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Seat's entering the space race with the new Leon ST. It's the first time it's offered
us a Leon in an estate form. So the most interesting point about this car is it's boot. At 587
litres the Leon ST's boot is about the same size as a big fridge freezer. It's not quite
the same size as a Golf, but it does share lots of practical features.
The boot has a low sill and it's also got an adjustable floor that you can position
lower down so you can fit in bulkier items. Quick release handles to fold the rear seats
down are available on all but the most basic S trim levels. All this helps to take the
sting out of the £825 price premium the ST has over the Leon hatchback.
There are 13 cubbyholes dotted around the cabin, making the ST a sensible family car.
The fit and finish of the interior trim isn't quite on par with the VW Golf. There's no
piano black inserts or anything like that but it's absolutely fine to be honest. And
it does feel solid and well built.
The Leon comes with Seat's easy connect touch screen. Using it should be second nature to
anyone who owns a smartphone.
It's got a progressive steering system too for the first time and that alters the steering
ratio with speed so it's less jittery on motorways and more responsive around town. The ST shows
the same platform as quite a lot of other VW group cars, including the Audi A3 and VW
Golf that means it's no surprise that it handles itself really well on the road.
There's a new adaptive chassis control system that alters the suspension for either a sporty
or a more comfortable ride. In spite of the extra size there doesn't appear to be any
more body roll then there is on the hatch back, that said we haven't yet tested this
car fully loaded.
Prices start at started a very tempting sounding £16,675.
But that's one very basic model. We'd spent just over a thousand pounds more and go for
the much better equipped SE.
If it's out and out boot space you're after then the VW Golf Estate does
have a slightly bigger boot, and it's also got the cache of a VW bag but I think they
Seat is a really good looking car, and importantly model for model, it is a £1000 cheaper than
the equivalent VW Golf estate. To me, that makes it a really interesting proposition.
To me, that makes it a really interesting proposition.