Seat Leon 1.9 Ecomotive 2005 - Present

At the British International Motor show last week I took the time to attend the Ford Ecopower driving challenge and see what improvements could be made to my driving.  The course consisted of driving a Focus 1.6 Ecopower around a track three times.  The first lap was to be driven as you’d normally drive, while the second lap would see you getting advice on how to reduce your consumption from one of the expert instructors.  Drivers were then assessed on the final lap to see how much their consumption was improved. 

Having written a guide to driving economically for the site I was confident that I could weigh in with a pretty frugal performance.  I have to say that I was surprised that with different driving I was able to get an extra 18% from my fuel consumption (59.4mpg from a first lap of 49.4), but the style of driving did suit a gutsy new common rail diesel, certainly more than my old beemer!

I’ve just been away for a week in Ibiza (with the family!)  During our week we hired a car to get around and, while on the phone to Avis I was delighted to have the option of a Seat Leon.  I’ve loved them since I drove the 1.8 Cupra a few years ago and as a result couldn’t wait to pick the car up as soon as we landed. 

Picking the Spanish stallion up at 2.00 AM meant that the kids were asleep and the rest of us tired.  Our directions for the hour long drive were somewhat shaky so I was pleased to have a car that didn’t require too much attention to drive, although I never did work out how to stop the windscreen misting up on the outside. 

The Leon is a handsome car to look at.  It’s reasonably compact on the outside but offers really good head and legroom throughout the cabin.  The back seats have plenty of room for knees and feet for passengers of all shapes and sizes.  As with the Leon that I’d driven years ago the build quality was top notch, with a solid feel throughout the cabin.  Doors open gently and shut with a confident thud.  Switch gear it solid and nicely laid out.  The indicators offer a three second burst with one prod of the stork.

While the quality finish is a welcome treat for all of the occupants it’s the performance that gives makes the drivers seat the best in the house.  It’s well worth remembering that it was the frugal 1.9l Ecomotive diesel that we’d hired and most of the time I drover the car like a pensioner, using my new knowledge of eeking more miles per gallon from oil burners.  Driving the car at idle revs for ten minute journeys was pretty far from exciting but the Leon easily kept up with traffic and returned about 5.5 l/100 km, or 51 mpg in old money.  This sort of figure was readily available with longer journeys and 45 mpg in urban situations.  Once driving alone I was a little more adventurous and soon found the Leon to be a willing performer.  There is a torquey pull from about 1500 revs to 3500 and if you can keep the car in this band you’ll find it a lot of fun to drive.  It picks up speed quickly and never feels wanting in the power department.  Once you get past the 4000 rev mark the power fades quickly but as long as you can keep it in that window it’s a delight to drive.  A willing cruiser, the Leon covers motorway miles with ease and still return decent economy.

The handling of the Ecomotive was always more than enough to cope with the performance of the 1.9 oil burner under the bonnet.  Steering precise and reasonably neutral.  If being critical it’s a touch too divorced from the sensation of the road to offer a truly engaging drive, although that does leave the driver ready to enjoy the rest of the car’ performance.  The suspension is set up to delver the car from corner to corner with great poise and posture, and it does so while taming anything that the road throws up, leaving the occupants blissfully unaware of the world outside.

Boot space is good with room for a couple of large cases at a push and a small one nestled in there too.  The cup holders are functional in that they’re cup shaped holes in the plastic that surrounds the handbrake, and the glove compartment is laughably small.  With the owners handbook in there you’ll have trouble getting more than a handy pack of tissues in it.

Nitpicking aside the Seat Leon 1.9d Ecomotive is a lovely car.  It’s well put together and offers loads of miles for your money.  If you get one you need to drive it alone once in a while just to reward yourself, go on you deserve it.

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