Bobbed into my local SEAT dealership this morning to have a look at the new LEON. They had a dark metallic grey five door diesel FR in the showroom.

First impressions:-

A very, very nice looking car in the flesh, I was concerned about the headlamps looking a bit cheap in photos I'd seen but up close they look a quality unit. The five door was well proportioned, look lower and wider than the outgoing model (no doubt is actually is) and gave a real quality feel.

Inside was just as good on first contact. The dash and materials gave a more quality feel, the dash is certainly 'soft touch' as you can push your fingers into it! The FR half 'leather' seats were very supportive but also very comfortable. I personally liked the higher layout of the controls on the dash - a more natural position to move your arm from the steering wheel and more at eye level so you're not searching for the heater controls.

Negatives:-

As with any car, and personal preferences, I found a few negatives. The gearshift and handbrake gaiters were made of a real cheap plastic type material, which seemed strange as the jumbo box has a lovely soft 'leather' material to be in line with the dash quality. Shame to scrimp with such small items, but, having said that, I could live with it.

The 'A' pillar angle seemed to restrict some visibility yet was quite narrow so I'd have to reserve judgement until driven (and I'm 6'2" so that could have affected it). Likewise the rear quarter light is extremely small and rear corner visibility is drastically reduced.

Conclusion:-

Overall, would I like one? Yes. I'm sure the ride and new engine would woo me and the slight negatives would pale into insignificance. Would I buy one? Yes, the quality is definitely there but I certainly wouldn't pay the £22,207 for the showroom car.

I recently got rid of my 2009 FR for a Superb. When I was placing the order for the Superb there was a lot of press around the launch of the new Leon. I could live with it although the Superb is a just bit too good when it comes to practicality.

I've also had a look at a Leon, and as you say, it seems a very nice car. The interior in particular is a vast leap up in quality from the Mk2.

In a direct comparison with the Mk3 Octavia I'm not sure how well it would fare. It's only about £1k cheaper for quite a bit less space....

I'm sure brand perception will help them sell quite a few though.

I am another one who has looked at the new Leon.

For me it exudes a lot of good quality but does not meet VW Golf standards inside. I can't quite make my mind up about he exterior. Some colours make it look very bland, indistict and euro boxy. The lighter colours are mor appealing. I am not sure.

Overall I do like it, but I hope that tomorrow's launch of he new Octy will convince me to stay wih Skoda

Maybe this is not reflected when you sit in one but from the photos the interior looks a bit horrible.

Nice on the outside though.

Maybe this is not reflected when you sit in one but from the photos the interior looks a bit horrible.

Nice on the outside though.

I have actually gone to see it in the dealership. It is good inside but just not so good, in a non specific way, as the Golf.

Don't get me wrong. It is a nice car. It is stylish and undercuts the Golf for price too. Like I say, I have a feeling the new Octy will surpass both the Golf and the Leon. Looking forward to seeing it tomorrow.

had one of these on hire - a 1.6 TDi. Really liked it but boot on the small side for me.

Putting the space difference aside and now having looked at and test driven the new Octavia I think the SEAT looks even more appealing.

Putting the space difference aside and now having looked at and test driven the new Octavia I think the SEAT looks even more appealing.

Strangely enough, having seen the new Octy today, I think the opposite.

Funny how tastes differ.

Dont think the 2 can really actually be compared except on Build quality, Spec & how it drives, given the shared platform & engines.

The New Octy is far bigger than the Leon and should now really be considered Superb size.