Seat Leon 2.0 TDI 150 test: in all sobriety

Behind a relatively discreet compact diesel hides a formidable and frugal machine to devour the kilometer.

By force of circumstances, the ecological transition in particular, the automobile is undergoing radical change. That’s exciting. But also very destabilizing. Gasoline, hybrid, electric, biofuel… Faced with this avalanche of more or less new technologies and engines, it is not easy to remain calm. In this very changing context, diesel is almost a comforting choice. A bit like a Sunday night movie we’ve seen a thousand times; we know the end, but it is impossible to win.

In this case, there are still few other modes of propulsion which make it possible to cut down nearly 800 km at a good pace and in one go without having, at their end, to worry too much about refueling. Because more or less, it is the autonomy of a Seat Leon 2.0 TDI 150 despite the only 45 liters of its tank. After more than 1,400 km, yet devoured with a slightly heavy right foot, the on-board computer does not display more than 5.8 l / 100 km of average consumption. Impressive.

In the presence of the 7-speed DSG robotized gearbox, imposed on this engine, it is as a bonus with the light spirit and the left leg at rest that the ribbon of the highway scrolls at high speed. No need to force. Without especially sticking the whole family to the bottom of the seat, the 360 Nm of torque are enough to limit downshifts transmission during relaunches and underline the enduring and voluntary nature of the mechanics. So much so that this TDI sometimes does more than its 150 hp.

More globally, this Leon also knows how to be more road as its compact wagon status suggests. At the cost of steering a bit heavy in town and in maneuvering, the course holding with the motorway-like appearance is impeccable and reassuring.

Controlled as an option, the damping is still guilty of a certain dryness at low speed despite a reasonable tire rise on our copy, but also appreciates at good speed when it regains a much more comfortable flexibility.

Long journeys are approached all the more with simplicity as in the company of this Sportstourer estate variant bodywork here on test, loading does not raise more questions. With its 620 liters at least bench in place, the trunk swallows up everything that passes.

In short, the Leon would almost make you nostalgic for the all-diesel era if hers didn’t make so much noise. Frankly present in built-up areas, the characteristic hum of the engine is not forgotten until after a certain travel time and from a certain volume of the radio.

By the way, the multimedia interface remains one of the rare sources of tension at the wheel. Its screen is sorely lacking in responsiveness and navigation among the various menus is simple. To make matters worse, it is impossible to circumvent it by possible physical shortcuts. Here, everything is tactile and grouped in a single display.

In this version, the Spanish compact is nevertheless of interest, at least because many of its rivals, French in the first place, have abandoned this positioning of diesel with comfortable power, always relevant to those who spend their week and the rest on the road.

Our verdict

Yes, a compact diesel still makes sense. As long as it’s not just to go get bread on Sunday morning.

WE love

Sobriety of TDI
Sufficient performance
Practical aspects of the ST station wagon

We like less

Painful tactile ergonomics
Perfectible soundproofing
DSG robotic box imposed

Seat Leon Sportstourer 2.0 TDI 150 DSG 7 Xcellence tech.

BUY

Tested version: 35,500 €
From 32,440 €
Average manufacturer consumption / during the test (l / 100 km): 4.4-4.7 / 5.8
CO₂/malus : 116-123/0 €
Fiscal power: 8 hp
Country of manufacture: Spain

Proposed range

Gasoline from 110 to 190 hp, from € 21,970 to € 35,250
Diesel from 115 to 150 hp, from 25,540 to 38,000 €
Plug-in hybrid 204 hp, from € 35,990 to € 39,520

DRIVE

Engine: transverse front, 4-cylinder turbo diesel, direct injection, 16 valves, stop & start, 1,968 cc³
Transmission: traction, robotized 7 gears
Power at rpm (hp): 150 to 3,000
Torque at rpm (Nm): 360 to 1,700
Weight (kg): 1 501
Long.xlarg.xhaut. (m) : 4,64×1,80×1,45
Wheelbase (m): 2.69
Tank (l): 45
Max speed (km / h): 218
0 to 100 km / h: 8 ”9
Standard tires: 225/45 R17
Test tires: Goodyear Efficientgrip Performance 2