What_Car_UK_-_August_2020

whatcar.com^ August 2020 67

Ford Focus vs Seat Leon vs Volkswagen Golf

Over the years, the Leon

has had several oh-so-

nearly moments against

the Golf. It was always a

ne car, but it had to rely

on its lower price to even

get close to VW’s perennial

champion, and even then

it usually came up short.

Not any more. The new

Leon is, in many ways, a

fundamentally better car

than the Golf Mk8. It’s more

fun to drive, plus it has a

better infotainment system,

morespacein theback

and,in theformtested

here,a betterengine.

Butthatdoesn’tmean

theGolfisn’ta jollygood

car.It stillsneaksaheadof

theLeonforridecomfort

andcruisingrenement,

andit’slikelytowork

outcheaperin thelong

run.It justisn’tquitethe

outstandingall-rounder

thatitspredecessor

unequivocallywas.

Indeed,theGolfonly

justedgesouttheFocus.

Thelatteris stilla necar

andremainstheclass

benchmarkfordriving

funin sportyST-Lineform.

Butit isn’tasdynamically

brilliantin thisTitaniumX

trim, whileitsinterior

qualityandreliability

recorddisappoint.

SAYS

Gotowhatcar.comforall

thelatestcomparisontests

andkeepuptodatewith

thelatestfromWhatCar?

onoursocialmediachannels

Seehow other family cars compare in our buyer’s guide on p96

1

3

2

youtube.com/whatcar

facebook.com/whatcar

@whatcar

whatcar_ofcial

For Strongest pace;

most composed

handling; good

rear seat space;

well equipped;

best infotainment

system

Against Ride is on

the rm side; pricey

on PCP nance

and to lease; very

few optional extras

available

Recommended

options

None

For Comest ride;

most economical;

cheapest to run

for private buyers;

best interior quality;

only one with

height-adjustable

boot oor

Against Noisiest

engine; ddly

infotainment;

least practical

Recommended

options

Metallic paint

(£625), rear-view

camera (£300)

Seat Leon

Volkswagen Golf

For Quietest at

motorway speeds;

extremely well

equipped; best

rear seats; playful

handling; great

driving position

Against Worst

interior quality;

disappointing

reliability record;

lumpy ride

Recommended

options

Metallic paint

(£550), rear-view

camera (£500)

Ford Focus

Save £1496 on this car at whatcar.com/new-car-deals

S a v e £1113 on this car at whatcar.com/new-car-deals

Save £1864 on this car at whatcar.com/new-car-deals