Review: SEAT Leon SC 1.8 TSI FR DSG

The Leon SC is the three door incarnation of the third generation Leon from early 2013. Not only does it lose the two rear passenger doors, it is shorter and marginally narrower than the standard Leon.

It shares the same MQB platform and engine range as the regular Leon which makes it a true all-rounder with an engine to suit most requirements.

However, fitted with VW Group’s eager 1.8-litre petrol engine and six speed auto transmission, the Leon SC lands in a marketplace populated by some of the hottest hatches currently on sale.

With 181bhp at its disposal, the 1.8-litre TSI can sprint from 0-62mph in 7.4 seconds, the same as in Kia's Pro_Cee’d GT and a split second slower than Vauxhall's Astra GTC.

Speed tops out at 140mph, which is 3mph behind those two cars and 29mph short of the 169mph possible in Ford's Focus ST which can hit 62mph nearly a second faster than its rivals (6.5s).

No compromise

Stretching for 4228mm, the Leon SC is the compact car of its rivals, measuring nearly 24cm shorter compared to the Astra GTC, however clever packaging means the Leon still manages to match the Vauxhall and the Kia for luggage space (380 litres) despite being notably larger cars.

The wheelbase may be 15mm shorter than the five-door, forced by a 35mm reduction to its overall length, but that has failed to compromise the Leon SC’s handling capability. We had more fun behind the wheel of the SEAT than any of the cars mentioned here, aided by the slick, well-timed seven-speed automatic dual-clutch DSG transmission.

The Leon SC 1.8 DSG is the most frugal of its immediate rivals, partly due to stop/start technology coming as standard with every Leon engine. On a combined cycle, its official consumption is 49.6mpg, which is 10.4mpg better than the Focus ST and 11.4mpg more than the Pro_Cee'd.

Frugal form

There is the option to switch horsepower for lower fuel bills and the 1.6 TDI Ecomotive reports 85.6mpg at 87g/km CO2 for £1,110 less (£19,360 OTR).

That does mean switching to 16” wheels instead of 17” however, as well as being relegated a trim level to the SE grade; a move which sacrifices luxuries like the dual-zone climate control, tinted windows, and lower sports suspension.

Compared to other fuel-efficient alternatives, Mercedes Benz’s A180 CDI Eco SE (£21,965) comes closest with 78.5mpg at 92g/km CO2, followed by the 1.6 CRDi Astra (£18,595) with 74.3mpg at 99g/km, which is identical to the non-Ecomotive Leon SC 1.6 TDI (£17,250).

Aside from its spacious boot, the Leon SC also retains the five-door’s practical and stylish cabin with a handy tap-open cubby in front of the gear stick, accommodating side door bins and VW’s brilliant touch-screen infotainment system with Bluetooth and USB connectivity, which is arguably the most refined in-car system out there.

Its reduced length means there isn’t as much room in the back. Rear passengers will wish you’d gone for the five-door Leon but journeys aren’t totally neck-knackeringly awful.

Interior quality in our top spec FR model was smart and classy with slick use of leather and swish plastics.

There are sports-shaped seats, dark tinted windows, a flat-bottomed leather steering wheel with leather-wrapped gearstick, dual-zone climate control, and chrome detail on the dash.

The range topper also gives the exterior 17-inch alloy wheels, redesigned front and rear bumpers, twin chrome exhaust pipes, LED tail lights, and 15mm lower sports suspension.

Verdict

A varied engine range makes the Leon SC is an attractive proposition whether you’re hungry for horsepower or watching the pennies.

The 1.8 TSI DSG is a fantastic and well-refined machine but there’s a solid case why some buyers don’t mind paying over £1,500 more for the Focus ST.

Leon SC in numbers:

Length: 4228mm
Width: 1810mm
Height: 1446mm
Wheelbase: 2601mm
Boot space: 380 litres
Petrol engines: 1.2 105PS, 1.4 140PS, 1.8 180PS
Diesel engines: 1.6 105PS, 2.0 150PS, 2.0 184PS
Trims: S, SE, FR
Price: £15,550 - £22,255 OTR
Price as tested: £20,470 1.8 TSI DSG
Combined fuel economy: 49.6mpg
CO2 emissions: 132g/km
On sale: Now
Rivals: Kia Pro_cee’d, Ford Focus ST, Vauxhall Astra GTC