New SEAT Leon Undercuts Equivalent Base VW Golf 8 Cousin By Only £385 In The UK

Pricing for the all-new SEAT Leon hatchback and estate has been announced in the UK, with order books now officially open.

The Spanish compact car costs upwards of £19,855 ($24,700), which will land you the entry-level 1.0-liter TSI 110 PS SE 6-speed manual model.That’s a little over £4,000 less than the entry price of the mechanically and platform related VW Golf 8 that starts from £23,900, but the latter comes with the 130 PS 1.5-liter TSI.

The same model in the Leon’s range is the £23,515 ($29,260) FR 1.5-liter 130 PS TSI 6-speed manual version that’s expected to prove most popular among UK buyers.

There are three trim levels to choose from in SE, SE Dynamic and FR, together with five power powertrain configurations (115 PS 1.0 3-cylinder TSI manual; 130PS and 150PS 1.5 TSI manual; 150PS 1.5 eTSI MHEV DSG; and 115PS 2.0 TDI manual).

Either one of these specs could be ordered today, with FR Sport, Xcellence and Xcellence Lux trims, as well as 2.0-liter 150 PS TDI engines available later on in the year.

“The Leon has been a huge success for SEAT both globally and in the UK. This all-new generation Leon takes the strengths of the previous award winner to new heights, with design, technology, efficient engines and a generous equipment list in addition to the great value for money we’ve maintained. This combination makes the new Leon both an emotional and rational purchase, whether it’s a private or fleet buyer,” said SEAT UK exec, Richard Harrison.

Even the base-spec Leon comes standard with 16-inch wheels, keyless start, two USB ports, LED headlight technology with automatic high beam, electric and heated side mirrors, electronic parking brake, 8-inch infotainment screen, cloth upholstery, leather steering wheel and gear stick, plus SEAT Connect technology.

A total of seven colors are available, with two solid ones (Candy White and Pure Red) and five metallic (Nevada White, Midnight Black, Desire Red, Mystery Blue and Magnetic Grey).

SEAT sold 252,416 Leon units in the UK across the nameplate’s first three generations.