SEAT LEON 1.5 TSI 130 Evo FR

CAR OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2022 - BEST FAMILY CAR

WE LIKE

Fun to drive without compromising comfort Punchy, frugal engine Generous interior and boot space Lots of standard kit Well priced

Like James Bond, a good family car needs to be able to turn its hand to just about anything, and for the second year in a row, the Seat Leon does that more convincingly than anything else you'll spy in this category.

Practicality is the first item on Leon's long list of attributes. It may look shorter than the rival Skoda Octavia (it's no illusion), but there's just as much space inside for passengers, with generous legroom for those in the rear seats, while the boot is easily large enough for all their cargo.

The 128bhp version of the VW Group's ubiquitous 1.5-liter turbocharged petrol engine feels stronger and quicker than the claimed 0-62mph time suggests, pulling harder from low revs than similarly powerful units found in the Hyundai izo and Mazda 3. And when you wind down for a relaxing journey, it'll be very economical.

With clever fuel-saving technology shutting down half the cylinders when driven gently, you don't have to try hard to start conserving fuel, so the Leon should prove cheap to run.

You get sports suspension as standard on FR models, and that means the Leon feels keen to turn into corners, with tight body control and plenty of grips. It's not just more fun to drive than the closely related Octavia and Volkswagen Golf; it can also match the fine-handling BMW 1 Series for agility on a twisty road.

That's not to say comfort has been compromised; the ride is never harsh and the light pedals make this hatchback easy to drive every day and over long distances.