The third generation of the SEAT Leon was revolutionary: for the first time, SEAT's compact car was available in three different body styles. In addition to the 5-door version, there was a 3-door SC and a family-friendly ST, with dynamic design and exceptional versatility... (read more)
Launch: September 2013
End of production: Early 2020
Price: €18,860 (1.2 Reference)
Number built: 1,056,500 (total Leon III)
Petrol, 4 cylinders in line
Layout: Front transverse
Bore x stroke: 82.5 mm x 84.1 mm
Capacity: 1798 cc
Valve gear: Double overhead camshaft, 4 valves per cylinder
Fuel system: Direct/indirect mixed injection, turbocharger
Max. power: 180 HP at 5100-6200 rpm
Max. torque: 250 Nm at 1250-5000 rpm
Top speed: 226 km/h
Type: Front-wheel drive
Gearbox: 6-speed manual, with reverse gear
Clutch: Dry single plate
Front suspension:
Independent, McPherson type, coil springs, hydraulic dampers and anti-roll bar
Rear suspension:
Independent, multi-link, coil springs, hydraulic dampers and anti-roll bar
Steering: Rack and pinion, electric
Front/rear: Ventilated discs/discs
225/45 R 17
Body: estate sedan, 5 doors, 5 seats
Length/width/height: 4543/1816/1439 mm
Wheelbase: 2634 mm
Weight: 1355 kg
The third generation of the SEAT Leon was revolutionary: for the first time, SEAT's compact car was available in three different body styles. In addition to the 5-door version, there was a 3-door SC and an ST estate, with a dynamic design and exceptional versatility.
The León III made its debut at the Paris Motor Show in late 2012. Like the two previous generations, it was a 5-door compact car. But SEAT's plans went much further. In March 2013, the SC (3-door) body variant arrived, and in September, the ST estate was unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show and went on sale in November.
In the SEAT range, the Leon ST successfully replaced the Exeo ST. Like the rest of the Leon III family, the ST was produced on a completely new platform, the MQB, a first-class technological advance that offered greater flexibility and significantly reduced manufacturing time.
The Leon ST offered plenty of interior and cargo space. At just over 4.5 metres long, the boot volume was 587 litres, which could be increased to 1,470 litres by folding down the rear seats. It featured impressive build quality and the best materials.
It also incorporated high-tech features such as adaptive cruise control with proximity radar (ACC), adaptive chassis control (DCC) and progressive steering. As if that weren't enough, the Leon III was the first compact car to feature full LED lighting and took a giant leap forward in infotainment technology.
With the Leon ST, SEAT's team of designers, engineers and technicians did a great job. Jorge Diez, currently SEAT's Head of Design, was then Chief Exterior Designer and knew how to enhance the appeal of the Leon ST with its sculpted surfaces. The tension in the design conveyed vitality and precision. However, despite its sleek and elegant profile, Leon ST’s versatility was impressive. Inside, functionality and flexibility were the hallmarks.
The Leon ST range, like the other body variants, was extremely wide. Four different trim levels (Emocion, Reference, Style and FR) could be combined with five petrol and five diesel engines. The petrol range included the 1.2 TSI with 86 and 105 HP, the 1.4 TSI with 122 and 140 HP, and the 180 HP 1.8 TSI. In diesel, there was a 1.6 TDI CR with 90 and 105 HP, and a 2.0 TDI CR with 150 and 184 HP, in addition to the 110 HP 1.6 TDI CR Ecomotive.
In terms of transmission, the gearboxes were 5- or 6-speed manual, or the automatic 6- or 7-speed DSG dual-clutch.
The Leon ST further expanded its range in the second half of 2014 with the introduction of the X-Perience version. With off-road styling and a robust yet sophisticated design, it featured electronically controlled permanent four-wheel drive, increased ground clearance and exceptional levels of performance and safety.
In addition to the adventurous X-Perience and fuel-efficient Ecomotive versions, the Leon ST also had high-performance CUPRA versions. The first Leon ST CUPRA arrived in 2015 and broke the record for the fastest estate car at the Nürburgring, driven by SEAT and CUPRA driver and ambassador Jordi Gené.
In 2017, the Leon ST CUPRA became available with 4Drive all-wheel drive. Finally, in 2019, the Leon ST CUPRA R had the honour of being the last CUPRA version of a SEAT vehicle. It was an exclusive series limited to 300 units.
Also in early 2017, all three Leon variants were restyled. A new 1.6 TDI 115 engine and the new Xcellence trim were added. The Leon received new driver assistance systems, an electronic handbrake and the highest level of connectivity. The Leon ST thus offered the widest range of trim options: Reference, Style, X-Perience, Xcellence and FR, each with its own Plus extra package.
In early 2020, the fourth generation of the Leon arrived, after more than a million units of the Leon III had been built in all its variants. The 3-door SC version was not continued in the Leon IV, but the estate version was, now called Sportstourer instead of ST.
