The SEAT Exeo ST was the estate version of the Exeo. Launched in 2009, its practicality and functionality soon made it the model's body style of choice, a formula that continues today in the SEAT range with the Leon Sportstourer.

The Exeo, unveiled in October 2008 at the Paris Motor Show, marked SEAT's return to the D segment (medium-high) for the first time since 1980, when the 132 was discontinued. With the Exeo, SEAT completed its product range with a true saloon car with a strong presence and maximum distinction.

Built in Martorell, the Exeo was based on the platform of the previous generation Audi A4. With the Exeo, SEAT took ‘one step further’, which is precisely what its name meant, derived from the Latin ‘exire’ (to go beyond). It featured independent multi-link suspension and state-of-the-art electronic safety systems.

Without precedent, the Exeo broke with the tradition of naming SEAT models after Spanish places, something that has only been repeated with the small Mii ever since.

The Exeo range was expanded with the launch of the Exeo ST at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show in March. This was the estate version of the saloon, which went on sale at the end of June. The Exeo ST debuted the acronym ‘ST’ (Sports Tourer), which would also be used for the Ibiza ST and the Leon ST. It was SEAT's first estate car since the Córdoba Vario.

The Exeo ST combined luxury, comfort and space with the traditional sporty philosophy of SEAT models. The estate body and tailgate offered more load and comfort options. The boot had a capacity of 442 litres, but could be extended to 564 litres by stacking items up to the roof, and 1,354 litres with the seats folded down.

It also had a load-securing net that increased safety by preventing objects from sliding into the passenger compartment. It also had roof rails, a very practical solution for transporting larger items of luggage.

The qualities of the Exeo ST were quickly recognised. At the 2009 Company Car Awards in Germany, the Exeo ST was the winner in its category and came third in the overall classification. The awards were organised by the German trade journal Firmenauto and the prestigious company Dekra.

The Exeo ST's range of engines and trims was identical to that of the saloon. Petrol engines included a 1.6 with 102 HP, a 150 HP 1.8 and a 200 HP 2.0 TSI; diesel engines included three variants of the 2.0 TDI: 120 HP (from September 2009), 143 HP and 170 HP, all with Common Rail technology and DPF particulate filter. The trims were Reference, Style and Sport.

The gearbox was a 6-speed manual in all versions except the TSI 200, which was fitted with Multitronic. This was a sequential automatic continuously variable CVT transmission with paddles on the steering wheel. In early 2011, Multitronic also became available on the 2.0 TDI CR 143 in Style and Sport versions.

In addition, in 2011 the Exeo range also featured a new rear seat configuration, which increased rear legroom by 4.4 centimetres without compromising boot space in either the saloon or the ST estate.

In October of the same year, the Exeo underwent a restyling, with a new honeycomb grille, new headlamps with LED daytime running lights, bumpers, wheels, upholstery, colours and a new low-consumption Ecomotive version.

The qualities of the Exeo ST quickly made it the body style of choice in the Exeo family: of the 81,605 Exeos built, 59% were the estate version. This figure illustrated a change in customer perception, because in the 1970s, the estate versions of the SEAT 124 and 1430 did not have this image of dynamism and practicality, but were limited to professional use.

The Exeo was discontinued in the summer of 2013, but the new Leon III ST, launched that same year, took over from the Exeo ST as the mid-size estate in the SEAT range.