SEAT Leon: generations, engines, specs, performance and weight
The SEAT Leon is a five-door car represented in the supplied catalogue across seven generation entries, covering production from October 1998 onward. These entries comprise four numbered generations, with separate data for the second-generation restyling, third-generation restyling and first fourth-generation restyling.
The SEAT Leon is a five-door car represented in the supplied catalogue across seven generation entries, covering production from October 1998 onward. These entries comprise four numbered generations, with separate data for the second-generation restyling, third-generation restyling and first fourth-generation restyling. The first and second generations are listed as Hatchback 5-door models, while the third and fourth generations are Estate 5-door models. Depending on the year and version, the catalogue includes Gasoline, Diesel, LPG and Plug-in powertrains, Manual, Automatic and Robotic gearboxes, and FWD or AWD.
SEAT Leon generations
The first-generation SEAT Leon was produced from October 1998 to June 2006 as a Hatchback 5-door, with 11 modifications. Its listed engines span 1390–1896 cc and 68–150 hp. Most versions are FWD, although the 1.9 MT with 150 hp is also listed with AWD.
The second-generation SEAT Leon ran from September 2005 to February 2009 as a Hatchback 5-door, with 15 modifications. The supplied versions range from 85 hp to 286 hp. Engine choices include Gasoline and Diesel units with Manual, Automatic or Robotic transmissions. Its restyling ran from March 2009 to January 2013, retained the Hatchback 5-door body, and contains 18 modifications, including examples from 85 hp to 200 hp.
The third-generation SEAT Leon ran from June 2012 to January 2017 as an Estate 5-door, with 70 modifications. The shown versions include Gasoline, Diesel and LPG engines, outputs from 86 hp to 180 hp, and FWD configurations. Its restyling covered January 2017 through February 2020, remained an Estate 5-door and contains 80 modifications. The supplied selection includes 86–184 hp engines, Manual and Robotic transmissions, plus both FWD and AWD.
The fourth-generation SEAT Leon began in March 2020 as an Estate 5-door, with nine modifications. The listed powertrains include Gasoline, Diesel and Plug-in versions producing 110–272 hp, all with FWD. Its first restyling began in June 2024, retained the Estate 5-door body and contains 10 modifications. Its catalogue entries include 115 hp and 150 hp Gasoline versions, a 150 hp Diesel, and the 204 hp 1.5 DSG eHybrid Plug-in.
SEAT Leon engine specs
Repeated names are distinguished by generation, fuel or power because they represent different specifications. The table covers every supplied version; exact duplicate records within one generation are consolidated without changing their modification names.
| Generation and version | Power | Torque | Engine | Fuel | Cylinders/layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 generation — 1.4 MT | 75 hp | 126 Nm | 1390 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Manual, 5-speed | FWD |
| 1 generation — 1.9 MT, 68 hp | 68 hp | 133 Nm | 1896 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | No | Manual, 5-speed | FWD |
| 1 generation — 1.9 MT, 90 hp | 90 hp | 210 Nm | 1896 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | Manual, 5-speed | FWD |
| 1 generation — 1.9 MT, 110 hp | 110 hp | 235 Nm | 1896 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | Manual, 5-speed | FWD |
| 1 generation — 1.9 MT, 150 hp AWD | 150 hp | 320 Nm | 1896 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | Manual, 6-speed | AWD |
| 1 generation — 1.9 MT, 150 hp FWD | 150 hp | 320 Nm | 1896 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | Manual, 6-speed | FWD |
| 1 generation — 1.6 MT, 100 hp | 100 hp | 148 Nm | 1595 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Manual, 5-speed | FWD |
| 1 generation — 1.6 AT | 100 hp | 148 Nm | 1595 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Automatic, 4-speed | FWD |
| 1 generation — 1.6 MT, 105 hp | 105 hp | 148 Nm | 1598 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Manual, 5-speed | FWD |
| 1 generation — 1.8 MT | 125 hp | 170 Nm | 1781 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Manual, 5-speed | FWD |
| 1 generation — 1.8 AT | 125 hp | 170 Nm | 1781 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Automatic, 4-speed | FWD |
| 2 generation — 1.4 MT, 125 hp | 125 hp | 200 Nm | 1390 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | Manual, 6-speed | FWD |
| 2 generation — 1.4 MT, 85 hp | 85 hp | 132 Nm | 1390 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Manual, 6-speed | FWD |
| 2 generation — 2.0 MT, 150 hp | 150 hp | 200 Nm | 1984 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Manual, 6-speed | FWD |
| 2 generation — 2.0 MT, 286 hp | 286 hp | 360 Nm | 1984 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | Manual, 6-speed | FWD |
| 2 generation — 1.9 MT | 105 hp | 250 Nm | 1896 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | Manual, 5-speed | FWD |
| 2 generation — 2.0 AT, Diesel | 170 hp | 350 Nm | 1968 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | Automatic, 6-speed | FWD |
| 2 generation — 1.8 DSG | 160 hp | 250 Nm | 1798 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | Robotic, 7-speed | FWD |
| 2 generation — 1.6 MT | 102 hp | 148 Nm | 1595 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Manual, 5-speed | FWD |
| 2 generation — 2.0 AT, Gasoline | 150 hp | 200 Nm | 1984 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Automatic, 6-speed | FWD |
| 2 generation — 2.0 MT, 185 hp | 185 hp | 270 Nm | 1984 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | Manual, 6-speed | FWD |
| 2 generation — 2.0 MT, 200 hp | 200 hp | 280 Nm | 1984 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | Manual, 6-speed | FWD |
| 2 generation — 2.0 DSG, Diesel | 140 hp | 320 Nm | 1968 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | Robotic, 6-speed | FWD |
| 2 generation, restyling — 1.4 MT | 85 hp | 132 Nm | 1390 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Manual, 5-speed | FWD |
| 2 generation, restyling — 2.0 AT | 150 hp | 200 Nm | 1984 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Automatic, 6-speed | FWD |
| 2 generation, restyling — 2.0 MT, 150 hp | 150 hp | 200 Nm | 1984 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Manual, 6-speed | FWD |
| 2 generation, restyling — 2.0 MT, 200 hp | 200 hp | 280 Nm | 1984 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Manual, 6-speed | FWD |
| 2 generation, restyling — 2.0 DSG, Gasoline | 200 hp | 280 Nm | 1984 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Robotic, 6-speed | FWD |
| 2 generation, restyling — 1.6 MT, Diesel | 105 hp | 250 Nm | 1598 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | Manual, 5-speed | FWD |
| 2 generation, restyling — 1.9 MT | 105 hp | 250 Nm | 1896 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | Manual, 5-speed | FWD |
| 2 generation, restyling — 2.0 DSG, 140 hp Diesel | 140 hp | 320 Nm | 1968 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | Robotic, 6-speed | FWD |
| 2 generation, restyling — 2.0 MT, 170 hp Diesel | 170 hp | 350 Nm | 1968 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | Manual, 6-speed | FWD |
| 2 generation, restyling — 2.0 DSG, 170 hp Diesel | 170 hp | 350 Nm | 1968 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | Robotic, 6-speed | FWD |
| 2 generation, restyling — 1.2 MT | 105 hp | 175 Nm | 1197 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | Manual, 6-speed | FWD |
| 2 generation, restyling — 1.6 MT, Gasoline | 102 hp | 148 Nm | 1595 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Manual, 5-speed | FWD |
| 3 generation — 1.2 MT, 86 hp | 86 hp | 160 Nm | 1197 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | Manual, 5-speed | FWD |
| 3 generation — 1.2 MT, 105 hp | 105 hp | 175 Nm | 1197 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | Manual, 6-speed | FWD |
| 3 generation — 1.4 MT, 122 hp | 122 hp | 200 Nm | 1395 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | Manual, 6-speed | FWD |
| 3 generation — 1.4 MT, 140 hp | 140 hp | 250 Nm | 1395 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | Manual, 6-speed | FWD |
| 3 generation — 1.8 MT | 180 hp | 250 Nm | 1798 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | Manual, 6-speed | FWD |
| 3 generation — 1.8 DSG | 180 hp | 250 Nm | 1798 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | Robotic, 7-speed | FWD |
| 3 generation — 1.2 MT, 110 hp | 110 hp | 175 Nm | 1197 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | Manual, 6-speed | FWD |
| 3 generation — 1.4 MT, 125 hp | 125 hp | 200 Nm | 1395 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | Manual, 6-speed | FWD |
| 3 generation — 1.4 MT, LPG | 110 hp | 200 Nm | 1395 cc | LPG | 4, Inline | Turbo | Manual, 6-speed | FWD |
| 3 generation — 1.6 MT, 90 hp | 90 hp | 230 Nm | 1598 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | Manual, 5-speed | FWD |
| 3 generation — 1.6 MT, 105 hp | 105 hp | 250 Nm | 1598 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | Manual, 5-speed | FWD |
| 3 generation — 1.6 DSG | 105 hp | 250 Nm | 1598 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | Robotic, 7-speed | FWD |
| 3 generation, restyling — 1.4 MT | 125 hp | 200 Nm | 1395 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | Manual, 6-speed | FWD |
| 3 generation, restyling — 1.8 DSG | 180 hp | 280 Nm | 1798 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | Robotic, 6-speed | AWD |
| 3 generation, restyling — 1.6 MT | 115 hp | 250 Nm | 1598 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | Manual, 5-speed | FWD |
| 3 generation, restyling — 2.0 MT | 150 hp | 340 Nm | 1968 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | Manual, 6-speed | AWD |
| 3 generation, restyling — 2.0 DSG, 150 hp | 150 hp | 340 Nm | 1968 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | Robotic, 7-speed | AWD |
| 3 generation, restyling — 2.0 DSG, 184 hp | 184 hp | 380 Nm | 1968 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | Robotic, 6-speed | AWD |
| 3 generation, restyling — 1.0 MT, 86 hp | 86 hp | 175 Nm | 999 cc | Gasoline | 3, Inline | Turbo | Manual, 5-speed | FWD |
| 3 generation, restyling — 1.0 MT, 115 hp | 115 hp | 200 Nm | 999 cc | Gasoline | 3, Inline | Turbo | Manual, 6-speed | FWD |
| 3 generation, restyling — 1.0 DSG | 115 hp | 200 Nm | 999 cc | Gasoline | 3, Inline | Turbo | Robotic, 7-speed | FWD |
| 3 generation, restyling — 1.2 MT, 86 hp | 86 hp | 160 Nm | 1197 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | Manual, 5-speed | FWD |
| 3 generation, restyling — 1.2 MT, 110 hp | 110 hp | 175 Nm | 1197 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | Manual, 6-speed | FWD |
| 4 generation — 2.0 DSG, 190 hp | 190 hp | 326 Nm | 1984 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | Robotic, 7-speed | FWD |
| 4 generation — 1.5 DSG, 150 hp | 150 hp | 255 Nm | 1498 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | Robotic, 6-speed | FWD |
| 4 generation — 1.5 MT | 130 hp | 200 Nm | 1498 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | Manual, 6-speed | FWD |
| 4 generation — 2.0 DSG, 150 hp | 150 hp | 360 Nm | 1968 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | Robotic, 7-speed | FWD |
| 4 generation — 1.0 MT | 115 hp | 203 Nm | 999 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | Manual, 6-speed | FWD |
| 4 generation — 1.0 DSG | 110 hp | 200 Nm | 999 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | Robotic, 7-speed | FWD |
| 4 generation — 1.5 DSG, 272 hp | 272 hp | 250 Nm | 1498 cc | Plug-in | 4, Inline | Turbo | Robotic, 6-speed | FWD |
| 4 generation — 1.4 DSG | 204 hp | 250 Nm | 1395 cc | Plug-in | 4, Inline | Turbo | Robotic, 6-speed | FWD |
| 4 generation, restyling 1 — 1.5 DSG, 115 hp | 115 hp | 220 Nm | 1498 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | Automatic, 7-speed | FWD |
| 4 generation, restyling 1 — 1.5 DSG, 150 hp | 150 hp | not measured | 1498 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | Robotic, 7-speed | FWD |
| 4 generation, restyling 1 — 1.5 MT | 115 hp | 220 Nm | 1498 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | Manual, 6-speed | FWD |
| 4 generation, restyling 1 — 2.0 DSG | 150 hp | 360 Nm | 1968 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | Robotic, 7-speed | FWD |
| 4 generation, restyling 1 — 1.5 DSG eHybrid | 204 hp | 350 Nm | 1498 cc | Plug-in | 4, Inline | Turbo | Robotic, 7-speed | FWD |
SEAT Leon performance and fuel economy
Performance varies widely. The first-generation 1.9 MT with 68 hp takes 17.6 seconds from 0–100 km/h and reaches 160 km/h, while its 150 hp 1.9 MT versions need 9.1 seconds and reach 211 km/h. The second-generation 200 hp 2.0 MT and 2.0 DSG each record 7.3 seconds and 229 km/h. For the 286 hp 2.0 MT, acceleration and top speed are not measured.
Among the third-generation estate versions, the 180 hp 1.8 DSG records 7.7 seconds to 100 km/h and 224 km/h. In the restyled range, the 184 hp 2.0 DSG is quicker at 7.1 seconds and also reaches 224 km/h. Its combined consumption is 5.4 L/100 km, compared with 6.5 L/100 km for the 180 hp AWD 1.8 DSG.
In the fourth generation, the 190 hp 2.0 DSG reaches 100 km/h in 7.2 seconds and a maximum of 228 km/h. The 204 hp 1.4 DSG Plug-in records 7.5 seconds, 220 km/h and 1.2 L/100 km combined consumption. The 272 hp 1.5 DSG Plug-in records 7.7 seconds, 220 km/h and 0.4 L/100 km. For every supplied fourth-generation restyling version, 0–100 km/h acceleration, top speed and fuel consumption are not measured.
SEAT Leon dimensions, weight and wheels
The supplied data do not include exterior length, width or height, so those SEAT Leon dimensions are not measured. Kerb weight does vary substantially: the first-generation entries range from 1130 kg for the 1.4 MT to 1415 kg for the 150 hp AWD 1.9 MT. Their gross weights range from 1640 kg to 1925 kg, while the fuel tank is 55 L.
Second-generation examples use a 55 L tank. Listed ground clearance ranges from 130 mm to 160 mm, and recorded wheel sizes include 195/65 R15, 205/55 R16, 225/45 R17 and 225/40 R18. In the restyled second generation, the 170 hp 2.0 DSG weighs 1420 kg kerb and 1915 kg gross.
The third-generation estate uses a 50 L tank and has 147 mm of recorded ground clearance in the supplied pre-restyling versions. Kerb weights among those shown range from 1233 kg for the 86 hp 1.2 MT to 1404 kg for the LPG 1.4 MT. Wheel sizes span 195/65 R15 through 225/40 R18, while the restyled generation also lists 225/35 R19.
Fourth-generation kerb weights among measured versions range from 1197 kg for the 1.0 MT to 1595 kg for the 272 hp 1.5 DSG Plug-in. Gross weight ranges from 1720 kg to 2130 kg. Ground clearance is 160 mm where measured, wheels are listed as 225/45 R17 or 225/40 R18, and tank capacity is 50 L for the Gasoline and Diesel examples but 40 L for the supplied Plug-in versions. For the fourth-generation restyling, kerb weight, gross weight, ground clearance and wheel sizes are not measured; tank capacity is 50 L.
Which SEAT Leon version should you choose?
For maximum recorded power, the second-generation 2.0 MT with 286 hp exceeds the fourth-generation 272 hp 1.5 DSG Plug-in by 14 hp, although its acceleration and top speed are not measured. For the quickest measured acceleration, the restyled third-generation 184 hp 2.0 DSG reaches 100 km/h in 7.1 seconds, 0.1 second ahead of the 190 hp fourth-generation 2.0 DSG and the 180 hp restyled third-generation 1.8 DSG.
For the lowest measured combined consumption among conventional Gasoline or Diesel entries, the third-generation 90 hp or 105 hp 1.6 MT Diesel records 3.8 L/100 km. For stronger performance with AWD, the restyled third-generation 184 hp 2.0 DSG combines 380 Nm, 7.1-second acceleration and 5.4 L/100 km. Buyers seeking a newer Plug-in choice can compare the fourth-generation 204 hp 1.4 DSG at 1.2 L/100 km with the 272 hp 1.5 DSG at 0.4 L/100 km, or choose the restyled 204 hp 1.5 DSG eHybrid; its performance and consumption figures are not measured.