Cupra has been in Australia now for nearly two years, and the model is slowly however certainly rising its gross sales quantity.
The Leon hatchback is among the fashions the Spanish Volkswagen subsidiary launched with regionally, and is presently accessible in a sprawling variety of variants. It has been a little bit overshadowed on the gross sales charts by the Formentor crossover and Born electrical hatchback nonetheless.
On check right here is the flagship and high-performance-oriented 2024 Cupra Leon VZx which had its asking value hiked by $1700 for mannequin 12 months 2024 (MY24), although it additionally picked up DAB+ digital radio.
This specific variant may be distinguished from the remainder of the Leon vary as a consequence of its particular copper-coloured 19-inch alloy wheels and huge array of copper accents each inside and outside. It’s additionally the one variant to have correct quad exhaust retailers, too.
There are many automobiles which are based mostly on the Volkswagen Group’s MQB evo platform to select from, together with however not restricted to the Audi A3, Skoda Octavia, Volkswagen Golf, in addition to the Cupra Formentor. Numerous them are priced equally which makes issues much more sophisticated.
Do you have to nonetheless contemplate the Leon? Learn alongside to search out out.
How does the Cupra Leon examine?
View an in depth breakdown of the Cupra Leon in opposition to equally sized automobiles.
Cupra
Leon
How a lot does the Cupra Leon price?
Cupra has nationwide drive-away pricing for the Leon – costs went up between $1200 and $1700, relying on the variant, for MY24.
2024 Cupra Leon pricing
2024 Cupra Leon V: $49,190 (+$1200)2024 Cupra Leon VZ: $57,990 (+$1500)2024 Leon Leon VZe: $61,690 earlier than on-road prices (+$1700)$64,690 (ACT) (+$1700)$65,690 (QLD) (+$1700)$66,690 (NSW) (+$1700)$66,690 (SA) (+$1700)$67,190 (VIC) (+$1700)$67,690 (WA) (+$1700)2024 Cupra Leon VZx: $65,690 (+$1700)
All costs are drive-away
To see how the Leon compares with its rivals, use our comparability software.
What’s the Cupra Leon like on the within?
Strolling as much as the Cupra Leon VZx it actually has a commanding presence, particularly when completed within the stealthy but eye-catching Magnetic Tech matte (graphite gray) exterior paint as seen on our tester.
Hopping in you might have duck a little bit decrease than you’d initially count on if you happen to’ve spent a good deal of your time out and in of crossovers (like myself). It is a low-slung hatchback nonetheless and has an simply accessible cabin relative to its extra hardcore rivals.
When you’re in you’re offered with a set of gorgeous and sporty-looking entrance bucket seats which are one of many predominant focal factors within the automobile. They’re completed within the model’s Petrol Blue leather-appointed upholstery that appears very particular.
The entrance seats hug you in good and snuggly with loads of facet bolstering, but are actually snug and supple. The headrests are additionally tremendous squishy which is a pleasant contact.
The driving force’s seat gives electrical adjustment with loads of thigh assist that may dialled up, in addition to reminiscence. The entrance passenger seat nonetheless is solely manually adjustable which isn’t unusual for the section however a little bit disappointing given that is the flagship variant within the lineup.
To make up for this each the entrance seats are heated which is a helpful function on chilly Melbourne mornings once you first get into the automobile.
Forward of the motive force is a flat-bottomed steering wheel that Cupra refers to because the ‘Supersport’ steering wheel. It’s yet one more spotlight of the Leon’s inside and is one in all my favorite steering wheels on any new automobile for the time being.
I prefer it a lot as a result of it’s skinny and has perforated sections that preserve your palms cool once they get clammy. It’s additionally heated to maintain your palms toasty heat in chilly climate.
All of the buttons on steering wheel are bodily too, they usually have a satisfying clicky motion when pressed.
Uniquely the Leon VZx is the one variant within the vary to obtain the steering wheel-mounted engine start-stop button that makes this automobile really feel particular and like race car-like.
Behind the steering wheel there are some paddle shifters which are surprisingly refined given how loud the Spanish Volkswagen subsidiary model is. Talking of Volkswagen, the indicator and wiper stalks are frequent and really feel very acquainted.
As customary there’s a correct 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster that like many Volkswagen Group automobiles has plenty of customisation. There are a selection of various views to select from, plus a variety of informative content material that may be cycled by means of.
My favorite view was the one which exhibits the revs and speedo in an octagonal form, with journey meter content material within the center. You’ll be able to put the map view within the center as a substitute if you happen to’d want.
Shifting throughout there’s a 12.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system that sits proudly on the dashboard. Regardless of its giant dimension it doesn’t essentially appear to be it has a better decision than older Leon fashions which had a smaller 10.0-inch infotainment touchscreen.
The infotainment system’s person interface additionally isn’t instantly clear and may take a bit to be taught and perceive. Even on the finish of the week of our mortgage interval I used to be nonetheless determining the place specific menus and pages to regulate sure options had been.
You’d higher get used to the infotainment system nonetheless since you’re going to be utilizing it so much. Nearly all of the local weather controls, apart from some contact sliders that don’t illuminate and restricted touch-sensitive buttons, are built-in into the touchscreen.
Until you recognize what you’re doing it may be a little bit awkward faffing round to regulate sure local weather control-related features. Fortunately some key local weather management features are all the time current on the prime of the display within the native interface and on the facet when related to smartphone mirroring.
Talking of smartphone mirroring, the whole Leon vary comes with each wired and wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. With my iPhone 15 Professional Max related wirelessly I did have some moments the place it often dropped out, which isn’t unusual for some automobiles with wi-fi smartphone mirroring.
To repair the temperamental wi-fi smartphone connectivity I discovered I wanted to make use of a USB cable. This additionally fastened one other one in all my gripes, which was the wi-fi telephone charger didn’t really cost my telephone.
When related to Apple CarPlay it seems to be extra zoomed in than it seems to be in different automobiles. It’s additionally a little bit pixelated which doesn’t make it look very flash.
Wanting across the cabin there are a bunch of actually cool-looking soft-touch finishes in excessive touch-point areas, although you don’t must look far to search out more durable plastics. I like there are minimal piano black finishes, although I used to be a little bit upset to have the door deal with pull really feel crunchy when utilizing it.
On the centre stack I like how minimal the gear selector is, plus the small quantity of storage on either side. I additionally actually just like the ratcheting centre glovebox armrest that permits you to configure it to your required peak.
The Leon VZx’s inside is fairly darkish, copper accents apart, although our tester was fitted with the non-compulsory electrical sunroof that helps lighten the atmosphere. The one catch is the sunroof’s blind isn’t very opaque which implies a good quantity of solar nonetheless streams by means of. This may annoying once you’re feeling scorching.
There are inside ambient lighting strips within the Leon’s cabin that spans the whole width of the dashboard. It is a enjoyable manner so as to add your individual persona to the automobile, although it additionally doubles as a security perform as a result of it’s used as a part of the blind-spot monitoring.
The very last thing I’ll point out earlier than speaking concerning the second row is the Leon VZx’s nine-speaker Beats sound system is ok, although a little bit too bass heavy for my liking. I’m usually all about that bass, nevertheless it’s humorous how on this automobile it’s a bit an excessive amount of.
Hopping into the second row there’s an sufficient quantity of house. At a leggy 182cm tall I had sufficient leg, head and shoulder room to get comfortable, although my ahead visibility was impeded by the massive sporty entrance bucket seats.
When it comes to second-row facilities there’s a third zone of local weather management, two USB-C ports, in addition to a fold-down armrest with cupholders.
On the again the Leon VZx has a guide tailgate which isn’t unusual for hatchbacks like this. As soon as it’s open you’re offered with a claimed 380 litres of boot house which seems to be deep and comparatively giant.
One draw back concerning the boot is there’s a excessive loading lip which implies it’s essential to carry the objects into the boot, somewhat than slide them in.
There actually aren’t many facilities within the boot although a portion of the centre seat may be folded all the way down to act like a ski port. That is helpful if you happen to’re loading lengthy objects into the boot and don’t need to fold down a seat or seats.
Below the boot ground as customary within the Leon VZx is a space-saver spare wheel which is best than having a tyre restore package or nothing in any respect.
Fortunately our tester wasn’t outfitted with the non-compulsory Brembo brake bundle which subs out the space-saver spare wheel for a tyre restore package.
What’s below the bonnet?
There are 4 totally different powertrains accessible within the native Cupra Leon vary. On check right here is the flagship turbo-petrol providing.
To see how the Leon compares with its rivals, use our comparability software.
How does the Cupra Leon drive?
The method of beginning up the Cupra Leon VZx feels actually particular as a result of not like each different variant within the vary you press a button on the flat-bottomed steering wheel. You don’t get issues like this in a mainstream automobile fairly often.
As soon as the engine turns over you’re supplied with a lovely snarl. Even the idle sound is nice although I’m wondering how a lot of it’s synthesised as a result of it doesn’t sound the identical exterior the automobile.
Setting off it’s obvious there’s a bucket-load of energy and torque below your proper foot. The complete 400Nm of torque is obtainable from 2000rpm so the engine doesn’t should work too exhausting to get a transfer on. You’ll additionally get pushed again into the seat firmly which may be very addictive.
With out an excessive amount of work you’ll simply beat the vast majority of different automobiles on the site visitors lights if you happen to’re that manner inclined. Simply be aware nonetheless as if you happen to’re a little bit too liberal with the accelerator you’ll get some entrance wheel slip. This isn’t an Audi S3 or Volkswagen Golf R with the safety of all-wheel drive.
There are a slew of drive modes that may be cycled by means of by urgent the opposite round button reverse the engine start-stop button on the steering wheel. These not solely change the engine, transmission and throttle calibration, but in addition the adaptive damper tune.
Considered one of my favorite drive modes is the ‘Cupra’ mode as a result of it’s seems like essentially the most right solution to expertise the flagship Leon VZx. It sharpens each a part of the automobile, in addition to amplifies the synthesised driving sound and provides some cool pops and crackles on overrun.
A seven-speed dual-clutch automated transmission is customary within the Leon VZx and it’s a silky easy unit that gives actually speedy gear shifts, even in common driving.
I’m normally not a fan of twin clutches as a result of they will generally be a little bit hesitant and clunky at low speeds when paired with engines with low torque outputs, nonetheless that is specific pairing is among the most confidence-inspiring combos I’ve sampled to this point.
Whereas the twin clutch offers lightning quick gear shifts once you’re accelerating briskly to maintain the engine comfortably inside its torque band, it could actually additionally preserve the revs down very low to maximise gas financial system if you happen to aren’t accelerating tremendous shortly or have reached your required pace.
It’s thrilling to see how low the engine revs may be held and nonetheless be accelerating at an honest tempo. The twin clutch will even maintain onto a better gear if it could actually and solely drop a gear if you happen to press the accelerator firmer or head up a hill.
At low speeds the Leon VZx’s steering is admittedly gentle and enjoyable to twirl. This in flip (if you happen to’ll pardon the pun) makes negotiating tight areas like carparks very straightforward and smile-inducing.
Each Leon variant has a progressive steering rack that provides weight as you pace up. The speculation is it makes the automobile straightforward to deal with at low speeds, but extra direct and fascinating at greater speeds.
As customary the Leon VZx has entrance and rear parking sensors, although disappointingly solely a rear-view digital camera with sufficient decision. You’ll be able to’t get a surround-view digital camera in any Leon variant presently.
There’s additionally a semi-autonomous parking assistant that’s helpful if you happen to don’t really feel assured parallel parking for instance, however is annoyingly hidden within the touchscreen. This negates its performance in my eyes.
Round city the suspension is agency however by no means too agency like some sporty automobiles may be. You’ll positively be feeling pace bumps and harsh pot holes however that’s most certainly all the way down to the massive 19-inch alloy wheels with low-profile tyres.
It’s apparent the Leon VZx is supposed to pushed shortly. It nearly urges you to be pushed more durable and quicker at each given alternative, which may be very enjoyable.
Should you do give the automobile a squirt on some twisty roads you positively gained’t be upset. The chassis feels extraordinarily dynamic, plus the engine and transmission mixture is able to delivering that stage of efficiency.
Probably the most stunning factor about driving the Leon VZx dynamically nonetheless is it’s very user-friendly – it doesn’t really feel prefer it desires to tear your head off at any given alternative, which is reassuring.
As a lot as this automobile may be pushed exhausting, it can be dialled again very simply and turn out to be a slick freeway tourer. The annoying catch nonetheless is at freeway speeds you get bucket a great deal of street and tyre noise, which is a typical gripe for efficiency automobiles with sticky tyres.
The Leon VZx has a transmission decoupling perform once you’re coasting to minimise gas use. When it prompts the engine revs drop again to idle and also you’ll coast alongside till you press the accelerator once more or press the brake.
This method is nice for essentially the most half although you simply choose up pace down hills as a result of lack of engine braking. It additionally generally will and and others gained’t activate in common site visitors which might makes it exhausting to gauge how shortly it’s essential to begin slowing down.
The fuel-saving transmission decoupling perform additionally works once you’ve bought adaptive cruise management on, which sees you pace shortly rise above you’re set pace. Fortunately the automobile does put the brakes on itself as soon as a sure threshold is reached which recouples the transmission and brings again engine braking.
I discovered once you’re driving on street with rolling hills when adaptive cruise management is activated it is going to dip above and under the set pace a bit an excessive amount of. I do know I may do a greater job at sustaining a sure pace than the cruise management can.
Fortunately despise this gripe the adaptive cruise management system is superb at judging when a automobile travelling quicker than you is merging into your lane. It gained’t slam on the brakes like techniques in some automobiles will.
Above 60km/h common lane departure warning and lane-keeping help will activate and it’s good for essentially the most half, although it could actually get a little bit confused on some pale lane markings or roads with meandering curves.
I actually preferred utilizing the Leon’s Journey Help perform which mixes adaptive cruise management with lane centring on the freeway as a result of it takes the vast majority of the work out of what’s usually monotonous driving.
Lastly, the Leon VZx will get improbable LED headlights as customary although disappointingly they don’t have an adaptive or matrix high-beam perform. They do have an auto high-beam perform nonetheless, the place it’ll dip the headlights fully when a automobile’s headlights or tail lights are detected forward.
What do you get?
The 2024 Cupra Leon is obtainable in 4 totally different variants. On check right here is the flagship VZx.
2024 Cupra Leon V highlights:
18-inch black-and-silver alloy wheels18-inch space-saver spare wheelHeated, energy folding facet mirrorsLED headlightsLED daytime working lightsFog lights with cornering functionLED tail lights with static indicatorsAutomatic headlightsAutomatic high-beamRain-sensing wipersRear tinted windows12-inch touchscreen infotainment displayWired and wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto10.25-inch digital instrument clusterWireless telephone chargerDAB+ radioTwo entrance and two rear USB-C portsHeated, leather-wrapped steering wheelPaddle shiftersInterior ambient lightingBlack headlinerCloth sports activities bucket seatsDriver profile selectionDynamic Chassis ControlProgressive steeringKeyless entry and startAuto-dimming rear-view mirrorThree-zone local weather controlIlluminated sill panelsRear spoilerSemi-autonomous parking assistTwo entrance and two rear cup holders
VZ provides:
19-inch black-and-silver alloy wheelsAluminium pedals
VZe provides:
Tyre restore package (in lieu of space-saver spare wheel)Mode 2 and Mode 3 charging cable
VZx provides:
19-inch black-and-copper alloy wheelsSide skirtsQuad-tip exhaustHeated ‘supersports’ leather-wrapped steering wheelPetrol Blue dashboardPetrol Blue leather-based entrance bucket seatsHeated entrance seatsPower driver’s seat with memoryMemory mirrors9-speaker Beats sound system
Is the Cupra Leon secure?
The Cupra Leon has a five-star security ranking from ANCAP, which is predicated on Euro NCAP testing carried out on the SEAT Leon in 2020.
It obtained an grownup occupant safety ranking of 91 per cent, a toddler occupant safety ranking of 88 per cent, a weak street person safety ranking of 71 per cent, and a security help ranking of 80 per cent.
Customary security tools throughout the Leon vary consists of:
8 airbagsAutonomous emergency braking (AEB)Pedestrian detectionCyclist detectionBlind-spot monitoringSafe exit warningRear cross site visitors alertLane preserve assistAdaptive cruise controlTravel Help (adaptive cruise management, lane centring)Driver fatigue monitoringReversing cameraFront and rear parking sensorsSemi-autonomous parking help
How a lot does the Cupra Leon price to run?
The 2024 Cupra Leon is roofed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee.
Upkeep is required each 12 months or 15,000 kilometres.
The model now not gives three years of free servicing, as a substitute patrons can select from three- and five-year service packs. The three-year pack is priced at $990, whereas the five-year pack is $1990.
Cupra gives its prospects the choice of a Service Pack previous to their first scheduled service.
CarExpert’s Tackle the Cupra Leon
The Cupra Leon is an oft forgotten car as a result of it began life as an everyday SEAT mannequin and lives within the shadow of the associated Formentor crossover which is uniquely a Cupra mannequin and dominates it on the gross sales chart.
Taking a look at and experiencing the flagship Leon VZx on check right here it’s exhausting not to attract parallels between it and the sporty Audi S3 or Volkswagen Golf R that are all based mostly on the MQB evo platform. Neither of those automobiles nonetheless supply front-wheel drive dynamism and inherent lightness at this (nonetheless considerably inexpensive) price ticket.
The totally loaded Cupra Leon VZx seems like the easiest way to expertise this sporty Spanish hatchback. Positive all of the variants presently on supply have their deserves, however this specific automobile is totally loaded and has the pliability to stream between being a dynamic nook carver and a snug cruiser very effortlessly.
There are positively louder and extra focussed efficiency automobiles on supply in Australia, although scorching hatches are a dying breed so get in when you can!
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