SEAT Leon vs. Ford Focus: which is better?
Choosing between the SEAT Leon or Ford Focus? We compare the highlights of each model in our review
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The SEAT Leon vs. Ford Focus fight is a fierce battle with a lot to consider.
Endless categories of cars have hit the roads in recent years, and while crossovers and SUVs are all the rage, we still have a lot of time for the humble hatchback.
An incredibly versatile type of car, you can enjoy hatchback ownership whether you’re a solo driver or have a family, and there are few as well-rounded as the SEAT Leon and Ford Focus – below, we compare what makes them different so you can decide which is best for you.
Ford Focus vs. SEAT Leon
Our guide will answer:
Which model has the better styling?
Is the Leon or Focus better to drive?
Does the Leon or Focus0 have better tech?
Is the Leon or Focus more reliable?
What are the Leon or Focus dimensions?
SEAT Leon vs. Ford Focus: styling
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The latest generations of SEAT Leon and Ford Focus are incredibly modern-looking family hatchbacks that, despite only being introduced fairly recently, have already had some minor revisions to keep them at the top of their game.
The SEAT is known for its slightly more aggressive, sporty look. It has sharp lines and a wide stance, which is evident in the front-end design, where the large grille is flanked by headlight clusters with angular LED daytime running light signatures.
A full-length light bar running between the taillights gives it a high-tech look but also a distinctive one because it runs quite low beneath the rear windscreen, pushing the SEAT and Leon badges even lower.
In comparison, the Ford Focus has a more understated and elegant design. It has smoother lines and curves, and plenty of chrome finishes in most models keep it looking smart (sportier models have black styling in place of chrome).
Plenty of smart-looking alloy wheel designs and bright LED tech across the daytime running lights, headlights and taillights are also available.
In 2022, the Focus got a pretty significant facelift, with the main changes being at the front, which got an entirely new grille and headlight design. The rear was also tweaked slightly.
SEAT Leon vs. Ford Focus: what are they like to drive?
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Although the SEAT is marketed as the sportier of the two, both cars are known for their engaging driving experience.
They both offer accurate steering with plenty of feedback through the wheel, and the suspension is firm enough to handle the odd quick corner without feeling too firm over potholed roads.
They’re also available with similar engine options, though there’s generally more choice when it comes to the Ford.
The Leon's most popular engine options are the 110hp (1.0-litre petrol and 2.0-litre diesel) and the 150hp (1.5-litre petrol and 2.0-litre diesel). Lesser-powered petrols are also available, including the 90hp 1.0-litre and 130hp 1.5-litre engines.
The higher-powered petrols are available with mild hybrid tech to help reduce emissions, as are some of Ford’s 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engines.
They’re generally the most common, and there are plenty of flavours to choose from: 85hp, 100hp, 125hp and 155hp.
Earlier models also had 150hp and 182hp variants of a 1.5-litre petrol engine, while diesel power comes from a 1.5-litre unit with either 95hp or 120hp, or a 150hp 2.0-litre engine.
Sam, our motoring editor, says: "Ford’s engineers got it right with the very first Focus, and they still haven't broken that streak."
It’s worth noting there are sporty versions of the Focus, badged ST, which are considered hot hatches. They come with a 280hp 2.3-litre petrol or a 190hp 2.0-litre diesel. For a faster SEAT Leon, you’ll need to look for the Cupra Leon, which comes with 150hp and 300hp petrol options.
The SEAT and Cupra Leon models also benefit from a 1.4-litre plug-in hybrid, with either 204hp or 245hp. There’s no such offering for the Focus.
SEAT Leon vs. Ford Focus: interior and technology
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The latest-generation SEAT Leon has a minimalist interior, with everything either being controlled through the central touchscreen infotainment system or the touch-sensitive sliders beneath the screen.
Sam says: "No clearer is the Leon’s relation to the Golf than inside."
There’s also a touch-sensitive panel by the steering wheel for controlling the headlights, but the buttons on the steering wheel are normal, physical buttons, which are easier to use without having to take your eyes off the road.
On the whole, the Focus’s cabin feels more premium, with higher-quality and soft-touch materials used more freely.
Its infotainment system is slick and easy to use, and works with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, much in the same way as the SEAT’s.
On earlier fourth-generation models sold from 2018, there are plenty of physical controls for things like setting the cabin’s temperature or controlling the media, but the 2022 facelift shifted some of the temperature controls onto a much larger, upgraded touchscreen.
Both cars offer plenty of trim levels that add more car tech options, such as a digital instrument cluster, heated seats, parking sensors, LED headlights, a reversing camera and wireless phone charging.
SEAT Leon vs. Ford Focus: boot space and practicality
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There’s not a lot that separates these two cars when it comes to how much they can carry in the boot. The Focus has a 375-litre capacity, which is just shy of the Leon’s 380-litre capacity – they both offer the industry average.
It’s worth noting that plug-in hybrid versions of the Leon have a smaller 270-litre space to accommodate the battery, so bear this in mind if boot space is important to you, because that’s less than you’d get in a Ford Fiesta or a SEAT Ibiza.
SEAT Leon vs. Ford Focus: which is more reliable?
As brands, Ford and SEAT have built themselves reputations for manufacturing very reliable models, and they’re both mainstream brands that shift a lot of cars.
The Ford Focus spent many years in Britain’s top 10 best-selling cars, while SEAT has the backing of the Volkswagen Group, so the Leon shares parts with the Volkswagen Golf, Skoda Octavia and Audi A3.
In any case, consumer satisfaction reports tend to speak favourably about these two models, and they’re generally no more susceptible to problems than any other car on the road, though as always, a lot of this depends on how well you look after your motor.
SEAT Leon vs. Ford Focus: size and dimensions
Just like their boot sizes, these cars are very similar in terms of dimensions, there’s only 1-2cm in it in any direction.
The Focus is 4,378mm long, 1,979mm wide and 1,471mm tall, whereas the Leon is 4,368mm long, 1,991mm wide and 1,456mm tall.
There are estate versions of both – the Focus Estate is 29cm longer than the regular hatchback, and the Leon Estate is 27.4cm longer than the hatchback.
Used SEAT Leon vs. Ford Focus: which should you buy?
In a way, the Ford Focus and SEAT Leon are both textbook hatchbacks because they’re just the right size and offer pretty standard amounts of boot space.
However, the difference is in the styling and feel, with the Focus appearing to be the slightly more upmarket offering and the Leon having a sportier edge.