Cupra Leon review

The Cupra Leon stands out among many hot hatchback alternatives by offering more than one engine choice. Interestingly, one of these is also a plug-in hybrid.

The e-Hybrid model is the least powerful in the range, using the same 245hp engine and electric motor combo as the Volkswagen Golf GTE. It uses a 1.4-litre turbo petrol engine mated to a 116hp electric motor, enabling a 0-62mph time of 6.7 seconds and a 140mph top speed.

Five or ten years ago those figures would be considered plenty, but as it is it’s one of the slower hot hatchbacks of this size you can buy. And despite Cupra’s efforts to inject some amusing fake V8 engine noise through the speakers when you accelerate, it won’t really set your pulse racing. But it has a big ace up its sleeve: impressive fuel economy. While you’d only manage the 200mpg or so Cupra quotes if you charged the 13kW battery regularly, even with it depleted 50mpg is within easy reach.

The hybrid also has big company car tax benefits, but if you’re a private buyer the pure petrols are a better bet. There’s another 245hp model, using the same 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine as the Golf GTI, and it’s a strong all-rounder. But if you really want thrills, skip that and go all out with the Cupra Leon 300:

It uses the same engine, just beefed up to a much healthier 300hp and 400Nm of torque. It’s rapid from low revs right up to the redline, smooth and refined when you want it to be, and sounds like Satan breathing heavily when you don’t (in the sportiest drive mode).

There’s also a more powerful 310hp version of the same engine with four-wheel drive, but you can only have it as an estate. It may seem odd, but if Cupra sold the Leon hatchback with that motor, less people would buy its identically powered VW Golf R sibling. Company politics, eh…

The four-wheel drive grip means it fires off the line and feels more secure than the front-driven 300 in adverse weather. Given we know the Golf R hatchback is so much quicker than VW says it is, you should find the Cupra 310 can easily better its quoted 0-60mph time of 4.9sec.

One black mark for the Cupra Leon? No version is offered with a manual gearbox at all. The seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox is generally excellent, firing through gears rapidly and smoothing out at a cruise, but keen drivers may crave the extra involvement of a manual.

Given the Cupra Leon shares most of its oily bits with the VW Golf GTI, you’d expect it to feel identical on the road. But while both do feel similar, Cupra’s boffins have been fiddling and fettling the recipe.

Tweaks to the calibration of the car mean it just feels a little more eager and responsive than a GTI, without a really noticeable decline in comfort – and unlike the GTI, adaptive dampers are standard on all but the very cheapest VZ1 trim level. These allow you to move through a massive 16 different settings to find your ideal balance of bump-smothering comfort and sharpness.

The 300 and 310 models don’t get any significant suspension changes, although they do get larger Brembo brakes for extra stopping power. All models get a electronic limited-slip differential, which isn’t as effective a pulling you out of a bend as the proper mechanical one on something like a Honda Civic Type R, but does manage to kill wheelspin and torque steer pretty well.

Overall, the Cupra Leon offers a very good balance between everyday useability and driving fun when you’re in the mood. The ride has a firm edge to it, but it’s just enough to tell you you’re driving a sporty car yet not too much that you wince over every bump.

It mooches about town nicely, is decently refined on a motorway cruise (other than some noise from the wide tyres), and when you stiffen up the dampers and switch to sportier drive modes it comes alive and puts a smile on your face. It’s also basically a Seat Leon underneath, meaning it’s got good visibility, light controls and a sensible turning circle.

The four-wheel drive 310 estate trades a little bit of handling fun for four-wheel drive, which makes it feel a touch less agile but allows you to access more of its power in cold or wet conditions. It’s an extremely competent car that offers very accessible performance.

The one fly in the ointment is the hybrid. It weighs quite a bit more than the pure petrol cars, which harms agility and makes it feel less planted in bends. It doesn’t ride more comfortably to compensate, either. It’s a fine hybrid, but not a great hot hatch.