Seat Leon 2.0 TDI FR+

What is it?

It’s the new name on the Seat Leon model list. The FR+ takes on the 208bhp 2.0-litre TSI and 168bhp 2.0-litre TDI engines from the FR, which in turn takes stewardship of the less powerful engines previously bestowed upon the Sport badge. A quarter of Leons sold in 2010 were FRs, so Seat has taken the logical step of broadening the sub-brand’s brief.

Here, we drive the common-rail diesel FR+ coupled to the optional six-speed DSG ’box. A hike in equipment levels over the FR means the new model offers fresh 18-inch five-spoke alloys, bi-xenon, self-adjusting headlamps, and an extensive media pack. Purchased off the options list, these upgrades would have cost £2465 on the old FR, but the FR+ commands a premium of just £1070.

Range-wide facelift highlights include revisions to the front end, that now carries a squarer jaw line and slightly reshaped grille, and super-subtle tweaks to the rear light clusters. Interior changes aren’t much more obvious, including a modernised multi-function steering wheel and updated instruments.

What’s it like?

You’d be pushed to justify a premium for the mild styling tweaks alone, but the heightened kit count really does represent great value for the modest price increase asked. The media system uses a five-inch colour touchscreen that’s usual top-notch VW-Group fayre, with clear, easy-to-use sat nav, DAB radio and full Bluetooth integration that can stream music wirelessly from an iPhone.

There are also new seats, which are well shaped and adjustable, but lack the sporting character befitting the badge; something the tartan upholstery in the Golf GTD achieves so well. Alcantara-centred alternatives are available with either red or silver-white finish at £335, and look the part much more.

Interior plastics are a mix of high-quality, textured swathes contrasted with less impressive hollow-feeling parts like the flat underside of the steering wheel and some dash control switches.

Fire up the punchy but industrial-sounding diesel engine and you’ll leave the line at a decent rate, with minimal torque-steer, but the unit works best when there’s some momentum in the bag. At a cruise there’s definitely an audible hum, but not enough to become wearing. This FR+ is brisk enough to provide some A-road thrills, but when you really want to push on you’ll long for the standard six-speed manual. The DSG ’box is quick yet silken – excellent really, as far as it goes – but there’s an overriding sensation of artificiality that you’d avoid without the paddles.

The ride is firm, but not unusually so for a hot hatch, and body control is commendable. Turn-in isn’t razor-sharp, but there’s enough poise and steering feel to make snaking progress enjoyable. The big wheels do telegraph bumps and thumps into the cabin, but there’s never a rattle to be heard. Grip is impressive, positively supplemented by the XDS electronic differential and well-judged traction control. Stopping power is good after a degree of dead travel from the big pedal.

Should I buy one?

Considering the FR+ TDI offers a very similar setup to the five-door Golf GTD, yet costs a staggering seven grand less when specced like-for-like, it’s hard not to find it an attractive financial proposition, and also one that very much benefits from its own aesthetic versus the ubiquitous Golf.