Seat Leon ST

Ever since the third-generation Seat Leon was launched last year, Volkswagen's Spanish division threw a curve over the new model because with this new generation, which runs on the new flexible MQB platform used on the Audi A3 and the Volkswagen Golf, they now have the opportunity for the Seat Leon to spawn different body styles. Earlier, they've launched a 3-door version called the Leon SC and that was quite a shocker to me because who would really want a 3-door Seat Leon in the first place? We already have an Ibiza SC but why would you want for the bigger Leon SC?

If things are getting much worse for the new Leon, they now have a station wagon version called the Seat Leon ST!!!

2014 Seat Leon ST

Ugh, shouldn't SEAT be enough and content with the existing wagon lineup consisting of the Ibiza ST and the Exeo ST? Oh wait, SEAT discontinued the Exeo range this year so, the Ibiza ST is the remaining Seat wagon as of now, so, with the addition of the Leon ST, it's now back to two. You can now have a choice of two station wagons available for Seat such as the smaller Ibiza ST and the midsize Leon ST. I said it midsize because the Leon ST's sizing, like the new Leon, is just on the right track. Doesn't need to be too big or too little. That will be enough to take the prize.

Where was I? Oh yeah, the new station wagon from SEAT claims to be sporty and practical because in the present climate, nobody wanted a station wagon to be sporty and practical so for this car, it's the best of both worlds...as a theory.

Even though this is just a Volkswagen Golf Variant that was been altered into a Seat, the Seat Leon ST's design looks even more promising than the new Golf Variant because in my eye, the new Golf Variant is a bit too squinty for me.

2014 Seat Leon ST

Because this is the wagon version of the Leon ST, you can expect a bigger boot in the back and it does because even though it's sizing was just right, there's more room with your stuff in the back. This new model is quite a business mixed with leisure if you want to kill some time on the outdoors. With the rear seats folded down, the ST model, it has a capacity of 1,470 litres worth of luggage load, so that's worth enough to fit your balikbayan box at the back. Careful not to overload it like the ones from Korea where they evacuate from the border complex. Quite scary, though.

2014 Seat Leon ST

There is just one catch though because the new Leon ST weighs 45 kilos more than the standard hatchback model but thanks to its systematic lightweight design of the bodyshell, it's the lightest estate car in its class. As for the engine choices, the Seat Leon ST still has the similar choices that most Seat Leons do. You can have a 1.2L TSi, a 1.4L TSi, 1.6L TDI, 2.0L TDi, and if you got more time to kill, a 1.8 TSI engine on the hot FR model, complete with a rather-annoying DSG gearbox which shifts faster than a manual gearbox. A Seat Leon FR with a manual tranny is fine because this gearbox is what expresses our self-expression for shifting gears but with a DSG gearbox implied, it kinda spoils your fun, if you know what I mean?

The FR version of the Leon ST comes with SEAT drive profile with DCC adaptive chassis control. When you set it on Comfort, the suspension makes it softer and making the ride experience is as pleasant as seeing a fat bloke floating on the pool. When you set it on Sport, the suspension gets even harder, more agile in the cornering stakes, and the ride's getting harsher every time when you move about. There's even an optional Dynamic Pack which makes your driving experience with the Leon ST a bit too...professional-grade. Even though if it has the word "Dynamic" on it, the front-wheel drive layout isn't quite easy enough to kill you. It makes the cornering as swift as a game of Wimbledon. Thanks to its multi-link cleverness, if you go for the more powerful versions like the FR, the Leon ST feels as sophisticated as an Emeritus professor of some sorts. I just can't believe that multi-links are getting common these days in today's automobiles.

2014 Seat Leon ST interior

Like many Leons of today, the ST's interior feels pretty much the same as today's model but connectivity aside, it's a so-so for me. It even comes with the SEAT Easy Connect operating system, which allows you to take control of the navigation, entertainment, and vehicle information, isn't quite too shabby either. Having this as an ideal car for the winter holiday sounds pretty hard because, let's be honest, there are so many cars in the market today that combines the practicality of an everyday people mover with the sportiness of a sports car. Even though this new model fits its qualifications, the Leon ST is still more of a Golf Variant than the new Golf Variant but it's still cheaper than the new Golf Variant because of its 16,419 € pricing, almost 3,000 less than the new Golf Variant, so you'll get what you pay for.

Available colors: Blanco, Rojo Emocion, Blanco Nevada, Plata Estrella, Azul Apolo, Gris Pirineos, Negro Universo, Beige Balea, Rojo Montsant, Gris Tecnico, and Azul Alor.

Photo: SEAT S.A.