SEAT outlines its future with updated Ibiza, Arona and a new Leon

SEAT’s future has been questioned in recent years. While its parent company, SEAT S.A., has concentrated on expanding CUPRA, the Spanish marque is now showing fresh signs of momentum, with a new role within the Volkswagen Group and several forthcoming developments.

“SEAT remains a key pillar of the Volkswagen Group,” said Sven Schuwirth, sales and marketing director. “It is the group’s entry-level brand, designed to appeal to younger customers as well as more mature generations. We will cover more entry-level segments and offer lower purchase prices.”

This represents an intriguing repositioning for the marque, as Skoda appeared to have been earmarked for that role for a long time. SEAT will now focus on the lower segments - while Skoda currently has a strong foothold in the mid-range market - and CUPRA will serve the segments above them.

Updated SEAT Ibiza and Arona, new Leon in 2029

With this in mind, SEAT has confirmed several developments for the coming years. The first will be updated versions of the Ibiza and Arona - originally expected last year - which will introduce styling revisions and, for the first time, a 48 V mild-hybrid powertrain.

It remains to be confirmed whether SEAT will select the four-cylinder 1.5 eTSI already used in the Leon, or bring back the three-cylinder 1.0 eTSI, which has powered several Volkswagen Group models, including the Golf.

The current Leon generation, introduced in 2020, will remain on sale for several more years, with a new generation due in 2029. Before then, however, the existing Leon will gain a new plug-free hybrid, or full-hybrid, version in 2028.

SEAT Leon full hybrid and future SSP platform

This is the same hybrid system set to debut in the new Volkswagen T-Roc next year. It pairs a 1.5 TSI petrol engine with an electric motor, and will be offered in two power outputs: 136 hp and 170 hp.

Little to nothing is known about the next-generation Leon. It is expected to use the Volkswagen Group’s new SSP (Scalable Systems Platform), which will also underpin the future all-electric Volkswagen Golf and T-Roc. However, the new electric Golf, originally also scheduled for 2029, has been delayed.

Even if it adopts the SSP - initially intended to replace every electric-car platform within the Volkswagen Group - that does not mean the future Leon will be exclusively electric. A recent development will enable the SSP to accommodate combustion engines as well.

No replacement confirmed for the Ateca or electric SEAT models

The Ateca, the oldest model still sold by the brand, was absent from these announcements. The SUV, launched in 2016, is no longer available from CUPRA, and there is no indication that SEAT will introduce a replacement.

All-electric models were also left out. SEAT is now one of the few brands without a fully electric model in its line-up, if CUPRA is excluded. This is expected to remain the case over the next few years, until the arrival of the next-generation Leon.

According to Markus Haupt, SEAT’s chief executive, speaking at the 2025 Munich Motor Show, there is currently no viable way to offer a SEAT on an electric platform profitably.