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Car reviews - Cupra - Leon

Overview

We like
Exceptional PHEV fuel economy; range-wide handling composure; standout looks
Room for improvement
Cabin plastic rattles; some tyre noise in higher grades; price nudges premium rivals

Updated Cupra Leon range brings sporty sophistication to the small car segment

16 Oct 2025

Overview

 

THE updated Cupra Leon range has arrived in local showrooms, bringing with it three model variants, two body styles, and one very attractive look.

 

Importantly for Australia buyers who prefer small segment wagons over compact SUVs, the Cupra Leon range also introduces a Sportstourer (wagon) body style to the line-up, offered exclusively in VZe trim with a 200kW high-performance plug-in hybrid driveline capable of travelling up to 121km (WLTP) on a single charge.

 

Priced from $69,990 plus on-road costs, the Leon Sportstourer VZe is joined by the S mild hybrid hatch trim (from $46,990 + ORC), and the turbocharged petrol VZx (from $64,990 + ORC) that further benefits from the addition of a new Extreme Package option.

 

For the Sportstourer VZe, we find Cupra’s new generation plug-in hybrid powertrain combining a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with a 20kWh battery pack and electric motor to offer a total system figure of 200kW and 400Nm – or enough to accelerate the variant from standstill to 10km/h in 7.3 seconds.

 

The entry-grade S is powered by the combination of a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol unit mated with a 48-volt mild hybrid system capable of delivering a combined cycle fuel consumption figure of as low as 5.4 litres per 100km.

 

Finally, the hard-charging Leon VZx offers 221kW and 400Nm from its 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine, which is paired with a quick-shifting seven-speed dual-clutch transmission to offer a 0-100km/h time of just 5.7 seconds.

 

Coupled with a front differential lock, the powertrain is said to offer Leon VZx drivers greater control over power delivery, the system taking steering angle, wheel speed and yaw sensor readings the “ensure engaging driving dynamics”.

 

With a facelifted exterior and newly designed interior elements including the centre control, door panels, dashboard, and upholsteries, the Cupra Leon offers equipment highlights including 18-inch alloy wheels, Sport seats with electric driver’s side adjustment and memory, a heated steering wheel, tri-zone climate control, a 12.9-inch infotainment touchscreen, 10.25-inch digital instrument panel, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, and a wireless phone charging pad.

 

A strong list of standard safety kit includes highlights such as adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, front cross-traffic assist, park assist self-parking, speed sign recognition, 10 airbags, and more.

 

Optioning the $2200 Leather & Sound Package on the Leon S will further add Moonslate leather-appointed upholstery, front passenger side power seat adjustment with memory, and a 12-speaker Sennheiser premium sound system

 

Stepping up to the Leon VZx we find 19-inch alloy wheels, quad exhaust outlets, side skirts, adaptive dampers, an upgraded brake bundle, and a “full-throated Cupra drive profile”.

 

Adding the $7600 Extreme Package sees Cup bucket seats in Enceladus Grey, Akebono high-performance brakes, gloss grey interior accents, and Matrix Ultra LED high beam lights added to the list.

 

A sunroof is also available on both Leon Hatch S and VZx variants as a $1800 option.

 

Finally, for the Leon Sportstourer VZe we find those features offered on the ‘S’ grade, as well as 19-inch alloy wheels, adaptive dampers, Cupra drive profile, a 12-speaker Sennheiser premium sound system, Moonslate leather-appointed upholstery, powered tailgate with kick sensor, roof rails, and both Mode 2 and 3 charging cables.

 

A panoramic roof with front tilt and slide can also be optioned for $2000.

 

Cargo space for the hatch is listed at 344 litres with the rear seats in places and 888 litres all told. For the Sportstourer those numbers are 470 litres and 1045 litres respectively.

 

Ten paint colours are available including four standard hues – Fiord Blue, Glacial White, Magnetic Tech, and Midnight Black – alongside three premium paint options – Taiga Grey, Graphene Grey, and Dark Void – for an additional $620.

 

Further, matte finishes – including Century Bronze, Enceladus Grey, and Magnetic Tech – are offered for an additional $2650.

 

Cupra Australia backs its seven-model range with a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty with included 24/7 roadside assistance.

 

Service intervals are set at 12 months or 15,000km (whichever comes first) with a launch offer service pack available from $1990 (until 31 December).

 

Driving Impressions

 

Small segment cars with eager handling and a European pedigree ask something a price premium Down Under, and the Cupra Leon is no different.

 

The good news is, that if you can stump up the cash, you’ll find a ripper little package that its attractively styled and a lot of fun to drive – even when it’s motivated by plug-in electric power!

 

In reality, all three of the Leon variants are a pleasure to drive.

 

The base model mightn’t have the outright grunt of the plug-in hybrid or flagship VZx, but it’s certainly no slouch. The mild-hybrid powertrain works happily to keep things interesting, providing plenty of performance for all but the steepest of grades.

 

The transmission shifts swiftly and is well-tuned, keeping the 1.5-litre engine bubbling along happily. The combination suits the open road driving as much as it does the around-town slog. An extended run from the western suburbs of Sydney out and over the Blue Mountains shows the ‘S’ variant is both capable and efficient, returning a fuel use figure of 5.1 litres per 100km.

 

Pleasingly, the entry grade is also a terrific handler – and because of its weight and wheel diameter, the best riding variant in the grade in our humble opinion… though that’s not to say the others ride like a brick.

 

Interestingly, both of the sportier grades are not as hard-edged as you might think. Sure, there’s a firmer tune, and the tyre rumble that comes with it. But the VZe and VZx aren’t so firm as to break the deal. In fact, we reckon the duo offer a far better ride than many ‘hot hatch’ rivals, tackling all but the harshest of surfaces with a decent level of compromise.

 

The stronger powertrain of the plug-in variant comes as a surprise for a vehicle capable of using less than 2.9 litres per 100km in hybrid mode, with plenty in reserve for overtaking when the need arises.

 

Power delivery is smooth, and quiet, at least until the throttle is completely open, which makes the VZe something of a wolf in sheep’s clothes when viewed against similarly priced plug-in hybrid rivals.

 

We had no trouble covering 80km on all-electric power, either, meaning most buyers should be able to cover the weekday commute without firing up the petrol engine.

 

Despite the weight of the battery and the larger ‘wagon’ rear, the VZe remains well balanced and an absolute joy to steer. Though the flagship VZx is clearly the performance champion of the range, the ability to offer performance, economy, composure – and extra boot space – makes the VZe Sportstourer something of a darling in our eyes.

 

But what of that performance flagship?

 

Combining the Volkswagen Group’s acclaimed EA888-series turbocharged 2.0-litre ‘four’ with a sharp-shifting dual-clutch transmission and tricky front diff’ the VZx is an absolute hoot. Like the related Golf GTI, the Leon VZx dishes up sorted front-drive dynamics for accurate handling and thrilling acceleration.

 

It’s a surprisingly mature offering that steers and rides with more forgiveness than, say, the Honda Civic Type R, that is spirited enough so as to embarrass many on a winding country backroad.

 

Okay, okay, there’s a little tyre noise to contend with and a few plastic rattles from around the centre console. But the driving position, figure-hugging seats, and responsive pedals provide all the right ‘feels’ – especially when optioned with the race-car-like seats of the Extreme Package.

 

On test, and despite some generous prodding of the right foot, the Leon VZx used less than 10 litres per 100km, showing that enthusiastic drivers can have their cake and eat it too.

 

Moving across to the stopping side of the deal, we found the optional Akebono brakes a brilliant alternative to the factory-issued discs and rotors, giving massive initial bite and fade-free performance.

 

Despite the added stopping power, the Japanese-sourced brake package continues to provide the kind of pedal modulation, meaning day-to-day driving is just as effortless as is the case elsewhere.

 

If we were to be picky, we’d ask for a little more exhaust note from the Leon VZx, or at least the opportunity to switch between modes without a synthesised soundtrack. The EA888 can be tuned to deliver a healthy bark, and it’s a shame that’s simply not the case at Cupra.

 

We’d also like Cupra to take a serious look at the plastic buzzing and rattles across all three variants, finding far from faultless acoustics in the centre console and upper dash pad. Given the asking price – and the quality of rivals in the game – it’s a given that the Leon should be free from such niggles.

 

On balance, however, we have to say we enjoyed our time in the Leon range immensely.

 

For us, however, it’s the VZe Sportstourer that is the pick of the litter. It offers an excellent blend of performance and economy, standout looks, and the right amount of practicality. It’s also economical, entertaining, and very attractive, making it a very hard deal to walk past – even when it’s priced at $70K!


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