• Hey Guest💡👉 We have recently launched our new Dealer Directory and review service Find out more now
One thing to consider - I do not think the ACT comes with full multi-link suspension all round.
perhaps test drive them both then you can decide

Though judging by pretty much all the road test conclusions, the multi-link suspension does not feel much different so perhaps this shouldn't be a deal breaker?
 
I think legislation, taxes, and local councils will drive diesel to the wall in 5 years.
Road tax can change overnight if the Government choose to.
Same with fuel duty.
Congestion charge will double in London (2020) for anything other than Euro6 - they can change THAT too if they want to.
And diesels are more expensive to buy, to service, and heavier, so tyre wear is an issue too.
Hindsight - wonderful if you're a pessimist....if they did an XPerience ST in petrol I think I'd change now, before the bottom drops out of the market for used diesels. Which I think it's going to.
 
I think legislation, taxes, and local councils will drive diesel to the wall in 5 years.
Road tax can change overnight if the Government choose to.
Same with fuel duty.
Congestion charge will double in London (2020) for anything other than Euro6 - they can change THAT too if they want to.
And diesels are more expensive to buy, to service, and heavier, so tyre wear is an issue too.
Hindsight - wonderful if you're a pessimist....if they did an XPerience ST in petrol I think I'd change now, before the bottom drops out of the market for used diesels. Which I think it's going to.

Just to add:

Additional cost for 1.8TSI is £1040, 1st year VED from new is £130 then £130 per year versus 1.4ACT which is 1st year £0 then £20 per year this is without the extra fuel and performance is more than adequate. I certainly don't regret the move from diesel to petrol and so far fuel consumption is better than my previous 2 litre diesel Kuga so to the original poster go for the 150 ACT you wont regret it.:)
 
I do 20k miles a year and choose the ACT over the 2.0tdi, not not regretted it for a second, lovely refined engine in comparison, and costs work out about the same even at that mileage.
 
Just to add:

Additional cost for 1.8TSI is £1040, 1st year VED from new is £130 then £130 per year versus 1.4ACT which is 1st year £0 then £20 per year this is without the extra fuel and performance is more than adequate. I certainly don't regret the move from diesel to petrol and so far fuel consumption is better than my previous 2 litre diesel Kuga so to the original poster go for the 150 ACT you wont regret it.:)

Yep im getting on average around 8-10 MPG more from the ACT engine than the 2.0 Astra diesel engine it replaced :D
 
Ok, finally settled for:
Leon FR 3dr 1.4 ACT in Emocion Red with the 18" Alloys :)

Holding off ordering for a couple of weeks to make sure I get a MY16 car with the Mirror Link and bigger Nav Screen

Looking forward to it, and thanks for your input everyone :)
 
One thing I forgot to ask......having driven a diesel for the last 20yrs, I'm used to driving on the motorway at 70/80mph and with the engine hardly ticking over - For anyone who drives the 1.4 ACT, how is it at motorway speeds? Is it quiet or does it sound strained being a smaller engine?
 
It's fine on the motorway, revs a little higher than a diesel but not by much, and the engine is so flipping quiet it really doesn't matter.
 
i often do a 240 mile round trip, 80% motorway at 70-80, and it regularly returns 55 or better.
Road tax £30 (currently).
and yet I'm still torn about getting a 1.4ACT.
Just no 4WD version.....come on Seat!
 
One thing I forgot to ask......having driven a diesel for the last 20yrs, I'm used to driving on the motorway at 70/80mph and with the engine hardly ticking over - For anyone who drives the 1.4 ACT, how is it at motorway speeds? Is it quiet or does it sound strained being a smaller engine?

I have the 1.4Tsi which is similar to the ACT except on light throttle and over-run when the ACT will run on 2 cylinders. Its very quiet at motorway speeds, and I was surprised at the amount of torque it has even at very low revs, I am talking 1500 revs in 5th gear, if youso wish, without any shuddering and a clean and smooth pick-up. The 2.0 diesel only has an advantage I would guess at speeds above 75m.p.h where it probably feels faster and the m.p.g advantage may be more apparent. I have not driven the 2.0L Leon diesel but I have driven other modern 2 Litre diesels, I think petrol is the way to go if for no other reason than the recent change of attitude from the emissions experts and the effect this will have on residuals. A small m.p.g advantage with diesels is soon nullified by other factors unless you are doing very high mileage.
 
You've already made your decision, but it might be of use for future users looking for infos...

I have both a 150 TDi and a 1.4 TSI and both are great engines in their own respect.
If you plan to drive mainly for short trips on b-roads then the TSi wins hands down. It's far more comfortable and silent than the TDi. My wife is using it most if the times as she works 5 mikes from home.

On the other hand the TDi is absolutely gorgeous on the motorway. I made a round trip in Germany (1.200 miles in 3 days) and with the cruise control at 150 km/h it returned an average fuel consumption of 21 km/l (verified altough the odb was spot on).
On the 200 miles in Switzerland (120 km/h speed limit) it averaged 23 km/l!

The TSi on the motorway averages slightly less at 130 km/h, but it is still a very pleasant engine and is very quiet even if it is higher revving.

So they're two different engines for different uses, but if you choose wisely, you will be rewarded by a great driving pleasure.

Hope this can be of use to someone :)