SEAT Leon PHEV 204hp test drive with 10 unusual facts about real-world use
There's some information in the spec sheet… but the fun part is how unusual it is in real-world use. And you're going to be blown away by several things. I'm Nacho Torres, a journalist specializing in motoring, and in this video, I'll tell you about some little-known details of the Leon ST PHEV: things that affect how it starts, how it decelerates, how it handles downhill, how to park it on a hill, and how to configure it for low fuel consumption.
To quickly get our bearings (the basics): it's 4.64 m long, a 5-seater family car, starts at around €38,000, has 204 hp, a 25 kWh gross battery, a homologated range of 131 km, and charges up to 50 kW DC and 11 kW AC. The trunk space drops from 620 to 470 liters due to the hybrid system, and the fuel tank capacity is 40 liters.
And now for the interesting part:
You can't start it if the high-voltage battery is "frozen" (extreme cold).
* It doesn't coast like other cars: the system prioritizes energy recuperation.
Simple trick: manually shift to Neutral (N) to let it coast further downhill.
The amount of regenerative braking varies depending on the mode… and also on the battery charge.
It doesn't have a "classic" Start-Stop system.
If you forget to turn it off, it may shut down automatically.
On hills: better to use the handbrake than Park (correct order).
Puddles and fording: yes, but only small ones (conservative limit).
Note: don't restart it immediately after stopping.
Fuel-efficient setup: Efficiency Assist + ECO + Drive + Regenerative Braking in Auto mode.
You can continue in electric mode even if you run out of fuel, with limited power. If you're looking for "SEAT Leon ST PHEV", "Leon ST eHybrid 204", "131 km", "50 kW charging", "N trick", "no coasting", "energy deceleration", "P on hills", here's a simple and straightforward explanation. Continued in the comments.
#SEATLeon #LeonST #PHEV #eHybrid #PlugInHybrid #Cars #FastCharging
Episodes
0:00 10+1 things they haven't told you about the Leon ST PHEV
0:20 Introduction and why it's worth watching the ending
0:35 Quick specs: 204 hp, 25 kWh, 131 km range and 50 kW charging
1:20 Won't start in freezing temperatures: what it means
1:55 Won't coast: why it happens
2:25 "N" trick: how to do it and what you gain
2:45 Regeneration: it changes depending on load and mode
3:15 There's no "classic" Start-Stop
3:40 If you forget, it can turn off by itself
4:05 Parking brake on a hill: the correct order with the handbrake
4:50 Puddles and fording: limits and practical advice
5:25 Don't start immediately after stopping: Wait a few seconds
5:50 Fuel-efficient setup: ECO + efficiency + Auto recovery
6:20 Electric without gasoline: yes, but with limited power
6:50 Closing: summary and we'll continue in the comments
7:20 End
Nacho Torres “Volante” is a motoring journalism channel with over 15 years on YouTube and 25 years of experience in the specialized press. Here you'll find car reviews, comparisons of new cars, analyses of compact and family SUVs, and everything related to electric, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid cars.
We talk about cars, driving, and how mobility is changing in Spain, Europe, and the world. And I do it with the intention that everyone who comes here can understand, whether they know about cars or not.
Always with journalistic rigor and clear data, and I try to do it with good humor, so you can draw your own conclusions behind the wheel.
Nacho Torres Volante: journalism, sweat, and soul.