What’s hot?
- The SEAT Leon Ecomotive doesn’t look boring – the LED headlights (currently free as part of the Technology pack), and standard-fit alloy wheels are a perfect match for the Leon’s sharp lines.
- Despite its impressive economy, the Leon never feels slow. Officially, 0-62mph takes 10.4 seconds and there always seems to be plenty of torque for overtaking.
- The Ecomotive rides 15mm lower than the standard car to improve aerodynamics but this model rides as comfortably as every other Leon. Rough roads are smoothed out and bigger bumps are nicely cushioned.
The interior, like the rest of the car, is solidly made and it’s well equipped too with sat nav, climate control and Bluetooth - Although that 85.6mpg figure is almost impossible to achieve on the road, you can definitely get to 65mpg during relatively normal driving. On a motorway you’ll see above 70mpg.
- The ultra-low CO2 emissions mean the Ecomotive qualifies for 100% write-down allowance. It also means it sits in a low company car tax band of just 14% – £46 a month for a 20% tax payer.
- The Ecomotive isn’t quite as clean as a Golf Bluemotion – which boasts 85g/km – but it is more than £1500 cheaper.
- There are no compromises in the interior, either. Just like the standard Leon, there’s a clear design, with a few high-quality materials and sturdy build quality. All cars get a colour touchscreen, too.
- The Ecomotive gets a 6th gear – the standard TDI makes do with 5.
- There’s plenty of space for passengers and bags, with a 380-litre boot and rear seats that have enough kneeroom and headroom for tall passengers.
What’s not?
- The 1.6 TDI is slightly gruff while accelerating. Thankfully it fades in to the background as you begin travelling faster, though.
- A few headline grabbing plug-in hybrid models are on the way, like the Audi A3 e-tron and VW Golf GTE that boast CO2 emissions of just 35g/km. That puts them in a 5% tax band, and will make them far better on company car tax than the Ecomotive – but their P11D price will be a lot, lot higher.
- The handling could do with a bit more fun to it – as it stands it’s seriously capable but there’s not the involvement there that you get from a BMW 1 Series, for example.
- It may not be a worry for most people but there is no automatic gearbox option on the Ecomotive.
- Typically around £20 a month more to lease than the standard Leon 1.6 TDI with the same kit.
