SEAT Leon ST - Best estate cars 2017
What the Leon ST lacks in outright boot space it makes up for with handy practical touches, plus it's great to drive
The SEAT Leon ST is the estate car from the all-conquering Leon range. It was crowned as the best estate car in our 2014 New Car Awards, and offers a blend of stylish looks, a sparkling driving experience, hi-tech kit and family-friendly practicality.
The 587-litre boot isn't the biggest in the class, but it's more than big enough for most family needs and has a suite of useful features. The rear seats can be folded via a handle in the boot, there's hidden storage under the boot floor and a totally flat load bay, even with the rear seats folded. For extra-long loads, the front passenger seat folds flat, too.
In terms of the driving experience, it remains unchanged compared with the standard Leon hatch. The same line-up of eager petrol and diesel power plants is available, with composed and confidence-inspiring handling on offer, even with the longer estate car tail at the rear. The interior is smartly designed and solidly finished, with a comprehensive standard kit list and a range of big-car options available at extra cost.
One of the biggest selling points of the Leon ST is its price. It undercuts its rivals on price by a decent margin, and is backed with strong residuals. Running costs are kept in check with a range of efficient engines, including a 1.6 TDi Ecomotive version, returning an impressive claimed 85.6mpg and company car-friendly CO2 emissions of 87g/km.
