Overall rating:

Having got to grips with SEAT's handsome Leon estate - or ST, in SEAT-speak - in its Spanish homeland (click here for that first drive report), it's time to see if it still stacks up as a credible product in the competitive C-segment once we subject the entry-level model to British tarmac.

Key Facts

Model tested: SEAT Leon ST 1.2 S TSI 105
Pricing: £16,675 as standard, ST entry level price; car as tested £18,425
Engine: 1.2-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine
Transmission: six-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Body style: five-door estate
Rivals: Ford Focus Estate, Renault Mégane Sport Tourer, Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer
CO₂ emissions: 114g/km
Combined economy: 57.6mpg
Top speed: 119mph
0-62mph: 10.3 seconds
Power: 105hp at 4,500- to 5,500rpm
Torque: 175Nm at 1,400- to 4,000rpm

In the Metal:

It's still a well-judged piece of styling, the Leon ST. Obviously, in the higher-ranking SE and FR specifications and in bolder colours - like Monstant Red or Apollo Blue - it's even more eye-catching, but the base S model in Ice Silver is perfectly acceptable. This car was fitted with optional 16-inch alloy wheels as part of a Lifestyle Pack (£395), which also adds the front fog lights with cornering function. It's certainly more appealing than many vehicles in this class, and perhaps more pertinently it's also nicer to behold than the Volkswagen, Audi and Skoda offerings.

On the day of this test, we drove another three STs of varying power and specification, and the S model's interior does show some deficiencies over the more luxurious cars - such as a monotone grey gear knob, no black inlays around the centre dash console and even a different driver information display screen between rev counter and speedo. But it remains perfectly well constructed inside, with nice ergonomics and the possibility of adjusting seat and wheel to the perfect driving position, while both rear-seat and boot space are huge. In short, there are no real areas of complaint and yet plenty to praise in here.

Driving it:

Following on from our initial impressions in Barcelona, we're pleased to say that the Sports Tourer Leon definitely deserves the 'Sport' epithet. Our test routes were around some particularly gnarled and pockmarked roads in the Cotswolds, but not once did any of the STs lose their composure. The S model was in many ways the most impressive - shorn of the adjustable damping modes you get on trims higher up the range, it has to make do with one chassis setting. But it's a real pearl of a set-up.

It has a feeling of alertness and rear-end adjustability that you just don't expect from something that shares the same platform as a Golf. The steering, possibly on the lighter side for the mass market, does not disappoint the keener driver, as it actually has quite a high level of feedback and good consistency. The grip the Leon ST possesses is impressive and yet the ride never descends into uncomfortable mayhem. Overall, it's a very well resolved car, and the final clincher is that the old NVH (Noise, Vibration and Harshness) levels - remember those? - seem well suppressed; the 1.2-litre engine never sounds coarse and is supremely refined on a motorway cruise. One thing, though, opt for the slick manual gearbox. The DSG automatic is OK but a bit slow-witted, especially when fitted to the 105hp TDI engine.

In the age-old petrol vs. diesel debate, it's no surprise that the diesels will outsell the petrol models comfortably in the UK, but to immediately dismiss the non-derv cars as a result would be a mistake. That's because, at the top of the power range, the 180hp 1.8 TSI - while entertaining and lively - is no match for the might of the 184hp 2.0 TDI car, which in ST FR form is a gem. No, it's down at the bottom where the surprises come. The 1.6-litre 105hp TDI model is predicted to be the biggest seller in the UK, more even than the 110hp Ecomotive variant, which offers better economy, more power and less CO₂ emissions.

But the little 1.2 TSI, which can match the TDI on power if not torque, is a willing performer and arguably more pleasurable to drive. It also weighs a not-inconsiderable 77kg less than the diesel and the TDI's extra bulk is all over the front-driven nose. Therefore, accept beforehand it's not going to rip up the tarmac and you'll soon realise the 1.2 is more zesty to drive, offers economy that's not far off the diesel in reality and it's cheaper to buy in the first place. We really enjoyed such a small displacement lump in a biggish car; it worked far better than expected.

What you get for your Money:

This is an area of excellence because the SEAT offers plenty of space, safety kit and toys for a decent price. The S model is perhaps a little spartan in boggo spec, but take the car we drove as an example - for a reasonable £1,750, four 'Packs' were fitted, adding comforts such as heated seats, headlight wash, heated washer nozzles, alloy wheels, front fog lamps, a Tiredness Recognition System, a rear-seatbelt reminder, rear parking sensors and even cruise control. The result is a car that feels of high quality and grown-up, for £18,245. That's very impressive. Proper luxuries, such as Adaptive Cruise Control, are also available higher up the ST ladder.

Worth Noting

Although nothing official has been confirmed as yet, a SEAT spokespeople on hand at the UK event were happy to hint that a Cupra version of the estate was not out of the question... That would be something for the Ford Focus ST to think very seriously about. Other than that, we believe there will be a jacked-up 'soft-roader' version based on the four-wheel drive Leon ST 4Drive recently revealed at the Vienna Motor Show.

Summary

The Leon ST is already among the front runners in this class, which is no mean feat considering it's actually SEAT's first proper stab at such a car (Exeo ST notwithstanding). It has sharper looks than any of its Volkswagen Group siblings and it possesses a lovely, fluid chassis that makes it a genuine pleasure to hustle along, while there's a great range of strong engines to choose from. That it is also practical, well-specified and competitively priced is the icing on the cake. We understand some people may still just buy a Volkswagen Golf or Ford Focus as a kind of default purchase, but they'd be missing out on a truly entertaining driver's estate. Sorry, Sports Tourer. Our recommendations would be the powerplants at either ends of the spectrum - the chirpy 1.2 TSI petrol unit tested here and the excellent 184hp 2.0 TDI engine. If you go for the latter, go all out for an FR version.