'That car,’ muttered a mate of mine hyperbolically, ‘is the noisiest diesel I’ve ever heard.’ It’s not, of course, not whilst the world still has dumper trucks, but it is fair to say that the Leon is also far from the world’s smoothest TDI. It’s at its worst from cold, when it chugs so much that the middle of the dash chatters, slightly undermining the SEAT’s otherwise impressive sense of tightly wound toughness. However, once it’s warmed through I find the stereo is more than good enough to drown out most of the engine’s oily garglings. Well, that and the huge roar from those fat tyres.

Road noise is clearly not a strong point with the Dunlop SP Sport Maxx rubber, and although grip is impressive in both the dry and during slashing rain, it’s notably weak when it comes to the damp grease-rinks that thrive in British winters. Happily, the Leon usually lets go in neat little four-wheel drifts rather than understeering helplessly through a farm gate, which says something about the subtle polish of the chassis.

I’m particularly fond of the ride, which manages to be firm without that painful over-stiffness which infests some Audis, meaning the SEAT feels planted and dynamic without being utterly uncomfortable day-to-day. Although, as my mate says, it can be rather noisy.