Have you noticed how the fewer the new options are, the more automakers like to talk them up? Well, that seems to be the case with the SEAT Leon, a compact car that has just received its mid-life facelift.
Like all its sister cars, the Leon and its MQB platform have reached the mid-way point in the life cycle. But unlike the Audi A3, which got a major facelift, the Leon's update is much harder to spot.
Changes are mostly concentrated at the front. The headlights have always been the first and probably the only thing you notice about the SEAT Leon. For 2017, the outer shape is the same, but the internal signature is different, copying that of the Ateca.
We're not blown away by that, even if SEAT's video makes it seem like a big deal. However, the wider grille is a nice touch and so is the chrome. The fact that (yellow) indicators have been integrated into the lights is cool, but also distracting.
From a distance, the enlarged side air intakes at the bottom of the bumper are gorgeous. However, when you get close, they reveal themselves as fake plastic.
Probably the thing most people hated about the pre-facelift 5F Leon was the tiny infotainment screen. Even if you specced up, it still didn't look or work like its Volkswagen counterpart. But they've changed that for 2017 with an 8-inch update that looks much sharper. Also, wireless charging is a useful upgrade... if you phone supports it.
As far as the engines are concerned, they are pretty much the same, except for the 1.6 TDI that's supposed to be new, but 115 HP is hardly class-leading. Personally, I'm not a fan of the new XCELLANCE trim level. But I can understand why an older customer might want higher suspension and some discreet paint for his upmarket Leon.
Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida. Full profile
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