Cupra Leon

Having nearly satisfied with their works such as the Cupra Ateca, and the Cupra original vehicle, the Formentor coupe-crossover, it's about time Cupra made a hot hatch by taking the fourth-generation Seat Leon as their base for their latest masterpiece, the Cupra Leon, and by the looks and feels of it, this could be the Cupra car speedo boys are waiting for, well almost.

2021 Cupra Leon

2021 Cupra Leon Sportstourer

The first-ever Cupra Leon range follows the footsteps of the previous Seat Leon Cupra and by turning the fourth-generation Seat Leon into a Cupra-fied hot hatch, this is what the Cupra fans are demanding since the beginning of the Cupra brand. It's available in either a five-door hatchback, priced at 40,480 Euros plus additional costs, and the more spacious Sportstourer, priced at 41,080 Euros plus additional costs.

Those who are familiar with the fourth-generation Leon should have no problem about how they worked. The Tarraco-styled nose, stylish side view, rear lamps that look like it came from the Kia Sportage, minimalist interior that spells utter nonsense for speedo boys behind the wheel, seating for five people, more boot space for the Sportstourer, and wide array of ADAS such as DCC, ACC, Emergency Assist, Travel Assist, Side and Exit assist, and more. 

Yes, it's those familiar stuff that kept us familiarized with the fourth-generation Leon but since this is the Cupra Leon, the differences are all over. From its Cupra logo, wheels, and interior accents finished in its copper glory, beefed up exterior design, additional drive modes on the sat-nav for when you need it, and pretty much anything to differentiate it from the normal Seat Leon.

At the start, the Cupra Leon range features a modest e-Hybrid powertrain which combines the 150PS, 250Nm 1.4-litre TSI petrol engine and a 85kW electric motor with 13kWh lithium-ion battery pack, making it capable of producing a total output of around 245PS of peak power and 400Nm of torque. That's about more power than a Toyota Altezza RS200 and by a long shot but now's not the time for comparison because with this PHEV powetrain mated to a DSG, it does 6.7 seconds and onwards to 225kph. That's modest performance for an eco car as well as its fuel efficiency which returns to about 1.4 l/100km on the combined WLTP scale.

The PHEV variant sounds nice but those who are demanding for the ultimate hot hatch should wait later this 2021 for the 2.0L TSi engine which produces 300PS of power (10PS more on Sportstourer 4Drive variant) and with the DSG mated, it can get out at 100kph in 5.7 seconds and electronically limited to 250kph.

Of course, being the Spanish answer to the Golf GTi, the Cupra Leon is as close to the hot hatch poster boy as you can get thanks to its enhanced chassis setup, the DCC, front MacPherson struts and rear multilink setup on the suspension, and Brembo brakes. For a front-wheel drive hot hatch, the Cupra Leon is as breathable to drive as breathable underwear you bought at the mall and then soiled by the time you had a blast with this Spanish GTi.

With the choice of a e-Hybrid and 2.0L TSi with over 300PS of power, not to mention the reworked dynamics that makes it hot hatch material, the Cupra Leon is the Cupra fans are waiting for, almost. Will you have one rather than Cupra's crossover siblings?

Photo: SEAT

Cupra Formentor

Since the Cupra brand was launched in 2018, their initial offering was a pumped-up version of the first Seat SUV, the Ateca, but the brand has gained potential about their ambitious motorsport plans as demonstrated by their WTCR progress and their hopes of taking on the Extreme E someday. The Spanish equivalent of Abarth's got their decks full with their high performance and sensibly electric ambitions that will change the performance landscape once and for all. With the arrival of the Cupra original vehicle, which is of course another crossover (yawn), the Formentor tries to be the fermenter of things to come for Cupra.

Costing 29,670 Euros plus additional costs, the Formentor is a Cupra original vehicle that is dead serious about going places any way it can, whether you like it or not.

Starting with the design, fans are thankful to the design team because nearly every inch of detail first seen in the 2019 concept car remained in the production version because the design team really liked the way the Formentor looks from concept to production. Although robust in spirit, the Formenter likes to call itself balanced rather than being a powerful crossover because, by the looks of it, it delivers a healthy balance of performance, technology, style, and comfort the Cupra way.

The interior of the Formentor is a different experience because the big sat-nav that controls the audio, the climate, and the drive modes, is a next-level challenge for speedo boys who deemed this tech pointless and I somewhat agree with them because with more and more cars are approaching the minimalist approach on their interiors, the Formentor is somewhat plagued by such and while some speedo boys are lamenting about the pointless and buttonless approach to its dashboard, the comfort part packs a charm to those getting inside. It fits up to five people and despite having lesser boot space compared to the Cupra Ateca (even lesser with 4Drive and e-Hybrid variants on board), it still has ample room for groceries, junior-sized balikbayan boxes, and others.

As a jack-of-all-trades or a jack-of-all-tirades, if you may, the Formentor boasts a diverse choice of powertrains. There's the 1.5L TSi engine mated to either a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed DSG with 150PS of power, a 1.4L e-HYBRID PHEV with up to 245PS of power while mated to a 6-speed DSG, and then there's the range-topping VZ 2.0L TSi with 310PS of power. Mated to a 7-speed DSG and 4Drive, it accelerates from 0-100kph in 4.9 seconds, and its top speed is electronically limited to 250kph.

In its entry-level, front-wheel drive guise, the Formentor is as stable and as subtle as a commoner's city car but with the 4Drive applied, not to mention the one with the 2.0L TSi engine on the front, the Formentor delivers the hype that drivers are looking for. On the normal road and on the track if you like, it really kicks in like a Honda on steroids but still delivers the balance of right and wrong for all the wrong barrels. When taken to anything related to dirt, be it gravel or snow, the Formentor's 4Drive system works its charms rather well as long as this crossover's not stuck in the middle of nowhere.

In partial terms of enjoyment, the Formentor really works well but what will keep them in shock is the range of ADAS ranging from Predictive Adaptive Cruise Control, Travel Assist, Side and Exit Assist, and Emergency Assist. Like I always said, these semi-autonomous driving techs can really scare speedo boys straight.

Yes, we may be moaning because Cupra made another crossover rather than a hot hatch that we want from them, be it a Leon perhaps, but the Formentor is all about getting the job done from start to finish. The one with the 310PS 2.0L TSi and 4Drive is the alpha male of the range because of its relatively superior performance that will leave anyone wishing to have one driven in tears of jealousy, but the e-HYBRID variants are making the case of themselves because of the efficiency it delivers. Because it's the cheapest Cupra crossover you can buy, that makes it great value for the whole family, although I wouldn't like calling the Formentor the ideal family car, still the Cupra original's on the roll now.

Photo: SEAT, S.A.

Seat Ateca and Cupra Ateca (2021 minor change)

The Ateca, the first SUV from SEAT, and its Cupra equivalent, the crossover that started the Cupra brand by itself, have received their slightly big facelifts for the 2021 model year. What changed for the first of their kinds?

Starting with the Ateca's minor change, which starts at around 21,160 Euros plus additional costs, you will notice the new front lamps, the new Tarraco-style front grille, slightly refreshed rear lamps, and then there's the creepy new logo of the Ateca which dons the creepy new font first seen on the new Leon. The Cupra Ateca facelift (priced at 43,471 euros), meanwhile, dons the similar looking cosmetic updates but with even more muscle to make it more macho than when it was born.

While the exterior refresh is anything but dramatic, the refreshed interior still works like the pre-facelifted one, although the new model now boasts an updated SEAT Digital Cockpit with an even bigger sat-nav, smartphone connectivity, voice recognition, and other gadgets to toy with. Same goes to the Cupra version, too. Despite some subtle changes, it still fits up to five people and still fits up to 510-litres of boot space, making it perfect for all drives of life for drivers of all kinds.

Under the hood, the normal Seat Cupra offers a wide range of petrol and diesel engines (the one to avoid), with the range-topper 2.0L petrol bears 190PS of power and mated to a DSG gearbox and 4Drive. Yes, most variants can be fitted to either a manual gearbox (thank SEAT for that) or a DSG. The Cupra Ateca, meanwhile, is still armed with the 2.0L TSi engine producing 300PS of power and 400Nm of torque. Mated to a 7-speed DSG, it's capable of 0-100kph sprint in 4.9 seconds and onwards to 247kph.

Yes, despite their new looks, they still behave on and slightly off the road just like the previous models, but to scare speedo boys straight behind the wheel, they've added the most sophisticated advanced driver assistance systems ranging from Pre-Crash Assist, Predictive Adaptive Cruise Control, Travel Assist, Emergency Assist and Side and Exit Assist, among many others.

Would you give those refreshed crossovers a try?

Photo: SEAT, S.A.

Seat Leon (4th Gen)

Now on its fourth-generation, the all-new Seat Leon promises to be the best Leon ever made with its striking new design, new interior, efficient and powerful range of engines, and the most advanced safety tech offered in its class. Let's get to know more about the best Leon ever made and why are you feeling tingly to drive one.

2020 Seat Leon

2020 Seat Leon Sportstourer

When the Seat Leon first introduced to the world over two decades ago, it became one of the biggest turning points in Seat's history thanks to its sales, tech, and competitiveness and for the fourth-generation model, the all-new Leon is ready for a brave new challenge with its striking new design, new interior, efficient and powerful range of engines, and the most advanced safety tech offered in its class, making it the best Leon ever made.

Offered in two distinct variants; the hatchback (priced at 20,270 Euros plus on-road costs) and the more spacious Sportstourer (priced at 22,090 Euros plus OTR), the new Leon is the best-looking Leon to date because when it hits the road, it leaves a major impression to the public. One look from its Tarraco-styled nose, stylish side vide, rear lamps that look like it came from the Kia Sportage, and the new Leon logo, and you know that it really hooks you where you stand. Not bad for a VW Golf in Spanish accent but what about the interior?

2020 Seat Leon interior

2020 Seat Leon Sportstourer interior

The new interior really means big business for the new Leon and because it's run on the same stuff from the Skoda Scala and the new VW Golf, it's surprisingly more spacious than the previous Leon in terms of passenger space and boot space, meaning there's so many uses with this new model, be it for work of for going out, whatever means necessary for them. Aside from space, the new Leon features so many stuff to toy around with such as the SEAT Digital Cockpit, the annoying voice recognition system, Full Link system, the available Connectivity Box, and more, making yourself feeling busy while driving on the streets and on the highway.

2020 Seat Leon

2020 Seat Leon Sportstourer

The new Leon features a wide variety of engines to choose from such as the 1.0 TSi, 1.5 TSi, a 2.0 TDi, and the more important 1.5 eTSi at launch with PHEV and CNG variants to follow. Like everyone in Europe should, the 2.0 TDi engine is the one to avoid because of you know what, a dn while waiting for the big daddy PHEV to come out shortly, the 1.5 eTSi mHEV variant produces 150PS of power while delivering a combined WLTP-based fuel economy of 5.8L/100km. Now that's efficient and when you get to the dynamics side, the new Leon really behaves like a sportscar even though this isn't until Cupra get their hands on it later, but still rather impressive to drive all day and all night, making this a more enjoyable alternative to binge-watching your favorite show.

Being the best Leon ever made, the new Leon is literally the most safest Leon ever made thanks to its wide array of ADAS such as DCC, ACC, Emergency Assist, Travel Assist, Side and Exit assist, and more.

SEAT promised the world that this is the best Leon ever made but the main question is, does it live up to its promise. With more and more are going the crossover route like the rest of the world does, the new model is going to be in a serious pinch in the beginning but a handful of people who rebelled against the crossover-calypse might be wise and tempted to buy the new Leon and when they do, they might enjoy with it for the rest of their lives. Let's wish this new model the best of luck as it takes on a brave new challenge in this ever-changing motoring world.

Photo: SEAT

SEAT Tarraco

As the Ateca and the Arona becoming bestsellers in SEAT's crossover range, eclipsing every single one in their range tenfold, the Spanish arm of the Volkswagen group wants to expand more like this with the arrival of their flagship crossover known as the Tarraco. So, what is it then this SEAT Tarraco?

2019 SEAT Tarraco

2019 SEAT Tarraco

According to SEAT, the Tarraco marks the finish line of their bold product offensive and this SUV is all about awareness, sales, profit, growth, and progress, which is the path for SEAT to take advantage of and since SUVs are becoming as profitable as superhero movies, there's no other choice but to embrace the rise of crossovers like this.

Although this is basically a Tiguan underneath it, the Tarraco is somewhat the better looking of its relatives and no matter which trim you'll go for, you will always have the impression that the Tarraco triggers its first impression to those who own it. While the exterior is basically the Tarraco's first impression, the interior tells a different story for them.

2019 SEAT Tarraco interior

The interior works like every other crossover should be and when opted for a seven-seater variant, the Tarraco is a real people mover that allows the whole family to go on road trips, probably because of your honey's erratic travel plans for the rest of the day off. As cozy as an above average crossover, the Tarraco boasts a lot of gadgets to toy around with, as well as compatibility with Amazon Alexa so drivers can say "Hey Alexa" to have this Alexa-powered Tarraco do as what they said unless Alexa goes "hmmm, I'm not sure about that." Boot space? Not quite bad for lots of grocery shopping hauls and other stuff as they said.

2019 SEAT Tarraco

There are two engines offered on the SEAT Tarraco when it was first launched such as a 1.5L TSi, the 2.0L TSi, and the 2.0L TDi, but let's cross out the diesel variant as I'm sure Europeans of today are no fans of diesel engine for sure. Focusing on the petrol variants, the most powerful and fastest in the range is the 2.0L TSi with 190PS of power and 320Nm of torque and with the 7-speed DSG, it's capable of a 0-100kph time in eight seconds and onwards to 211kph. The one with the 1.5L TSi? Let's say this is the fuel efficient of the petrol range with 7,4 l/100km of fuel efficiency combined under the WLTP regulation.

Because being run on a car-based MQB platform just like its relatives, the Tarraco tends to have limited offroad ability so it wasn't as rugged as a real SUV but the sedan-riding comfort is within reach for the Tarraco. Of course, you can have it in four-wheel drive but don't expect to get this thing uphill on the dirt because this is basically another one of the pretend SUVs that littered the road for no reason but anytime when the traffic condition reaches Metro Manila levels or when time's running out for your appointments, glad to know that with a raised suspension fit for a crossover, the Tarraco has tricks on its sleeves to get through point A to B like a girls band party concert, whereas other cars revert to type and lose.

On the trip home, the Tarraco comes with numerous safety features, standard and optional, to guarantee the safety of its occupants, whatever that means.

The Tarraco starts at 29,400 Euros, making it the second expensive in the range, behind the soon-to-be-obsolete Alhambra minivan but the Tarraco doesn't have the memories of Alhambra, oh no because this is a crossover, not an MPV, but either way, love it or hate it, the Tarraco is all about showcasing the European family what its capable of. From its good looks, good interior, good space, good tech, good performance, and all of the good stuff, the Tarraco is everything but good for a crossover that shares almost all of the stuff from its relatives, whatever it may be.

Photo: SEAT, S.A.

CUPRA Ateca

Seat has made the CUPRA into a high-performance sub-brand in the way Fiat did theirs to Abarth, meaning they really know how to separate the real men from the big boys when it comes to cars and just like Fiat's Abarth, the CUPRA brand from Seat will venture deep to their motorsport involvement and use all of the racing know-how to their new breed of vehicles. Their first outing wasn't what we're expecting for because they've used the Seat Ateca compact crossover as their guinea pig to mutate into their maiden mutant on the road.

2019 SEAT Cupra Ateca

The Cupra Ateca will be the first to don the terrifying copper-colored CUPRA emblem all over and when they see a SEAT like this donning this emblem of doom, they'd better hide themselves because staring at the copper-colored CUPRA emblem is a thousand times scarier than the sequential turn signals from today's Ford Mustang. Scary-looking the emblem is, the Cupra Ateca is basically your basic Seat Ateca crossover mutated with a striking exterior design that sets the new standards of the new CUPRA brand.

On the inside, it still works like the normal Ateca does. It has decent space at the back for some fireworks on New Year's Eve, room for your friends to tag along on a road trip, connectivity features to toy around with, it's everything except for one major difference to the Ateca's interior. Since this is the balls-out CUPRA Ateca, the seats are donned in Alcantara so it's surprisingly smooth and comfortable to relax with.

Under the hood, the CUPRA Ateca is powered by a high-performance 2.0L 4-cylinder direct injection turbo engine producing 300PS of power and 400Nm of torque. That's about as much as what the Subaru WRX STi carries but this is no Subie, you know, because even though this comes with 4Drive four-wheel drive system that behaves like that Subie I've mentioned earlier, the Cupra Ateca is mated to a 7-speed DSG and if you are new to driving, you might be having a hard time starting this car with such gearbox. Come back if you have ample vehicular experience.

Those who have familiarity with how things work, it's good to know that the Cupra Ateca can get through 100kph in 5.2 seconds and onwards to just 247kph. If speed doesn't matter, how about dynamics? Sure, it maybe a crossover but the way the CUPRA Ateca handles is WRX STi-quality behind the wheel. It's pretty good on a weekend drive but when taken to track days and engaged the CUPRA mode, it's crunch time! When engaged, the mild-but-menacing character the CUPRA Ateca comes alive, meaning that its grippy nature makes it more hot hatch-ish for a crossover of this size but be careful though, when the struggle gets all to real, better be prepared with your health insurance.

Should you buy it? The Cupra Ateca starts at 46,044 Euros, which is surprisingly expensive but it's a start. The Cupra Ateca is not the welcoming salvo we're expecting for Seat's new CUPRA brand but as a sports utility hero, it's not half bad to toy around with everyday. With the CUPRA brand introduced to the world with the Ateca, expect jealousy in store for those who want to drive one because in that case, we are jealous to drive one right now.

Photo: SEAT, S.A.

VW T-Roc vs. SEAT Arona vs. Skoda Karoq

Let's admit it, ladies and gentlemen, the earth is now the planet of the SUVs because car companies love to make some money out of launching heavyweights no matter how big or small they are and when the more they keep launching SUVs, the more risk that the whole range will be out of the weight limit and resort of removing some in the lineup. In the Volkswagen Group, this is no exception to the rule as these three new compact SUVs continue to be part of this new automotive world order where SUVs are now part of the daily lifestyle.

2018 Volkswagen T-Roc

2018 Volkswagen T-Roc interior

Let's begin with Volkswagen's first-ever baby SUV, the T-Roc. Starting at just 20,390 Euros plus OTR costs, the T-Roc is Volkswagen's answer to bland baby crossovers such as the Nissan Juke and the Toyota C-HR and while it was basically pinned on the same bits and bobs from today's VW Polo, the T-Roc is no exception to the rule because while it may be an SUV, it's a crossover fit for every millennials' lifestyles. Of course, you might say that the exterior design is questionable because while the front looks very sporty indeed, the rearview looks like a Tetris piece, resulting in a questionable exterior no one saw it coming.

On the interior, it's not half bad especially when the dashboard is festooned with bits and bobs as experienced from the Audi like the instrumental panel which looks like it was heavily inspired from the Audi Virtual Cockpit, which makes it a Q2 on a budget and that's good for them. Apart from that, it's not bad to get cozy with and because it's not as leathery as a posh crossover, you don't get your full moon to experience the chilly torment in the event of cold temperatures and you'll have seconds to tuck your trousers back to its original condition. Not bad.

The T-Roc is offered with a choice of petrol and diesel engines with the most powerful being the 2.0 TSi variant mated to a 7-speed DSG that produces a modest 190PS of power and 320Nm of torque, propelling from 0-100kph in 7.2 seconds and onwards to 216kph. Your Nissan Juke or Toyota C-HR doesn't stand a chance with the T-Roc, you know, because they can only do 180, which is the limit to all Japanese cars and that's it. So, while the performance of the T-Roc really upsets the Japanese, the dynamics aren't half bad for a crossover because it handles pretty much like today's Polo without all the hot fuzz. Sure, it may not be as sporty as it hoped for, it's perky to keep it afloat on the road. Also, when equipped with 4MOTION, it's not pretty half bad in the wet. In fact, this could have been your sister's crossover rather than the ones I've mentioned. Lastly, the T-Roc is offered with a wide array of safety features that will give drivers a more confident driving experience without worry.

The T-Roc may have a questionable exterior design but with some good parts binned on this jacked-up Polo, it wasn't really mediocre by SUV standards. In fact, you could consider it your first ride if you got a job and a driver's license. However, if you find the T-Roc is not your kind of crossover, consider this...

2018 Seat Arona

2018 Seat Arona interior

At first glance, it may look like today's SEAT Ibiza but this is not the Ibiza because what this is is its jacked-up cousin, the SEAT Arona. Starting at 14,100 Euros plus OTR, you can really afford one rather than the VW T-Roc I've mentioned but unlike the T-Roc, the Arona is basically an Ibiza with some added ground clearance on it and from every angle, you will notice the bits and bobs you saw on the said car, meaning those who are familiar with it shouldn't worry about how to deal with the Arona's conveniences in the same way they compare the Mazda CX-3 to its Demio cousin.

The most powerful version is the 1.5 TSI EVO FR variant with 150PS of power output and 250Nm of torque, resulting to a 0-100kph time of 8 seconds and onwards to 205kph, which is basically slower than the T-Roc. Also, the Arona is available only in front-wheel drive so you have no right to make it dirty because it was only limited to city use, which is kind of a shame really because while some crossovers try to look tougher, the lack of 4WD are the ideal equivalent of the whole Weenie Hut joke I saw from a children's show.

This brings on to the last item on this article which is somewhat the lesser of two evils...

2018 Skoda Karoq

2018 Skoda Karoq

This is the all-new Skoda Karoq, the replacement to the Yeti which a certain ape calls it the best SUV in the world because you can outrun a Ferrari on an unfinished track, more room to get out, more stable than the Range Rover, and the aircon that works well in extremely hot conditions. This then is somewhat the different article and for 529 900 Kč or 24,290 Euros, it's the most expensive of the three. On the plus side, it's more affordable than the Skoda Octavia Scout, which sounds questionable but flattering.

While this is the most expensive of the three, the Karoq features the best of both worlds, something the T-Roc and the Arona quake in their rear bumpers. It's got Kodiaq-style looks not bad for a baby crossover, it's got luxurious interior, it's got ample boot, and more importantly, a wide array of safety tech and dynamics that set them apart.

However, what's annoying about the Karoq is the leather seats which stings your butt when the temperature drops to near zero. Also, the most powerful offering produces the same amount that you get from the Arona but it's heavier and in a three-way drag race, the Karoq loses. That sounds like a bitter disappointment but when you're not in the mood to bother the T-Roc and the Arona, you will be thankful that the Karoq nails all of the right moves a midsize crossover should be. It's comfortable, it's tough, it's spacious, and above all, it's everything you wanted it to be on an SUV of that size.

So, there we are, in terms of fair value, the Arona is the best bet but in terms of doing all the things you want for an SUV, the Karoq is the best bet. The T-Roc may not be as valuable or capable as these two but it's got more features than the other two and picking the winner sounds challenging as it should be but you'll be the judge of that when you try these three.

Photo: Volkswagen/ SEAT S.A./Skoda Auto

SEAT Ibiza (Typ KJ)

In the world currently flooding with crossovers, there are some city cars that exist for the sole purpose of satisfying today's millennials with its nimble handling, fuel efficiency, small sizing, and tech-savvy features fit enough to accommodate the urban landscape. Such example is the all-new, fifth-generation SEAT Ibiza, and it's time to investigate the latest regeneration of SEAT's compact hatchback that has been in the fray with the likes of the Ford Fiesta, Toyota Vitz, Kia Morning, or even the Opel/Vauxhall Corsa.

2018 Seat Ibiza

Even though Seat insists that this is the fifth-generation model, the all-new Ibiza looks pretty much the same as the previous model it replaces but despite its stale looks, what's underneath is all new and that's how it matters for the all-new Ibiza because like every car in the Volkswagen Group family, the new Ibiza utilizes on the MQB platform, resulting to a dramatic change in dimensions so it's now slightly shorter and wider than the previous model.

2018 Seat Ibiza interior

Even though the car's now slightly shorter than the previous model, the interior is surprisingly above average by compact standards but one thing you do want to watch out for on range-topping variants is the sat-nav system because the new Ibiza is just one of the many cars that declare war on buttons as well as physical media because with a touch-screen gadget with smartphone connectivity and other stuff in store, speedo boys are not safe from driving it because with this sat-nav, it's irreplaceable for the rest of its life and the trend that speedo boys fear of will keep on going in cars of today and the future.  That's the future, speedo boys, but looking back on the interior, the new Ibiza's a very accommodating hatchback indeed thanks to its class-leading interior dimensions and it's surprisingly spacious indeed because the boot space of 355 litres made it the most spacious in its class. That's about putting the interests of occupants first before everything else, am I right?

2018 Seat Ibiza

Because the new Ibiza is now sitting on the MQB A0 platform, which the next VW Polo will use, the new Ibiza feels as lively and high-spirited as any city car should be. In most variants like the range-topping Xcellence variant, it has a very retrospective experience that keeps the occupants as civilized as a salaryman on high noon, but if you forgo for the FR variant, the one with the sport-tuned suspension, one thing you might want to watch out for its stiffness because even though its dynamics are pretty good on the open roads, its city use is not what you called on the safe zone because this is like staying quiet while letting your grandma experience some Smithsonian thrillers all day, all night. Couldn't bear it but there's another thing you want to watch out on the new Ibiza and that is its upgraded Column Electric Power System with electro-mechanical assistance, which makes steering even more dramatic than it was before.

All of the Ibizas for now are powered by a 1.0L petrol engine with different configurations, with 11PS is the highest output offered. Low-powered engines get a 5-speed manual while high-powered engines, including the sporty FR, get a 6-speed manual gearbox. Of course you can expect more engine choices coming soon to the Ibiza, including ones with the 7-speed DSG on it.

2018 Seat Ibiza

Of course, the new Ibiza won't be a certified city car you can take it downtown without a wide array of safety tech and all of these tech are new to the Ibiza, setting a class apart from the competition. With driver drowsiness detection, autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian recognition, Stop&Go with ACC and DSG, and the Multi Collision Brake that prevents the case of pile-up crashes on the road, the new Ibiza is well-prepared to take on today's traffic conditions, whatever lay ahead.

The price? The new Ibiza starts at 11,760 Euros plus on-road costs and that makes it one of the healthiest-priced compact hatchbacks on the market today. What impresses the most about the new Ibiza is the sizing, the interior, the tech, and the ride but what not to like about it is when you go for FR, the sporty handling is worth a struggle to accommodate on city roads and the fact that it's now available exclusively as a five-door only, which is better-looking by the way. With the all-new Ibiza, we can expect great things in store for SEAT.

Available colors: Blanco, Azul Mediterráneo, Gris Pirineos, Negro Midnight, Mystic, Azul Mystery, and Rojo Desire.

Photo: SEAT

Seat Ateca

This is known to be as SEAT's first ever crossover utility vehicle in history and because this is the first in SEAT's lineup, the new Ateca is a solid all-rounder that fits through everyone's lifestyles at work or at play. Be it a daily driver or a weekend getaway vehicle, the Ateca is all about multitasking at a crossover's pace. So then, what's it all about the Ateca?

2017 Seat Ateca

At first glance, the new Seat Ateca looks like a jacked-up Leon with some sorts but in reality, it's basically a Tiguan underneath so you might expect the similar behavior you can expect from the latest VW Tiguan only this time in Seat's perspective.

2017 Seat Ateca interior

2017 Seat Ateca interior

The inside is just typical SEAT from within but if you're very busy digging deeper on the Ateca's interior, you can spend most of the time toying around with its ambient lighting, class-leading space for some bare necessities before setting off from one point of interest after another, five-seater capacity which is typical for a crossover, Full Link connectivity, and some concessions of comfort and convenience that balances what you can work and you can play. Nothing says mixing business and pleasure in a very unique and clever packaging so it's like a nice stay at a very posh condo in the city.

2017 Seat Ateca

Because the Seat Ateca's riding on the same platform used on the VW Tiguan, you can expect the Ateca to behave just like the Leon as if the new Tiguan behaves like a Golf. MQB relatives, if you know what I mean, but that's just the first half of it because the biggest key point of the Ateca is the available 4Drive system, which uses a newly made multi-plate coupling with hydraulic actuation and electronic control. Seat says that it reacts quickly on different driving situations and in general, the Ateca's four-wheel drive system is a great all-rounder that can be taken anywhere, rain or shine.

Under the hood, the Ateca offers a wide array of engine choices such as a 1.0L TSi, a 1.4 TSi, 1.6L TDi, or a 2.0L TDi engine. They are varied with different configurations, you know. Meaning if you want something powerful, you should go for the 2.0 TDi engine, which produces 190PS of power and 400Nm of torque, or if you want something economical, there's a 1.6L TDi ECOMOTIVE engine that delivers a claimed CO2 emission of 111g/km. Gearbox of choice? Depending on the variant, it can be mated with either a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed DSG.

As a technologically advanced crossover, the Ateca comes with a wide array of tech such as Traffic Jam Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control with Front Assist, Traffic Sign Recognition, Blind Spot Detection, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Top View cameras, Park Assist 3.0, Emergency Assist, and High Beam Assist.

Should you buy it? The SEAT Ateca starts at 20,440 Euros, which is five grand less than its relative crossover, the VW Tiguan, making it a good value for those who can't afford the latest VW Tiguan. With that kind of pricing, SEAT's first SUV makes it a healthy competitor in the world of compact crossovers and if the underdog is taking its first steps in this category, so be it.

Available colors: Azul Mediterráneo, Blanco Bila, Rojo Pasión, Blanco Nevada, Plata Brillante, Gris Rodium, Beige Capuccino, Marron Mato, Azul Lava, Verde Jungla, Naranja Samoa, and Negro Magico.

Photo: SEAT, S.A.

Seat Leon X-Perience vs. Skoda Octavia (Typ 5E) Scout

2015 Seat Leon X-Perience

When the third-generation Seat Leon launched two years ago and being the first for Seat to wear the groundbreaking VW Group's MQB platform, the once five-door hatchback-only Leon has grown into different body styles ranging from the three door SC, high-performance Cupra, ST estate, and now this, the X-Perience crossover.

2015 Seat Leon X-Perience interior

2015 Seat Leon X-Perience

At first glance, the X-Perience looks nothing more than the rugged version of the Leon ST, the estate version, but for this model, this was made for those who are thrill seekers and those who want to go all out to experience their outdoor lifestyles their way. To differentiate it from the ST, the X-Perience is 27mm higher than the mentioned model and unlike any other cars that focused on toughening their looks for styling purposes and not for the outdoor-minded kind of way, the X-Perience is fitted with the permanent AWD system featuring a Haldex multi-plate clutch with hydraulic actuation and electronic control.

Which means, this is unlike any other crossover variations that only comes with front-wheel drive and this is a great car to drive on a day-to-day basis, even when the weather starts to go wet or cold, or when facing against a tarmac, gravel, or snow. On the road, it's not afraid to face another road bump or pothole it face against although some thudding may occur and when taken off the road, you can really feel how its AWD system do its magic. It feels a lot mild to drive as well because this is an all-rounder that you can afford one for only 23,730 Euros in Spain. That sounds more expensive than the ST where it's based at but for an all-rounder, you can afford one than one of these I lined up...

2015 Skoda Octavia Scout

This is the brand new Octavia Scout from Skoda. Although this is priced at around 690,900 Kč or around 25,000 Euros, it still has the same all-wheel drive system as the Leon X-Perience as well as the increased height capable for a tall wagon like this. They both work well on and off the road but the differences between those two lies within their bonnets.

On the X-Perience, it's available with a turbocharged 1.8 TSi, a 1.6 TDi, and a 2.0 TDi engine with two different power outputs, where the top tier has 184PS of power output and mated with the double clutch gearbox. The Scout, on the other hand, has the same 1.8 TSi petrol and the 2.0 TDi diesel engine as the X-Perience with the high-end model has the same 184PS of power output and a 6-speed DSG gearbox as well! In terms of fuel economy, the X-Perience with the 2.0 TDi and DSG can achieve a combined fuel economy of 4.9L/100km while the Scout with the same spec as the X-Perience's can achieve a combined fuel economy of 5.1L/100km.

For the X-Perience with the said specs, 0-100kph takes about 7.1 seconds and top speed of 224kph while the Scout with the said specs can get to 100kph in 8.3 seconds and a top speed of 228kph. Looks like both of them can trade punches every time now, proving which one is better for a family outing during the long winter months.

2015 Skoda Octavia Scout interior

2015 Skoda Octavia Scout

So, while the bigger Scout has identical characteristics compared to the smaller X-Perience, what's like to drive the car that costs more than the X-Perience? Well, even if it's more expensive than the Seat, it still works very well either on and off the road and it has enough room for some emergency supplies in case the wind gets more briskier as well as enough room for an arctic commando to carry around with you if you need advice to set up a shelter on the snow. That sounds stupid but on these conditions, this sport utility wagon does work its magic very well and unlike its chief rival, the Subaru Outback, it feels more engaging than ever and a lot more fun to drive.

If this car works well for a ski holiday, I would want to have one of these but in case when the temperatures start to improve slightly, feels like its adventurous character is slowly fading and it's reverting into a car suitable to drive at your nearest grocery but it doesn't even matter because adventurous or not, the Octavia Scout knows that every day is an adventure. It's like a young man doing wakeboarding by day and goes to the office with his coat and tie ready while getting rid of water from his head after hours of getting wiped out during wakeboarding hours.

2015 Seat Leon X-Perience

2015 Skoda Octavia Scout

Of course, both the Leon X-Perience and the Octavia Scout have the same all-wheel drive, the same heightened ground clearance fit for crossovers too many, the same luggage space that works well with winter emergency supplies, and nearly the same engine choices but when it comes to price and performance, it's hard to sum up which one is better but either way, those sport utility wagons do work well on any road surface and they're nearly capable of being weekend dads just to pass the time. Try both and you decide before you buy.

Photo: SEAT, Skoda Auto

Seat Leon Mk3 Cupra

2015 Seat Leon Cupra

Over the years, SEAT is nothing more than cheap VWs in disguise even though the fact is that it's a division of the Volkswagen Group. Of course, today's Leon Mk3 is typically a VW Golf in Spanish flea but that doesn't stop them from having one of these on the roads because of its new MQB platform that you can now find it in most models from the VW Group.

Thanks to the success of VW's hot Golf models, the GTi and the R, they prompted Seat to make their own version of those hot Golfs using the Leon and here's the result: the new Leon Cupra, a hotter version of the Leon Cupra that looks more like a normal Leon but with the added superiority and firepower of a hot hatch.

Starting at 27,800 Euros for the 3-door SC model and 28,150 Euros for the 5-door model, you can hardly see you have choices to make between these two and when you decide your fate between these two, you can choose which setup your Leon Cupra will have. The 2.0 TSi engine with dual injection and variable camshaft timing can deliver either a 265PS or 280PS. 265PS of power is fine but for those looking for a challenge would go for the 280PS version. Yes, Your fate would most likely go for the Leon Cupra 280 model. Why? Not only it's the most powerful Seat ever made, it's one of the quickest hot hatches money can buy because it went round the Nurburgring at 7:58.44. With all that power, aerodynamics, and the use of VW's MQB platform, the Leon Cupra sets standards in the hot hatch combat.

2015 Seat Leon Cupra interior

Although the Leon Cupra is now an ordinary Golf faux-simile transformed into a track-ready hot hatch honed to take on the world, I'm afraid that this is not one of the most sophisticated cars to drive on a normal city streets. Because the suspension is all stiffened to the brink of having a driver some serious osteoporosis, it's becoming more difficult to keep it comfortable and when you drive it to the potholes while holding a cup of coffee on the cup holder with no cover on it, there's going to be some massive spillage. If you have a double-clutch gearbox on the Cupra 280 model, it doesn't feel as enjoyable as the manual gearbox. It will just spoil your fun more than the hot Renault Clio.

I know, it's not all cruising on the streets but when you take it on the open road and on the track, the Cupra shines through and while taking advantage of its dynamic chassis control, it feels more critical and a bit dramatic when it sees a corners and with the front-axle diff lock, the grip is mild and menacing. As mild as...mild lyrics from your favorite song.

2015 Seat Leon Cupra

2015 Seat Leon Cupra

So, would you credited for the new Leon Cupra? Well, it's less expensive than the VW Golf GTi and with that pricing, the Leon Cupra is a track weapon because of its Nurburgring lap time and its uncanny agility only works on track day but as a daily driver's car, it's not solely recommended and if you have a family of your own, ditch that car for a less attractive people mover. It's your fate, drivers. You need a track-day car? Here's one.

Available colors: Negro Universo, Dynamic, Rojo Emoción, Plata Estrella, Blanco Nevada, Gris Pirineos.

Photo: SEAT, S.A

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.

Seat Leon SC

2014 Seat Leon SC

For the past two generations, the Seat Leon is available exclusively as a 5-door hatch but for the third-generation Leon, things are about to change because starting with the third-generation, which was built on the new MQB platform, Seat plans to expand the new Leon with new body styles to choose from, starting with this.

This new 3-door Leon SC version is the driver-oriented version of the Leon range and any particular reason why there is another 3-door Seat in the making is a complete mystery for now. You see the only driver-oriented Seat offered (with the exception of Cupra which is sort of a hot version) was the Ibiza SC because with so much lightness and so much driver-focused orientation, the Ibiza SC was the enjoyable one but why would they need a bigger brother of the Ibiza SC anyway? Word: Don't expect them to be sitting down to your future Gran Turismo garage because they don't even got the deserving characteristics to be on the next Gran Turismo 6 game. Sorry...

Anyway, what's it all about this three-door nonsense version of the Leon? You know that the Leon is available only in 5-door just like the rest of it but how come everything's changed when they offered this...three door Leon?! Let's find out...

It's like the normal Leon, the third-generation model which was built on an entirely new platform that was applied on the seventh-generation Golf, but because this is a much driver-oriented model, the new Leon SC was focused on being sleek and sporty rather than just your average hatchback that was normally used on a rather typical day in your overalls.

It also has this clever interior which comes with a touch screen that touches your nerves and some lighting which changes every time when a driver engaged different driving settings like when the driver engages SPORT MODE, the lights glow red. Very unique if you opted for the FR model of this car. Also, because this is the 3-door version, your friends will have a very hard time getting access to the rear seats because with so less rear space and thanks for being a driver-focused model, you'll becoming more of an unnecessary selfie. Get it? A selfie!

2014 Seat Leon SC

Like its 5-door cousin, the 3-door model Leon SC also comes with a 1.2 TSi, 1.4 TSi, 1.8 TSi, 1.6 TDi, and a 2.0 TDi engine. Yep, most of the engine lineup were exclusively turbocharged so every time you're driving with one of these, you'll say WHOA...you'll say AHHH...you'll say WHEE...but it isn't. Also, even though it has a refined suspension, it's not what you called comfortable but exciting because far from the driving feel, it's not quite you can call it either comfortable or exciting. It may feel okay in the driving feel department but it's not quite as refined as a bottomless iced tea that you often drink at your nearest fancy restaurant.

In essence then, the Leon SC maybe a driver-oriented version of the Leon made for the selfies but sometimes, it lacks the utter fanciness that you get in other 3-door hatchbacks. It can be somewhat uncomfortable, it can be a bit old-fashioned, and in many other ways...it is ugly.

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

Photo: SEAT