Seat Leon 2.0 TDi FR or Audi A3 2.0 TDI

[pacm0n]

Hi

I'm due to have a new company car in the next couple of months. Ive got to order the car before the end of next week. Ive got my shortlist down to the Seat or the Audi but cant make a decision.

What do you guys think?

[Guy]

Id go for the Seat personally, better looking, more generous on equipment levels, and IMO looks far nicer!

[Nemeliza]

If the A3 is the 170bhp version i would have that as i find the interior in the Leon to be poor at best.
If the A3 is the 140bhp version then id have the Leon as i dont mind sacrificing interior quality for performance.

[dave87]

Which one can you get a higher spec on?

The build quality is ok on the Seat, but more Mondeo than 5 series. But, if that means you can get a better spec'd one, then that's what I'd go for. Depends on how your company car scheme works...

[pacm0n]

The higher spec is the Leon, as most things on the Audi are extras.

I test drive the Leon on Tuesday. Is the interior poor on the Leon then or just not as good as the Audi?

[dave87]

The latter certainly, I'd have no issues with it, but if you are expecting Merc/BMW quality then you are likely to be disappointed.

The Seats I've been in have been sturdily build, but as I say, more in common with a Ford than a BMW.

[pacm0n]

Would you say the Audi is a better drive than the Leon? I could get the Audi SE, that is roughly the same spec as the Leon but not as quick.

[dave87]

I haven't driven or been in a Leon for an extended period of time, but a family member did over 100k in two different Seat Alhumbras and he said it was one of the nicest everyday cars he'd ever had, and having worked for Ford most of his career, he's driven a fair few tasty ones as well as the more mundane.

If the build quality transfers between models, then I'd be certainly happy with one.

[Anastie]

I have driven A3 and Leon. Prefer the Audi interior loads. But it depends upon price. The Leon has a sportier feel to me.
Then I went and bought a Honda Civic 2.2 CTDi sport

[dave87]

Lets just say I'd rather have a Leon with options than a base spec A3.

[pacm0n]

I think the deciding factor for me is going to be the interior and drive of the Leon. A lot of people are saying the interior is shabby on the Leon. I have looked at many pictures and it looks fine to me, but you can never tell on pictures alone.

Cant wait to test drive it though

[Barakka]

How important are the equipment levels to you? Remember spec'ing up loads of extras will kill you on the CC tax - if you want the toys the Seat maybe the better option as they're more likely included in the price. Have you thought about the VW Golf 2.0 TDI GT - I mean we're essentially talking about the same car in three possible costumes here so don't forget the middle man.

[Lowe]

Doll's got a Leon TDi FR and I drove it a few weeks back. Effortless grunt with all that low down torque no matter what gear you're in, and the ride is very comfortable yet still stiff enough to chuck it about without it feeling wallowy at all. Interior is fine, and build quality is typical VAG so it'll last. The Leon's a great car, no doubt about it - the looks are a grower as well. I know I'd certainly have one over an Audi.

[dangel]

MkII leon's have an iffy interior (hence I didn't upgrade) whereas the old one essentially had the (old) A3 dash in it. I'm also not entirely sure about the looks - but I've felt less negative over time about them. Build quality wise SEAT vary a fair bit - skoda do better in surveys. Personally, I'd rather have the A3 - it's a well resolved car in and out. I suspect both cars will drive much the same (given they share the golf platform).

[Stringent]

Audi R8?

[doll]

Audi R8?

...because thats in the same price bracket!

I have the FR as Lowe says and it's been a good car, it's just over 12 months old and ive stacked up 34k miles now. To be honest I have driven both as a lad at my work has the A3 S line with the 170bhp unit, and they feel very similar. Obviously, his was a bit tighter being a 57 plate...but at the end of the day its how much tax you want to pay from a P11D point of view. Value for money = Seat, Bit plusher interior = Audi! As essentially they are the same.

I would also say however that if you do only short distances I would'nt have either with the 170bhp engine as the DPF system is unreliable. Even with my lengthly motorway driving my light has been on a couple of times.

In my opinion the Seat does look nicer though....but then I have liked the shape from day 1. A guy at work also copied me and had the FR in white, which I have to say looks quite smart! I opted for the sensible Luna Grey version!