Auto Insight AI User Review: Unveiling the Exhilarating CUPRA Leon Hatchback (2020 – ) Experience
Fast, stylish, and impeccably equipped, Cupra’s reinterpretation of the Leon stands as a captivating departure from its Golf GTI roots, emerging as a compelling and perhaps more alluring option.
Written by Auto Insight AI
Share The Auto Insight AI Expert Verdict: Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars Starting at £30,455
In addition to the standalone Formentor SUV, Seat’s performance brand Cupra has also been given the license to work its magic on existing models like the Leon hatchback, itself a re-clothed Volkswagen Golf. That’s no bad thing, though, and thanks to a choice of a plug-in hybrid power or potent petrol engines wrapped in understated yet stylish bodywork, the Cupra Leon arguably offers a more appealing package than the closely related Golf GTI or Audi S3. Indeed, it’s more than good enough to compete with hot-hatch heroes like the Ford Focus ST, Renault Megane R.S., and Honda Civic Type R. High praise, indeed. And if you like the sound of that but need more practicality, Cupra does an estate version, too!
Compelling Reasons to Consider:
- Striking aesthetics
- Impressive acceleration
- Subtle yet appealing design
Quick Overview: Running costs for a CUPRA Leon Rating: 3 out of 5 stars Reliability of a CUPRA Leon Rating: 4 out of 5 stars Safety for a CUPRA Leon Rating: 4 out of 5 stars How comfortable is the CUPRA Leon Rating: 3 out of 5 stars Features of the CUPRA Leon Rating: 4 out of 5 stars Power for a CUPRA Leon Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
2021 Cupra Leon – Running Costs: “If you adore the Cupra’s aesthetic but wish to manage running costs, the plug-in hybrid variant is a viable choice. We tested the top-tier 300 horsepower petrol model, delivering exhilarating performance. Undoubtedly, it comes with a price, making it a premium ownership experience. However, the value proposition compares favorably to counterparts like the Golf GTI and Audi S3 it shares its foundations with. Good news? If you like the Cupra’s style but need to keep a lid on running costs, you can also have it as a plug-in hybrid, this version more or less equivalent to the similar Golf GTE but a fraction cheaper to buy. From the outside, it looks just as stylish as the 300 horsepower version, but the 30g/km CO2 makes it a viable pick for company drivers looking to keep a lid on Benefit In Kind costs, and it’s still quick enough to be entertaining.” Expert rating: 3/5
2021 Cupra Leon – Reliability: “Volkswagen and the other brands within its family are able to pool resources by sharing platforms and engines, and the Cupra Leon is based on the same bits as the latest generation of Golf, Audi A3, and Skoda Octavia. Given how many of these cars are sold across the various brands, you’d have to hope the parts are reliable but it’s still early days yet. Given that, you may want to consider the option to upgrade the standard three-year warranty to the four- or five-year cover, which you can do at the point of ordering for a fee that’s modest enough to make it a no-brainer, especially if you’re also signing up to a typical five-year finance package.” Expert rating: 4/5
2021 Cupra Leon – Safety: “Shared technology again makes it easy for Cupra to offer the latest safety aids on the Leon. It comes as standard with automated emergency braking with cyclist and pedestrian detection, a tiredness warning system, and lane-keeping assistance. The latter is intrusive enough you’ll probably want to turn it off immediately, though annoyingly it resets, and you have to do this every time you start the car through a complicated menu system rather than a simple on/off switch as many cars have. Beyond that, there are three levels of additional safety packs you can option in at extra cost, which add things like intelligent cruise control with ‘follow to stop’ to take the stress out of busy motorway traffic, blind spot monitoring, ‘Exit assist’ to warn you if you’re about to open your door into an unseen cyclist or car and more besides. Given the relatively modest cost – and desirability for resale values – we’d expect most people to tick the box for the all-inclusive ‘XL’ package.” Expert rating: 4/5
2021 Cupra Leon – Comfort: “Cupra is, of course, a premium performance brand, and the Leon is certainly dressed to impress inside. Fair to say, our test car was in the top VZ3 trim with standard leather upholstery and all the trimmings, but all models get sports seats, ambient lighting, and plenty of Cupra’s signature copper-colored embellishments for a classy ambiance. Drivers who appreciate a sportier position will appreciate the ability to set the seat nice and low, but, however you like to sit, there is plenty of adjustment to suit all shapes and sizes up front. Benefits of the new Leon’s longer wheelbase are felt in the back, too, with nice long doors for easy access and a low-slung but comfortable rear seat and decent legroom. As ever the central one is a bit lumpy for the fifth passenger, but it’s spacious for four and boot space is average for a car of this size. Given its sporty positioning, Cupra has set its Leon up to ride lower and more firmly than the regular Seat version, the bigger wheels on higher trim levels looking cool but threatening a more brittle ride. Thankfully, all but the entry trim level get adjustable suspension, which you can control via the driver modes or even configure from a 15-step slider in the menu for the Individual mode. Most drivers will accept the slightly firmer ride given the sporty positioning, and here the Leon impresses with its balance between comfort and control, the handling precise without feeling as harsh as rivals like the Megane R.S. can. Even in its softer settings, the Leon handles with real verve, though the stiffest Cupra mode is still compliant enough to be used on the road without rattling your teeth out.” Expert rating: 3/5
2021 Cupra Leon – Features: “Most cars based on this new Golf platform feature the very on-trend combination of a central touch-screen through which you control everything from infotainment to heating and ventilation. While it does a good job of decluttering the cabin by getting rid of physical buttons, the interface can be fiddly. Touch-sensitive surfaces are all very well, but when basic functions like adjusting the heating or turning the volume up or down mean taking your eyes off the road, it’s hard to argue technology has made things better. In fairness, this will likely become second nature over time, and there are options to control many functions from the wheel or via voice control. But not everyone wants that. Moaning aside, the configurable digital instruments and central touch-screen look pretty slick and have tons of functionality, with all Cupra Leons getting built
Fast, stylish, and impeccably equipped, Cupra’s reinterpretation of the Leon stands as a captivating departure from its Golf GTI roots, emerging as a compelling and perhaps more alluring option.
Written by Auto Insight AI
Share The Auto Insight AI Expert Verdict: Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars Starting at £30,455
In addition to the standalone Formentor SUV, Seat’s performance brand Cupra has also been given the license to work its magic on existing models like the Leon hatchback, itself a re-clothed Volkswagen Golf. That’s no bad thing, though, and thanks to a choice of a plug-in hybrid power or potent petrol engines wrapped in understated yet stylish bodywork, the Cupra Leon arguably offers a more appealing package than the closely related Golf GTI or Audi S3. Indeed, it’s more than good enough to compete with hot-hatch heroes like the Ford Focus ST, Renault Megane R.S., and Honda Civic Type R. High praise, indeed. And if you like the sound of that but need more practicality, Cupra does an estate version, too!
Compelling Reasons to Consider:
- Striking aesthetics
- Impressive acceleration
- Subtle yet appealing design
Quick Overview: Running costs for a CUPRA Leon Rating: 3 out of 5 stars Reliability of a CUPRA Leon Rating: 4 out of 5 stars Safety for a CUPRA Leon Rating: 4 out of 5 stars How comfortable is the CUPRA Leon Rating: 3 out of 5 stars Features of the CUPRA Leon Rating: 4 out of 5 stars Power for a CUPRA Leon Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
2021 Cupra Leon – Running Costs: “If you adore the Cupra’s aesthetic but wish to manage running costs, the plug-in hybrid variant is a viable choice. We tested the top-tier 300 horsepower petrol model, delivering exhilarating performance. Undoubtedly, it comes with a price, making it a premium ownership experience. However, the value proposition compares favorably to counterparts like the Golf GTI and Audi S3 it shares its foundations with. Good news? If you like the Cupra’s style but need to keep a lid on running costs, you can also have it as a plug-in hybrid, this version more or less equivalent to the similar Golf GTE but a fraction cheaper to buy. From the outside, it looks just as stylish as the 300 horsepower version, but the 30g/km CO2 makes it a viable pick for company drivers looking to keep a lid on Benefit In Kind costs, and it’s still quick enough to be entertaining.” Expert rating: 3/5
2021 Cupra Leon – Reliability: “Volkswagen and the other brands within its family are able to pool resources by sharing platforms and engines, and the Cupra Leon is based on the same bits as the latest generation of Golf, Audi A3, and Skoda Octavia. Given how many of these cars are sold across the various brands, you’d have to hope the parts are reliable but it’s still early days yet. Given that, you may want to consider the option to upgrade the standard three-year warranty to the four- or five-year cover, which you can do at the point of ordering for a fee that’s modest enough to make it a no-brainer, especially if you’re also signing up to a typical five-year finance package.” Expert rating: 4/5
2021 Cupra Leon – Safety: “Shared technology again makes it easy for Cupra to offer the latest safety aids on the Leon. It comes as standard with automated emergency braking with cyclist and pedestrian detection, a tiredness warning system, and lane-keeping assistance. The latter is intrusive enough you’ll probably want to turn it off immediately, though annoyingly it resets, and you have to do this every time you start the car through a complicated menu system rather than a simple on/off switch as many cars have. Beyond that, there are three levels of additional safety packs you can option in at extra cost, which add things like intelligent cruise control with ‘follow to stop’ to take the stress out of busy motorway traffic, blind spot monitoring, ‘Exit assist’ to warn you if you’re about to open your door into an unseen cyclist or car and more besides. Given the relatively modest cost – and desirability for resale values – we’d expect most people to tick the box for the all-inclusive ‘XL’ package.” Expert rating: 4/5
2021 Cupra Leon – Comfort: “Cupra is, of course, a premium performance brand, and the Leon is certainly dressed to impress inside. Fair to say, our test car was in the top VZ3 trim with standard leather upholstery and all the trimmings, but all models get sports seats, ambient lighting, and plenty of Cupra’s signature copper-colored embellishments for a classy ambiance. Drivers who appreciate a sportier position will appreciate the ability to set the seat nice and low, but, however you like to sit, there is plenty of adjustment to suit all shapes and sizes up front. Benefits of the new Leon’s longer wheelbase are felt in the back, too, with nice long doors for easy access and a low-slung but comfortable rear seat and decent legroom. As ever the central one is a bit lumpy for the fifth passenger, but it’s spacious for four and boot space is average for a car of this size. Given its sporty positioning, Cupra has set its Leon up to ride lower and more firmly than the regular Seat version, the bigger wheels on higher trim levels looking cool but threatening a more brittle ride. Thankfully, all but the entry trim level get adjustable suspension, which you can control via the driver modes or even configure from a 15-step slider in the menu for the Individual mode. Most drivers will accept the slightly firmer ride given the sporty positioning, and here the Leon impresses with its balance between comfort and control, the handling precise without feeling as harsh as rivals like the Megane R.S. can. Even in its softer settings, the Leon handles with real verve, though the stiffest Cupra mode is still compliant enough to be used on the road without rattling your teeth out.” Expert rating: 3/5
2021 Cupra Leon – Features: “Most cars based on this new Golf platform feature the very on-trend combination of a central touch-screen through which you control everything from infotainment to heating and ventilation. While it does a good job of decluttering the cabin by getting rid of physical buttons, the interface can be fiddly. Touch-sensitive surfaces are all very well, but when basic functions like adjusting the heating or turning the volume up or down mean taking your eyes off the road, it’s hard to argue technology has made things better. In fairness, this will likely become second nature over time, and there are options to control many functions from the wheel or via voice control. But not everyone wants that. Moaning aside, the configurable digital instruments and central touch-screen look pretty slick and have tons of functionality, with all Cupra Leons getting built
CUPRA Leon Hatchback (2020 – ) – Unleash the Thrill
Price: Starting at £30,455
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🌟 Auto Insight AI User Review: 4.5/5 Stars
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