2021 VW Golf vs Seat Leon review - why the Golf is NOT the best family car you can buy | What Car?

[@whatcar]

Leon or Golf - which would you have? 🤔

[@Vulpi77]

Seat ❤️ more fun more nice to drive

[@clownworld-honk410]

Neither!

[@hiiiofficial8306]

Golf

[@stuartfrost6464]

Golf...but R-line

[@alexanderschmidt8305]

Bought a used 2017 Leon. Love every bit of that car. Also people don't put you in a box after they ask what car you drive

[@DanCollinsPhotography]

I’d have the Seat. It’s better looking, better infotainment system and it’s cheaper, a no brainer

[@TheWolf133]

Lmao until you actually drive them.

[@denniissv1444]

@@TheWolf133 lol, the cars are build on same plattform and have the same engine

[@claudiorodriguez8254]

@@denniissv1444 same platform BUT Volkswagen comes with independent rear suspension on everything above 150 cv, besides, where the Leon is lacking is in the technology department. Completely agree the Seat looks much better, but as expected the build quality of the VW will be much better. So the choice will come with trade offs, no doubt.

[@benjamyn4314]

@@denniissv1444 Yeah but driving a Golf , it's a unique feeling trust me , it's no way to compare Leon with Golf, a copy with the original , and Leon looks better?.. I'm not agree, the tastes are different for each person !

[@legendeedge5108]

Golf is definitely better 👍.

[@victorherrero4790]

Seat Leon for two things: value and design.

[@leesullivan1916]

Button free dashboards will kill choice for Disabled drivers... 😕 And probably do nothing for road safety in general.

[@podge5555]

Manufacturers haven’t copped on to the fact that most customers hate touch screens 😕

[@stuartfrost6464]

Voice activation, no need for buttons.

[@leesullivan1916]

@@stuartfrost6464 not reliable enough and slow...

[@stuartfrost6464]

Try this version and think again.

[@leesullivan1916]

@@stuartfrost6464 who's?

[@pelss7426]

I usually like German cars but the new Golf looks comparatively plain next to the much better looking Leon.

[@patricklawrence8765]

My sister has a new Leon and it’s sooo much more exciting than the Leon

[@patricklawrence8765]

*sooo much better than the golf

[@Sto79Be]

Nothing German about the Leon. Nope, definitely 100% Spanish and not influenced at all by the VAG design language! 😆

[@abmilzo]

Did you know the engine in a Seat Leon is..... a VW engine

[@theprophetoftruth8268]

Their both German

[@londonladjeff3575]

i bought the Leon FR eTSI 150 HP Estate and its an absolute dream to drive , i have had it 2 months and cannot think of any faults. And for the first time in my driving life l got the Automatic, what a dream drive especially in sport mode

[@thedelaminator]

The whole point of the central brake light being high is so that it can be seen by not only the car immediately behind. Putting it at the same level as the other brake lights is stupid.

[@stephenwakeman3074]

It’s interesting if you look up regulation on CHMSL the only specification is that it is centred unless on a moving panel like a door and is in absolute terms, higher than the side stop lamps. Technically it is higher because the line it’s in rests atop of the lenses for the side stop lamps. You see this on some vans as well like Renault vans, where the CHMSL is in the middle under the tail door window and is also not “high” mounted.

[@alanwayte432]

When are touchscreen when driving going to be banned , buttons please, if you can’t use a phone why is it ok to take your eyes off the road to adjust the climate control..insane

[@ajlawrence8983]

My wife collected her new Leon FR sport yesterday and it’s a great car. She traded in a 20 plate Leon FR and there is a big difference, we are both very pleased and hopefully I will get a drive when she isn’t looking 👍

[@Maurice_Moss]

How's she finding it? I've got an 18 plate Leon I'm wanting to upgrade to a new shape fr sport.

[@angrymuffinsb]

I’ve always preferred the Leon; the Golf is losing its identity

[@joe80ss]

Nice about time the Leon beat the Golf.

[@tommate4727]

Should of beat it at the mk3 version aswell

[@tommate4727]

Will Thompson because you are buyest.. I mean look at your pro pic ha

[@kristijandimitrov8305]

We beat them 2 generations in a row on track and on street basically on everythong

[@MsSonic19]

This dark blue is definitely much better than Mat's (Carwow) white leon. Seriously, white paint does this car an injustice.

[@jemma1771]

It really does I've just ordered the Black FR the car I have now is the white FR ibiza and that looks lovely in white I think the black round the grill looks cheap on the white one

[@lionzion5382]

White cars are for people without personalities; they tend to look like cabs

[@KING0SISQO]

Lion Zion i didn’t like white cars until I noticed them with the sunroof and the sporty looks. Ever since I’ve bought white cars in sporty form. But I agree a standard white car is dull.

[@mihnealazar7039]

@@lionzion5382 pearlescent white is quite nice though. At least when you are closer to the car.

[@DancinJim]

@@lionzion5382 If you define your personality by what car you buy, you have no personality.

[@richardoconnell2825]

I've got a mk4 Seat leon fr 150bhp evo and what a car only had it 6 days I love it. 👍👍👍

[@kwak1k]

I've got one coming. Any problems with the info screen crashing?

[@PhilipJohannessen]

We just decided on a Leon FR e-Hybrid and we're very happy with it, especially for the price.

[@ahmedslim8663]

I always loved the leon for the looks and the value. even in the old models I liked the look of the leon more.

[@andyt8216]

The looks of the new gen Leon are growing on me. I wasn't impressed with the Tarraco look when I first saw it. But... I must remember that I thought the same thing when the previous model replaced the more jelly mould 2nd generation but soon realised I was wrong and SEAT was right :)

[@bullmastiffx]

I've got the Seat Leon 2.0ltr fr sport 190 bhp Petrol. It's been fanastic. Its got 7 speed and is DSG which is also great...I got 58 mpg on a trip to London from lancashire. The interior is nice but the seats in the front are manual Recline Which is a disappoint... Cheers 🥂

[@JoziGB]

Golf is available in more markets compared to the Leon. Re: Sales Numbers In addition People associate high sales to parts availability and reliability.

[@roystonhughes3278]

For overall quality out of both cars and road presence i choose the leon, don't get me wrong with the golf why pay more for the same car, the leon overall look way better than the golf is looking a bit out of date.

[@konyinaromolaran3484]

just bought my 2019 seat leon and it is a DREAM

[@iaido01]

i had the audi A3 2018. have now the 2019 leon st fr. and all i can say is i don't miss my audi. the only noticable differends is the audi had slightly better plastic quality and the steeringwheel feld better and the chairs also kinda feld a little better, but the seat infotainment systeem is better, waaaaay more options,alcantara vs normal chairs bigger and still cheaper. it really feels like an amazing value for money kinda car

[@JackKing12.]

Golf 7 have a better internal design than the 8.

[@forza223bowe5]

Golf isn’t what it used to be

[@ossitikkanen1335]

Indeed, it´s much better than it used to be :-)

[@mihnealazar7039]

VW isn’t what it used to be with its crappy quality recently. Looking at you ID.3 and T-cross.

[@AntJoseph_]

Plot Twist: there’s a Toyota Corolla and a Mazda 3 in the market as well ;)

[@aadi8568]

@Anthony José I love those cars, especially the Mazda3, but the mazda is a little on the small side unfortunately.

[@menifo4334]

Indeed, but who's the great sponsor of all?

[@Astke]

Out of those 2 I'd definitely pick the Mazda. After driving the new Corolla 2.0 Hybrid for 7 months last year, I don't want to drive a Toyota ever again. 2 hours in the Mazda 3 Skyactiv-X left me happier than months in the Corolla. And I prefer Automatics over Manuals (the Mazda was manual).

[@nicolaiarends3101]

I’ve got the Atlantic Ocean blue metallic VW Golf Life 1.5 Tsi 150bhp - 2021 delivered last week. Absolutely love it. Great car and perfect for my commute on the highway everyday (40km one way to work). However somethings probably wrong with my gearbox as the 4th gear is abit tricky. I need to really push it in hardly to get inside 4th gear. Will be going back to VW next week as agreed with the seller to have a check on the gearbox. But having had the car for less than a week I’m really pleased. Quick car with low consumption. Great adaptive cruise controll that somehow knows when there’s a roundabout nearby and automatically slows down my car and tells me to change gear. Great LED lights on dark Swedish winter roads. Just feels great. Although I never tried the Seat Leon unfortunately but there was such a great offer on this one almost fully equipped with sat-nav and a 1.5 tsi 150bhp brand new car with 0km for €23900 on sale so I couldn’t resist having this one with full warranties. Although Leon looks much smarter!

[@parvindermander5664]

Golf looks ugly on the front and too chunky on the back, both a bit bland looking.

[@oblivion4lcf]

Ι'm ordering the Leon e Hybrid next month after having diven all the VW Group offerings The Leon won me easilly with it's handling and general Feel. The infotainment system is a bit tricky as it is not user friendly when on the move with the lack of shortcut buttons but overall it was my pick as handling and road feel are a high priority and seats are the sporty in that price range of the four. The Scala was the next best overall bang for yout buck but was a bit passive and it leaned a lot in the corners.

[@sammyt3514]

Not sure what went into the head of the German designers when coming up with the new Golf but it's certainly a step or two behind in looks compared to the previous generation, inside and out imo. The Leon's looks are on another level!

[@exarder1377]

Leon! Currently own a 2018 business style and absolutely loving it!

[@robloxfan4271]

I have a 2019 xccilence lux, packed full of tech for much less

[@andreasmalten7208]

Me and my wife are buying the Golf 8 GTE soon. My whole family has golf. So I’m a bit biased 😂 But we are taking the Leon for a test drive first. Just to be sure

[@runawayronnie]

had several cars from all the VW Group brands of late, VW used to be my default choice but as reporter says, it's not a case of SEAT upping the game rather VW has gone downmarket. The boot lip and uneven load floor on the LEON means I'd never buy it. The materials used on the Mk8 Golf are below par. What would I buy? The new Skoda Octavia shames both these cars.

[@amrdel2730]

But the octavia doesnt offer a hatchback like fabia ! Thats a shame

[@youraveragejoe1]

@@amrdel2730 there’s the Skoda Scala, but then you have to put up with the looks of the thing…

[@uidr]

Writing from Turkey, Seat leon 1.0 base model starting at 220.000 Turkish liras and our minimum wage 2850 turkish liras. so we can buy like 20 years a new car. regards

[@danielrussell446]

Great video what car I have stayed with the golf and traded up from the golf 7.5 to golf 8 and I have been very impressed with it 1000 miles in to ownership The build is equivalent to my old 7.5 and this includes the interior and the touch screen is slick in use and it doesn’t take long to use the functions when you are driving it regularly a lot of it is familiar from the old one The lag on the touchscreen has been corrected with the software update mine is faultless now I have been pleased with the economy on the 1.5 150 tsi engine over the 130 I had before The interior of the Style or R Line would be a better comparison you have the Golf Life against the Leon FR so base against mid range

[@Astke]

Same here. The updates have fixed my laggy screen as well.

[@por925]

Totally agree with you, moved from 7.5 myself and much prefer it. The 7.5 is dated in comparison in my opinion and yeah it’s quite obvious he’s driving a base version golf here so not a great comparison.

[@nkaloyanov]

We can't compare Golf and Leon. They're similar yet VERY different. For example, I own a Golf MK7 Highline with lots of extras. When I test drove the new Leon, something felt..lacking. I mean, it's LOVELY. I love it, don't get me wrong. I agree that VW makes boring vehicles. That's totally true. But sometimes, it's what makes us choose Volkswagen - reliability, attention to detail, interior quality, and decent price. And if we talk about value for money, i'd pick Skoda Scala every day! That boot space is out of the world.

[@darren2583]

But badge snobs will still buy the golf over the Leon.

[@ArtyArtur]

Second hand buy. The Golf is cheaper than a Leon ..

[@hughfitz95]

@@ArtyArtur because the Leon holds it value better nowadays

[@milanklco]

Golf 7.5 was better like Golf 8. This time Leon wins :) simple as that ;)

[@slen6293]

When comparing a golf to an Audi everyone says “badge snobs will still buy the Audi over the golf”... so let’s all just buy the cheapest version for the moral victory ey??

[@senna2]

@@slen6293 preach

[@Froggygaming205]

Just ordered the new estate 150 FR. Compared that with Golf and new Octavia, it was a no brainier.

[@ardaarsen]

Make sure you dont kill all the moose on roads.

[@reverseshell25]

The have that seat belt holders from their first generations car :D

[@AWhileHanlin]

I choose the older Seat Leon above these 2 new cars.

[@jerryrawlings8885]

AWhileHanlin why?

[@RFW1979]

Always like and driven Golf in the past, now have a lexus ct200. But prefer the look of the seat personally 😁

[@Undisputed_King]

Drove both. Hate the interiors but I like the way the Leon looks. I'm getting a mk7 golf instead.

[@crystaloffrost]

The main difference between VW and Seat/Skoda is below the hood, higher quality sound isoation, higher quality suspension and just everything is put together better and stronger nothing wobbles or makes noises.

[@mikegreig7825]

Having had a golf and Leon don’t agree, can’t tell the difference in interior quality and my Leon doesn’t make any noises it’s not meant to....

[@robertot.m.8747]

Please pronuntiate Leon with the stress on the o... León 😊😉 Nice comparative and I think this time I’ll go for the León... not to mention that I don’t like the front lights of the Golf at all

[@jazzip2989]

with the FR trim yes I would say it's a great car for the money....salute to the Spaniards and Germans with this great callab luv it🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@JentusPro]

The Leon really looks better then the Golf, and it is cheaper, and in our country Leon always has more engines to chose from rather than in a Golf. I own right now 2016 Leon FR 1.8l TSI DSG7 and i love it. After 4 years with my Leon 2016, maybe it is time to change for the new one )), if yes so only the FR 2.0TSI 192bhp, this will be my choice, if it will be available in our country of course ))

[@arthurblundell6128]

Come January 1st they will both probably be too expensive - I have the golf 8 and you can get used to the digital display but annoyed to find two metal (heating ?) boxes sit out from the front seats - nice car to drive but think VW have probably backed a wrong 'un. Skoda are in fact now the better car - regret moving away from my Octavia.

[@ST-ur7oh]

Octavia - nicer looking nicer interior

[@ChrisR90]

Leon!! 🚗💨💨

[@petergreenwood6530]

Love my leon 💙 ❤ ♥ 💕 💓

[@stephenwakeman3074]

During the interior drive shots for both vehicles, the audio is out of sync.

[@leeroyrupere]

The Leon is nice and stylish but some of us are brand loyalist, would go for the Golf. MK7 was a knock out side the park.

[@SeymourCake710]

Great Review, Leon all the way.

[@vespa7265]

IMO the rear end looks like an Astra.

[@buddhimanrahman4583]

As a back pain sufferer I can say nothing is better than VW. Tried many cars but golf is the most comfortable and it stays comfortable for the longest.

[@aydnonurgercek7107]

which one is quieter?

[@mikegreig7825]

Had a Golf 7.5 as a company car , when I had to give that back bought a Leon fr , prefer the Leon , nicer to drive, better looking

[@RA-AR20]

I’d go for the German car

[@KARFIVE]

Definitely the Leon!

[@dariuszrysak1133]

I would choose Leon over Golf.

[@rikardskarfstad227]

I have the Seat Leon from 2015. Im surprised how plastic and cheap the new model feels. I would not buy a new Leon today if I needed to change car. Have not been in the new Golf yet but it seems like that car also is more plastic than the old one?

[@jerryrawlings8885]

rikard skarstad Hi has your car been reliable also do you get a lot of squeaks and rattles?

[@rikardskarfstad227]

@@jerryrawlings8885 mine has been reliable, happy with it. No squeeks or rattles.

[@MOSSFEEN]

I have a 2014 leon ST FR and ill stick with it for a while yet not sure about the styling of new Leon and that STUPID bloody screen Maybe a Passat or a Superb next

[@stockholmsweden7977]

The golf 8, hands down. Seat looks cheap on the inside. And golf 8 is much better than mk 7. I will pick up golf 8 on Monday and leave my mk7. Did not hesitate a second after testing the new golf =) =)

[@David-np4vo]

I have the Golf mkVIII 1.5tsi 150 life only issues I had so far is the electric hold it stick at times Leon nice still tho...

[@forza223bowe5]

Needs a proper manual handbrake

[@mikegreig7825]

Used to happen in my old golf 7.5 , same part

[@crist_toro]

Is the golf a family car? 🤔

[@Leobiggestfan]

Would we want to take a seat Leon? Golf one is good but expect rear view.

[@bign3ck]

Problem is people buy these on pcp, and in 3yrs the golf might have better resale value, making the golf cheaper per month if you plan on handing it back in three years. Also dealers push their stock on the Dumb customer.

[@elvismagdei6565]

Seat Leon is the best!!!!

[@jacobbest5656]

i would definitely have the leon the golf just looks moody but the leon looks more sporty

[@hectorandem2944]

"So... the Golf is just an overpriced Leon?" 🤔 🌍🧑‍🚀🔫👩‍🚀 *"Always has been."*

[@n8n8n8n]

Scala may be similar size, but it's actually stretched Fabia, and it's hell ugly, even uglier than the Golf.

[@Romulu5]

i hate the AC control are in the touch screen.god damnit man.

[@dublinairportplanes]

the new golf really is a let down. esp the interior which used to be a vw hallmark. auto express actually said the new focus is actually nicer inside. they did a group test and the focus came out on top

[@forza223bowe5]

Focus has been the king since 1998

[@dublinairportplanes]

Forza223 Bowe yeah it has. I prefer the golfs interior though, I think the new focus interior is nicer then the new golfs though.

[@graemetaylor629]

I would by the octavia

[@vladimirart758]

If I had money I’ll buy kia ceed

[@KING0SISQO]

Don’t. Get a 308 gti. If it’s too fast. Get an i30

[@hristeaflorin236]

Or Pro ceed gt!

[@whereisvanuatu]

I'm shocked you didn't compare the Cupra to this entry level Golf. Also, when adding all the extras that the R-Line or Style Golfs have as standard equipment, both Octavia and Leon get very close to VW prices.

[@EckertAndras]

Leon +1

[@maximderim]

The Leon have a longer wheelbase than the Golf, for that reason it has more legroom space in the back, you hadn't motion that, but this wheelbase will influence dynamics in favor of the Golf while driving at higher speeds.

[@mikegreig7825]

He already said the Leon was better to drive, so he doesn’t agree with you

[@jamocerwin5841]

Leon!

[@jamocerwin5841]

I have since 2007 an Altea Sport Up, DSG and 180000 kms, and I am delighted, has never given any problems, and it works like a motor clock, brakes, DSG shifter and suspension.

[@cecilrhodes5706]

Leon

[@clownworld-honk410]

I suspect VW's directors / shareholders don't give a monkey's which one you buy! Personally, I think there are more interesting and imaginative options such as the new Peugeot 308.

[@whereisvanuatu]

For all the "they ruined it", this is the first time I'm considering buying a Golf. Go ahead and build your Leons and Octavias for the same specs you get on the R-Line and you'll have the big surprise they'll cost the same with the added inconvenience of poorer service, higher running costs and lesser resale value.

[@Cjbx11]

There’s no problem with the golf infotainment system. I believe there was some teaching issues with the early cars which have now been sorted. The system works well and is responsive.

[@youraveragejoe1]

Leon for me. I’d pick either a Leon or a A3, and disregard the golf. Not interesting in it at all, it’s just too forgettable…

[@MrGMawson2438]

Very nice

[@mehmetakkus4915]

The handling of new golf, leon and octavia they all are lame. They are nowhere close to focus. Check their moose tests. New vag models are worse than previous ones in terms of handling.

[@arnoebbe]

Nice overview, but technical details has been missed...I didnt hear anything about the rear suspension difference between the two..if Leon is with torsion bar even in 150hp version, compared to the multilink of Golf ...can't be marked as better car, for my big disappointment

[@MRT.1977]

Definitely the Leon.

[@eiadds9546]

Only get seat if you live in a country with good roads. You will have back problems otherwise

[@Undisputed_King]

Seat Leon looks way nicer

[@v-gun9735]

Golfs - can you buy a more boring car. Driven by vanilla people who listen to Coldplay. Even if this review was in favour of the Golf I would still buy a Leon.

[@danielrussell446]

I must be vanilla and a Coldplay fan I’ve had two golfs and love them

[@MrKnighty008]

2016 Golf GTD owner, loved every second of owning it. Keep seeing poor reviews of the mk8 but I'm not a sheep and make my own mind up which is why I'm test driving the leon and Gof r-line, also a 1 series

[@v-gun9735]

@@MrKnighty008 I’m not talking about GTDs, GTIs or Rs. I’m talking about the run of the mill models. I like the performance models, they’re not vanilla cars.

[@tomg1232]

Some people like myself are just not that interested in driving on Britain's overcrowded roads full of speed cameras, cyclists, pot holes, speed bumps, horses riders, traffic cops, dawdling drivers doing 30 in a 60mph etc etc. I just wanted a car that's fairly quick, comfortable and quiet so I can shut the world out and get from A to B. My run of the mill golf does all those brilliantly, doesn't mean I'm a boring person just because I lack an interest in driving.

[@v-gun9735]

@@tomg1232 Exactly - you are the typical Golf driver. Therefore people who drive these cars shouldn't continually tell everyone how wonderful a Golf is. It's a CAR - no more or less.

[@joeluis4261]

Golf

[@TheFrasseF]

It's quite sad to see what they've done to the Golf. It's just screaming for a facelift inside and out

[@forza223bowe5]

Looks old already

[@mareqg4849]

Leon wins, definitely.

[@iveta.andreyvl8926]

Зачем сравнивать разные комплектации? В стандартной комплектации у SEAT обычные фары, совершенно другой обвес. Совершенно бестолковый обзор. Минус

[@RoxusRemo]

They both look horrendous..

[@miguelalgarra3285]

I would buy the Seat. The Golf looks ugly

[@MotoGraham]

If I had a choice between the Leon or the Golf, I would buy the Octavia

[@Grant0610]

Shock! You better watch out! You will have no job soon criticising the Golf! 😬

[@ninaakari5181]

If I would be under 30 years of age I would choose Leon, but at the age of 37 I would choose Golf

[@Gianniz27]

Octavia.

[@Quettesh]

Leon doesn't hold value as good as the Golf.

[@mikegreig7825]

Doesn’t cost as much in the first place though, especially if you buy 6 months old