The mid-sized Seat is still winning hearts, thanks to its blend of economy, driving dynamics and distinctive styling.

This month, the Leon has seen a new tyre fitted, and also a side-by-side comparison with its automatic brother, the Leon FR TDI DSG.

Model: Seat Leon FR TDI CR
Mileage: 5,345
Average Speed: 32mph
Fuel consumption: 44.1mpg
Insurance: 28E
Price: £18,900 on the road
Options: 18-inch Orion wheels in black (£500), Technology and Convenience Pack (£1,565), Bi-xenon headlights (£730)

More updates:
3,000 mile update
10,000 mile update
 12,000 mile update
14,000 mile update
15,000 mile update

Likes

Looks: Regardless of the retina-scorching paintjob, the Leon certainly turns heads. It’s one of the most handsome and distinctive hatchbacks on the market.

Frugality: You can’t argue with 44mpg in a performance hatchback that also has space for five plus luggage, can you?

Ergonomics: The dash might be older than some of the Leon’s rivals, but it’s wonderfully ergonomic. All the controls are exactly where you want them, and feel like real quality products.

Dislikes

Bootlid: While the doors shut with the minimum of force, the bootlid needs to be slammed shut. Trouble is, if it isn’t closed properly it’s hard to tell until the dashboard warning system flashes up.

Windscreen pillars: They’re still too thick for my liking, but I’m getting used to checking the blindspots behind. I don’t think it’ll be a problem for much longer.

Door mirrors: The mirrors are a nice shape, but I’m unsure whether it’s this or their slightly lower than usual mounting points which mean I need to move the mirror down to parallel park every time. Don’t want to curb my pristine black alloys.

Full gallery: Seat Leon FR TDI

Verdict so far

There have been highs and lows with my time in the Seat Leon FR TDI since my last report. On the one hand, a £146 replacement tyre for the rear that suffered a puncture would have ruined your weekend, and a huge crack caused by a flying rock on the courtesy car didn’t help.

But on the other, it’s almost impossible not to be won over by the Leon’s charms, and I’m getting more attached to it every day.

There’s not one area that triumphs over other, but it’s just a blend of stunning capabilities in almost every department.

Myths about diesels being noisy and slow have been dispelled, as have opinions that Seat is the poor relation in the Volkswagen Group. A couple of friends have even put the Leon on their shopping list for their next car after a short passenger ride.

Since my last report, I’ve had the opportunity for several drives with no real destination in mind, purely for the sake of having fun.

And it’s on these journeys the Leon FR has revealed itself as an extraordinarily capable machine. What it lacks in outright finesse through the bends, it makes up in comfort and a stonking mid-range power band.

The steering is a little on the light side and could do with a couple of per cent more feedback, but the chassis is wonderfully communicative and allows the driver to exploit the limits of grip with ease.

Clever diff

It’s equipped with Seat’s XDS electronic differential which brakes the inside front wheel slightly to improve grip and poise through the bends. Unlike some cars equipped with similar systems, it’s hard to feel it working, but the results are evident – there’s huge front-end grip (helped by the big diesel engine pressing the tyres onto the road) and it’s possible to carry a huge amount of speed through bends.

The brakes are more than adequate, and only after particularly tortuous journeys begin the squeak; although there’s no deterioration in their performance or pedal feel.

But despite these early morning weekend blasts, average fuel economy has only suffered to the tune of 1mpg, with the trip computer indicating a 44.1mpg average over the 5,000 miles of my stewardship.

Try and find another car which blends this level of entertainment with such modest running costs.

Speaking of which, I’ve discovered the Seat Leon FR TDI is more of a bargain than previously thought. The pretty Spanish hatchback shares the majority of its parts with the Volkswagen Golf GTD, and yet carries a price tag that’s more than £4,000 less.

That’s a £4,000 saving for buying a car that’s more distinctive, has a more stylish interior and exactly the same engine. And don’t think the cheap price means costs have been cut – it’s built every bit as well as the Golf and equipment levels are similar.

Automatic for the Leon

This month I’ve spent time in my Leon’s automatic gearboxed twin, the Leon FR TDI DSG. So often, fitting an automatic gearbox can change the character of the car; particularly if it has a sporting bent. Not so with the DSG-equipped Leon, which offers up lightning-quick gearshifts either by itself, or by the driver flicking paddles or moving the gearstick.

But as excellent as it is, I’d rather forgo the extra £1,250 it costs and stick with the slick six-speed self shifter as fitted to my test car.