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SEAT Leon 2.0-litre TDI 150 X-PERIENCE review: Four-wheel drive meets estate car practicality and the result is great to drive

690_XPERIENCE STATIC BROWN 161
SEAT Leon 2.0-litre TDI 150 X-PERIENCE

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20 April 2015

SEAT Leon 2.0-litre TDI 150 X-PERIENCE
The SEAT Leon X-PERIENCE sees the sporty Spanish manufacturer make an off-roader

SEAT Leon 2.0-litre TDI 150 X-PERIENCE review

What is it?

A four-wheel drive, lifestyle version of the slick-looking Leon ST estate, designed to establish the SEAT X-PERIENCE off-road brand in the eye of British buyers.

This is before the Spanish arm of the Volkswagen Group launches their full-on assault on the SUV market, with an all-new off-roader due next year.

What’s hot?

  • It might be a more rugged version of SEAT’s slick-looking Leon ST estate, but the off-road additions, such as the new bumpers, plus the protection mouldings on the door sills and wheel arches are well executed.
  • Inside, apart from the Alcantara trim, a different steering wheel and gearknob, the Leon X-PERIENCE interior is unchanged from the standard ST. This is a good thing, as there’s plenty of room front and rear, with 587 litres of practical boot space which can be enlarged to 1,470 litres with the seats folded.
  • Our test car is powered by what SEAT expects to be the best-selling engine, the 150PS version of the 2.0-litre TDi diesel. Although noisy until fully warmed through, this engine feels pleasingly willing and flexible. Acceleration to 62mph takes 8.7 seconds and the top speed is 129mph.
  • Despite the performance, this Leon off-roader is still capable of 57.6mpg on the Combined Cycle, with Co2 emissions of just 129g/km.
  • With the 129g/km emissions, the Leon 2.0-litre TDI 150 X-PERIENCE falls into the 21% company car tax band for 2014/15, making this car a perfect choice for business users who want an SUV but lower emissions.
  • Our SE Technology spec test car was fitted with the 17-inch alloys as standard. Big wheels and the raised stance of an off-roader usually result in an unsettled ride and lots of body roll, but we’re pleased to say that dynamically we noticed little change between the Leon X-PERIENCE and the standard ST. There’s a touch more bodyroll, but the steering remains pleasingly slack-free and it’s got a comfortable ride.
  • The fifth-generation Haldex clutch four-wheel drive system fitted to the Leon X-PERIENCE, results in this Leon running in two-wheel drive most of the time. However, if the system detects a loss of traction, it sends 50 per cent of the power to the rear. We had the chance to green lane this SEAT on the launch and were impressed by the way the 4Drive system seamlessly moves between two – and four-wheel drive. Along with the raised ride height, we certainly felt we could go further off-road than in a standard estate.

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