In-depth reviews
SEAT Leon ST estate (2014-2020): owner reviews
"The SEAT Leon ST estate takes the sharp looks and great driving experience of the hatchback and adds a much bigger boot"
Carbuyer Rating
4.3 out of 5
Owners Rating
4.5 out of 5
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Reviews
Owner Reviews
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93%of people would recommend this car to a friendCommon Problems
- Electrics, Engine (1 case)
- Engine (1 case)
Review 1 of 14
5 out of 5
Car Details
Model
TDI FR 184
Year
2014
Avg annual mileage
More than 20,000
Owned
1 - 2 years
Bought Car
Used
Typical MPG
45
Tell us what you think about your car?
I got the superb and curvaceous TDI FR 184 ST estate when it first came out, one of the first that was shipped. I had it for 2 years of insane motoring fun - including a 4000 mile trip through Europe, featuring fast runs up through alpine passes with a full load and family onboard, and long distance days.
It performed faultlessly and I still find it hard to believe such a raw, aggressive sporting car could also be low emissions, economical and a "sensible choice" in terms of P11D value. It was great for long distance motoring - regular 500 mile round trips for business, and once off the motorway it was back into sport mode, where its split personality emerges.
Bad points? - cheap interior (now remedied) and sluggish and too quiet in non sports mode. I now have an A4 which is very dull in comparison, and am considering another FR 184 next, there's great Latin flair in the shape and something different (underpinned by VAG running gear).
Would you recommend the car to a friend?
Yes
5 out of 5
Car Details
Model
1.4 Fr 140
Year
2014
Avg annual mileage
10,000 – 14,999
Owned
1 - 2 years
Bought Car
New
Typical MPG
44
Tell us what you think about your car?
I find the Lon ST a very good all rounder. The 1.4-litre 140bhp engine is punchy and refined. It's a lot smoother than a diesel and the economy penalty isn't huge for using the green pump. I get 44mpg and my commute is only 5 miles each way at under 20mph average speed. On long runs I get 47 to 50mpg, which is probably only about 10 less than the diesel.
The Leon pulls cleanly and strongly from about 2000rpm to the red line. It feels a little gutless below 1500rpm still gives a very useable rev range. I find that it handles well but it's no sports car, more composed and fluid. The ride quality is a touch firm on poor roads, and a bit jittery on rubbish b roads. It's much smoother on A roads and cruises well too. The road noise is a touch loud on the 17-inch wheels you get with FR specification, my old Leon 1.2TSI with 16-inch wheels was much quieter, although the engine was much noisier so overall it was about the same.
There's plenty of space for a car of this size and it's not too long either – it fits in every parking bay I've tried. The parking assist helps, though. I can get 2 large dogs in the boot and they can both lie down. This leaves little room for anything else but let's face it would be eaten anyhow so other items are kept in the cabin. There are roof bars for extra carrying capacity, too.
I'd like a softer ride particularly as with dogs you can't corner fast or one ends up on top of the other so I'd be willing to make a compromise on the handling. I'd like the interior to be less dark, too but otherwise am very pleased with the Leon ST. It's a good looking, well balanced car.
Would you recommend the car to a friend?
Yes
4 out of 5
Car Details
Model
1.2 TSI Dynamic Technology
Year
2017
Avg annual mileage
10,000 – 14,999
Owned
Less than a year
Bought Car
New
Typical MPG
49
Tell us what you think about your car?
I picked up my used, 2 year old Seat Leon estate last Christmas and its been absolutely great. I needed an estate car as was expecting a new arrival in the family and moving house, so always a lot of baby gear or furniture to be shifted, but i also wanted something that felt nice to drive and was stylish. I had really been after a Skoda Octavia, but once I started looking it only did i find that a mid spec Leon ST was much more affordable on a relatively modest budget, it was ten times better looking in my opinion.
Since I’ve had it the car has been fabulous, well able to lug a boot load of stuff around with my wife and baby in it and a roof box, and still return decent MPG. Nice and smooth to drive for my 25 mins commute each day, a bit of road noise but nothing too drastic. Very comfortable for longer journeys, and I much prefer the low feeling driving position compared to the relatively high perch on my wife’s Fabia estate.
Whilst the cabin has everything I’d need it is a bit bland compared to some of its competitors and quite dark, but I do love the adjustable arm rest and the infotainment screen being angled towards the driver so pros and cons.
All in I feel I got an absolutely amazing deal on a great looking hauler that’s decent to drive and cheap to run
Would you recommend the car to a friend?
Yes
4 out of 5
Car Details
Model
2.0 TDI FR ST 150bhp
Year
2014
Avg annual mileage
10,000 – 14,999
Owned
Less than a year
Bought Car
New
Typical MPG
57
Tell us what you think about your car?
I’ve had my car for just over a week now and although the honeymoon period is fading, it continues to impress me in many ways. I would go as far as to say that the Leon FR ST has surpassed most of my initial expectations (with only a few minor let downs) and I’d make the same choice if I were to buy again tomorrow.
My wife insisted on an estate (mainly for camping trips) whereas my criteria was performance, handling, economy and styling. Our Leon ticks most of those boxes with little compromise.
If you’re looking for a vaguely sporty estate on a budget (and I’m guessing you are as you wouldn’t be reading this) I must make reference to the two main contenders during my research and test drives.
Looks
Right now (July 2017) I honestly think this car will turns heads more than anything else at the same price point on the used market. It looks great from most angles (especially above). I wasn’t completely convinced on how well the design will stand up as the years roll by, but in comparison to ‘the contenders’ (Octavia Elegance estate and Golf SE estate) it looks considerably sharper, younger, sportier, and brave with it’s sharp cut angles and 17 inch alloys. I dare say the Golf and Octavia will age better but they’re so boring to look at I find it hard to care or feel regret over my purchase.
The Tech Pack (an absolute no brainer) also brings full LED headlights front and rear with aggressive and contemporary daytime running lights. Only Audis look as good from the front but were well over our budget.
Tech
For an extra 5-700 quid (used) the Tech Pack is a must. We were tempted by an absolutely mint example but the absence of this was a deal breaker. It brings full LED headlights, ‘coming home’ option, electric/remote power folding mirrors, better colour screen between the speedo and rev counter allowing full access to all the infotainment functions, DAB radio, and sat nav. The version I have also has voice activation which is a bit of a gimmick and somewhat hit and miss. Amusing nonetheless. The display on the infotainment system isn’t quite to the same standard as equivalent Skoda or VW models but functions just as well. I found the stereo in the Octavia quite poor. I like my music and have no gripes about the stock stereo in my Leon.
Standard spec on the FR model also includes half leather upholstery, duel zone climate control, full electric windows front and rear, illuminated LED interior strip on the door panels, adaptive cruise control, and a choice of either 150 or 184 bhp units if you’re buying diesel. The remote can also open and close the windows when locking/unlocking which is quite cool. No USB with our version although it does have a media port (which I favoured) as well as a CD player and two SD card slots stowed away in the glove box. The ‘Illumination Pack’ in ours also brings LED bulbs throughout the interior, footwell lights, and LED number plate lights. The brightness of these is adjustable in the infotainment option screens.
Performance/Economy
Firstly, the steering and manual gearbox in mine are exceptional. The steering is light and nicely weighted in ‘Normal’ driving mode but can be weighted up through ‘Sport’ mode. Driving modes deliver exactly what they promise and therefore serve genuine purpose (as opposed to some cars that have these options purely as a selling feature). The car turns in directly and precisely with no need for correction. There’s also more grip than I’d ever be looking to push beyond.
Of course, if I had the budget, I would have undoubtedly stretched to the 184bhp version, although after a week of real-world driving, I question how much use you would get out of it’s full performance capability on our congested roads.
So is the 150bhp powerful enough? I guess that depends what you’re coming from. We actually bought the FR version for the extra tech and styling but I’ve had a number of much quicker cars baiting me on slips roads and at junctions because of the FR badge.
One guy was stuck to the back of me on a slip road then shot past in a BMW 330d. Not sure if it was a genuine challenge or to make himself feel better about his small manhood? I know my cars and wouldn’t even start to make a fool of myself there. Made me laugh anyway.
Power delivery is ample in every gear but you should probably think of this car as a quick cruiser as opposed to a punchy racer.
If your main driver is performance I’d probably look at some other options. It is after all a diesel and 150bhp is only slightly above average by todays standards.
I once had a 130bhp GTD which I thought was quick at the time although my Leon would leave it for dead. Raw speed aside, there are some major plus points with this engine that should be noted:
1. Pick up is there from all but standstill and the 150bhp offers far more over all gears and revs than the 1.6 TDi that we tested in an Octavia Elegance.
2. The Leon (even in estate form) is light enough to match the performance of a Golf GT in hatchback form and with the same engine.
3. 1.6 TDi only has a 5 speed box and it’s not happy in any scenario but cruising. When I drove a car with this engine, I soon realised that it would need constant gear shifts between 2nd and 3rd in town. The 150bhp unit however is happy in 3rd at 30 and will happily cruise in 6th at 1200-1300 rpm.
4. There’s enough grunt in 2nd and 3rd to put a smile on your face. It’s geared very low in 1st and 2nd but 3rd can take you from 40-70 (erm, possibly a bit beyond) pretty swiftly and throttle response is instant. It’s the ‘go to’ gear with this engine
Fuel economy continues to be somewhat of a revelation. I filled the tank on Friday (£50 from an almost empty tank with 40 miles range). Since then I’ve been driving in entirely urban conditions in and around the town I live in with the average mpg since refuel showing 54mpg !!
I’ve also got used to start/stop which can often save 5 minutes of fuel burning at a few sets of traffic lights.
Refinement
This area is one of my only gripes and a definite trade off to buying VW or Skoda instead. If you’ve sat in or driven a modern Skoda or VW, a budget reality check will follow in a SEAT.
Before I put you off you should consider that my comments are based on the extremely high standards we have come to expect in modern cars.
I can live with the materials. A motoring journalist summarised this perfectly with their comment ‘the cabin is smart rather than premium’. A Golf or Octavia will make you feel special, whereas the Leon leans more towards function than premium glamour. That said, use of materials is very clever as the quality’s there where it matters and where you spend most of the time looking.
There’s also compromise to be made with noise levels. The diesel is quite noisy when idle and at a standstill. There’s more road noise at cruising speed than a Golf (I’ve had three and still have a mk5 FSI). This is understandable as when you sit at the roadside, there’s quite a bit of outside noise in the cabin particularly from the back of the car (possibly more so in the estate version as noise proofing seems virtually none existent at the back). There’s more vibration on startup than I’d expect in a VW or Skoda but the engine is very refined over 30mph where you’d be hard pushed to know it was a diesel. There are also rattles in the door panels which can be pretty annoying in a nearly new car. It’s generally really well screwed together so I can’t see any reason why SEAT should have let things slip here.
Refinement of electrics also leave a lot to be desired. The folding mirrors for instance make a noise that make you question whether the motors are up to the job.
So I guess you have to weigh up what’s most important to you. To conclude on a positive note, here are a few reasons to buy one:
* It looks better than both a Golf or Octavia estate (in most people’s opinion, not just mine)
* It’s cheaper than a Golf or Octavia estate (up to £2000 less than an equivalent Golf GT estate) so you can buy newer or lower miles for the same money
* Some of the options are not even available on the Octavia or Golf and would cost you a small fortune with an Audi equivalent.
* The economy’s great but there’s a bit of power there if you need it.
* The ST (estate to you and me) is rare and unique and a refreshing change to the procession of usual suspects
* It drives better on the twisty bits than a Golf in my opinion. Motoring journalists would never say this but that’s what I believe through my own experience.
* The Octavia has my favourite cabin. I was genuinely blown away by the quality and how much influence VW have had on the build quality of modern day Skodas. Unfortunately they’re more expensive than the Leon and the crashy ride and body roll put the nail in the coffin for me. The boot in the Octavia is huge but it feels like an estate car for it. If you put someone in a Leon with a blindfold on, they would not know it was an estate when driving (obviously with blindfold taken off by this point)
Would you recommend the car to a friend?
Yes
5 out of 5
Car Details
Model
1.4TSi
Year
2016
Avg annual mileage
5,000 – 9,999
Owned
2 - 3 years
Bought Car
Used
Typical MPG
42
Tell us what you think about your car?
I've been really pleased with my Leon. It has 17" wheels and the Technology pack. Driven locally it returns around 42mpg and on a run to Weymouth I got 56 mpg. Its nearly 3 years old with 17,000 miles on it I've not had a moment's bother. There are still no squeaks or rattles to date. I find it reasonably quick but perhaps I should have bought the 150 bhp version rather than the 125bhp for the extra performance when needed.
Overall though an excellent car for the money I paid.
Would you recommend the car to a friend?
Yes
4 out of 5
Car Details
Model
1.4 FR
Year
1917
Avg annual mileage
0 – 4,999
Bought Car
Used
Typical MPG
40
Tell us what you think about your car?
Great estate that can carry a mobility scooter and 4 bags of shopping. It has plenty of equipment and great drive.
Would you recommend the car to a friend?
Yes
2 out of 5
Car Details
Model
1.6 TDI
Year
65
Avg annual mileage
10,000 – 14,999
Owned
Less than a year
Bought Car
Used
Typical MPG
55
Tell us what you think about your car?
Nice looking car but it's only 3 months old and faults appearing every day. My work mate has the same car and the same faults. Buy a Skoda or a Dacia.
Would you recommend the car to a friend?
No 
5 out of 5
Car Details
Model
184 FR
Year
2014
Avg annual mileage
10,000 – 14,999
Owned
Less than a year
Bought Car
Used
Typical MPG
50
Tell us what you think about your car?
Upgraded to the new FR184 from the old Leon FR179. Was looking for a bigger car to fit the kids in but didn't want to lose the fun driving of my old Leon. Well, I have owned the car for 3 months now and I am totally over the moon. Compared to the old Leon (which I loved) this new car feels like light years ahead. The fuel economy is awesome when in eco, however should you want a bit more power, just change the set up to sports and the car completely changes. Firstly the engine immediately sounds more throaty and is a lot more pokey. Also the steering tightens up and make handling a lot more responsive. Finally the flooded illumination in the door panels changes from cool white to red. A bit cheesy but I love it!
Overall I haven't had a single problem with the car and am still continuously amazed by the amount of things the car will do and am still finding out.
If you are thinking about a small/medium estate car, don't make up your mind until you have test driven this car you won't be disappointed.
Would you recommend the car to a friend?
Yes
5 out of 5
Car Details
Model
1.4 tsi
Year
2017
Owned
Less than a year
Bought Car
Used
Typical MPG
45
Tell us what you think about your car?
Expecting all the latest tech, but unfortunately a lot of the features are optional extras, although on the adverts they say all SEAT models above the entry level has them. Otherwise it's a great car, brilliant handling, fast and furious, excellent brakes and steering. It's a great all round car and great looking car.
Would you recommend the car to a friend?
Yes
5 out of 5
Car Details
Model
FR 150 TDi DSG
Year
2015
Avg annual mileage
15,000 – 19,999
Owned
Less than a year
Bought Car
Used
Typical MPG
48
Tell us what you think about your car?
Previously ran a 2010 1.6 TDi SE hatchback, nice car, but this latest range is light years ahead and I needed the extra practicality of an estate. The car came with SEAT's Tech pack - LED lights, Sat Nav, etc and a few other goodies. Have driven auto's for many years and the DSG 'box is really smooth and jerk free on changes. Performance is excellent - have to keep an eye on the speedo as car is very quiet and refined on A roads and motorways. Economy too is very impressive, given that it's only just done 1300 miles in the last 4 weeks and averaging 48mpg in mixed fast A roads and city congestion. So far exceeding my expectations, dealer was excellent too.
Would you recommend the car to a friend?
Yes
4 out of 5
Car Details
Model
2.0 TDI CR 143 Sport Tech
Year
2011
Avg annual mileage
10,000 – 14,999
Owned
2 - 3 years
Bought Car
New
Typical MPG
46
Tell us what you think about your car?
The car was purchased one year old. It has now covered 30,000 miles. It is a comfortable motorway cruiser, quiet with no wind noise. The sound system is very good and you can get 100s of music tracks on the two SD cards. The sat-nav only takes 5 digits, same as the Merc Vito Sport X of this age. The engine fault was an alternator tensioner, repaired under warranty. I consider the MPG average, mine varies between 43 and 48mpg. The car feels solidly build with not rattles or squeaks.
Would you recommend the car to a friend?
Yes
5 out of 5
Car Details
Model
1.4 FR 122hp
Year
2014
Avg annual mileage
10,000 – 14,999
Owned
Less than a year
Bought Car
Used
Typical MPG
47
Tell us what you think about your car?
Great combination of style, performance and space. Looked at the Audi A3 saloon and Sportback as well as the Golf VII in hatchback and estate form, but opted eventually for the SEAT Leon ST in FR trim with a manual box and 1.4 petrol engine developing 122 hp. The optional launch pack included LED headlights and Conti SportContact tyres on 19 inch rims. The compact estate is easy on the eye, economical to buy, insure and run, has that touch of style - and the agility of a hatchback. 7000 kilometres now complete and not the slightest problem. Averaging 47 mpg on mixed short and long distance running.
Downsides? None really. The 19 inch rims are perhaps not ideal for rougher roads and the rear axle system is a touch livelier than on the more expensive models but these are minor quibbles. The car is a joy to own and drive; the wing mirrors and adjustable boot floor are small things that make day-to-day use even more effortless. Recommended!
Would you recommend the car to a friend?
Yes
5 out of 5
Car Details
Model
FR 1.8 TSI DSG
Year
2016
Avg annual mileage
15,000 – 19,999
Owned
Less than a year
Bought Car
Used
Typical MPG
46
Tell us what you think about your car?
It has been a very pleasantly surprised that my Leon ST has turned out to be so good.
I love driving this wolf in sheep's clothing, it effortlessly eats up the miles with a fabulously smooth DSG gearbox and quiet engine, it is very comfortable with the ST being very practical size wise.
As looks go it is one of the prettiest estates on the road and my car is in a stunning Alor blue and certainly gets noticed! Brilliant car and my advice....get one!!
Would you recommend the car to a friend?
Yes
5 out of 5
Car Details
Model
FR 184 bhp DSG
Year
2014
Avg annual mileage
10,000 – 14,999
Owned
Less than a year
Bought Car
Used
Typical MPG
47
Tell us what you think about your car?
A really great all-round package. Performance and handling are superb with great practicality from the extra space that the ST provides. It also looks great with a little more style than its Germanic stable mates.
The DSG gearbox is seamless and smooth providing instant response when changing manually on the paddles or on kick-down. Lots of interesting goodies on the version I purchased including superb automatic LED lights with auto-dipping and adaptive cruise control which is surprisingly usable. The front assist system is slightly disconcerting as it automatically applies the brakes in some situations where as the driver, I would not have done. The lane assist is also interesting as it encourages you to stay centred in the lane to avoid the little tugs on the steering that occur if you drift towards the lane markers.
Although the car is still new and I am not particularly light footed, it is returning a pleasing average of 47 mpg. All in all, a very well thought out and designed car that I look forward to driving each time.
Would you recommend the car to a friend?
Yes
