Altea MK1 vs Leon MK2

[Filke]

Hello mates,

Recently I've noticed few Alteas on streets and its specific look I liked at first sight. It's
actually Leon with greater height and bigger boot on the paper. But is it? Can you compare these
two models?
I'm pretty tall and I like that SUV Altea's style and high driver position. But I live in big city and driving most of time in traffic jams so fuel consumption and maneuvering in city is very important to me. On the paper Altea should have approximately same fuel consumption but what is real situation? And how difficult is to drive Altea in reverse and parking because of rear window?

P.S. I'm talking about Altea (2004-2009) with 1.9 TDI engine.

 

[robbo990]

Can't really relate it to the Seat Leon, but I have a Seat Altea XL (2008) 1.9Tdi 36k miles.

A little bigger than the standard Altea, but 40-47mpg around town upto 55-60mpg if im really light footed on a longer run. Any heavy footed actions see that plummet to the low to mid 30's quite easily.

Driving position is great - I also like the headroom and higher seated position, but the thick A pillars take a bit of getting used to as they obstruct quite a large area.

As for parking - I have actually found it easier to park than my previous Peugeot 307 - although I do have rear parking sensors which allow me to reverse back further than I would had I not had them

Ride is firm but solid and there is far less body roll than you would imagine for such a high sided vehicle so it corners flat with very direct steering.

 

[britishsligean]

By all accounts the mk1 altea is almost identical to the mk2 leon, I believe they are based of the same chassis being the golf/golf plus, my dad had a 1.9tdi and got great fuel economy cruising about 60mph would return around 70mpg on the computer, the Altea doesn't feel a big car to drive, it feels very similar to a golf, there is plenty of headroom and leg room in the altea, the xl version does give you more room but is slightly longer

 

[SeatJay]

Havent driven the Leon but I have a 2.0 TDI and I average about 40 mainly driving around town and like a bit of traffic light fun. As others have said parking isn't a problem and I live in a tight road with no off street parking. It has all the space of a people carrier but I don't feel like a plodder.

I quite enjoy the fact it takes most people by surprise in terms of acceleration and go!

 

[Filke]

OK, if I understood right Altea should be very similar to Leon MK2 1.9 TDI in terms of fuel consumption, acceleration and driving in reverse (parking).

Why do I love then Altea if they are pretty the same. Altea looks like SUV, more space in cabin, better driving position, and somehow looks like has better build quality, hasn't it?

 

[robbo990]

Think the height and increased weight would lower the MPG/Acceleration compared to the Leon

 

[Filke]

Yeah, that is my opinion also. Because it is so obvious if the car has bigger weight and height it must have higher fuel consumption. It is only question how much higher than Leon?

 

[Mao]

Ive had both and i recon If you have kids or people sitting in the back alot then go for the altea. Way more legroom in the back. Also, alot more airy feel to the cabin. Which in my opinion is alot more pleasant. Fuel economy differencs will be neglegable.

 

[Mao]

Altea are probably cheaper too as there is more demand/competition for Leon's.