Cupra Leon (2025) Review

Introduction

The Cupra Leon is a bit of an oddity, but it’s a likeable one. Spawned from the Seat Leon Cupra — the old go-faster version of the Seat’s Golf-based family hatchback— it was originally just a performance model, but it has now morphed into a standalone product, every bit as popular, if not more so, than its Seat-badged siblings.

Nowadays, the Cupra Leon is still available in performance form, but that’s only part of its appeal. With less generously powered variants on offer, it’s a more holistic product. And one that has now been upgraded and updated, primarily with a new front-end design. But it’s up against some spectacularly capable rivals, including the VW Golf, the Mazda 3 and the Seat Leon, which is still soldiering on, so is there a place for it?

At a Glance

Cupra has done its best to differentiate its Leon from the Seat that spawned it, changing the front end entirely and adding lots of its trademark bronze trim. And it does look different enough for most to forget this is essentially a Seat in drag, although the interior design is still pretty similar.

That’s no bad thing, though, because it means the Cupra is well made and classy inside, with a big touchscreen and lots of smart materials, as well as ample interior space and a sensibly sized boot. And, as there’s still an estate version on offer, you can make it even more practical if you so wish.

Under the skin, you can choose between a 1.5-litre petrol engine with 150hp, or a 1.5-litre petrol plug-in hybrid system with 204hp, or you can go for one of the performance versions. There’s a 2.0-litre petrol engine with 300hp, or a 1.5-litre plug-in hybrid with 272hp. The performance models arguably make the most sense, especially the 2.0-litre engine that really makes the Cupra a Golf GTI-beater, but company car drivers might prefer the more tax-friendly hybrids.

Whichever one you choose, the Cupra will certainly drive smartly. It’s agile and stable in corners, and though the ride is a bit firm in places, it settles down nicely on the motorway, so you don’t feel the effects on a long drive. Around town, meanwhile, the Leon manages not to feel too unwieldy, despite having ample interior space.

Key Features

While the old Cupra Leon looked just like a tarted-up Seat Leon, the new model looks and feels much more different. That’s mainly down to the new nose, but the front-end isn’t the only change. As is the Cupra way, the Leon is adorned with plenty of copper-coloured accents and Cupra’s angular logo, both of which are something of a Marmite choice. While some might like the idea of copper-coloured everything – and there’s plenty of it inside, too – others might find it all a bit too much. But for those who like the idea, the Cupra will feel cool and distinctive, with a more characterful look than many of its rivals.

Under the skin, the Cupra can either be a conventional hatchback with a sporty edge, or a full-blown hot hatchback, and it’s the latter that arguably holds the most appeal. The VZ versions come with either a 2.0-litre petrol engine or a high-performance plug-in hybrid system, and that makes them startlingly quick off the mark, while sporty suspension ensures the Leon handles as well as it performs.

Yet despite that, it’s still practical. The hatchback’s cabin and boot space is average, but there’s plenty of space for passengers and their luggage, while the Estate versions get even more luggage capacity to play with. The range-topping 2.0-litre VZ models also get the advantage of all-wheel drive, which makes them feel more secure in the rain and snow, and makes that performance even more accessible.

Range & Batteries

If you opt for one of the two plug-in hybrid Leons, you’ll get a 25.8kWh battery that’s good for around 75 miles on a single charge, according to the official figures. Admittedly, that’s probably a bit optimistic in the real world, but you can expect to achieve something in the region of 50 miles to a charge before you need the help of the petrol engine. And for a conventional commute, taking the kids to school or heading to the shops, that should be more than enough. So much so that some customers barely need a drop of unleaded during the week.

Performance & Drive

The Cupra Leon engine range is, essentially, split in two. The ‘V’ models are the more conventional variants, while the ‘VZ’ versions are more performance-orientated. The basic V-option is the 1.5-litre petrol engine, which produces 150hp and sends it to the front wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox. It’s powerful enough to get the car from 0-62mph in just under nine seconds and a top speed of 134mph.

Above that is the mild-hybrid eTSI engine, which is essentially the same as the base engine, but with mild-hybrid technology and a seven-speed automatic gearbox. Despite the power output being unchanged at 150hp, the result is a two-tenth improvement in 0-62mph acceleration, while the top speed remains unchanged.

If that isn’t hybrid-ish enough for you, though, you can always have the plug-in hybrid e-Hybrid option, with the 1.5-litre petrol engine and electric motor, as well as the 25.8kWh battery and six-speed automatic gearbox. With 204hp heading to the front wheels, the e-Hybrid manages 0-62mph in 7.7 seconds, and stretches the top speed to 137mph.

The VZ models, meanwhile, offer a slightly smaller choice of petrol or plug-in hybrid power. As with the V versions, there’s a 1.5-litre petrol plug-in hybrid, but the power has been lifted to 272hp. That means the 0-62mph time falls to 7.1 seconds, and the top speed increases to 142mph.

Alternatively, you can go for the 2.0-litre petrol engine. If you opt for the hatchback, that means you get 300hp streaming to the front wheels via a seven-speed automatic gearbox, giving you a 0-62mph time of 5.7 seconds and a top speed of 155mph. But if you go for the Estate, that power output increases to 333hp, and the car transmits that to the road with all-wheel drive.

That extra traction means the big-booted Cupra will dash from 0-62mph in 4.8 seconds and it’ll keep accelerating all the way to 155mph, which puts it easily on a par with some of the fastest hot estate cars out there. In fact, it’s faster than the basic Porsche Panamera.

And the Cupra isn’t just as quick in a straight line. The sports suspension means it can handle well in the corners, too, despite steering that lacks a little bit of feel. The car stays level and flat, even when you chuck it into corners at outrageous speed, and the grip is tenacious. It really does reward you for taking it by the scruff of the neck. Especially in cars with the Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) technology that allows the car to be adjusted to suit the conditions. On a good country road, you can put it in its sportiest setting and enjoy its brilliance, while a long motorway drive is better suited to the softer setting

Despite the Leon’s agility and poise, using the DCC can turn it into a surprisingly comfortable long-distance cruiser. It isn’t exactly a Rolls-Royce – it’s a bit firm around town – but it is more comfortable on the motorway than its handling brilliance might lead you to suspect. Long drives are hardly a chore.

However, the Cupra does have a little quirk in the shape of a synthetic noise generator in the sound system, giving the four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine a bit more verve. It sounds as false as it is, and it’s best left firmly in the ‘off’ position on the touchscreen.

Charging

Whichever hybrid version you choose, the Leon can be charged using either an AC charging point, such as the domestic ‘wallbox’ units, or using a DC rapid charger. In truth, there’s little point in using anything more powerful than about 50kW, which is the Leon’s maximum DC charge speed. Attached to that kind of charger, the battery can be filled from 10% to 80% in about 25 minutes.

Most drivers are more likely to charge at home – at least the majority of the time – but those with a three-phase electricity supply that allows 11kW charging will be able to fill the car’s battery in about two-and-a-half hours. Admittedly, a 7kW charger will take a bit longer, but there should be no problem filling the battery completely overnight, or during an afternoon at your desk.

Want to know more about EV charging? Check out our guide to charging an electric car.

Running Costs & Emissions

How much the Leon costs to run will, by and large, depend on which version you choose. Those that opt for one of the plug-in hybrids can expect relatively small fuel bills (assuming they can charge regularly at home), while those who prefer the performance of the 2.0-litre petrol-powered VZ models will face significantly higher costs associated with a 300hp output and economy of just over 35mpg.

For company car drivers, though, the plug-in hybrids are the only sensible choice. For the time being, plug-in hybrids attract significantly lower company car tax rates than conventional petrol or diesel cars, or even most conventional hybrids. And that means the Cupra Leon can be sporty and powerful, without breaking the bank.

Interior & Technology

As a snazzy part of the Volkswagen Group, Cupra has given the Leon a fairly conventional interior, but livened it up with a few sporty upgrades. As with the bodywork, the Leon’s cabin is based on that of the Seat Leon, so you get the same basic shape with a big 12.9-inch touchscreen display in the middle and a digital instrument cluster behind the wheel.

Dashboard buttons are few and far between, with just some touch-sensitive controls below the touchscreen and a few switches on the centre console, clustered around the toggle-style gear selector. But there are considerably more switches on the steering wheel, which is festooned with buttons. Most of them are pretty logical, but the engine start switch on the right-hand side takes a bit of getting used to, while the buttons aren’t always that easy to navigate by feel.

That said, they do at least make the ergonomics slightly better. Turning off some of the more irritating ‘safety’ features, for example, is a much simpler affair than it might otherwise be, and all the switches feel reasonably premium. As do the rest of the materials. It’s hardly a Bentley in there, but everything seems pretty well made and the upholstery all feels smart.

The tech, meanwhile, is slightly less of a triumph. Yes, the screen is big and sharp, and it’s much more user-friendly than it was in previous iterations of the Cupra Leon, but it’s still far from perfect. Some functions are hidden in needlessly complicated menus, and the system isn’t always as quick as you might like. But it works really well with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the inclusion of customisable ‘taskbar’ shortcuts for commonly used features is a useful one.

So too is the decision to include a digital instrument cluster, although we find it’s best left in the classic display setting, complete with digital dials. However, those that want a cleaner look or a driver’s view of the map can set it up to suit their requirements, which is a nice option to have.

Practicality & Boot Space

Although the new Cupra Leon doesn’t look quite so similar to the standard Leon, it’s still much the same under the skin, and that means it’s just as practical. Admittedly, the Leon isn’t the most practical family car out there, and the sportier seats in upmarket VZ models mean the back seats can feel quite dark and dingy, but space back there is adequate. Four six-foot adults could sit in there quite happily, although it’s hardly class-leading in the cabin space stakes.

Nor is the boot all that impressive, at 380 litres, but that’s roughly the same space you’ll get in the back of a VW Golf. Although it’s worth noting that hybrid versions lose more than 100 litres of that capacity, which limits the functionality slightly. But those who really want more luggage space can always opt for the Estate version, which gets a much more impressive 620 litres of carrying capacity in petrol forms, although that falls to 470 litres for the hybrid versions.

Safety

The Leon’s safety rating has not been updated with the latest visual update, which saw the car get a fresh front end, but as it’s still structurally identical, it inherits its predecessor’s five-star rating. That’s about as good as it gets, particularly with the Leon’s 91% score for adult occupant protection and 88% score for child occupant protection, and it makes the Cupra one of the safest family hatchbacks out there.

And it comes with plenty of on-board safety technology to help ensure you never use that crashworthiness. All the usual stuff is included as standard, including autonomous emergency braking, which can slow or even stop the car automatically if the driver fails to react to a hazard. As is the law, the Leon has the usual speed limit warning system that bongs at you if you exceed the limit, but that can be turned off relatively easily using buttons on the steering wheel, as can the lane departure warning system.

Options

In essence, the Cupra Leon range is split in two. The ‘V’ models – the V1, V2 and V3 – are the more conventional models, while the VZ versions – the VZ1, VZ2 and VZ3 – are the more performance-orientated models. However, there is a Shadow Edition model seemingly dividing the two, although its engine options mean it’s really just a special-edition ‘V’ model.

If you opt for a V version, you get one of the 1.5-litre petrol engines with 150hp or a 1.5-litre plug-in hybrid with 204hp. And the amount of equipment on offer increases with the number of the model. So V1 is the base option, offering 18-inch alloy wheels, a 12.9-inch touchscreen and Apple CarPlay, as well as front and rear parking sensors, keyless entry and start, and adjustable sports seats with copper stitching.

Upgrading to the V2 gets you Dinamica upholstery and a rear-view camera, as well as Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) and sports suspension, plus 19-inch alloys, heated front seats and, in the case of the estate, an electrically actuated tailgate. And the V3 adds leather upholstery and electrically adjustable seats to the list, while the Shadow Addition adds black alloys and black exterior trim, in addition to the usual V3 standard equipment.

On the other hand, the VZ1 gets similar equipment to the V2, while the VZ2 mimics the V3 in terms of standard equipment. But the range-topping VZ3 gets Cup bucket seats, performance brakes and a Sennheiser sound system with 10 speakers dotted around the cabin, one subwoofer and one central speaker.

Desirable options include a panoramic glass roof and a spacesaver spare wheel, but the paint options won’t be so appealing to some customers. The palette is pretty bland, with a choice of different greys, a bronze option and the decidedly grey-adjacent Fiord Blue. A few brighter hues might have suited the car’s sporty nature, but Cupra clearly decided subdued colours were more on-brand.

Rival Cars

The family hatchback market is still competitive, despite the loss of some big names in recent years. The Ford Focus, for example, has just been discontinued, and the Renault Megane is now an all-electric SUV. Yet the VW Golf, Kia Ceed and Hyundai i30 are all going strong, along with the Seat Leon on which the Cupra is based. The Mazda3, Toyota Corolla and Peugeot 308 are all contenders, too, along with more premium options such as the Audi A3 and BMW 1 Series.

But while all those cars challenge the basic Cupra Leon models, the more powerful versions are true hot hatchbacks, and they face a smaller cadre of rivals. The Volkswagen Golf GTI and R models are the big names in that space, but some might be surprised to find the Leon actually shares more with the R than the GTI. With 300hp in hatchback form and 333hp in Estate guise, the Cupra shares its 2.0-litre petrol engine with the Golf R, although the hatchback doesn’t get the Golf’s all-wheel-drive system, whereas the Estate does.

Either way, the Cupra is a slightly more appealing car than the Golf, with a little more character to its driving experience and its power delivery, as well as a different interior and a slightly less ‘grown-up’ attitude.

However, the Golf is not the Cupra’s only competitor. It also has to contend with the brilliant Audi S3, and a slew of electric hatchbacks now coming to the market. Not only does Cupra have its own Born VZ model, but there’s the VW ID.3 GTX, the MG4 XPower and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N to compete with. Not that there’s much competition – great as those cars are, they don’t quite have the same appeal as the Cupra with its meaty petrol engine – but company car drivers might consider the electric-powered options tax-saving alternatives to the Leon.

Verdict & Next Steps

If we’re honest, the Cupra Leon makes most sense in VZ forms, where the combination of power, performance and handling mean it’s a very competitive hot hatchback. In fact, it’s one of our favourites. In less powerful forms, it doesn’t really have much edge over a conventional, but very capable Seat Leon, although those who prefer the edgier styling or just get a good deal can rest assured they’re getting a great hatchback that’s still fun to drive and well made.

Where to next?

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**Score based on Select’s unique meta score analysis, taking into account the UK’s top leading independent car website reviews of the Cupra Leon

**Correct as of 04/11/2025. Based on 9 months initial payment, 5,000 miles annually, over a 24 month lease. Initial payment equivalent to 9 monthly payments, or £1,976.40 (Plus admin fee) Ts and Cs apply. Credit is subject to status.