4 minute read
Long-termers
CUPRA LEON ESTATE
Darren Cassey finds the Spanish car maker’s new performance estate has its good points – but a rather bad one as well...
Here in Britain, we’re the hot hatch capital of the world. The passion was born out of putting tuned engines in everyday cars to make affordable performance models, and it’s grown into a massive business.
So much so that not only do manufacturers build tuned versions of their own everyday cars to sell from official dealers, but this has expanded to offer go-faster versions of the estate models too, promising the ultimate combination of practicality and performance.
One such example is the Cupra Leon Estate that we’re running for the next six months. Why is it here? To see if this on-paper all-rounder promise translates to the real world.
Under the load-lugger’s bonnet is a 2.0-litre petrol engine, which is essentially the same one used across a variety of Volkswagen Group performance models. Here it makes 306bhp and 400Nm of torque, which goes through a seven-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. It’s certainly quick, reaching 60mph in under five seconds and topping out at an electronically limited 155mph. When the first Leon Cupras hit the road over a decade ago, those figures would have seemed astronomical. It feels every bit as quick as the figures suggest, too. There are various drive modes, as well as a Cupra mode that sharpens everything for ultimate performance. In the sportier modes, you plant your foot and after a brief delay as the gearbox figures out your intentions, you’re catapulted forward at a thrilling pace. With the all-wheel drive in our model, it’ll hook up even in damp conditions and embarrass much pricier machinery.
We’ve not had much time yet to drive the Cupra Leon Estate to the extent of its abilities, but I expect the short, stubby paddle shifters mounted behind the wheel are likely to become annoying. They’re not easy to reach and I’m not sure the gearbox is clever enough to respond quickly in automatic mode when pressing on.
That said, the automatic gearbox is decent in everyday driving. It can be caught out by attempting to accelerate while slowing – for example, approaching a red traffic light that turns to green – but generally, it manages to respond quickly to your inputs.
Something that’s been slightly disappointing has been the fuel economy. I’m struggling to keep over 30mpg in the Leon unless I’m taking it really easy on a longer trip, and I’m expecting that to nosedive once I make the most of the Cupra’s breadth of abilities on a winding country lane. That’s to be expected, but when the official figures suggest up to 34mpg could be possible, slightly better fuel economy would be welcome.
As for the styling, that’s a real winner. The Leon is already a handsome car, but Cupra gives it a bit more of a sporting edge, with sharper lines and an aggressive front end.
I’ve encountered an alarming issue with the adaptive cruise control, though, which seems reluctant to overtake cars sometimes. I think the car thinks it’s on the continent so when overtaking it reckons it’s undertaking, which it’s programmed not to do. The result is that I pull out to pass someone and the car slows me automatically to match their speed, sitting in the outside lane just behind them. I’ve contacted Cupra to find out if this is a known issue and how I might fix it.
Despite that, I’ve been really pleased with the Cupra Leon Estate. It’s rapid when it needs to be but has a comfortable ride when you just want to chill.
THE KNOWLEDGE
Cupra Leon Estate VZ2
Price (as tested): £39,110 Engine: 2.0-litre petrol Power: 306bhp Torque: 400Nm 0-60mph: 4.7 seconds Max speed: 155mph Emissions: 186g/km CO2 Fuel economy: 32.8-34.4 Mileage: 808 This month’s highlight:
Getting the keys to ‘our’ new Spanish high-performance load-lugger for the next six months.
OTHER CARS WE’RE DRIVING
Volvo XC40 Recharge T5
Mileage: 3,977 We took the Volvo to a new ‘Electric Forecourt’ to see what the future looks like!
Mazda MX-30
Mileage: 2,400 We’re still adjusting to life with the Mazda and spending a lot of time at public charging points!
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