Toledo vs Leon vs Ibiza

Well, this afternoon (fora variety of reasons) I've pretty much done an impromptu group test starting with about 40 miles in my Toledo, then 50 miles in a brand new Leon, and finishing off with 40 more in SWMBO's Ibiza.

To be more specific that's a Toledo TSi105, a Leon TSi110 and an Ibiza 1.4/85.

So the Rapid drivers already know the Toledo, roomy (for 4), fairly old-tech but good value all the same. I like the looks, the amount of kit and how it drives, so hows the Leon?

At first look, it's roomy (for 5), modern and comes with a different selection of goodies, LED lights, new media system, colour maxidot, but no climate control or parking sensors being the most obvious differences. I was expecting a higher quality interior than the plasticky ones in my cars, but this was disappointing owing to it being inconsistent in quality, the doors are better finished but much of the dash and centre console in particular look as cheap as the other two cars if not worse.. So I was not all that keen on the interior, and this got worse when I found that the centre console digs into my leg all the time; this does not happen in either of the others. Also vision out of the Leon seemed worst of the 3 and the door mirrors were clearly least effective and a bit of a Marmite design. Finally I really dislike the Seat Media Plus. We already have Seat Media 2.2 and Seat Portable System and both have clearer mapping, less cluttered displays and more intuitive controls. nuff said on that I think.

 

How does it drive though?

Ride is better than the Toledo (although the Leon did not have low profiles on) and the handling is better too. That said the 6 speed gearbox did not seem as smooth, 4th being quite difficult to slot in, and the engine does not seem to be an improvement. The new 16v 1.2 drones annoyingly at low revs, when accelerating hard it is maybe slightly noisier than the Toledo (but doesn't feel faster for sure). Only when zapping along A roads at quickish speeds did the car feel more refined overall than the Toledo.

I would say it needs more engine than the 1.2 if I'm honest, so maybe I'll have to try a more powerful model. Having said that I was disappointed by the interior and other aspects of the design so I probably wont bother.

Finally, the Ibiza - its cheap, the inside looks cheap, but it's fun - the old 16v is gutless until you get to 3k but then it makes lots of fun noises and gives a reasonable rate of progress. For me its the best handling of the 3 and it rides better than the Toledo too. But it's too slow.

Which would I buy now then? well the Ibiza cost 9k the Toledo 12.5k, and the Leon would be 15k (all pre-reg).

For me the Leon feels like a better quality built car than my Toledo, but there are enough things about it that I dislike that I wouldn't have one instead.

I'm pleased about that, I'd be annoyed if this experience put me off my own car.

But honestly, given that I don't really need the space in the Toledo, if I was buying now it would be an Ibiza, but a bit quicker than the TOCA. The 1.2 I-techs and FR models are much quicker and wont break the bank at 10.5 or 11k or maybe even a 140ACT at about 13k would be the one. 

I think I should try one of those next.

Edited 9 October, 201510 yr by camelspyyder

What's the steering like on the Leon ? reasonably weighted and informative or light and lifeless. I have had several runs out in the previous Leon and the steering is surprisingly uninvolving.   

Very natural feeling. The Leon steers and rides very nicely (on 55 Profile tyres) but the turn in is not as sharp as the Ibiza (on 45s). Neither had sport suspension (ie FR or Cupra specs) fitted so the comparison seems valid.  It is a good drive alright but as before there are too many minuses for me to fork out 1000's to trade up.

Edited 16 October, 201510 yr by camelspyyder