SEAT Leon 2.0 TDI FR

Sharp looks and a sporty driving experience are just the start of the Leon’s talents. It has a high-quality feel that puts it on a par with the new VW Golf, while passenger space is impressive and the diesel engine delivers a great mix of performance and economy. Not only does the SEAT win this test, it could also be the best compact hatchback on the market today.

Few hatchbacks were as distinctive as the previous SEAT Leon, yet the new one looks even more dramatic. The Mk2’s pronounced snout has been ditched in favour of a wide grille flanked by sharp new lights.

Top-spec models add LEDs, while the mesh grille is mirrored by a larger opening under the bumper. The distinctive crease running along the side is familiar from the old Leon.

The window frame-mounted rear door handles are gone, so people will no longer confuse the SEAT for a three-door car. Yet the switch to regular handles hasn’t spoiled the five-door hatch’s looks. At the rear, there are sharp lights, plus the familiar SEAT badge-cum-handle and Leon script on the bootlid.

Overall, the new car looks great, and while the front could be confused for the smaller Toledo’s, the Leon definitely has the measure of the 1 Series for styling. The BMW seems frumpy in comparison and the SEAT is much smarter than the VW Golf and Skoda Octavia it shares so many parts with. All three cars sit on the VW Group’s MQB platform, but every effort has been made to set them apart inside.

The Leon’s dashboard is angled towards the driver and a 5.8-inch touchscreen is mounted high up, although its resolution isn’t as sharp as the 1 Series’ widescreen display. The climate controls are placed up high, too, which leaves room for a deep cubby ahead of the gearlever.

It’s easy to get comfortable inside, while a flat-bottomed steering wheel adds sportiness. Rear seat passengers are well catered for, as there’s more space than in the BMW. But those in the middle still have to deal with a hump in the floor, which is quite strange considering the Leon is front-wheel drive.

The boot has a wide opening and a deep floor, although the load lip is higher than the 1 Series’. And a step in the floor hurts practicality when you fold the back seats.

Fire up the SEAT’s 2.0-litre diesel engine and it soon settles to a smooth thrum. That refinement is maintained on the move, as the Leon is quieter than the 1 Series at all speeds. As well as being smooth, the TDI engine has instant throttle response, and the SEAT beat the BMW in all our acceleration tests. That’s not really a surprise, though, as it enjoys a 40bhp advantage over the 141bhp 118d.

Cornering is where the Leon has to prove its mettle against the BMW, and it asserts itself well. The most powerful FR models feature multi-link rear suspension, while all versions get SEAT’s Drive Profile system, which allows you to adjust steering and throttle response. Turn-in is sharp, there’s lots of grip and the car is eager to change direction. There’s not quite as much steering feedback as in the 1 Series, but you can still corner with confidence.

If you want to just take it easy, the Leon is a surprisingly comfortable car to drive. This flagship FR comes with 18-inch alloys, but while the old model suffered from quite a harsh ride, the new one proves to be much better in this respect. It’s still on the firm side, yet it copes with all but the most severe bumps and is easily as comfortable as the BMW driving on the motorway.

And while the SEAT was less efficient in our hands than the 118d, the 42.9mpg we returned is still impressive given the car’s performance. The rest of the financial package makes sense, too: the £23,375 Leon FR is over £1,300 cheaper to buy than the 1 Series, yet offers a similar amount of kit and has slightly stronger predicted residuals than its rival. The only real blots on its copybook are higher maintenance costs and the quality of the service you’ll get at your SEAT dealer – the network didn’t score well in our Driver Power survey.

So the new Leon makes a strong case for itself – but does it provide enough driving thrills to topple the BMW?