The Spanish division of SEAT, which until a year ago was supposed to fade away in favour of CUPRA, is alive and kicking—and it is revealing what it plans for the Ibiza, Arona, Leon, but probably not the Ateca.
Two years ago the management of Volkswagen Group surprised the automotive world by announcing that in light of CUPRA’s success with its more expensive and more profitable models, investment in developing new models for SEAT would cease, with its production gradually fading away and its focus shifting to shared-mobility vehicles.
The declaration surprised the automotive industry, given the success of the Spanish company and its large, loyal customer base. It was mainly the result of the complex internal politics within the German conglomerate, which required another year before it reversed course and announced last year that SEAT would continue to manufacture cars throughout the coming decade, alongside CUPRA, which remains under its responsibility.
Now further details are emerging, and they reveal that SEAT will not only survive until the end of the internal-combustion-engine era, but will also enter the electric-vehicle market—though only at the beginning of the next decade.
The first update will come in the form of further facelifts for the Ibiza and Arona, which will arrive locally (in Israel) in their updated versions in early 2026. A year later they will receive for the first time also mild-hybrid powertrains, more economical and less polluting.
The compact SEAT Leon will get its first full-hybrid version in 2028, based on a powertrain that will be presented earlier in the new Volkswagen T‑Rock, signifying a shift in the German group’s approach—until now it has avoided the kinds of powertrains that became hits at Toyota, Hyundai, Kia and other manufacturers. In 2029 a new Leon will be launched.
After 2030 an electric Leon will be launched, based on the forthcoming electric Volkswagen ID. Golf, to be sold under the CUPRA brand and probably also under the SEAT badge.
What is not in the long-term plans is the crossover Ateca, the twin of the Škoda Karoq. Meanwhile Škoda is producing both (Ateca and Karoq) in parallel with the electric Škoda Elroq, which is supposed to subsequently take their place.
SEAT itself will be repositioned as an “entry” brand within the Volkswagen Group, a role formerly filled by Škoda—but with a different range of models and marketing aimed at a different audience than Škoda’s more mature buyer.