Introduction
It hasn’t taken long for Cupra to become a serious player in the car market, with models like the Formentor and Born being well-received and selling well. But we shouldn’t forget about Cupra’s more core vehicles – namely the Leon.
It’s a model that continues to be sold as a Seat first and foremost (unlike the Formentor and Born which are only sold as Cupras), but this Spanish performance brand livens up the driving experience and gives it a much sportier look inside and out.
It competes in the popular family hatchback class against models like the BMW 1 Series and Volkswagen Golf, but does it have what it to takes to eclipse cars like those? Let’s find out.
Performance
Cupra has broadened the Leon range significantly recently, with the model available with a broad choice of petrol engines, as well as hybrid versions. All are front-wheel-drive too.
Kicking off the Leon line-up is an engine that’s found in the Seat-badged model – a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol producing 148bhp. You can have it with a six-speed manual too (the only Leon available as such), as well as an automatic gearbox that’s commonplace in every other version. If you want sporty looks but don’t need the performance, this model is worth looking at.
The rest of the straight petrol line-up all use 2.0-litre petrol engines, with outputs of 187bhp, 242bhp and 296bhp all on offer. The latter is the quickest model on offer, managing 0-60mph in just 5.5 seconds.
There is also a plug-in hybrid model that pairs a 1.4-litre petrol engine with an electric motor for a combined 242bhp. With a 0-60mph time of 6.5 times, it’s the second fastest model on offer, yet is also able to travel up to a claimed 36 miles on electricity alone.
Ride and handling
From the offset, the Leon feels noticeably sporty. You sit nice and low in the sculpted seats, while there’s plenty of adjustment on offer so that even taller drivers will be able to get comfortable. It sticks to the road well with plenty of grip, while feeling especially agile through the bends. There’s quite a difference in feel between the engines, though, and if you value sporty thrills, it has to be the flagship 296bhp model that gets our vote.
In day-to-day driving, the Leon is slightly compromised, however. The ride is firm bordering on brittle, and some might find it a bit uncomfortable. You can get adaptive dampers as part of the Dynamic Chassis Control package, but this is only fitted to high-spec VZ2 and VZ3 cars, and is not available as an option on other models unfortunately.
Interior
The Cupra Leon gets an especially modern interior, with all versions including a large central touchscreen that dominates the cabin. It looks great, but isn’t the most intuitive as virtually all physical buttons have been removed in place of the screen – even the climate settings.
The rest of the cabin is smart, however, with copper detailing helping to lift the look, while the quality is good throughout. It’s also practical and would make a great small family car; there’s plenty of room for passengers in the rear seats, while the 380-litre boot is a respectable size.
Equipment
Cupra offers the Leon in four trim levels, though even the entry-level V1 model comes with plenty of equipment. Highlights include 18-unch alloy wheels, full LED lighting and a 12-inch touchscreen. The VZ1 model brings wraparound interior lighting on top of that, but the spec is very similar.
Upgrading to the VZ2 adds 19-inch alloy wheels, dynamic chassis control and an extended safety package, including blind spot monitoring and high beam assist. At the top of the line-up, the VZ3 comes with Matrix LED headlights, electric front seats and leather upholstery.
Cost
Prices for the Cupra Leon vary significantly depending on the model you choose. The entry-level 1.5-litre model is available from £29,915, but this is several thousand pounds more than the Seat-badged model with the same engine.
Instead, the Leon makes sense as you go up the line-up, with the 242bhp model available from a respectable £33,915, around £4,000 less than a Volkswagen Golf GTI with the same engine. Even the £37,425 model is decent value compared to the latest breed of hot hatchbacks.
Verdict
The Cupra Leon shows that this firm hasn’t forgotten about its original ‘core’ models, as this is a fun hatchback that looks the part with its sportier treatment.
It’s a car that makes the most sense with more powerful engines, however, as if you opt for the entry-level engines you would likely be much better off choosing them with a Seat badge on instead and saving yourself money in the process.
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