Design & engineering

ORIGINALLY a sporty trim level for SEAT, Cupra was spun off into its own brand in 2018 While some models, like the Formentor, are unique to Cupra, cars such as the Leon take a sportier slant over the SEAT version Sharper bumpers, new wheel designs and lots of copper-coloured highlights set Cupra cars apart, with the latter also extending to the cabin Here, you’ll also find a flat-bottomed steering wheel and a largely uncluttered dashboard, but one that suffers from a major ergonomic flaw We’ve banged on before about the Volkswagen Group’s touch-sensitive sliders for the audio volume and cabin temperature and how, unfathomably, they don’t have any back lighting so you can’t see them at night And although the Group will roll out fixes as each model with the system is updated, this doesn’t stop it being irritating right now

While the specific Cupra details and seat fabrics add some uniqueness and a feeling of sportiness, the overall quality doesn’t quite feel up to scratch, considering the car ’ s asking price But on the plus side, the driving position is comfortable and the seat has a wide range of adjustment

Under the skin, the Leon uses the VW Group’s tried-and-tested MQB platform, which accepts a wide variety of powerplants and fuel types Here, the new base Leon features a 1 5-litre turbocharged petrol with mild-hybrid assistance, which allows for the engine to be stopped and started seamlessly to save fuel Cylinder deactivation and neutral coasting also add to its clever fuel-saving tech

While more potent Cupra Leons use a sophisticated multi-link rear axle set-up, the 1 5 TSI has a simpler torsion beam arrangement The front MacPherson struts are carried over from other Leons, but the 1 5 TSI gets smaller 288mm-diameter brake discs

Driving

OUT on the road, the Cupra Leon drives perfectly acceptably The steering is reasonably light and precise, body roll is kept in check through the turns, and there’s a decent amount of grip to go with a neutral balance The ride is a little firm, though While it isn’t overly harsh (even though larger bumps thump loudly into the cabin), the main issue is a fairly pronounced amount of fidget It’s even present at motorway speeds, so this is a hard car to relax in, because it never wants to completely settle down

But while that hard edge might suggest that it’ll be a hoot in corners, the fun never fully materialises For a sporty brand such as Cupra, we’d like to see a little more excitement from the chassis side – some playfulness or extra feedback to make even mundane drives seem like more of an event

It’s especially important when the car is powered by an engine which isn’t meant to be a snarling performance monster by design In everyday use, the

Details

Cupra Leon vs rivals

Performance

Engine feels a bit flat in this company, while an unsettled ride and a dull chassis don’t do Leon any favours