High mileage

[ajweekes]

I’m about to ditch my company car and take a car allowance. Been thinking about buying a Leon 2.0 TDi Stylance, but I do 30K miles a year and need a bit of comfort. What’s it like on long distance cruises? Are the seats good? Any road noise?

 

[AR-CoolC]

I have a 1.9TDI Stylance and do around 37000 miles per year.

The seats are ok for journeys up to about two hours, over that and you start to ache (although I regulally do a three hour each way drive in a day for one of my suppliers )

Road noise is what I would call about average for a car in this sector, no worse or better that an equivilent Focus/Megane/Golf.

 

[Monkeyhanger]

I’m about to ditch my company car and take a car allowance. Been thinking about buying a Leon 2.0 TDi Stylance, but I do 30K miles a year and need a bit of comfort. What’s it like on long distance cruises? Are the seats good? Any road noise?

I have that model. The road noise is one of my bugbears with this car. Fine on a smooth surface but significantly louder on the rougher type tarmac.
I dont think its a tyre issue, theyre regular michelins that came with the car.
My previous motor was a Megane which was a lot quieter. Id obviously suggest a test drive and make sure you try a variety of road surfaces.
The ride's a bit firm but that helps the excellent handling. I find the seats in the Stylance to be very good.

 

[FerrariStu]

Hi aj

I own a new 1.9 tdi Stylance too but did test drive a 2.0 before deciding - and speaking as one who formerly drove a soft suspension car (Pug 406) , I'd say the Leon is fine. In fact, it's more than fine, it's great.

It's a tad firmer over rough ground than many but the Leon is so "pointy" (goes straight where you ask it to) that you won't worry about it because the sporty feel more than compensates. i.e. It's fun to drive.

On long motorway hauls it's very comfy and easy to drive and the cabin noise is nothing really unless you're used to "ultra quiet". The seats are firm(ish) but very supportive and by no means hard or uncomfortable on long drives.

If you find a car that makes you feel as fresh as a daisy after 3 hours then buy it but I don't believe they exist - at any price!!

The best thing I can say to reassure you is that I was worried about this aspect of the Leon until I took mine on its first long haul recently and i'd actually say it's a better seat to drive long distances than i'm used to as it's better for your back because it's more supportive and fully adjustable.

The best part of course is watching all the sheep in their Golf Tdi's (I say sheep because there are so many of them) look enviously at your car because they know it's basically the same as theirs - but looks far cooler and modern than theirs does , costs less than theirs did , and that there aren't at least a dozen cars within a 5 mile radius that look exactly the same as the one they are looking at (which they envy ).

Go get a Leon!

 

[Glovepup]

The best part of course is watching all the sheep in their Golf Tdi's (I say sheep because there are so many of them) look enviously at your car because they know it's basically the same as theirs - but looks far cooler and modern than theirs does , costs less than theirs did , and that there aren't at least a dozen cars within a 5 mile radius that look exactly the same as the one they are looking at (which they envy ).

Go get a Leon!

That is so true....

 

[ajweekes]

Thanks for your comments. Went for a test drive yesterday and was very impressed. Seats very supportive (dealer told me you can also get an armrest for more cruising comfort) the ride was better than my current car (320d with sport suspension), handling excellent (steering a bit dead), engine pulled like a train bit loud under full throttle, but quiet when cruising. The road noise is a strange one, mostly very good on the smooth roads, but really quite loud on a rough surface, think its a lack of sound proofing in the rear, boot acting as an amplifier.

I think I might be getting one, the only other option is the Civic but I'm going off the buck rogers styling!

 

[FerrariStu]

I think I might be getting one, the only other option is the Civic but I'm going off the buck rogers styling!

Yeah, I tried the Civic but the ride felt like my a**e was scraping along the road (by that I mean vibration - not ride height) which put me right off it.

Maybe it was just that car!

Would be interested in what your opinion is after you've given it a whirl.

 

[ajweekes]

Well been for a spin in the Civic today and not that impressed. Engine is very smooth, power delivery very linear, but the rush of torque in the VW PD engines makes them feel faster. The dash used higher quality materials, but not a fan of the 80s digital speedo. Handling not a patch on the Leon, that would be acceptable if the ride is good, which its not. It was very lumpy, the Leon is firm but far better controlled.

Leon here we come!

 

[FerrariStu]

Well been for a spin in the Civic today and not that impressed. Engine is very smooth, power delivery very linear, but the rush of torque in the VW PD engines makes them feel faster. The dash used higher quality materials, but not a fan of the 80s digital speedo. Handling not a patch on the Leon, that would be acceptable if the ride is good, which its not. It was very lumpy, the Leon is firm but far better controlled.

Leon here we come!