Ford Focus Black Edition vs Seat Leon FR

Can Ford’s racy-looking Focus special edition challenge the Seat’s warm-hatch Leon FR?

23 September 2016

Warm hatchbacks provide most of the looks and excitement of a full-fat hot hatch, but add in lower prices and cheaper running costs to significantly broaden their appeal. And two key players in the family-sized hot hatch sector, Ford and Seat, are also well-represented in the warm hatch market too.

The Ford Focus Black Edition is a special-run model with bold looks and punchy-sounding 180bhp 1.5-litre turbo engine. Its Seat-badged arch-rival is the Leon FR, which has subtler looks and a slightly less powerful engine, but aces the Ford for engine capacity – and the Seat’s sporty appeal continues when you get behind the wheel.

Because it has more pulling power, the Leon delivers a convincing hot hatch experience in the mid-range, and always feels more eager than the Ford. The Focus’ 300cc capacity deficit really shows on the road – and also against the clock, with the Leon accelerating from 0-62mph in 7.9 seconds, compared to the Focus’ 9.3 seconds.

Simply put, you have to rev and work the Ford, hard. This is tiring – hot hatch wannabes should have more in reserve than this. The sole consolation is average True MPG economy around 2mpg better than the Seat.

What both do well is handle like convincing hot hatches. They both have the expected firm ride, of course, but the benefit is firm, poised handling with taut body control and a fun eagerness through the corners.

But again, it’s the Seat that gets the nod. The Focus is an acknowledged driver’s car, yet the Leon handles every bit as well, boasting better front-end grip and more natural steering for added measure.

It’s nicer inside as well. The more modern-looking Leon cabin is roomier and more practical, more comfortable for passengers and easier for the driver to use. The controls are clearer and, although still not brilliant, the infotainment system is better than the Ford’s. Yes, the Focus has a good driving position, but it’s not enough to stop it showing its age.

Given all this, it’s a surprise to discover the Ford has the higher list price, although our research suggests haggling will soon have them on a level-pegging. But even then, you’ll again be surprised to find it’s the Seat that’s the better-equipped car, whose value is further enhanced by the optional Technology Pack which adds climate control, parking sensors and other goodies.

The Focus is a little cheaper to tax and run than the Leon, and leasing costs will be a bit more attractive, but we don’t think it’s enough. The Seat Leon FR is our pick of the warm hatches here: it’s talents are broader, it’s more practical, better value and, most importantly, more fun to drive than the Ford.

However, an even smarter buy would be to ignore both of these cars and shop a little further down the model range. Choose the Ford Focus 1.5T 150 ST-Line or the Seat Leon 1.4 TSI 150 FR and you’ll have two cars that are just as much fun but save you even more cash over a full-fat hot hatch.

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