Hot-hatch diesels head-to-head

A row has been brewing in the Auto Express office, so we decided to settle it in the only way we know – with a road test head-to-head.

The trouble started when Volkswagen’s Golf GTD joined our long-term fleet. Road test editor Ross Pinnock looks after the hot diesel and has been impressed with its heavyweight performance, flyweight fuel consumption, stylish looks and classy interior. However, colleague Graeme Lambert thinks there’s an even better contender in the office car park.

The SEAT Leon FR features the same 168bhp 2.0-litre diesel engine as the VW, so also packs a decent punch, but has price on its side. Graeme thinks this advantage should have the Golf on the ropes, and that its racy looks could deliver a knock-out blow. To settle the argument once and for all, we set up a bruising twin test. In the red corner, wearing silver wheels and weighing in at £24,185 is our long-term VW Golf GTD. And in the orange corner, wearing black alloys and weighing in at £19,490 is our SEAT Leon FR.

Which one would find itself sprawled on the canvas, and which one will end up wearing the hot diesel champion’s belt? Seconds away, round one…
 

Verdict

Puttting personal preferences to one side is never easy, but it’s what road testing is all about. Our judges were agreed on two things. Firstly, the Volkswagen Golf is clearly the better hot diesel hatchback.
The more polished dynamics, higher-quality interior and desirable badge combine to make it a truly formidable opponent for any rivals in this class. Bad news for the Golf is that we also agreed it’s too expensive to win this head-to-head. The SEAT can do almost everything the VW can, yet costs £4,695 less. That’s a big difference – and one the GTD struggles to justify. Yes, it’s smoother, quieter and more luxurious than the Leon FR, but the Spanish car represents much better value. So the result of this battle of our long-term hot diesels is an upset, as the SEAT triumphs.