Following last month’s international press launch of our new Ecomotive models, our super-frugal cars are receiving fantastic reviews from journalists up and down the country.
In fact, the Leon Ecomotive was name-checked by a recent survey about electric cars. “A quarter of those surveyed who said they wouldn’t buy an electric vehicle (EV) cited the purchase price as the main barrier, despite the government offering a £5,000 subsidy,” says Parker’s 
, which carried out the survey.
“There is a cost issue concerning these cars. While some consider them to save money on fuel, it could take some time before buyers work off the extra cost of buying an electric car based on the running costs compared to an efficient diesel car.
“Comparing the cheapest electric car, the Nissan Leaf at £23,990 (after the £5,000 discount), to the SEAT Leon 1.6TDI Ecomotive S – which costs £16,840 – it could take up to 12 and a half years before buyers see any real savings.”
Auto Express reviews all the sub-100g/km cars on the market in this week’s edition, giving the new Ibiza SC 1.2 TDI Ecomotive S three stars, and the new Leon 1.6 TDI CR Ecomotive S five stars out of five.
“The Ibiza SC Ecomotive 1.2 TDI shares its mechanicals with Volkswagen’s new Polo BlueMotion, and emits 92g/km and returns 80.1mpg. To achieve these figures, engineers use every trick in the book. Stop/start, regenerative braking, an aero bodykit, longer ratios, a gearshift indicator and low-resistance tyres all feature… But it’s let down by its three-cylinder diesel, which has to be worked hard to keep up with traffic. This hits refinement.” The magazine also gives the new Polo BlueMotion, which uses the same 1.2 TDI engine, three stars: “Sadly, the driving experience is a letdown. The three-cylinder diesel has to be worked hard, and is gruff at high revs.”
But Auto Express says the Leon Ecomotive S “With its eye-catching looks, entertaining driving dynamics and flawless eco credentials [is] a strong contender for class honours. Adding to the appeal is the £16,840 price – it’s £1,525 less than a Golf BlueMotion… Better still, the eco tweaks don’t affect the bold styling.”
Fleet News has only just picked up its new Leon 1.6 TDI Ecomotive SE long-termer, but it’s already impressing drivers and passengers alike. “Some diesel engines on test at the Fleet News office this year have been described as ‘a little agricultural’. But our new long termer doesn’t fall into that bracket. In fact, one passenger commented: ‘Is this really a diesel?’
“The best [mpg] figure to date is 52mpg after a 100-mile round trip,” says the reviewer. “It’s early days for the Leon through and with some more eco-friendly driving and a few more miles on the clock I expect it to improve.
“Looks-wise the Leon has some attractive styling features such as cleverly positioned wipers –
which SEAT calls the ‘vertical park wiper system’ and first appeared on the Altea – and concealed rear door handles which give the SEAT a coupe look and add to its sporty appearance.”
Autocar has also tested the new Leon Ecomotive recently: “SEAT’s eco flagship has had some substantial changes under the bonnet,” says the magazine. “Gone is the 1.9 TDI unit; in its place is Volkswagen Group’s 1.6 TDI, complete with 99g/km CO2 emissions, a 20g/km improvement over the old model. That means you won’t have to pay for a tax disc.
“What can’t be criticised is the Ecomotive’s cost. You get a lot of car for your money: the Leon is spacious, well-equipped and comfortable.”
And Yahoo! Cars has picked the Leon Ecomotive as one of its ‘favourite tax-beating cars’: “[That it’s] a proper family hatchback that costs nothing in VED and returns 74.3mpg is something to be lauded. The Leon uses the same 1.6-litre TDI diesel as the Golf BlueMotion, but it’s cheaper to buy – not too much more than a Fiesta Econetic, in fact.”
The “greener Leon is the saloon to be seen in” proclaims This Is Bristol . “There’s a compliant suspension set-up that offers a decent ride and handling compromise, at least when travelling on smaller wheel-and-tyre combinations… The long-ratio gearbox in the Ecomotive is also pleasant to use, with mechanical precision and a lovely slick feel to the action.
“The Leon is a good deal bigger than you might expect for this class of car and this extra space is particularly noticeable in the rear where there’s plenty of knee-room, even if you’re transporting six-footers,” says the review.
“The arrival of special economy models like the Leon Ecomotive has shown what the industry is capable of when it puts its mind to it. There’s nothing groundbreaking technologically about the car but a series of sensible modifications have produced a handsome family hatchback capable of around 65mpg and 99g/km emissions.”
But it’s not just the super-green Leon that’s been attracting media attention; its bigger brother, the Altea Ecomotive, has recently been tested by Business Car . “Now even mini-MPVs are getting down to under 121g/km,” writes Paul Barker.