Separating from the Spanish carmaker SEAT, Cupra became a stand-alone brand in 2018 developing its own bespoke range of high-performance models based on contemporary design and sporty performance, writes Trish Whelan. Both brands are owned by the Volkswagen Group.
My latest test drive was in the Cupra Leon, a performance version of the SEAT Leon family and an important model in the Cupra tribe. Leon is offered as a 5-door hatchback or as a Sportstourer estate. My review is focused on the hatchback, a powerful good-looking vehicle with a sporty character emphasised by its sharp strong lines, a copper-coloured logo, 18-inch alloy wheels with copper inserts and a black roof spoiler. The ‘Midnight Black’ exterior colour gave the car an aggressive edge. Leon is the closest Cupra model to the ground.
The cabin is nicely stylish and very well laid out. Again with copper accents, but still a bit on the dark side, perhaps to match the exterior looks. Good build quality is evident. Bucket seats come as standard and there’s an option of leather. Seats in my car could be heated and had manual adjustments. There’s good rear legroom even for anyone seated behind a tall person in front.
The car keeps you well connected on all fronts with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and Cupra's Mirrorlink. There are two USB up front and a 12V power socket inside the big front armrest conveniently located where you can actually easily see and access it.
A 10-inch Navi system touch screen allows you to customise the information you require in three different panels and nice graphics stand out against a dark background. I particularly liked both options available for the instrument cluster accessible through the View button on the steering wheel. Paddles behind the steering wheel allow you select manual transmission to be more in charge particularly when descending hilly roads. A pleasant ambient light stretches right across the dash.
The multi-function steering wheel has part dark aluminium detailing and some copper stitching. A separate button here allows you select different driving modes.
My car had a huge panoramic sun roof (an optional extra at €1,162) and with a manual blind. But if I was buying the car I would gladly exchange it for a reversing camera and good blind spot monitors on side mirrors along with front and rear parking sensors. There was just a rear sensor that showed as an outline of the rear of the car on the central screen with anything in close proximity being highlighted. I’m not a fan of those pesky VW slider controls for temperature control that are not easy to use. Give me proper knobs every time for climate and volume controls as they are way less distracting when on the go.
Cubbies include a decent glovebox, good door bins, a good big area below the armrest. Boot volume is 380 litres and there’s a skinny spare below the floor, another option at €94. Families who need more space should take a look at the Sportstourer estate version which offers more boot volume.
My car's spec also included dark tinted windows, full LED lighting, full digital cockpit, Adaptive cruise control, Lane and Front Assist. Other options were the Beats Audio (€649), Design Pack (€889) and metallic paint (€797).
The brand has boosted its Leon line-up by broadening the range of engines available. A 1.5 TSI 150hp petrol engine and a 1.5 150hp mild hybrid DSG automatic petrol were added late last year. There’s also a 1.4 TSI 204hp PHEV and a really powerful 2.0 245hp petrol engine for those who like to go the full hog.
My Leon 1.5 TSI hatch was plenty sporty for everyday use. I found the suspension to be quite firm but the seats provided enough comfort for that not to intrude on the enjoyment of driving the car which handled exceptionally well. Steering was just as I prefer, on the heavier side. Front side visibility was good due to the placing of the side mirrors and the slant of the A-Pillars. The engine was matched to a slick 7-speed DSG automatic gearbox. Maximum torque is a healthy 250Nm and the car can do from 0-100km/h in 8.9 secs. On the move, you can use electric mode in urban areas for 60kms of emission-free driving. The car offers a total range of around 690kms. Fuel consumption data showed a return of 7.4 L/100kms. Annual road tax is €210.
I believe that not enough motorists are aware of the Cupra brand in Ireland despite strong advertising for the range that also includes the Formentor SUV, the all-electric Born and Ateca small SUV.
Cupra Leon received a maximum of 5 stars from Euro NCAP for both combustion engine and plug-in hybrid variants in July 2021.
Entry price: €36,310; my car with options of €3,591 was €43,681.
