NEW 2010 Facelift Leon.. OPINIONS-BETTER/WORSE?

[rich146]

Just wondering what people think of the new facelift Leon...

Ive had mine 2 weeks now and very pleased wth it. It feels solid, comfortable and even has an awsome sound system which is unusual for standard fit...

 

[hon_n_gem]

Looks wise I think the back has improved with the slightly less round lights, havent made up my mind on the full width rear window though. As for the front I think the pre-facelift looks better...but then again I am a little biased.

 

[SiPrince]

I will be soon getting mine facelift, candy white! Cannot wait! I think the rear looks better too.

 

[rich146]

Looks wise I think the back has improved with the slightly less round lights, havent made up my mind on the full width rear window though. As for the front I think the pre-facelift looks better...but then again I am a little biased.

Yes I think I agree.. Back looks more aggressive but front looks a subtle softer?? Im talking lights and nose. However, I do prefer the front skirt design though on the standard model..

 

[SimonM]

I know on the pre face lift FR there were alot of complaints about the ride being too hard, but in my opinion my facelift FR is quite comfy.

Has anyone driven both FR's and can compare the rides?

 

[jezyg]

I think the FL has given the Leon a more hatch like stance than the Pre FL, pre FL had an mpv look to it from some angles. The rear looks a little more modern as does the front. The FR/Cupra is a matter of taste I prefer the new bumper with wider lower intakes. Ride is a giant leap forward on the FR and is much more compliant whilst still resisting roll and makes the car a far more comfortable distance cruiser.

Interior has improved and the climate is so much easier to use and feels better quality. The white MFD is easier to read especially the extended one with best gear indicator. The standard CUP sytem for USB/iPod is also a real step forward and I do like the new steering wheels on both the standard and FR/Cupra.

The CR engine on some models is a step forward especially the FR TDi. The new engine has a wider powerband is quiter and more rev happy. Almost petrol like and a match for BMW's excellent 2 litre 177 lump and more quiet and smoother at idle than my old 118d's 2 litre 143 lump.

 

[PhilYerBoots]

Looks wise I think the back has improved with the slightly less round lights, havent made up my mind on the full width rear window though. As for the front I think the pre-facelift looks better...but then again I am a little biased.

+1...also biased..

Like the sound of the improved ride and diesel engines on the FL FR though...now there's a DSG box available on the CR TDi that'll probably be my next car...

 

[MikeShaw100]

Both the pre and post FL Leons look fresh compared to most cars in its class, even 3 years into its life.



Mike
FR170, Crono, BT, 18", Cupra Bump n grill, Armrest, Alu Pack, Muddies n mats

 

[Al]

The ears, I mean mirrors on the Facelift are rather large, but the interior is nicer than the Pre Facelift. Pre Facelift bumper on Cupra is nicer/more aggressive.

To be fair though, there is not much to separate them. There is a thread on here asking what owners of 3 year old Cupras are going to do, and all but one are holding on to what they have. Guess that in itself says plenty......

 

[gcook]

Must say I think it's an improvement. I always thought it looked a bit bulky but the back end especially looks neater.

 

[Jumbo]

I know on the pre face lift FR there were alot of complaints about the ride being too hard, but in my opinion my facelift FR is quite comfy.

Has anyone driven both FR's and can compare the rides?

Having just changed my pre FL FR TDI for the new CR FR and with about 600mls use I have the following comments re both:
FL Suspension: vast improvement. Car handles mid corner bumps far better and is generally a smoother ride. Still not soft though. For an oldie I like the changes.
Electronic LSD: Again an improvement, I always thought that the previous FR was a bit brutal on the traction front with wheelspin to easy to generate. Even the better half commented on this.
CR Engine: The most noticeable improvement. Smoother, quieter and more economical. I know a lot may not be to interested in the economy however I have seen over 49mpg on a run up from Aberdeen recently. That would be about six mpg better than the previous car. Performance or economy from the same car cannot be bad.
Exterior: After a number of silver and black cars I went for Speed Blue with the black Orion wheels. I think the rear looks better and as some have said the front looks a bit less aggressive. I would also agree that the mirrors look a bit large but rear view seems better. I am about to change the covers from silver to black so not sure if that will make them look smaller, time will tell.
Interior: The last FR was a 550 with the Cupra seats. I liked these but the new ones have lumbar adjustment which help the back. Dash looks better. I hate the plastic flat at the bottom of the steering wheel. The Ibiza versions have a leather flat, much better in my opinion. I also preferred the button controls on the old wheel as the side of my right hand hits the nearest button sometimes when holding the wheel and this alters the display. I like the computer controls on the steering wheel buttons though.
To summerise: I love it.

Hope these comments are of interest.

Jumbo

 

[andycupra]

back lights are definately better.
Front, no difference really.
But then i dont like the front end onthe MK2, i think it could look fantastic if it has shorter stubbier more aggressive design forward or fron wheels.

and and i realyl dont like current fashion of ears rather than mirrors.

 

[n_d_fox]

if you think the FL mirrors are big you should have seen the ones on the Pug 308 i had to put up with while i was waiting for my Leon to arrive !!!

 

[robdf2]

The front on the new car is too soft , doesnt have the "get out of my way" agressive stance , not seen the back of them , i am usually in front of them .

TBH i dont like the new sterring wheel , way too much plastic and coming from a pre face lift with the controls in the right place then moving to a new version i nealry commited suicide !
I think though they missed a big point with the new shape and that was moving the wing mirrors to get rid of the massive blind spot , but the new van size mirrors help a little.

Dont like the new rear spoiler , prefer the original other than that its ok , would i buy 1?.......................

not really other marques have moved the game on and SEAT doesnt really represent good value for money anymore.
But saying that if i had the face lift model from the off i would have been more than happy

 

[mklock]

IM currently in turmoil whether to get the New Fr as my next company car.

I have had the original MkII Fr for 3 years now, and i have never been that happy with it. But mostly because the ride and Brutality of the engine. Much preferred my Mk1 FR.

I had my eyes set on the New Mazda 3 Sport 185 this time round, although i liked the mazda which was very comfortable, but there is a lock of space in the year. it didn't blow me a way, so i test drove the Newer leon FR today.

I have to say that the changes have made the car a much better car. Im not particularly blown away by the leon either, ( i agree on the conrols on the steering wheel, and hate the plastic inside)

My particular issue is that although there are some well needed tweaks, the interior needed a bit more work, to be worth the new price tags. Plenty of space, but still tiny glove box, no arm rest, plastic bottom part of steering wheel.

Im still unsure what im doing but the leon improvements, have made the car handle like it should have done.

My wife loves the new leon, so is that an indication that she has taste or Seat are going in the wrong direction?

 

[mklock]

Also i forgot to mention that im really annoyed that they haven't improved the lumber support in the seats.

 

[demonear]

Some aspects of the pre FL look better (like the front) but some aspects of the FL look better (like the back & new kit spoiler)

The interior of the FL looks better quality overall (especially the dashboard)

The biggest differences between the 2 aren't cosmetic & is arguably the stuff that could matter the most to you like the engines used & ride quality (not anywhere near as harsh in the new FL)

Only thing I don't like about the FL is the standard front bumper & for me the standard Leon models almost looks just as aggressive which can't be right.

The pre-facelift front bumper didn't really need tinkering with in the first place.

In short many steps forward for me & one step back..

 

[Al]

I prefer the pre face lift spoiler as it is bigger

 

[KzJF]

Slightly better ride quality, much better-looking interior [no more green-digital AC] plus the nice steering-wheel audio/bluetooth buttons.

Can't argue about the looks as pre-facelift looked much better in my opinion [even though I own FL] but to each his own ..

In the end it's just a facelift. It's good enough for new-buyers, not enough for upgrading from pre-FL.

 

[robdf2]

[no more green-digital AC]

its not a ford mate????
its never had green AC , even the mk1;s were orange???