Road test: SEAT Leon Van

Many commercial drivers like to get behind the wheel of a car derived van as they so much resemble driving an actual passenger car with all the creature comforts and performance they are used to in their own cars, writes Trish Whelan.

Now Spanish carmaker SEAT has added a rival to the current offerings with the introduction of a Leon Van to its Leon line-up. It should go down really well with the business community as it is a good looker as well as offering all the drive attributes of a Leon car.

Two specifications are offered, S and SE with prices starting at €15,450 and €16,285 respectively (excluding VAT and delivery charges).

The entry level trim has air conditioning, front electric windows, a multi-function steering wheel with an on-board computer, smart sport seats and a media system. It also has electric and heated exterior mirrors in the body colour, and ESC (electronic stability control), and a tyre pressure warning light.

Our vehicle, courtesy of SEAT dealer TP Waters of Kildare who got one for his business use, was in the higher specification which added 16-inch alloy wheels and cruise control as well as Bluetooth, leather steering wheel/gear knobs/and handbrake, front fog lights with cornering function which I always enjoy in a car as it lights up corner kerbs in the dark. The test van also had traction control and hill hold control.

The van had a really smart interior. You are driving a Leon passenger car, as the Van version has the same dash where the central console is angled towards the driver. Dials are clear and uncomplicated, white on black, always a classy look and the screen is bang in the centre of the dash. There's lots of chrome around, but it's not obtrusive, it just looks well used for neat edgings on vents and buttons. It also had air conditioning and front electric windows.

Seats are really comfy. The driver's one had seat height and setback adjustments and a lumbar support one, good for a busy driver getting in and out of the vehicle on his round of deliveries, or travelling long distance when a comfy driving position is essential. You pull them backwards or forwards for a good 'fit'. They were clad in a nice, dark cloth with patterned inserts, adding to the stylish look.

Visibility is helped tremendously by the big rear window.

Two open cupholders hold your odds and ends and there's a very decent and usable glove box with a sturdy opener as well as good sized door bins.

A solid, short bulkhead keeps items from sliding into the driver and passenger and the large cargo area comes with a carpeted floor, with a small netted area on the left hand side. There's a good dip down to the cargo floor, and a skinny spare is provided. I found the tailgate easy to pull up or close down.

This 1.6 TDi 90hp unit is a winner; it's really very quiet and refined and with plenty of poke. It drives well and was nippy enough around the busy country town we visited on our travels.

The user-friendly 5-speed manual gearbox is well matched to the engine delivering nice performance as you go up the gears and a traditional type pull up handbrake reassures when you have to stop on an incline. I found the steering to be just right, not too light nor too heavy. The steering wheel is also of a nice, handy size.

On returning the vehicle, the trip computer showed a fuel return of 5.4 L/100kms; it also shows how many kilometres are left in the tank.

Unfortunately, there was no reduction in road tax from that of a passenger car, with annual road tax of €333.