When it comes to buying a solid family hatchback that’s both affordable and stylish, the SEAT Leon is an obvious choice. Want the prestige of a VW without the demure looks? Well, that’s just what a SEAT is. And the ST estate version aims to offer busy families a bit of added flexibility.

Built on the same platform as the VW Golf - sharing everything from engines to equipment - the Leon is the VW’s more fashionable Spanish cousin, sporting a more chiselled and youthful exterior.

Currently in its third-generation, the SEAT Leon, along with its other VW Group relative the Skoda Octavia, is always looking at ways to differentiate itself from its family members – and a facelift for 2017 should do just that.

The changes for the 2017 SEAT Leon are only minor, with the familiar change of a tweaked front bumper making an appearance. However, although much hasn’t changed aesthetically, there’s quite a lot of changes under the metal, including a new trim level and engine.

Performance

Although the popular 108bhp 1.6-litre TDI in the Leon has had a boost in power – now standing at 113bhp – the big news is the new 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol, which also has 113bhp.

Previously available in Europe, the 113bhp 1.0-litre TSI has finally made the jump over to British shores and will help the Leon compete with other peppy three-cylinder turbo units.

Like many other three-pot turbos, the 1.0-litre TSI excitedly spools up when you put your foot down and bursts into life around the 3,000rpm mark. The six-speed manual gearbox we had happily facilitated smooth, quick shifts too.

The 1.0-litre runs out of puff quite easy though and isn’t as flexible as a diesel, but for town driving it has plenty of power – even in our slightly longer and heavier ST estate model.

Ride and Handling

Those after a car that handles well, but isn’t balls out sporty will be very happy with the Leon.

Those after a car that handles well, but isn’t balls out sporty will be very happy with the Leon. It rides comfortably, albeit a tad on the firm side, the steering is sharp and easy to manoeuvre and overall insulation is excellent. The steering does lack feel, especially when taking corners at speed, and its angular wing mirrors make for a bit of wind whistle at motorway speeds, but it’s a pleasure to drive without being intrusive from a sporty point of view. The Ford Focus and BMW 1 Series are still the obvious go-to cars when it comes to fun-factor and the VW Golf is superior in terms of comfort, but the Leon clearly has the edge in the VW Group in terms of agility, be it in its hatchback or estate guise.

Interior and Equipment

The new SEAT Leon Cupra now comes with 4Drive all-wheel drive, an all-wheel drive system taken from the Leon X-PERIENCE estate.

The Leon’s interior can be quite trim sensitive, with entry-level models featuring a flurry of dark, cheap-looking plastics. Thankfully, once you start climbing up the trim levels, chrome highlights help mask some of the plastic facias and make for a more up-market feel. The layout of the buttons will feel very familiar to VW, Audi and Skoda fans, with an intuitive design that features a strip of air-con controls sitting under an easy to navigate touchscreen display. For 2017, SEAT has focussed on migrating some of the features from its new Ateca SUV into the new Leon. There’s now the availability of atmospheric eight-colour “waterfall” ambient lighting in the doors and a range of new upholstery designs. There is also now the option of an electric handbrake. The main attraction is the new XCELLENCE Technology trim level, which adds the likes of unique XCELLENCE badging, wireless phone charging, a unique dashboard trim, sportier leather seats and the Convenience Pack as standard, which includes automatic lights and wipers. Exterior enhancements of the XCELLENCE Technology trim include chrome window and grille surrounds and twin exhausts. The SE Technology trim we tested sits in the middle of the range and brings a few minor enhancements over its preceding trims, including 16-inch ‘Design’ alloy wheels, a slightly sportier body kit and a closed radiator grille – we weren’t too keen on the latter. Still, the SE Technology trim includes a long list of equipment, including sat-nav, DAB radio, Bluetooth, LED daytime running lights and cruise control. General practicality in the Leon ST is good, with plenty of storage cubbies up-front, including good-sized door bins and large storage areas in the centre console for your keys, wallet and phone. Leg and head room is also ample in the rear, just like the hatchback, and there is just about enough space to sit three abreast. The bigger boot is where the ST shines though. According to SEAT, the Leon estate boasts an additional 13 storage compartments over the hatchback, plus the addition of standard roof rails. The ST’s boot is also substantially bigger at 587 litres with the seats in place and 1,470 litres with the seats folded down. For those who plan on going on skiing breaks, you can even pay for the option to have the front passenger seat fold down to accommodate payloads of up to 2.5m in length.

Cost

On paper the new 1.0-litre turbo is excellent, boasting a combined 64.2mpg and emitting just 102g/km of CO2.

The 1.0-litre Ecomotive SE Technology model we tested starts from £20,230, which is around the same price as its rivals, including the Octavia Estate – although it’s naturally a tad cheaper than the slightly more luxurious Golf Estate. On paper the new 1.0-litre turbo is excellent, boasting a combined 64.2mpg and emitting just 102g/km of CO2. In real-world driving, fuel economy is more likely to be around the 50mpg, but that’s still very impressive. The 1.6-litre diesel reigns supreme in terms of fuel economy, but the 1.0-litre is much more entertaining.

Our Verdict

The Leon remains the slightly more invigorating alternative to the VW Golf, and it’s 2017 facelift enhances and broadens its maverick appeal. Thankfully, the large rear-end of the ST estate model doesn’t compromise the Leon’s finesse on the road, or even it’s style. It’s still not the sporty hatchback or estate of choice, but it’s the most charismatic model dynamics-wise out of its VW Group rivals.