56: Seat Leon – Not a Golf but close enough to be a contender

That the Seat Leon plays second fiddle to the Volkswagen Golf is inevitable. While VW is happy to share its engines and chassis with the Spanish subsidiary, it's hardly going to let Seat head off and create a car that's actually better than the core of the whole Volkswagen empire. Is it?

Well, no it’s not, but Seat does manage to get closer than you might imagine, given the strictures involved. In fact, the Leon is more often than not more fun to drive than the Golf, with lovely, sweet steering and a chassis balance that errs on the side of sporty.

Cabins are a bit grey and dull, but they’re comfy and well-made, and roomy too. ST estate has a massive boot and is very handsome, XPerience 4x4 is as much off-roader as most of us need. Cupra models are fast, furious, and a genuine GTI/R alternative.

Best model: 1.2 TSI FR (or 300hp Curpra R ST estate)