As clearly stated, the Toledo was considered to be a serious rival to a modest
Ibiza and
more so to a small-engined Leon hatch for at least one genuine customer....
The 'SEAT DNA' thing I would have thought most would see as typical car makers' marketing
BS to
help with their advertising.
Last time I looked most of the SEAT range is made-up of barely re-styled VAG bodyshells,
sharing as many engine/drivetrain and other parts as they think they can get away with.
As it goes, it was I who steered Father towards the Leon, (although not the version that he
eventually bought) but we both liked the looks of the Toledo Xcellence in the showroom.
The inside trim also impressed with the leather(ish) seat trim - if not so much the plastics,
some of which are dated in execution compared to the Leon.
Although different, it didn't present itself as being obviously inferior. It looked the part and
even had a newer design, (if maybe not a better) 1.0 engine fitted compared to the 1.2 Leon.
The screen price and technical specs as detailed on the car were also very similar.
Doubtless a test drive would have revealed not-so-welcome differences, but it never got that far.
Point is most customers of cars in this class/price range do not know or care about the platform,
how old it is or things like the finer details of suspension design. Either they like what they see
and are satisfied enough with the way the thing drives and rides or are not.
For many trading-in a typical modest half-worn car over 6 years old or so a new Toledo will feel
like an improvement anyway, even if not as good as it could/should be.
Most are not going to drive one hard enough to find-out the chassis' limitations, as indeed Father
is never going to find-out just how much his Leon is capable of.
Most on this forum a car-savvy enough to know about more in-depth details and they are important.
These are lost on though on so many customers that just look at what's presented in front of them.
Father only started to twig the Toledo was pitched
lower in the range than the Leon when he was
told of the limited (
lower-power) engine range and the comparative lack of other options.