Seat Leon Sportstourer 1.4 e-Hybrid

The advantage of the PHEV variant is a quiet ride without using an internal combustion engine. You can’t complain about the dynamics either, because the car accelerates enthusiastically when you press the right pedal more – 7.7 s to 100 km/h is already a good result in this class (0.1 s better than the 190 HP 2.0 TSI ) Moreover, you won’t hear the “squeal” “boring and disgusting because the gearbox is dual-clutch and six-speed.

Photo: Krzysztof Słomski / Auto Świat

Seat Leon Sportstourer 1.4 e-Hybrid FR

Disadvantages of the plugin? They will always be available. The fuel tank is small (40 l), so without electricity on the road you have to refuel more often. In addition, there is a small trunk, but still large: 470-1450 l instead of 620-1600 l in other versions.

The rest have not changed. The optional sports seats are fully reclined, have high seatbacks and prove comfortable during long drives. I recommend choosing half-leather upholstery, not full leather – the interior finished with microfiber is more pleasant to the touch, it is not cold in winter and hot in summer, and it is also not available.

I was annoyed by the same thing during the test of the Leon 2.0 TSI (and other Seats and Cupr), i.e. the operation of almost all functions via the touch screen, including the climate and driving modes. Thanks to this, the cockpit is “clean”, minimalist, but at the expense of comfort and safety behind the wheel.

Photo: Krzysztof Słomski / Auto Świat

Seat Leon Sportstourer 1.4 e-Hybrid FR

Seat Leon Sportstourer 1.4 e-Hybrid FR – very difficult

The FR equipment version has a sporty style, and in the case of the e-Hybrid version it also has above average performance, but you should know that we also get a sports suspension reduced by 15 mm, which will not appeal to everyone. (in addition, it is quite noisy). It’s good on table-level asphalt roads, because the car allows you to do a lot, especially with continuous power steering. However, it is not very good on a bumpy road, it is too difficult for a universal station wagon.

Larger wheel hubs are also important – the tested car had “18” wheels instead of the usual “17” wheels, so more vibrations were transmitted inside. It’s been a long time since I used the “Comfort” driving mode often, which reduced the shock absorption a bit.

Photo: Krzysztof Słomski / Auto Świat

Seat Leon Sportstourer 1.4 e-Hybrid FR

Seat Leon Sportstourer 1.4 e-Hybrid FR – in my opinion

A plug-in hybrid is an intermediate variant that allows you to drive on electric power only for a long time, but does not limit you in any way because you always have a combustion engine in reserve. The Leon e-Hybrid also offers excellent performance, accelerating better than the 190-horsepower 2.0 TSI, while using less gasoline. However, if you do not feel like charging regularly or do not have the conditions for it, then the plug-in is not for you – then it is better to choose a regular, full hybrid (HEV), but you will not find one in it. A chair. The alternative is the 150-horsepower 1.5 TSI engine and the so-called smooth hybrid, but not the same.

Overall, the Leon Sportstourer is a good compact station wagon, but the Seat version should offer more comfort and this is what sets it apart from its sister Cupra.

Seat Leon Sportstourer 1.4 e-Hybrid FR – technical data