New Seat Leon X-Perience to cost from £24,385

The Seat Leon X-Perience crossover will cost from £24,385 when order books open at the start of September.

The high-riding four-wheel-drive estate is a precursor to the Spanish car maker’s first dedicated SUV, which is set to join its line-up in 2016 following an announcement earlier this year.

The Leon X-Perience builds on the good looks of the Leon ST, alongside which it will be produced at Seat's Martorell factory in Spain. New front and rear bumpers with protective plastic skids plates combine with additional black plastic cladding within the wheelarches and along the sills to provide the new model with a suitably toughened appearance.

The ride height has also been raised by 15mm, providing greater ground clearance for improved off-road capability. Apportioning power to all four wheels is the latest Haldex multi-plate clutch four-wheel drive system allied to two different electronic differential lock systems and an electronic stability control function specially calibrated for off-road driving.

The Leon X-Perience comes in two trim levels, SE and SE Technology. Although three engine choices are offered in some markets, the UK can choose from a 2.0 TDI in two states of tune.

The entry-level version is an SE 2.0 TDI 150 equipped with a six-speed manual gearbox. It is priced at £24,385 and produces 148bhp and 236lb ft.

SE trim features 17-inch twin-spoke alloy wheels, black roof rails, dark tinted rear windows, rear parking sensors and twin exhaust tailpipes. The interior has dual zone climate control, a leather steering wheel with orange stitching and X-Perience logo, and cloth upholstered front sports seats with simil leather bolsters. The car also gets hill hold control and a chrome loading sill on the boot.

Above that sits the SE Technology variant. Equipped with the same engine, it costs £26,370. The range-topper is a more powerful 2.0 TDI 184 – which produces 181bhp and 280lb ft – with dual-clutch DSG transmission. It costs £28,870.

SE Technology adds Seat's enhanced media system with a 5.8in colour touchscreen, DAB and satellite navigation, plus auto headlights, wipers and dimming rear view mirror. This variant also has bespoke Alcantara upholstery and simil leather bolsters. The exterior receives LED headlights and taillights, electrically folding door mirrors and 18in machined alloy wheels.

Above the SE Technology trim is an optional Lux pack, which costs £1250 and includes black leather upholstery with simil leather bolsters, heated front seats, headlight washers and heated washer nozzles, an electrically adjustable driver's seat and chrome roof rails.

Individual options such as a panoramic sunroof, a towbar pre-install, an uprated Seat Sound audio system, and an 18in space saver spare wheel are offered across the range.