SEAT Leon X-Perience - for any road

Modernized station wagons are gaining popularity. They are not afraid of any roads, they are more functional, cheaper, and more convenient than classic SUVs. The SEAT Leon X-Perience also attracts attention with its attractive body design.

The multi-purpose station wagon is not new to the market. For many years they were only available to wealthy people - they were built on the basis of middle-class cars (Audi A4 Allroad, Subaru Outback) and higher (Audi A6 Allroad or Volvo XC70). Compact wagon buyers also asked about increased ride height, all-wheel drive, and scratch covers. Octavia Scout went down an unknown path. The car did not turn out to be a bestseller, but in some markets it had a significant share in the sales structure. Therefore, it is not surprising that the Volkswagen concern has decided to expand the range of off-road station wagons.

In the middle of last year, SEAT introduced the Leon X-Perience. The car is easy to recognize. The X-Perience is a modified version of the Leon ST with plastic bumpers, fenders and sills, metallic inserts at the bottom of the bumpers and a body suspended further from the road.

The extra 27mm of ground clearance and revised springs and dampers didn't affect the Leon's handling. We are still dealing with a very competent compact car that willingly follows the trajectory chosen by the driver, easily tolerates changes in load and eliminates many road irregularities.

Differences from the classic Leon ST can only be noticed after a direct comparison. The Leon X-Perience is less responsive to steering inputs and rolls more in corners (the center of gravity is noticeable) and more clearly signals the fact of overcoming short bumps (the suspension is strengthened to maintain good handling).

To fully appreciate the chassis, you need to ride on a damaged or dirt road. In the conditions for which the X-Perience version was created, you can ride surprisingly efficiently and quickly. The suspension absorbs even large bumps without knocking, and the engine and gearbox housings do not rub against the ground even when driving on a highway with deep ruts. Expeditions to real terrain cannot be recommended. There is no gearbox, no mechanical drive locks, or even off-road operation of the engine, gearbox and electronic “shafts”. When driving on loose surfaces, you can only reduce the sensitivity of the stability control system. By reducing power less often, you can avoid trouble.

The need to install a rear axle and driveshafts did not reduce the capacity of Leon's luggage compartment. The Spanish station wagon still offers a hefty 587 liters of space limited by conventional walls. After folding the rear seat, we get 1470 liters over an almost flat floor. There is also a double floor, hooks and storage compartments to make luggage organization easier. Leon's salon is spacious. We also recognize a big plus for the chairs. They not only look good, but also have good lateral support and do not tire on long trips. The Leon's dark interior is brightened up with orange stitching on the upholstery reserved for the X-Perience version.

Under the hood of the tested Leon, the most powerful engine on offer was running - a 2.0 TDI with 184 hp, combined by default with a DSG gearbox. Torque is critical for everyday use. 380 Nm in the range of 1750-3000 rpm, almost any change in the position of the accelerator pedal can turn into acceleration.

Dynamics also gives no reason to complain. If we use the Launch Control function, then "hundred" will appear on the counter 7,1 seconds after the start. SEAT Drive Profile - Drive Mode Selector with Normal, Sport, Eco and Individual programs - makes it easy to tailor the drivetrain to your needs. High power and good performance does not mean that the Leon X-Perience is voracious. On the other hand. The average of 6,2 l/100 km is impressive.

Under optimal conditions, the driving forces are transferred to the front axle. After detecting problems with traction or preventively, for example when starting off with gas to the floor, 4Drive with fifth generation Haldex clutch engages rear-wheel drive. The XDS also takes care of handling in fast corners. A system that reduces understeer by braking the inner wheel arch.

The Leon X-Perience price list opens with a 110-horsepower 1.6 TDI engine for PLN 113. The increased ground clearance and 200Drive make the base version an interesting proposition for people who are looking for an ubiquitous station wagon and agree with average performance. By investing a little more - PLN 4 - we get a 115-horsepower 800 TSI with a 180-speed DSG. For people who cover several thousand kilometers a year, this will be the best option.  

Good performance with low fuel consumption combined with the 150 hp 2.0 TDI engine. (from PLN 118), which is only available with a manual transmission. Tested version with 100 TDI with 2.0 hp. and the 184-speed DSG is at the top of the range. The price of a car starts from PLN 6. It is high, but justified by Leon's performance and rich equipment, including, among other things, 130Drive all-wheel drive, dual-zone climate control, semi-leather upholstery, leather-trimmed multi-steering wheel, full LED lighting, trip computer, cruise control, drive mode selector and multimedia touch screen system, Bluetooth and Aux, SD and USB connections.

Factory navigation requires a deep wallet. A system with a 5,8-inch display costs PLN 3531. Navi System Plus with 6,5-inch screen, ten speakers, DVD player and 10 GB hard drive cost PLN 7886.

To fully enjoy the Leon X-Perience, it is worth choosing accessories designed exclusively for this model from the options catalog, including 18-inch wheels with a polished front (PLN 1763) and semi-leather upholstery with brown Alcantara and dark orange stitching. (PLN 3239). Chrome rails, visually combined with metallic inserts on the bumpers, do not require additional payments.

The SEAT Leon X-Perience isn't trying to be an SUV. It perfectly copes with the tasks for which it was created. It is roomy, economical and allows you to use less frequented places. Instead of focusing on the road and wondering what bumps will scratch the bumper or tear the hood under the engine, the driver can enjoy the ride and take in the scenery. The extra 27mm of ground clearance really makes a difference.