FASHION, passion or practicality - that’s the perennial headache designers have to juggle with when they sketch a new estate car.

The marketing men tell them that buyers these days value looks above everything else, but a car that’s great to drive is an easier sell so it needs to push the right buttons for enthusiasts. Practicality - the estate car’s unique selling point - usually comes pretty far down the list of priorities.

The Leon ST is the third - and last - body shape to be spun off Seat’s C-segment hatch (which shares its underpinnings with the MQB Volkswagen Golf platform) and, arguably, it’s the best-looking, too.

Of course, it’s an estate, so it is longer than its siblings, and Seat has done an excellent job of visually disguising the extra 272mm aft of the rear doors. The longer roofline helps give the Leon visual balance and the generous glazing ensures it doesn’t look too bulky.

But here’s the scoop: the ST hasn’t sacrificed usefulness for those svelte looks. The boot is an impressive 207 litres larger than the cargo bay to be found in its hatchback cousin, ON THE ROAD: ​ The FR badge is Seat’s ‘accessible’ (aka cheap) performance brand, sitting just below the Cupra and (eventually) Cupra R is the model hierarchy.

The Northern Echo:

VROOM WITH A VIEW: the Leon FR has power to spare

 

The 2.0 TDI is available with 150 or 180PS. Keen drivers will find the extra they need to get behind the wheel of the more powerful engine. With so much torque on tap, the 180 TDI is a real giant killer. Forget the 0-62mph time of 7.8 seconds for a moment, it’s the in-gear acceleration which makes the ST a quick car in the real world. Power is available in any gear at any revs. When you want to get a move on all you have to do is flex your right foot.

Seat was the first member of the VW product family to get its hands on this engine and it’s a hum-dinger - a lot faster and far smoother than its ageing 2.0-litre predecessor. So powerful, in fact, that in the lower gears the power threatens to overwhelm the front tyres.

Thank goodness then that the rest of the chassis is good enough to do full justice to this peach of a powerplant. Driven quickly on a challenging B-road, theST’s body feels as though it is nailed to the tarmac. There’s a modest amount of roll but lots of grip and some meaty steering.

The usual trade-off for this kind of performance (unless you’re driving a Ford) is a lumpy ride in town but here again the ST feels well-damped; despite the lowered sports suspension, the ride is firm but not harsh. The ST benefits from a more sophisticated suspension set-up than its cheaper siblings.

ON THE INSIDE: ​ The high quality cabin looks, and feels, stylish. Head and leg room in the front and back are exactly the same as the five-door hatch. The front doors have a single deep pocket, the rears have a small pocket just about big enough for a can. Rear passengers benefit from their own directional fresh air vents.

It’s good to see an old-fashioned ignition key and no silly starter buttons. Insert key, twist and go - what could be simpler?

The small cubby between the front seats is really only useful for change and a set of keys.

The instruments and ergonomics will be familiar to anyone who has driven a VW or a Skoda in the past couple of years.

The Northern Echo:

CLASSY CHASSIS: the interior is nicely trimmed and well-made

 

​WHAT DO YOU GET: ​ Standard equipment across the range includes a single disc slot mp3 compatible CD player, a colour touch-screen interface and aux inputs for your MP3 player/smartphone.

Seat has been busy packing out the options list, however. The test car came with a mountain of extras including the tech pack (LED lights, satellite navigation and a DAB digital radio tuner), the Titanium pack (18-inch wheels, larger tyres and stylish door mirrors for £700) a £250 Seat sound system (135 watt six channel amp with ten speakers and a subwoofer stuffed in the boot), adaptive cruise (£500) and a convenience pack (auto wipers, dimming rear view mirror).

The tech pack normally costs £1075 but, for the moment, it’s free. Seat does, however, have the cheek to ask £75 for a crummy space saver tyre (otherwise you get a can of gunk) and £150 for a boot divider.

HOW PRACTICAL IS IT? ​ Despite being smaller than the Exeo wagon (itself a rebadged Audi A4 Avant) the new ST has more luggage capacity. With 587 litres of cargo space the Leon ST is among the best in the C-segment estate car class (although it’s beaten by the new Golf Estate) and there’s a load-through flap for long items. Posher models have a remote seat back release in the boot for added convenience.

Seat says the ST has 13 more cubby holes and storage spaces compared to the standard Leon hatch. Roof rails are also standard, further increasing the ST’s practicality.

​ RUNNING COSTS: ​ Despite its extra power the 2.0-litre TDI is very frugal. We had no trouble averaging 53mpg in a week of mixed driving and you should do even better on a long run. A CO2 figure of just 112g/km is outstanding considering the performance on offer.

​ VERDICT: ​ ​After a difficult few years, the Seat fightback is well underway. The new Leon ST is better-looking, faster and cheaper than the Golf Estate. The crisp styling will attract younger drivers who need a car with a big boot, but aren’t ready to kick back with a pipe-and-slippers just yet.

Spec:​ Engine: ​ 2.0-litre turbodiesel, four cylinder Power: ​ 184PS Torque: ​280lb/ft Top speed: ​142 mph 0-62mph: ​7.8 seconds Fuel economy: ​65.7 mpg (official combined) CO2 emissions: ​112g/km Insurance group: ​26E Equipment: ​ Electric windows, allow wheels, lowered suspension, power steering,17-inch alloy wheels, alarm, Bluetooth, MP3 sound system.

​