hybrid engine. To avoid completely draining the battery, the computer allows you to define an electrical charge reserve. A good idea to make sure you can drive in 100% electric mode on trips in the city center, for example. Thanks to its GPS system and real-time traffic information (TMC), the vehicle is able to take into account road conditions and the state of the traffic to indicate to the driver the best route to consume as little as possible.

The lack of a physical control to be able to drive in 100% electric mode is, however, one of the vehicle's major flaws. You have to go through the touch screen and navigate the menus of the on-board computer to be able to activate it. Not practical, even dangerous when you are driving… The complete recharge of the battery requires 3h40 on a Wallbox (3.6 kW), and between 6 and 7 hours on a 2.3 kW household socket .

It takes between 6 and 7 hours for a full charge at home

Aboard the SEAT Leon e-Hybrid

The new Leon marks a real stylistic break with its predecessor. Longer by 9 cm, the vehicle displays more slender curves which give it a more dynamic look. This is particularly true for our test version in FR finish which benefits from a special body kit including 18-inch alloy wheels, sports bucket seats, a driving mode selector and a more opulent steering wheel with paddles. to modify the braking regeneration force. State-of-the-art technologies and connectivity are clearly in the spotlight with 100% digital instrumentation, a 10" infotainment system slightly inclined towards the driver, and a joystick-style gear selector.

This new version benefits from better habitability. The 5-door compact can relatively comfortably accommodate up to 5 passengers, including two adults and a child in the back. Rear legroom is quite generous for a compact. On the driver's side, the seat is firm and comfortable, but quite low. Well calibrated, the driving position makes it easy to take control of the car while providing good overall visibility.

As in most PHEVs, the battery housed under the boot floor encroaches on its capacity, which drops from 380 liters on the internal combustion versions to just 270 litres. Not to mention that this capacity is further reduced by bulky charging cables. The estate version, which offers a capacity of 470 liters, can be a good alternative for those who need more cargo space.

The battery encroaches on the volume of the trunk, which is only 270 litres

Perfectible semi-autonomous driving

With the MBQ Evo platform, the Volkswagen group is rationalizing costs by deploying the same technologies in its various brands. SEAT has therefore made its market and integrated the semi-autonomous driving system level 2 Pack Drive Assist XL (an option charged 1350 €) on the FR finish of the Leon e-Hybrid. The latter includes the entire range of driving assistance from the group: adaptive cruise control (Predictive ACC), Travel Assist, Lane Assist, Side Assist, Exit Assist, and Emergency Assist. Some of these systems can significantly increase safety on the road.

This is the case with Emergency Assist, which brakes and immobilizes the vehicle in the event of an emergency if the driver does not react to its alerts. The Side Assist and Exit Assist systems (monitoring of blind spots and possible obstacles around the vehicle) can also help avoid incidents. Quite the opposite of Lane Assist (lane keeping assistance) which sometimes confuses old lane marking lines with new ones and steers the vehicle without warning... Travel Assist combines data from Predictive ACC and Lane Assist to keep the vehicle in the center of the lane and adapt the speed according to the topology of the road, traffic signs and traffic flow up to 210 km/h.

Provided you are driving on a perfectly marked road and in light traffic, the system can give a glimpse of semi-autonomous driving by always keeping one hand on the wheel (legislation requires). When these conditions are not met, the errors of interpretation of the system can reserve you beautiful frights. Use with caution and sparingly…

One car, several driving sensations

With its 204 horsepower, the Leon e-Hybrid is the most powerful version in the range. Without being a thunderbolt, its 350 Nm of immediately available torque offer great acceleration. If it shows a certain agility in 100% electric mode, it does however tend to hunt on the sides and quickly lose grip on wet ground. Several now classic driving modes -Eco, Normal, Sport and Individual- allow the behavior of the vehicle to be modified as needed. No radical transformation with the Sport mode, but the vehicle is a little more enticing by firming up the steering, the steering wheel, the suspensions and the accelerator.

Individual mode is ultimately very useful for customizing the behavior of the vehicle as desired (steering, braking, suspension, accelerator, etc.) and deactivating certain driving assistants such as Lane Assist, for example. Interestingly, the interior mood lighting can change color depending on the driving mode used (red for Sport, blue for Eco, etc.).

The LEDs on the front doors are also combined with Side Assist systems to alert the driver to the presence of a vehicle or pedestrian in blind spots. Fitted with a 6-speed automatic transmission system (DSG 6), the FR finish also includes steering wheel paddles to play with the intensity of regeneration under braking.

Even by selecting the strongest braking intensity with the paddles on the steering wheel, it is not powerful enough by default to allow driving with a single pedal in all-electric mode. It is still necessary to know it, but there is indeed a setting (very well hidden) to be able to take advantage of this mode of driving specific to electrics. To do this, you have to dig into the menus of the infotainment system, select the Vehicle tab, then rotate the car graphic on the screen three times on itself (there is no indication that it is possible to do it!) to finally be able to access the menu of the electric transmission.

Only once on this interface can you choose from three intensities of braking recovery: Low, Automatic and High. Activating the most powerful mode (Forte) improves both driving comfort and energy recovery. It's hard to understand why the designers decided to hide such an essential function for this type of vehicle...

Ultra connectivity

In addition to the 10.25-inch digital instrumentation called Digital Cockpit, the hybrid version includes a central 10-inch fully touch screen as standard. Much more than a classic infotainment system, it brings together all the multimedia functions and almost all the vehicle controls: telephone, music, radios, connected services, reversing camera, battery manager, driving assistance, air conditioning, etc It has a very neat graphical interface, but ergonomics that are sometimes difficult to understand. Certain functions (driving modes, GPS routes, voice commands, consumption data, etc.) displayed on the Digital Cockpit can be controlled more easily via the physical controls of the multifunction steering wheel.

In terms of connectivity, the vehicle incorporates Wi-Fi and Bluetooth modules as well as 4G (via a factory-integrated eSim). The vehicle provides access to a range of online services and applications, including audio streaming platforms, online radios, real-time traffic information and a voice recognition system that is activated by saying the words keys: "Hola, hola".

Provided you can make yourself understood, this allows you to interact with the vehicle and ask for directions, for example, to get to an address, a restaurant, etc. The vehicle also incorporates the eCall emergency service. In the event of an accident, it is able to directly contact the emergency services and indicate data such as the location of the car, the type of engine, the number of passengers, etc.

The vehicle is compatible with wireless Apple CarPlay

Compatible with wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto in wired mode, the FR version has an induction charger under the central screen and two USB-C ports.Associated with the vehicle , the SEAT Connect mobile application is rather well put together and quite complete. This includes remote functions for monitoring range, viewing consumption statistics, programming a recharge, locating the vehicle, locking/unlocking the doors, sounding the horn, etc. Truly complete high-tech equipment which is one of the strong arguments of the new Volkswagen Group models.

SEAT Connect mobile app for iOS

Technical sheet

Should you love the SEAT Leon e-Hybrid?

After testing the CUPRA Leon e-Hybrid, we were afraid of being disappointed by this less muscular version of SEAT, but it is not. Besides a lower than average entry price, the Leon e-Hybrid is really nothing like a discount car. Modern, comfortable and very well equipped, it benefits from the Volkswagen group's latest and excellent plug-in hybrid engine. Provided you can easily recharge it at home or at the office, this model capable of traveling around fifty kilometers with zero emissions promises great savings. More versatile than the average compact PHEV, the connected lioness can also ensure long journeys and do up to 800 km with a full tank in the combined cycle.

Strong arguments that add to an aggressive price positioning of €34,950 (Xcellence version). Competing entry-level models such as the Audi A 3 TFSi e (€38,100), the Renault Mégane E-Tech Plug-in hybrid (€38,500) or the Mercedes A-Class 250 e (€43,850) are all more expensive and not necessarily as well equipped as standard. Sold for €37,990 (excluding options and bonuses), our Leon e-Hybrid FR test model is €2,000 cheaper than the Golf eHybrid. SEAT undoubtedly has a good card to play.…

Price and equipment

SEAT Leon 1.4 TSI e-Hybrid FR: €41,775 Price of the model excluding options: €37,990 Total price of options: €3,785

Test model options

Standard equipment

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