Efficiency is a key consideration for any sensible company car choice, not least because it impacts the benefit-in-kind tax payable on a vehicle.

Plug-in hybrids, like our Leon, offer a balance of practicality and efficiency by combining a zero-emission capability with the long-range comfort of an internal combustion engine.

The Leon uses a modest 1.4-litre petrol until, helped by a turbocharger, which produces a not insignificant 204PS when boosted by the car’s hybrid motor.

Over the last few months we’ve been tracking the car’s fuel consumption and electric range to understand its capability in the real-world.

The Leon’s official WLTP electric range is 39 miles. We’ve been getting closer to 29, although in the coldest winter months that dropped to around 20.

Each time to drive the Leon it reverts to EV Mode, where the electric motor is used to propel the car. It gives enough power to keep up with traffic. The motor on its own develops 115PS, which is enough to reach motorway speeds. Once the state of charge reaches a critical level, the car automatically powers up the petrol engine.

If you switch the car to Hybrid mode, it uses a combination of the electric motor and petrol engine to provide drive. Here you get the full 204PS.

Within the Leon’s infotainment system there’s the option to ‘hold’ the charge level. This can be used, for example, on longer journeys if the driver wants to retain their electric range for an urban environment. If you use the car’s built-in sat-nav, it manages the use of petrol and electricity automatically.

There’s another option within the Leon’s various drive configurations. Sport mode. Activated using the car’s gear selector, the Sport mode keeps the engine running permanently, charging the battery and providing maximum power. The car is notably more responsive in this setting, but also the least efficient.

We’ve mainly been using Hybrid mode as it suits our journey profile best.

To date the car’s average fuel consumption is sitting at 47mpg. It’s pretty impressive, although quite a long way from the 252mpg official WLTP figure.

Real-world experiences differ from driver-to-driver. If I use the car solely for commuting to the Fleet News office from my house, I can comfortably complete the journey in EV mode and never use a drop of fuel.

Once you hit the motorway for lengthy journeys and the battery level is depleted, the petrol engine is still capable of returning more than 40mpg. It also keeps a small reserve of power in the battery for creeping in stop-start traffic or for short bursts of acceleration.

Charging the Leon’s battery takes around four hours, which is fine if you’re leaving it overnight or in an office car park. The car can only charge at speeds up to 3.6kW, which is a little frustrating if you’re only stopping for an hour of two. There’s no CCS rapid charging ability, either, so you’re limited to just slow public chargers.

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An easy car to recommend

The Leon has become an unofficial pool car in the Fleet News office these last few weeks. Not more than a few days pass before someone is pestering me for the keys.

The reason? Its plug-in hybrid petrol engine. With most of the team now driving electric cars daily, for trips that are longer, or where recharging can be inconvenient, the Leon’s long range and rapid refuelling capability have made it a hot commodity.

It's a practical and family friendly car too. Passenger space is generous, front and rear. The front seats are particularly supportive for long-distance comfort.

The boot is wide but not very deep, as a result of the car’s battery pack, there’s 270 litres of space. It’s not class-leading, but more than adequate for a weekly shop or a trip to the tip.

As an everyday car, then, the Leon ticks a lot of boxes.

That’s a big reason why it’s always my go-to recommendation when people ask me for car buying advice.

A number of friends have opted for Leons as a result and the feedback – as it has been from the Fleet News team – is always glowing.

With modern and attractive styling, a reasonable level of standard kit and great driving dynamics, once you factor in the Leon’s low running costs it’s a clear frontrunner.

Sitting in the 12% benefit-in-kind tax band, company car tax for the Leon eHybrid FR costs £72 per month for a 20% taxpayer.

From the entry-level petrol models, up to the high performance Cupra versions, there’s a Leon to suit all tastes. And we can’t forget the Estate, which is exceedingly practical.

Stepping up to the Cupra-badged Leon eHybrid brings more power, sportier styling and a greater level of kit. We’ve tested one previously and you can read more about it here.

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Seat Leon FR eHybrid joins our fleet

I’ve got a bit of a soft-spot for the Seat Leon. When I joined Fleet News, in 2016, I was given the keys to one as my first long-term test car. Back then, the 1.6-litre diesel model was the weapon of choice for fleet customers.

That car served me well and, in fact, I recently received an email from its subsequent owner to say it had made it to 180,000 miles. Quite an achievement.

In 2024, the Leon is quite a bit different to ‘my’ old model. It entered its fourth-generation in 2021, moving to a new platform, which brought the option of more advanced technology and new powertrains.

The car we have on test now is a Leon eHybrid. The plug-in hybrid powertrain uses a 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine, which is paired with an electric motor. The engine is commonly used across the VW Group stable, including in the Audi A3 and VW Golf.

CO2 emissions are just 25g/km, meaning the Leon eHybrid attracts a 12% benefit-in-kind tax rate. The car also develops 205PS, which is almost double what ‘my’ old diesel produced.

As a result, the Leon eHybrid can accelerate from 0-62 mph in just 7.5 seconds. Impressive, for a mid-range hatchback.

And because the Leon is a plug-in hybrid it also has the capability to travel on pure electric power. Its 13kWh battery can hold enough juice to cover around 30 miles, or the battery power can be used in conjunction with the petrol engine to improve performance and efficiency.

Official fuel consumption figures suggest more than 200mpg can be achieved. We’ll assess how realistic that is over the coming months.

The Leon eHybrid is available in FR or FR Sport trim levels. In order to simplify ordering and production, Seat doesn’t have pages of options. So, you pretty much just pick a colour.

Our test car is an FR, finished in Nevada White. It comes with a decent array of equipment for £36,110. The standard specification includes 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, front and rear parking sensors, a reversing camera and three-zone climate control.

The Leon’s dashboard is centred around a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which includes sat-nav, DAB radio, Bluetooth and smartphone connectivity via Apple Car Play and Android Auto.