After starting life as a nameplate for hot SEAT models, Cupra is now a brand in its own right. Its Leon model is a hot-hatch rival to the likes of the VW Golf GTI and Ford’s Focus ST. And it’s more than a match for these formidable cars, offering a composed drive, a high-quality cabin and a variety of powertrains, including an efficient plug-in hybrid alongside powerful petrol engines.
Varied engine range.
Great to drive.
Stylish looks.
Despite its sports-car-like performance, the Cupra Leon retains the practicality of the regular SEAT Leon. It’s 50mm longer, which makes a difference when it comes to rear knee room. And headroom is plentiful, too – although the large gearbox tunnel makes it a tight fit for 3 adults on the rear bench. The estate is the most practical, with 620 litres of boot space – a vast increase over the 380 litres in the hatchback. Go for either of the eHybrid models, and you get less storage space due to the battery being mounted under the boot floor, the figures falling to 270 litres in the hatchback and 470 litres in the estate. A useful 60/40 split-folding rear seat is standard on all models.
All versions get an excellent array of interior storage dotted around the interior, with good-sized door bins, a large glovebox, a big centre console storage box, and 2 cupholders.
While fuel economy may not be a massive priority for hot-hatch drivers, there are still some options to choose from to make the Cupra Leon relatively efficient. The engine line-up is straightforward, with a choice of plug-in hybrid power or regular petrol engines.
The eHybrid 245hp plug-in model offers the best balance between efficiency and performance. This uses a small battery, giving a pure-electric range of around 30 miles. Combined fuel economy ranges from 188.3 to 217.3mpg, although, when the battery is depleted, economy of around 50mpg is likely. Charging the battery is easy, with a full top-up taking around 5 hours when connected to a home wallbox.
By comparison, the regular petrol engine models are less efficient, with the 245hp and 300hp hatchback models returning up to 39.2mpg and 37.2mpg respectively. At the top of the range, the more powerful 310hp estate has 4-wheel drive, which impacts economy slightly, returning up to 34.4mpg.
The closest rivals to the Cupra Leon are the Volkswagen Golf R and Golf GTI models – a pairing that’s raised the benchmark for rapid family cars in the past decade. Other hot-hatch competitors include the Skoda Octavia vRS and Ford Focus ST, with both offering a slightly different take on the genre.
Even though the Cupra Leon lacks the straight-line pace of the Golf R, we’d say it’s as good to drive as its VW Group cousins, also edging out the slower Skoda and Ford for thrills. It also has a unique exterior design, a more comprehensive range of petrol and plug-in hybrid powertrains, and its interior holds its own against the high-tech VW.
As a VW Group model, the Cupra Leon shares several parts with the VW Golf, Skoda Octavia and the regular SEAT Leon, meaning it should be tried and tested when it comes to reliability. Every Cupra Leon comes with a 3-year/60,000-mile warranty as standard. The eHybrid PHEV models have an 8-year/100,000-mile battery coverage in addition to the standard warranty.
The Cupra Leon 245 and 300 hatchback models have a 380-litre boot, while the eHybrid has a 270-litre boot. In the Cupra Leon Estate, the 310 model has a 620-litre boot, with the eHybrid offering 470 litres of storage space.
Entry-level VZ1 grade is only available in the 5-door hatchback body style, while the higher-spec VZ2 and VZ3 trims can be specced in both hatchback and estate body styles.
All versions of the Cupra Leon have front and rear parking sensors, and a rear-view camera as standard.
The Cupra Leon has a large interior that’s comparable to its rivals and features a number of practical storage bins. The regular non-hybrid hatchback and estate versions offer a similar sized boot to rivals.
You’ll find the best Cupra Leon lease deals at Vanarama at a fantastic price with no hidden fees. You can also enjoy free 30-day returns if you’re not completely satisfied with your new vehicle.
If you’re still unsure, get in touch with one of our friendly team of advisors for more information about leasing a Cupra Leon or take a look at our excellent Trustpilot reviews!
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