Cupra Leon Review 2024
Written by Phill Tromans
Quick overview
Pros
- Mature styling
- Extremely quick, but approachable
- No trouble handling the everyday grind
Cons
- A little bit of rawness wouldn't go a miss
- Infotainment's more fiddly than a symphony orchestra
- Cupra? What's that then
Overall verdict on the Cupra Leon
"The Cupra Leon is an unassuming hot hatch that's also available in extra-practical estate form. It's the antithesis of the overblown big-winged in your face look like the Honda Civic Type R. Instead the Cupra Leon is adept at disguising its penchant for dispatching twisting country roads. If you want subtlety, this is where to look."
Once you've taken in the quad exhausts and big wheels, not much about the Cupra Leon screams (very) hot hatch. Even the name is a relative unknown. Cupra, previously the badge given to sporty SEATs, is now ploughing its own furrow in the shape of models like the impressive Cupra Formentor SUV. So is this worth choosing over say a Volkswagen Golf GTI? Find out in our Cupra Leon review.
That's not to say Cupra has taken everything it's learnt from the VW Group and chucked it in the bin. This is immediately evident not just from the sombre styling (well, it's not done the Volkswagen Golf GTI any harm), but also from the interior, where the Cupra favours decent quality over go faster chintz.
Unfortunately, you also get the same infotainment screen found in a Golf GTI Clubsport, so it is colourful, sharp and (mostly) responsive, but also a massive pain in the neck to use thanks to its bewildering number of menus and sub menus.
Points are won back by the packaging of the cabin. It isn't the biggest car in its class – a Honda Civic Type R has more rear legroom and a larger boot – but it does well with the space it does have. Four tall adults fit inside just fine, there's lots of space for smaller oddments and the boot is a practical, square shape.
This everyday usability is also ingrained into the way the Cupra Leon drives. It's easy to get yourself sat comfortably behind the wheel, the pedals are well spaced and the controls well weighted. It's a simple car to drive about town and quiet on the motorway, it avoids the rock-hard ride that some hot hatches suffer from.
It's enough to make you think the Leon could be little bit toothless, but nothing could be further from the truth. The 300PS model – there's another 2.0-litre petrol and a few powerful plug-in hybrid options – lunges forwards with infectious energy, but it's its linearity that's key, giving the Leon strong performance from the get-go. Others, like the Honda Civic Type R, are quicker outright, but need to be kept on the boil.
That said, the 2024 facelift to the Cupra Leon brought with it another 2.0-litre option, this time with 333PS, although it's only available in the Leon Estate. We've not tried it yet, but it should add extra zing. The update also brought a new generation of plug-in hybrid tech, available in a couple of flavours, but more on that later.
Lower-powered models come with a manual gearbox, but more powerful versions have a seven-speed DSG gearbox, which is a perfect match. It shifts through the gears quickly and smoothly, with minimum fuss and only a little bark from the exhaust when you change gear at the red line.
It's the Leon's handling that is most notable. Its steering is sharp and backed up by loads of front end grip, both heading in and powering out of corners. The rear end, meanwhile, is mobile yet controllable in a way that makes this quick car feel very approachable. These mild manners do mean the Cupra does without some of the character you'll find elsewhere.
It's the Cupra Leon's ability to be an easy-to-live-with hot hatch, before transforming into a bit of a loony that makes it such an intriguing character. Underestimate it at your peril.
Looking for a used car for sale? We've got 100s of Cupra Approved Used Cars for Sale, for you to choose from, including a wide range of Cupra Leon cars for sale.
Is the Cupra Leon right for you?
If you're after a hot hatch that looks reasonably sensible but is extremely quick and has an approachable fun side that's only too happy be unlocked, the Cupra Leon is the car for you. It combines this with an interior that's reasonably spacious and well designed, even if it lacks the go-faster goodies you get in some rivals. If you're also after a stylish, practical and very fast estate car, then the Cupra Leon Estate should be near the top of your shortlist.
What other cars are similar to the Cupra Leon?
Let's just say you have plenty of options. Even before we look out-with the VW Group stable, there's the slower-but-more-practical Skoda Octavia vRS, near-identical-but-posher Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport and even-posher-still Audi S3.
Stray further afield and you'll find cars like the crazed banshee that is the Honda Civic Type R and flawed but likeable machine that is the Renault Megane R.S. 300. We also like Ford's Focus ST, another great everyday hot hatch, while you can also pick from posh German metal like the front-wheel drive BMW 128ti and four-wheel drive Mercedes-AMG A35.
Comfort and design: Cupra Leon interior
"Ever peered down the business end of a black hole as it sucks neighbouring galaxies into the abyss? Nope, us neither. If we had however, we suspect it would look something like the view you get when sitting in the driver's seat of a Cupra Leon."
Yes readers, there's quite a lot of black plastic in there and while Cupra has sprinkled some bronze trims about the place, it's not enough to raise the ambience above sombre.
At the other end of the spectrum, a Honda Civic Type has more red sprayed about the place than a poultry slaughterhouse in the run up to Christmas, a pair of seats that look like they've been nicked from a touring car and a lovely metal gear shift knob. It's the definition of sporting intent.
Meanwhile, the aluminium paddles you get in the Megane R.S. 300 make the plastic ears behind the Cupra Leon's steering wheel feel cheap and nasty.
Post-2024 facelift cars get a lightly overhauled interior with redesigned materials, but the main change is a larger infotainment screen.
Quality and finish
Interior quality on many new cars seems to have taken a jab in the ribs as manufacturing spend is channelled towards ever bigger infotainment screens and it's a phenomenon the Cupra Leon is not immune to – as the chocolate-tray plastic used for the centre console so ably demonstrates.
Everywhere else, though, it's pretty decent with soft, squidgy plastics for the places your fingers are most likely to stray, including the tops of the front door cards and the dashboard. It's got both the Honda Civic Type R and the Renault Megane R.S.300 convincingly beaten in this department.
Infotainment: Touchscreen, USB, nav and stereo in the Cupra Leon
Cupra hasn't just unscrewed the infotainment screen from a SEAT Leon and stuck it in their... Oh, actually, that's exactly what it's done. Ah well, in fairness it's updated the graphics to show a Cupra Leon when you fiddle with the many setup options. Early Leons had a 10.0-inch screen in the centre of the dash, but the 2024 facelift saw that increased to a 12.9-inch unit.
There's not much original to say from there. As has been noted more than once, the screen is colourful and responsive, but also distractingly fiddly when you're trying to use it on the move. Thankfully, it comes fitted with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (wireless, post-facelift) and we'd revert to using these smartphone-screen-mirroring apps wherever possible.
That said, sat-nav with a 10-year subscription comes as standard so it can route around congestion and be reached using an app on your phone to check things like remaining fuel. One of the bonuses of using SEAT's sat-nav is that you can punch up its maps on the standard digital instrument binnacle behind the steering wheel.
Space and practicality: Cupra Leon boot space
The Cupra Leon is a Volkswagen Golf at heart, which means it is very practical for its size. It measures 4398mm long, 1992mm wide (including mirrors) and 1444mm tall.
There's more than enough room for tall adults in the front and if you scan around the cabin you'll find there's a specific storage space for almost everything – be it your smartphone, wallet, bottle of water or sunglasses, the Leon can store it. Even in the back seats, there's enough storage to keep a football team hydrated and you get your own air vent and temperature control.
Passenger space is decent even for tall adults sitting behind someone else who is tall and the middle seat is more accommodating than most. You also get three ISOFIX points, one on the front passenger seat and two in the back.
While the Cupra is based on a Volkswagen Golf – but like-for-like is cheaper – sometimes it's easy to see where the money has been saved and one of those places is in the boot. Sure, it's a nice square shape and a decent size (at 380 litres) but it misses out on the handy features you get in a VW. If the idea of an adjustable boot floor and shopping hooks gets you reaching for a car brochure, you'd best make sure it is for a Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport.
Handling and ride quality: What is the Cupra Leon like to drive?
"The Cupra Leon does an excellent job of pretending to be a conservative, everyday, boring hot hatch but peel away the veneer and you'll find it's a serious piece of kit."
Bar the fiddly infotainment screen, there's very little about the Cupra Leon that will get your back up. We've only driven cars fitted with the Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) which offers a wide range of damper settings between Comfort and Sport and in the loosest of those settings the Cupra rides better than most family hatchbacks.
It's comfortable in town and – with front and rear parking sensors plus a reversing camera coming as standard – it's easy to park, too. The PHEV is the model to choose if you'll do lots of driving in town because its EV mode is so quiet and relaxing and its regenerative brakes mean you barely have to press the middle pedal. Across the range, the DSG gearbox has also been improved, it now crawls forwards and backwards solving the jerkiness that used to be an issue when manoeuvring at low speeds.
At higher speeds the news is also positive. On DCC at least, the Cupra rides very comfortably and the cabin is quiet inside. If you spend lots of time the motorway then you're as well going for VZ2 trim or above which adds active cruise control and a blind-spot warning system.
If motorway drivings all you'll do though, you'll be as well choosing a diesel but, its on the twist and turns of your favourite country road where the Cupra Leon comes alive. The 300PS model is the car we spent the most time in and its steering is quick and accurate and while it doesn't have the superhero feel of the Honda Civic Type R's steering, it gets close.
It pulls back some ground on the Honda when it comes to agility. Considering how sensible it feels at normal speed, the Cupra Leon is only too happy to adjust its heading mid-corner with a lift of the throttle (and the resulting twitch of its back end couldn't be easier to control). Compare that to the Renault Megane R.S. 300 which demands serious concentration.
The Cupra Leon is also more resilient on corner exit than the Megane, thanks to its grip-finding limited-slip differential (LSD), with no LSD the Renault tends to send you down the road pinball hunting out cambers.
You might find that unruly behaviour exciting or you may have pangs for the way the Civic Type R ruthlessly dissects a road at devastating speed. But if you want a car that's quicker than the Renault and more playful than the Honda, the Cupra Leon could be the hot hatch for you.
What engines and gearboxes are available in the Cupra Leon?
Pre-facelift Cupra Leons were available with a choice of three engines – a 245PS 1.4-litre four-cylinder plug-in hybrid, or two 2.0-litre four-cylinders with 245 or 300PS.
The 2024 facelift saw an overhaul to the engine line-up, with a few tweaks – a new 1.5-litre entry-level petrol engine with 150PS, another 1.5, 150PS petrol option with the same power but an added mild-hybrid system, an upgraded 1.5-litre plug-in hybrid system with 204PS or 272PS and, in the Leon Estate, a more powerful 2.0-litre petrol engine option with 333PS.
Let's get the boring bit out the way first. The hybrid's ability to travel for up to 34 miles (pre-facelift) or ore than 70 miles (post-facelift) on battery power means it could save you a fortune if you have a short commute and somewhere to charge it. We've yet to try the post-facelift 1.5-litre version, but the earlier 1.4 is much more usable than PHEVs of old, happily accelerating up to motorway speeds without sipping an ounce of petrol.
But it's not a true hot hatch. Its delayed response when you demand instant acceleration is a clear sign there's still work to be done making the petrol engine and electric motor work in harmony. The encouraging figures – 0-62mph in 6.7 seconds and a top speed of 140mph – are a contrast to how it actually feels on the road.
The revised PHEVs should help that. With two versions, one with 204PS and one with 272PS, they offer extra power and double the electric range of the initial PHEV.
The pre-facelift 245PS petrol posts 0-62mph in 6.4 seconds and hits 155mph flat out, while post-facelift cars give you the choice of a more sedate 150PS petrol engine, with or without a mild-hybrid system – the non-mild-hybrid has a manual gearbox, while adding the system gives you an automatic.
For the full Cupra experience, we'd seek out the 300PS model which has enough power on tap to get this hot hatch really motoring. What's most impressive is how well behaved the Leon is at laying down its speed, all its 400Nm of torque is available from just 2000rpm and you can ride that wave almost to the rev limiter.
It helps that power is sent to the front wheels by one of the best twin-clutch gearboxes available in the VW Group. Its changes are smooth, slick and quick, although it would be nice if it held onto gears in manual mode rather than kicking down when it thinks you want maximum acceleration. How quick? It'll do 0-62mph in 5.7 seconds and tops out at 155mph, however its mid-range is explosive, allowing the Cupra to make short work of A and B road overtakes.
Bad stuff? Well, we could play devil's advocate and say the Leon's powertrain is too good. It's linear power lacks the thumping punch you get from a Honda Civic Type R, you don't get the same guttural coughs and splutters as in the Renault Megane R.S. 300 and the Cupra doesn't it bang through its gears with quite the same venom.
For even more power, you'll have to go for the Cupra Leon Estate, which ditches the front-wheel-drive 300PS setup for a four-wheel-drive version with 333PS. Extra speed and more space to carry stuff? We've yet to try this post-facelift model, but we love the sound of it.
Refinement and noise levels
The Cupra Leon is one of the most comfortable hot hatches on sale. It doesn't produce the tyre noise you get in rivals like the Honda Civic Type R and Renault Megane R.S. 300, there's little wind noise to speak of and the exhaust is relatively muted.
Safety equipment: How safe is the Cupra Leon?
The Cupra Leon was awarded five stars for safety when it was crash tested by Euro NCAP in 2020. All models come with automatic emergency brakes that detect pedestrians, cyclists and other vehicles, as well as lane assist which keeps the car arrow straight in its lane. VZ2 to models and above have a full suite of autonomous driving aids.
MPG and fuel costs: What does a Cupra Leon cost to run?
"The Cupra Leon follows hot hatch tradition to the letter by offering you epic performance combined with running costs that won't send your bank balance into meltdown."
That couldn't be more true of the 245PS 1.4-litre plug-in hybrid model which posts a fuel economy figure of up to 217.3mpg. Sounds ridiculous, but only use it for short drives, charge it regularly and you'll not burn any fuel at all. On longer drives, though, when the battery hasn't been charged before your trip, expect fuel economy to be more inline with a conventional petrol like the 245 2.0-litre model which gets up to 39.2mpg.
Do the Cupra Leon experience properly, by going for the full-bore 300PS 2.0-litre (because why wouldn't you?) and your righteousness is rewarded with fuel economy just slightly off the lower powered car, 37.2mpg seeming like a fair trade for an extra 55PS. Mind you, that can easily plunge to the low 20s if you're enjoying the performance a little too much.
Post-facelift cars give you more options to choose your balance between performance, purchase price and fuel economy. The 1.5-litrre petrol engine will give you up to 48.5mpg or 51.8mpg if you opt for the eTSI mild-hybrid model, while the extended battery-only range of the newer plug-in hybrids can save you even more fuel.
The max performance of the 333PS, 2.0-litre petrol-powered Leon Estate will understandably come at the cost of fuel economy – expect a maximum of 33.9mpg.
How reliable is the Cupra Leon?
As the Cupra Leon is still a relatively new car, there's little data to establish long term reliability yet. However, the Volkswagen Group scored well in the latest HonestJohn.co.uk Satisfaction Index with SEAT coming 22nd out of 30 manufacturers.
For reliability the SEAT Leon scored an impressive average of 9.45 out of 10. As the Cupra Leon is based on the SEAT Leon, the Cupra model should follow suit with good reliability.
Insurance groups and costs
VED car tax: What is the annual road tax on a Cupra Leon?
Year one, road tax for the Cupra Leon ranges from being entirely free (for the plug-in hybrid model) to costing £1095 for the most powerful petrol cars. After the first year, hybrid models pay £180 per annum to the petrol models' £190. Some of the higher end models, which cost more than £40,000 when new, have an added premium car surcharge, taking the total cost per year to £590 for hybrids or £600 for petrol models.
How much should you be paying for a used Cupra Leon?
"The Cupra Leon has on sale for a few years now, meaning there are substantial savings to be made on used cars through heycar".
For less than £2000 you can have a 2021 PHEV model with 30,000 miles on the clock in mid-range VZ2 trim. It would be an ideal choice if you do a weekly short commute and longer drives at the weekend.
For the full hot hatch experience, however, you'd be well advised to go for one of the petrol models, which are a lot more responsive. You can pick up a 2.0-litre model for less than £22,000.
Trim levels and standard equipment
The pre-facelift Cupra Leon is available in three trim levels – VZ1, VZ2 and VZ3. Whichever model you choose, you'll not get a hot hatch that's dripping with sporting intent – subtle styling is the order of the day.
Cupra Leon VZ1 models get 18-inch wheels, black callipers, LED exterior lights with dynamic indicators and a slightly more aggressive body kit than a regular SEAT Leon. Kit includes a 10-inch centre infotainment screen and digital dashboard, ambient lighting, sports seats, front and rear parking sensors, sports steering wheel, metal pedals and a reversing camera.
Larger 19-inch wheels are the extent of the Cupra Leon VZ2 models' exterior upgrades, while mechanical changes include adjustable dampers that let you stiffen the car up via its infotainment screen and speed sensitive power steering that gets quicker the faster you go. You also get autonomous driving features – that mean the car can brake, accelerate and steer itself in normal driving and emergencies – and auto-dipping headlights.
Cupra Leon VZ3 models also have 19-inch alloy wheels but with serrated plastic trims that, we're ashamed to say, we quite like. Inside, you get leather seats that are electrically adjustable and wireless phone charging.
Post-2024-facelift cars have more choice – there are the (relatively) sensible V1, V2 and V3 models, and then there are more performance-focused VZ1, VZ2 and VZ3 trims. Only the VZ models get the more potent powertrain options.
Cupra Leon V1s get 18-inch wheels, LED headlights and taillights, front and rear parking sensors and the full infotainment package with a wireless phone charger. The V2 trim adds 19-inch wheels, uprated sports suspension,and, in the estate, an electric boot lid that you can open by waggling your foot under the the car. Inside there are heated front seats and electric adjustment for the driver, as well as a rear-view camera and keyless engine and start.
In the Cupra Leon V3 you get black and copper 19-inch wheels, both front seats get electric adjustment and the upholstery is upgraded to leather, with the Cupra embroidered on the headrest.
The VZ1 upgrades over the V1 with 19-inch wheels and sports suspension, heated front seats and matrix LED headlights, as well as Dinamica (synthetic suede) upholstery and a rear-view camera. VZ2 adds leather upholstery and different 19-inch wheels, while VZ3 has black and cooper wheels, a beefier bodykit with a roof spoiler and side skirts, bucket seats and an upgraded Sennheiser sound system, as well as upgraded brakes.
Ask the heycar experts: common questions
Is SEAT now Cupra?
Is the Cupra Leon four-wheel drive?
Who makes the Cupra Leon?
Get our latest advice, news and offers
Keep me updated by email with the latest advice, news and offers from heycar.
By submitting you agree to our privacy policy
