Overview
SEAT S.A. is Spain’s first family car manufacturer. The automotive company was founded in 1950 and is headquartered in Martorell, Spain. In 1986, SEAT was sold to the German automotive group, Volkswagen A.G.
SEAT offers a range of zero-emission electric mobility products, to include, the SEAT MO eScooter, SEAT MO eKickScooter and four-wheel electric vehicles. The company offers battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), to include:
- Leon e-HYBRID Hatchback
- Leon e-HYBRID Estate
- Tarraco e-HYBRID SUV
- Mii electric hatchback
Electric Cars: The Basics
For those of you new to zero-emission electric driving, we recommend a read of the following articles:
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The SEAT Leon E-Hybrid PHEV Estate
The SEAT Leon, has been available since 1998. The plug-in hybrid variant has been available since 2009. In 2011, a revised hybrid variant was introduced. The fourth generation Leon was unveiled in 2020.
Looking for a spacious family car, with an affordable price tag and low running costs? Well, the SEAT Leon estate plug-in electric car is certainly an option worth considering. Despite the increased availability of family electric cars over the past three years, the introduction of estate electric cars has been relatively limited, for both the premium and non-premium badges.
The plug-in electric car has a 12.8 kWh onboard EV battery with a 36 miles certified WLTP range. Though the real-world EV range will be lower, possibly closer to 30 miles, the EV still has much to offer those keen to save money by driving on pure electric mode. Depending on the cost of charging, driving an electric car will cost between 5 pence and 10 pence per mile i.e. far cheaper compared to calling on the internal combustion engine (ICE).
The PHEV is not DC charging compatible (most PHEVs are not) and has a 3.6 kW onboard charger. Quite typical for a PHEV in this price segment. We discourage the use of a 3-PIN domestic plug for charging and encourage charging via a dedicated home EV charger. The PHEV can be fully charged in four hours.
Though the electric range is limited to 36 miles, most of us would not require much more for our daily needs. In fact, in the UK, the majority of motorists drive at an average 30 miles per day. So for all the shorter commutes to the school, high street, grocery store etc, driving on e-mode is a perfect fit!
Even, for those that drive to work, driving on electric mode works well, as the electric car can be charged at home and at work (workplace EV charging)! For those weekend getaways, the petrol engine can be utilised for the longer drives.
Bottom-line, if you are not driving electric, you are not saving money. Moreover, driving in e-mode also further improves the efficiency of the vehicle. SEAT claims the PHEV has a fuel economy up to 235.4 mpg. Real-world economy will certainly be lower, but substantially better compared to the conventional internal combustion (ICE) variant (48 mpg).
In terms of performance, the SEAT Leon EV delivers a decent experience. The 1.4 e-HYBRID petrol engine is paired with an electric motor. The plug-in electric car can achieve 0-62 mph in 7.7 seconds. The top speed of the EV is 137 mph. Certainly suitable for city and motorway driving. Of course, do keep in mind that the EV also benefits from instant torque.
Though the boot space has been reduced in size (470 L) to accommodate the onboard EV battery, the PHEV is family-friendly in terms of practicality, offering adequate interior space, legroom and headroom. The EV has a good level of equipment and depending on the trim, the following come as standard: park assist, keyless start, wireless phone charger, 8.25″ to 10″ touchscreen media system and more. The interior quality is in line with the price tag.
Due to its lower tailpipe emissions (27g CO2/km), company-car drivers can take advantage of the lower Benefit-in-Kind (BiK-8%) tax rate. The EV does not qualify for the UK government plug-in car grant (PiCG). Bottom-line, electric driving is good for the environment and the wallet. You can lease electric vehicles (EVs) via e-zoomed at very competitive prices!
PROS | CONS |
---|---|
A practical and familiar family car (value for money) | Boot space reduced due to the onboard EV battery |
Cheap to drive on electric range | On board charger limited to 3.6 kW |
Comfortable drive and performance | Not as refined as the Volvo PHEV estate |
The SEAT Leon E-Hybrid PHEV Estate (credit: SEAT)
At A Glance | |
---|---|
EV Type: | Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) |
Body Type: | Estate |
Plug-In Car Grant (PiCG): | Not Available |
Engine: | Petrol-Electric |
Available In UK: | Yes |
Variants (4 Options) |
---|
SEAT Leon E-Hybrid FR (from £35,500) |
SEAT Leon E-Hybrid FR Sport (from £37,165) |
SEAT Leon E-Hybrid XCELLENCE (from £37,525) |
SEAT Leon E-Hybrid XCELLENCE LUX (from £39,125) |
EV Battery & Emissions | |
---|---|
EV Battery Type: | Lithium-ion |
EV Battery Capacity: | Available in one battery size: 12.8 kWh |
Charging: | DC charging not available. On board charger: 3.6 kW AC (0% – 100%: 4 hrs) |
Charge Port: | Type 2 |
EV Cable Type: | Type 2 |
Tailpipe Emissions: | 27g (CO2/km) |
EV Battery Warranty: | 8 years or 100,000 miles |
Average Cost Of Residential Charging | |
---|---|
Battery net capacity : 8.8 kWh | £1.27 |
Battery net capacity : 11.6 kWh | £1.67 |
Battery net capacity : 12.0 kWh | £1.73 |
Battery net capacity : 13.10 kWh | £1.89 |
Battery net capacity : 14.10 kWh | £2.03 |
- Note 1: The average cost of residential electricity in the UK varies depending on the region, supplier and type of energy used. An average for the UK is 14.40 p/kWh.
- Note 2: Not all EV manufactures make available the data on net EV battery capacity, and in a number of instances the EV battery capacity advertised, does not state if it is gross or net capacity. In general, usable EV battery capacity is between 85% to 95% of the gross available capacity.
Charging Times (Overview) | |
---|---|
Slow charging AC (3 kW – 3.6 kW): | 6 – 12 hours (dependent on size of EV battery & SOC) |
Fast charging AC (7 kW – 22 kW): | 3 – 8 hours (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC) |
Rapid charging AC (43 kW): | 0-80%: 20 mins to 60 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC) |
- Note 1: SoC: state of charge
Dimensions | |
---|---|
Height (mm): | 1448 |
Width (mm): | 1799 |
Length (mm): | 4642 |
Wheelbase (mm): | 2686 |
Turning Circle (m): | 10.5 |
Boot capacity (L): | 470 |
1.4 e-HYBRID DSG | |
---|---|
EV Battery Capacity: | 12.8 kWh |
Pure Electric Range (WLTP): | 36 miles |
Electric Energy Consumption (kWh/100km): | 19.4 |
Fuel Consumption (mpg): | 235.4 |
Charging: | DC charging not available. On board charger: 3.6 kW AC (0% – 100%: 4 hrs) |
Top Speed: | 137 mph |
0-62 mph: | 7.7 seconds |
Electric Motor (kW): | N/A |
Max Power (PS): | 204 |
Torque (Nm): | 350 |
Transmission: | Automatic |
Seats: | 5 |
Doors: | 5 |
Kerb Weight (kg): | 1,373 |
Colours: | 8 |
NCAP Safety Rating: | Five-Star |
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