}} The third generation of the León is based on the Volkswagen Group's latest
MQB platform, which is shared with the
seventh generation Volkswagen Golf. Compared to the previous generation, the León Mk3 is shorter by and lighter by up to ; however, because its wheelbase has been extended by , it has a roomier cabin with greater shoulder room for the front and rear passengers, more rear legroom and of boot space. The first official information and pictures of the car were released on 16 July 2012, with its public debut at the 2012 Paris Motor Show in September. It is the second car to be based on the MQB platform. It features new
safety equipment, such as driver
knee airbag, and a number of new safety systems, including (often as standard) a
multi-collision braking system to automatically brake the car after an accident in order to avoid a second collision, a
lane-keeping assistant, and
driver fatigue detection. The braking system includes a hill-start assistant. In the interior, there is a driver-oriented centre console hosting a 5.8-inch touch-screen infotainment display with some models featuring a proximity sensor, also used in the
Volkswagen Golf, as well as ambient lighting. A new feature available for the first time in its class are the optional
full-LED headlamps combined with a
full beam assistant. The full-LED headlamps offer numerous advantages over standard halogen bulbs such as improved illumination, a close to daylight colour temperature, lower energy consumption and an extended service life. The front fog lights can include a cornering feature. The higher specification also have a new "SEAT Drive Profile" system which allows the driver to choose between four different driving settings: eco, normal, sport, and an individual setting. This system controls the behaviour of the engine, steering, and DSG gearbox. Additionally, the 1.8 TSI 180PS and 2.0 TDI 184PS engine-equipped models will vary their engine sound via a sound actuator, as well as their interior ambient lighting between white (normal, eco and individual) and red (sport). SEAT announced in early 2012 that the range would include for the first time three-door and estate models in addition to a five-door. In September 2013, SEAT officially unveiled the León ST (estate model) at the
Frankfurt Motor Show. The León ST extends the León's maximum load capacity to 1470 litres and is available in Europe in three different versions and eleven different engine options. On 23 June 2014, SEAT revealed an off-road version of the León ST called the
X-PERIENCE. In August 2018, SEAT discontinued the Léon SC due to lower demands for three-door hatchbacks.
Facelift In January 2017, the León received a subtle facelift which included a reshaped front bumper with a grille that has been stretched by 40mm and features restyled
LED headlights. New engine options available included a 115 bhp 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol and 115 bhp 1.6-litre diesel. Interior changes included an
electric parking brake with
Hill Hold Control (HHC) as standard, a larger eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system with
Apple CarPlay,
Android Auto and
MirrorLink. New safety systems included
Traffic Sign Recognition, Pedestrian Protection System, and
blind-spot warning systems. Also available was Traffic Jam Assist - which allows the León to accelerate and brake automatically in traffic jams up to 37 mph. "Kessy" - SEAT's keyless automatic locking and starting system was another upgrade available. A new flagship XCELLENCE trim level was also introduced.
León Cupra SEAT León Cupra 265, was produced from 2014 to 2016, fitted with a turbocharged , 2-litre 16-valve, inline-four petrol engine, capable of 0-62 mph in 6.2 seconds and with a maximum speed of . Available with a 6-speed manual gearbox or 6-speed DSG automatic gearbox. SEAT León Cupra 280, was manufactured between 2014 and 2015, powered by a version of the Cupra 265's engine, capable of 0-62 mph in 5.8 seconds and limited to . Available with either a 6-speed manual gearbox or 6-speed DSG automatic gearbox. The 280 was fitted with 19-inch alloy wheels and
Brembo brakes as standard. The Sub8 Performance pack was launched in August 2014 for the Cupra 280, it featured side skirts, lightweight 19-inch alloy wheels and 30 mm larger ventilated brake discs with Brembo calipers. Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres could be ordered at extra cost. Also included is a VAQ electronically controlled
limited-slip differential that aids traction. Power remained unchanged at 280 hp (metric) and a 0-60 mph time of 5.7 seconds. The Ultimate Sub8 pack was launched in February 2015 for the Cupra 280, which included several weight-saving measures including: removing the León's centre armrest, standard climate control system is replaced with a smaller heater, reducing the number of speakers from eight to four, removing the centre console armrest, front storage units, and rear air vents. SEAT León Cupra 290, was manufactured between 2015 and 2016, as a replacement for Cupra 280 - powered by the same 2-litre engine from the Cupra 280, but with an extra 10 bhp. The Cupra 290 can accelerate 0-62 mph in 5.8 seconds and onto a top speed of 155 mph. Available with either a 6-speed manual gearbox or 6-speed DSG automatic gearbox. The 290 came in three body styles - three-door hatchback (León SC), five-door hatchback (León) and five-door estate (León ST) – and in a higher-specification Black version; which included sports seats, special 19in multi-spoke alloy wheels, and black detailing. SEAT León Cupra 300, was manufactured between 2017–2018 to replace the Cupra 290, it used the same 2 Litre turbocharged engine from León Cupra 290 but boosted to 296 bhp and capable of 0-62 mph in 5.8 seconds. Available with either a 6-speed manual gearbox or 6-speed DSG automatic gearbox. ST estate version was fitted with a DSG gearbox and all-wheel drive as standard. In response to new WLTP testing regimes, SEAT announced in 2018 that the León Cupra 300 would be replaced with a new León Cupra 290. Changes to the revised model included the addition of a
gasoline particulate filter (GPF), and as the name suggests, gave the 2WD hatchback a power output. The ST Estate retained its 300 PS power output, but was also fitted with a GPF system. The León Cupra R is limited to 799 units based on the standard Cupra 300 but with an uprated 2 Litre turbocharged engine; with a 0-62 mph time of 5.8 seconds and a top speed of 155 mph. Cupra Rs were available only with a six-speed manual gearbox in the UK and only 24 Right Hand Drive units have been built. External changes include exclusive 19-inch alloy wheels, reprofiled bumpers with larger front intakes, flared side skirts, and carbon fibre front splitter, side skirts, rear diffuser and roof-mounted spoiler and matt bronzer accent over the externals.
Safety In 2012, the SEAT León Mk3 was tested for its safety performance under the
Euro NCAP assessment scheme and it achieved a
5-star overall rating: In 2013, the Spanish-made SEAT León Mk3 in its most basic Latin American market configuration was tested for its safety performance under the
Latin NCAP 1.0 assessment scheme and it achieved 5 stars for adult occupants and 4 stars for toddlers: In 2015, the Spanish-made SEAT León ST in its most basic Latin American market configuration was tested for its safety performance under the
Latin NCAP 1.0 assessment scheme and it achieved 5 stars for adult occupants and 5 stars for toddlers:
Awards • Euro NCAP advanced reward for SEAT's
Multi Collision Brake system • Euro NCAP advanced reward for SEAT's Lane Assist system
Special editions León CONNECT The SEAT León CONNECT is a special edition model that was released in 2015. It is equipped with SEAT's Full Link Technology and a
Samsung Galaxy A3 smartphone. This technology allows the user's phone to be connected to the car's infotainment system and gives the user access to all the features of the SEAT ConnectApp. The SEAT León CONNECT has a range of exterior body colours that allow the mirrors and wheels to be customised. Interior details, including stitching are in Blue.
Limited editions 799 units of the SEAT León Cupra R were built in a limited production run. Among these units only 24 of them are Right Hand Drive models solely distributed to the United Kingdom Market only. All RHD models are only available in six-speed manual and the LHD models are also available in the six-speed DSG Gearbox. SEAT León Cupra ST 300 Carbon Edition went on sale in 2018 with only 50 allocated for sale in the
United Kingdom. Based on the León ST Cupra 300, the Carbon Edition is fitted with the same 296 bhp 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine mated to a six-speed DSG gearbox and Haldex all-wheel-drive system. Capable of 0-62 mph in 4.9 seconds and a top speed that is limited to 155 mph. Only available in Monsoon Grey paintwork, while other new exterior touches include carbon front and rear diffusers, fibre side blades, and Cupra R 19-inch black and bright silver alloy wheels. Seat León Cupra R Abt 4Drive ST was produced in 2019 and its 2lt engine power increased from 296 bhp to 345 bhp and 0-62 mph in 4.5 seconds; top speed is limited to 155 mph. The
ABT upgrade includes a copper body kit, 19-inch alloy wheels, Brembo brakes, and quad exhausts; the front splitter and rear diffuser, side skirts, and roof-mounted spoiler are all finished in carbon fibre. A seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox and four-wheel drive are fitted as standard. To improve cornering speed and handling performance, new uprights have been added that modifies the negative camber to 2 degrees, at the front and back. Only 150 were allocated for sale in the
United Kingdom.
Engine specifications The
Typ 5F SEAT León is available with the following
internal combustion engines all featuring direct injection and turbocharging, and like the previous generations they are shared with other
marques of the
Volkswagen Group: ==Fourth generation (KL1/KL8; 2020)==