SEAT Leon: 25 years of the compact that changed the brand's image

Four generations and 2.5 million units later, the Leon has earned its well-deserved place in SEAT's history.

Photo by: SEAT

By: Javier Llorente

Nov 30, 2024 at 11:00am ET

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1 October 1999. I remember it almost like yesterday: I had just turned 13 and was already dreaming of becoming a motoring journalist. That's why, reading one of the magazines of the time, I still remember seeing the new Leon on the cover for the first time: a tremendous surprise, discovering that car positioned between the Ibiza and the Toledo of the time.

At first glance, it may not seem like much. But we should remember that since the disappearance of the Ronda in 1986, SEAT had never again had a compact car in its catalogue. That's why, when the Leon was unveiled at the 1999 Frankfurt Motor Show, I can still imagine the expectation it aroused among the press and the joy the brand's managers felt when they saw before them a car that was born with the potential to be a best-seller.

And the figures don't lie: 25 years later, more than 2.5 million units of the SEAT Leon have been sold. So get ready. If we reviewed the 40-year history of the Ibiza a few months ago, today it's the Leon's turn: the car that changed the brand's image, in terms of quality and perception, both nationally and internationally.

Gallery: 25th anniversary of the SEAT Leon (1999-2024)

Source: SEAT

But before we go on to discover the history of each generation, we would like to share with you some exclusive content: our video from the SEAT Históricos Hall A-122 at the brand's Zona Franca factory, where we review the history of the SEAT Leon with Isidre López, head of SEAT Históricos.

SEAT Leon 1 (1999-2005)

The formula of the first Leon has few secrets, as the platform of the second-generation Toledo was used to create a compact model, which was 26 cm shorter. There was also no room for "invention" in the choice of designer. As with the Ibiza I and II, as well as the first two generations of the Toledo, the responsibility went to Giugiaro.

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With petrol and diesel engines of all types and conditions, perhaps we should highlight the 150-bhp 1.9 TDI, responsible for launching the FR (or Formula Racing) trim, or the already famous 180-bhp 20VT petrol engine, combined with all-wheel drive and a six-speed manual gearbox.

We cannot overlook 2001 when the 2.8 VR6 Cupra 4 was presented. The Volkswagen Group's V6 engine delivered 204 bhp, making it one of SEAT's most sought-after CUPRAs today.

As a curiosity, the model had the same dashboard as the Audi A3 of the time, which was a plus in terms of quality, as well as the fact that the model was used in a famous one-make circuit cup, the famous Supercopa León.

Units produced: 534,800.

SEAT Leon, first generation

SEAT Leon 2 (2005-2012)

The second generation and a radical design change became Walter de Silva's responsibility, who was in charge of changing the brand's image. That SEAT of "Auto Emoción," with the Salsa and Bolero concepts and the Altea, Altea XL, Altea Freetrack, Toledo, León, Ibiza, and Córdoba of the time. Almost nothing.

A model with a brand new platform and which, as a curiosity, enjoyed the CUPRA R version, the brand's most powerful model to date. A Leon famous for its rounded shapes and its "hidden" rear doors, thanks to the handles integrated into the C-pillar.

Of course, we cannot overlook the car's racing history. In addition to multiple wins in the WTCC, the Leon won the drivers' (with Yvan Muller and Gabriele Tarquini) and constructors' titles in the World Touring Car Championship in 2008 and 2009. And yes, that a TDI diesel engine powered Leon...

Units produced: 675,900.

SEAT Leon, second generation

SEAT Leon 3 (2012-2020)

The third generation of the compact car, the most successful to date, was designed by Alejandro Mesonero-Romanos (currently at Alfa Romeo) and debuted the MQB modular platform, which has been present in many Volkswagen Group models since then.

As a significant novelty, the Leon expanded its range with two new body styles: the three-door (SC) and the family car (ST), which was more practical and had a large boot. In addition, a version with crossover features and all-wheel drive (although it was also sold as a 4x2), known as the Leon X-PERIENCE, was developed for the latter bodywork.

As a curiosity, this Leon was a first in the segment, with Full LED headlights, and its CUPRA versions set two lap records on the Nürburgring Nordschleife circuit: in 2014, as the fastest front-wheel drive car, and in 2015, as the fastest family car, on both occasions with Jordi Gené at the wheel.

Units produced: 1,056,500.

SEAT Leon, third generation

SEAT Leon 4 (2020-present)

In this fourth generation, in which Alejandro Mesonero Romanos repeated as designer, we experienced the separation of SEAT Leon and CUPRA Leon following the split of CUPRA as an independent brand.

A larger, more practical (up to 620 litres of boot space in the Sportstourer), more technological and fully connected model, which lost the three-door body (SC), but has always offered a wide mechanical range.

In fact, throughout its history, this fourth generation has featured petrol (TSI), diesel (TDI), compressed natural gas (TGI), mild hybrid (eTSI), and plug-in hybrid (e-HYBRID) engines.

In fact, in the recent model update, which has impacted connectivity, safety equipment, and multimedia equipment, this 204-bhp PHEV version has improved efficiency and increased its approved electric range, up to 83 miles at best.