As is usually the case with leaks of this sort, a third photograph providing a much clearer view of the compact model’s front end has slipped through the cracks. [Update 1/27/2020]

We’re less than 24h away from Seat unveiling their latest generation Leon hatchback, a popular alternative to the likes of the VW Golf, Opel/Vauxhall Astra and Ford Focus in Europe, and as many predicted, the car has prematurely appeared online.

The new Leon is based on the exact same MQB platform as the latest Golf and Skoda Octavia, which means that it will be available with a wide selection of petrol and diesel engines, while a plug-in hybrid unit has been confirmed for the Cupra model.

The Golf’s trendier cousin?

Until recently, the Seat Leon was considered by many to be a more visually enticing take on the VW Golf. However, from these two leaked images, while the car may look a bit more dynamic than the 2020 Golf, it doesn’t look more modern – at least from these two angles.

The front end design resembles that of the Tarraco crossover, with a pointy nose and squint headlights to match. To us, however, it is the rear end that stands out more thanks to the full-width tail lights, reminding us a little bit of the Renault Megane. Unlike the French model, the new Leon’s light strip is fully continuous, whereas the Renault hatchback’s rear badge interrupts that particular design.

Read Also: 2020 Seat Leon Elevates Camouflage To A Work Of Art

“The all-new Seat Leon has been designed by our team with courage, simplicity and executed with strength and determination,” said the automaker’s design director, Alejandro Mesonero-Romanos earlier this month. “Simplicity because at Seat, we believe that most things can be said with just a few lines. Determination and strength because those are some of the attributes that make our cars recognizable seducing at first glance.”

Seat also changed the ‘Leon’ lettering on the tailgate from the previous all-caps design to something a little more stylish.

As for the cabin, while this leak only provided us with two quick shots of the exterior, we’ve known what the new Leon would look like on the inside ever since last summer, thanks to our spy photographers.

The dashboard has an angular appearance, similar to the Cupra Formentor concept. Like the latter, the new Leon will also feature a small, Porsche 911-like gear selector – a design that was also applied to the center console of the 2020 Golf.

H/T to Jose and Lewis!