We are with the Seat Leon FR.
The Leon, which reached its third generation, uses the same engines and substructure with the VW Golf.
I think its outlook is a bit more dynamic than the Golf.
As to its price, it is incontestably more favorable.
Let’s see if the Leon with these parameters possesses features to be the most rational of its class?
Let’s analyze it together...
There is no accounting for taste but as I see it the Leon compact hatchback has more dynamic design than its rivals in its class.
When you look at the car from the front, for one thing you encounter a striking grill.
The FR logo that reveals the name of the outfit is located here.
The headlamps that are developed especially for this outfit have LED lighting system and they add elegancy to the front view of the car.
When you look from the sides, first of all these 18 inches wheel rims stand out.
But the factor that adds real motion perception to the design is this line that starts from the headlamp,
passes the door and becomes a bit indistinct on the rear door.
Afterwards it goes up an inch and continue towards the rear of the car and you can clearly see that it attributes a very sportive appearance to the Leon.
As I have mentioned earlier the Leon shares the same substructure with the Golf.
In other words, it takes form on VW Group’s famous modular platform referred to as MQB.
Thus, the new generation Leon has wider axle span than the old one.
This conceivably offers wider living space in the interior.
Come on let’s see if this really offers the spacious living in the interior as we expect?
Definitely it does...
Since it offers better knee room than the previous generation.
I can also say that the headroom too is very good.
Due to the big transmission tunnel, it is not easy for the third passenger to sit here in comfort.
Besides, it is a drawback that there is no armrest here.
The rear of the Leon has sportive details as the car in general.
You see an exhaust with double outlet.
And under the bumper there is a black piece that emphasizes sportiveness.
Furthermore the FR logo that reveals the outfit has been put on the right side of the boot lid.
You open the boot lid from this S logo
380 liters loading capacity is offered here.
This is a value that will satisfy the expectations of its class.
Moreover, due to good layout without indentations and protrusions you are able to put your articles easily.
But, naturally as one of the troubles of hatchback is high loading bay and low floor, you can be hard put when you load or retrieve big loads.
Even though the interior of the Leon is not as assertive as its exterior, in my estimation it has a very good design.
When you look at here a touch screen multimedia dominates the console as usual.
The screen is used easily and its sensitivity is not bad at all.
But the screen is a bit small and its resolution is low.
Directly below it are the A/C controls that we are accustomed from many other models of the VW group.
Their uses are also very easy.
The instruments are legible and from the colored screen trip computer you are able to monitor almost every data.
The quality of the materials used here satisfies its class standards.
But when you think of the Leon sharing the same substructure with the Golf and anticipate the same quality, you should know that it is not as high as the Golf.
Ultimately, when you touch the upper parts you meet with soft plastic
but underneath and on door upholstery the soft plastic usage unfortunately is scarcely if any.
In this FR outfit car I have been testing there are sport seats.
The seats where leather and alcantara are used are pleasing to the eye and due to lateral sport wrap you very well.
Frankly I can say that I liked the seats very much.
In the Leon’s cockpit lots of places are offered for your small items.
Especially in front of the gear lever there is a large area for your wallet and mobile phone.
Furthermore, there are two-cup holders behind the gear lever and an armrest directly behind it.
In other words the cockpit is very functional.
Let us consider the engine and driving features of the Leon FR.
Under the bonnet of the FR 1.4 liters TSI petrol engine is functioning.
This engine develops 150 HP and 250 Nm of torque.
You can purchase this engine in the Leon only with 7-speed double clutch DSG automatic gearbox
and with the FR outfit that I have been driving.
Although the engine is small volume, due to excessive supply it performs very well.
When you wish speed in the Leon, you definitely receive it.
The gearbox, especially with its fast changes, is good enough to form reference.
You already know what a fast DSG gearbox is and it works in harmony with this engine.
I have one critic about the gearbox
and that it chooses second ratio on starts therefore you have to rough up the throttle.
In other words if you are a calm driver and give smooth orders to the throttle its perception is a bit late and the start is awkward.
But while driving, the gear choices are correct and by early changes it helps to keep the fuel consumption low.
Of course there is another factor in this car to take the fuel consumption under control, and it is called ACT and it is a cylinder closer technology.
I shall briefly repeat the ACT that I have previously explained in the VW Golf test.
Even though this car normally advances with 4 cylinders, if you do not need much power and if you press the throttle gently and do not try to accelerate,
it closes two of the four cylinders and ensures less fuel consumption.
The system works very successfully, in other words it really is impossible to understand when the cylinders are on or off.
You can only follow this from the trip computer when the two cylinders are off.
All right, let me mention, at the end of all this, what value fuel consumption does the Leon FR offers.
Frankly, I have been driving this car for four days and have covered 200 km
and the trip computer indicates to me 6.9 liters excellent fuel consumption averages at the moment.
Of course, I have to tell you that I have driven calmly and a bit away from the traffic.
That is why I have achieved this fuel consumption value.
But to give you some idea, I should mention that when I took this car for testing I checked the trip computer
and saw that it had 8.5 liters fuel consumption averages over 2000 km.
It clearly helps you to form an idea even though you do not know who and how the car was driven in those 2000 km.
In short, if we keep in mind that since people do not try to drive very economically during testing,
as far as I am concerned, a standard driver will be able to travel with around 7.5-8.0 liters easily during daily usage.
As I see it, the Leon FR definitely have driving features to please its driver.
Primarily, in the subject of suspension it satisfies the expectations of compact hatchback class rather well.
As for road handling, you are able to take the corners with the Leon FR dynamically, fast and securely.
The steering, with its fitting to the hand and with its quick responses to wishes deserve praise.
I can also say that it has nothing negative about its insulation.
The Leon FR with its powerful as well as frugal engine deserves praise.
Its dynamic design ensures it to become prominent and separate from its rivals in its class.
As in the price range, the Leon being 13.000 TL cheaper than the Golf with same outfit is its strongest point.
See you…