SEAT Leon vs. Ibiza: which is better?
Take a closer look at the SEAT Ibiza vs. Leon in this in-depth comparison to help you decide the winner
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Looking at the SEAT Leon vs. Ibiza, you may wonder what the differences actually are between these two popular, stylish hatchbacks.
One is clearly bigger than the other, just how different are they? In this in-depth comparison, we explain the differences between the SEAT Leon and SEAT Ibiza to help you pick your favourite.
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Leon vs. Ibiza
Our guide will answer:
Which has better styling?
Which is better to drive?
Which has better tech?
Which is more practical?
Which is more reliable?
What are the dimensions?
SEAT Leon vs. Ibiza: styling
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Once you get up close and personal with the Leon and Ibiza, you’ll start to see where they differ.
The main difference between the two exteriors is the Leon looks far more grown up than its youthful Ibiza sibling (the clue is in the name, after all).
The Leon’s angular and more aggressive design puts it more in line with SEAT’s sister brand, CUPRA, offering a sporty look but without the added expense of owning a performance model.
Whereas the Ibiza, being the smaller car, more closely resembles the VW Polo it shares a platform with. Although it has a younger, more energetic edge to it, which can be seen in the rounder rear lights and visible exhaust tip surrounds.
Inside, the story is very much the same. The Leon is a little more sophisticated, while the Ibiza offers brighter colours and rounded motifs, which are angular in the Leon.
SEAT Leon vs. Ibiza: what are they like to drive?
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Get behind the wheel of either car and you’ll notice they both drive, well, like cars should. They feel solid, compliant and have plenty of poke from either the petrol or diesel engine options.
Let’s start with the Leon – the grown-up car – which, as you’d expect, drives just like the Golf it’s based on.
Paired with either a six-speed manual or a fancy, dual-clutch auto (DSG), it offers smooth gear changes and feels sporty without placing you in the shoes of a racing driver.
Engines available in the Leon include a range of four-cylinder units powered by petrol, diesel and hybrid power – all of which are very capable for all types of driving.
The smaller Ibiza is arguably the more fun car to drive on UK roads – it’s lighter and more agile. Most used SEAT Ibizas for sale are powered by 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engines – both turbocharged and naturally aspirated are available.
Not only are they fun but they also offer fuel economy figures above 50mpg. Ideal for your wallet.
SEAT Leon vs. Ibiza: interior and technology
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Luckily, it should be pretty easy to choose between the Leon and Ibiza based on their interiors alone. It’s lucky since that’s where we spend the most time with our cars.
It boils down to two different styles: sophisticated and grown-up or fun and youthful.
The Leon is the wiser choice for those after a sensible daily driver with a smart, functional interior to match the angular exterior. From its sharp door handles to pointed air vents, it acts more like a mathematician’s measuring tool than anything else. Very logical.
Things are quite different in the Ibiza, which is often favoured by younger drivers thanks to its smaller engines and cheaper running costs.
This inspiration goes even further with its rounded interior design and the fun splashes of colour dotted around the cabin; it instantly feels like a more approachable car.
Having said that, they both still get all the mod cons you’d expect from a modern car, such as crisp infotainment systems with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, digital driver’s displays, cruise control, parking sensors, and air-con.
SEAT Leon vs. Ibiza: boot space and practicality
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When it comes to boot space, you’d think the Leon would be miles ahead of its smaller Ibiza sibling, but this isn’t exactly the case.
You get 380 litres in the Leon and 355 litres in the Ibiza, making them pretty close on the practicality front. Of course, the Leon’s boot is going to feel bigger, and that’s because it is, but don’t discount either for being too small.
It’s also worth keeping in mind that the extra practicality the Leon does offer isn’t just about boot space – it does have more space in the back for carrying passengers.
Storage solutions around the cabin are strong in both, too. You get deep door bins, plenty of storage options for front-seat passengers and decent amount of legroom and headroom for those sat in the back (yes, even in the smaller Ibiza, although more for two than three).
SEAT Leon vs. Ibiza: safety and reliability
Modern cars have to be safe, that’s just a fact. Thankfully, both the Leon and Ibiza make sure they’re as secure and dependable as possible.
They’re both fitted with standard onboard safety equipment such as autonomous emergency braking, lane assist and a tiredness recognition system.
Want more? Some cars come with the optional safety pack that includes things like adaptive cruise control, high beam assist, lane keep assist and traffic jam assist.
Oh, and both cars have been independently tested by Euro NCAP and scored five stars each.
SEAT Leon vs. Ibiza: dimensions
As we’ve already established, the Leon is a larger car than the Ibiza but that doesn’t mean the smaller car isn’t useful and practical.
2020 SEAT Leon
Length: 4,368mm
Width: 1,799mm
Height: 1,456mm
Boot space: 380 litres (1,210 litres with the rear seats down)
2021 SEAT Ibiza
Length: 4,059mm
Width: 1,780mm
Height: 1,447mm
Boot space: 355 litres (823 litres with the rear seats down)
Verdict: SEAT Leon vs. Ibiza: which should you buy?
If you’ve come to the end of this comparison and still aren’t sure which is the right car for you, let us break it down for you.
You should buy the SEAT Leon if...
Practicality is important to you
You prefer the styling
You do more motorway miles
You should buy the SEAT Ibiza if...
You don’t need more space in the rear seats
You want something a little more nippy
You have youthful taste
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