SEAT Leon Cupra (2014 – 2020) Review

Evolving steadily throughout its lifespan, the SEAT Leon Cupra that arrived in 2014 started with a healthy 265PS from its turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine. This grew to 280- and then 290PS, plus a final hurrah of 310PS in the last of the line Cupra R limited edition models. As such, the Spaniard kept pace in power and acceleration with its major rivals and made for a very able, enjoyable hot hatch. It also came with the usual Leon benefits of a well-made and roomy cabin, and sound build quality all in a fine-handling and swift package.

The 2014 SEAT Leon Cupra acted as a barometer of how much power was required to be considered among the top tier of hot hatches.

Throughout its lifespan, this Leon Cupra’s engine output steadily grew in line with what was needed to fend off lesser rivals and keep the Spaniard very much in the hunt with the best in class such as the Ford Focus ST, Honda Civic Type R and, of course, the Volkswagen Golf GTI.

So, the Leon Cupra began with 265PS when it was unveiled in 2014. That seemed like a lot of poke back then, especially for a front-wheel drive hot hatch and only the likes of Vauxhall Astra VXR could outdo the Leon.

To sort that, the Spanish firm introduced a 280PS version of the 2.0-litre turbo petrol four-cylinder motor in 2015. That gave way in short order to a 290PS iteration of the engine and that’s what we have in the later five-door hatch models.

SEAT still wasn’t quite done with upping the ante, though, and for the Leon Cupra Estate power was increased to 300PS. This also comes with four-wheel drive and the same seven-speed DSG twin-clutch automatic gearbox as the hatch.

Even then, SEAT offered a limited edition Cupra R model with 310PS. Finding one will be the trickiest part as only 799 in total were produced. You’ll have similar problems tracking down the earlier Sub8 models built to mark the Leon Cupra lapping the Nürburgring in less than eight minutes, which is quite an achievement for any car.

Whichever Leon Cupra you choose, the brash wheel arches and colour schemes have been replaced with a toned down design and from a distance you’d be hard pressed to tell the Cupra apart from the standard Leon. Yet, under the bonnet, the new Cupra is still highly potent and tremendous fun.

The Leon is also renowned for its impressive handling and the Cupra builds on that. It may be one of the older members of the hot hatch brigade and now replaced by the Cupra Leon, which is part of a standalone sub-brand of SEAT, but it’s still a very entertaining, enjoyable car to drive.

All models get a limited slip front differential to help deal with the power of the engine and transmit it to the road without the wheels scrabbling for grip. Use the full force of the Leon Cupra and the 290PS hatch will dispense with 0-62mph in six seconds, which is on a par with the class best.

However, it’s the four-wheel drive estate model that steals the performance show and stands out as possibly the most practical fast wagon money can buy. It dashes off 0-62mph in just 4.9 seconds, making it quicker than Honda Civic Type R.

The SEAT Leon Cupra will also push very hard before giving any indication that it's ready to relinquish its grip, such is the ability of its limited-slip diff. There are also other traction aids that work seamlessly to make you feel like a better driver than you might otherwise find yourself in other hot hatches. The 4Drive all-wheel drive system used in the Estate offers up even more grip and reassurance on any type of road.

You’ll also be pleased to hear that the Leon reels things in on the motorway, with the engine note hushed to a barely audible whirl.

The suspension settings can also be customised to match your mood, yet none are what we would describe as hard, despite the large alloy wheels. A bit more steering feel would be good, though.

The Cupra's 2.0 TSI turbo petrol engine comes in 265-, 280-, 290-, 300- and even 310PS forms depending on the age and version you choose. All deliver plenty of acceleration and overtaking pace, with the Estate’s 300PS version perhaps the most rounded of the bunch as it’s allied to a four-wheel drive system to make the most of the tyres’ traction.

A six-speed manual gearbox is the most common transmission in the Cupra R, but some have the seven-speed DSG twin-clutch auto. The Estate has the latter and sees off 0-62mph in a mere 4.9 seconds.

The Cupra models have a mechanical limited slip differential to make the Leon very sure-footed. The Leon Cupra also comes with twin front, side, and curtain airbags, and driver’s knee airbag as standard.

SEAT also provides Front Assist with pedestrian protection and Multi-collision braking system to give autonomous emergency braking.

For those opting for the Lux pack, you get Adaptive Cruise Control and Tiredness Recognition to tell the driver is fatigue might be setting in, and it also has a rear seat belt reminder.

The Spanish firm has kept its focus on comfort. However, should you take a disliking to the shape of your legs and spine, then the option of bucket seats was made available from June 2014 onwards. This is part of the Lux pack that should make the car more, well, luxurious but these seats have the opposite effect.

However, in its standard guise, the Leon Cupra is comfortable and pleasant, with plenty of head and leg room for both the driver and front passenger. You also get lots of shoulder and elbow space, so the Leon’s cabin feels much airier than many of its rivals.

The rear seats offer plenty of space for most passengers and the window line is lower than most so that kids get a decent view out. Boot space comes in at a decent 380-litres, expanding to a maximum of 1210-litres.

The SEAT Leon Cupra’s interior feels quite upmarket compared to earlier Leon generations. The driver gets a flat-bottomed steering wheel with in-built controls. The cloth seats are also comfortable and supportive, which makes them ideal for daily use. However, choosing the Lux pack for the Cupra brings front bucket seats that look ace but don’t offer the same support or comfort as the standard items.

The rest of the car is built up to a very high standard and the SEAT should prove long-lasting, durable and reliable. It had a three-year, 60,000-mile warranty from new.

The SEAT Leon Cupra comes with an 8-inch infotainment screen, common across Volkswagen Group cars. It’s integrated into the upper centre of the dash and is easy to reach from the driver’s seat and the screen responds quickly to the touch of your finger.

However, that finger needs to be accurately placed as some of the display’s icons are quite small and that makes them tricky to locate on the move. There are steering wheel buttons for the obvious functions, such as stereo volume control and answering phone calls without taking your mitts of the wheel. Voice control is also included to help reduce the need to use the touchscreen.

Should you decide to buy a Leon Cupra through SEAT’s approved used scheme, you can pay for it with a Solutions Personal Contract Plan. This can run for any period between two and four years and you can also add the next two routine service stops for £79.

The cars also have a guaranteed mileage when you take delivery and SEAT also offers five days’ worth of free Drive Away insurance starting from when you collect the car. All approved used SEATs come with a 12-month warranty and roadside breakdown cover.

Choose a pre-registered Leon and the 290 hatch version can be found with delivery miles only for £3500 less than list price at £28,000. The 300 Estate is more sought-after, but you can still find pre-registered examples for £2500 below list price.

A six-year old SEAT Leon Cupra in three-door SC 280 form can be yours from £11,500 with around 60,000 miles on the clock. The three-door model was dropped from the range in 2017 and a two-year old five-door hatch Cupra 290 will cost from £20,000 with 20,000 miles under its belt. A Lux version will cost £1000 more, though we’d question the wisdom of spending the extra on a car with front seats that are less comfortable than the standard items.

The all-wheel drive Estate pegs that back to 33.6mpg. Real MPG data shows you can expect 32.3mpg from the hatch and 31.3mpg from the Estate.

For insurance, the hatch model in standard or Lux form sits in group 26, which is several bands lower than a Honda Civic Type R. However, the Leon Cupra Estate with four-wheel drive and superior performance is in group 35, which is on a par with the Volkswagen Golf R.

Pick the Estate version of the SEAT Leon Cupra and it may be more practical but it’s also pricier when it comes to its first-year Vehicle Excise Duty payment. Carbon dioxide emissions of 189g/km, or 190g/km for the Lux model, mean you will pay £870 for the initial 12 months of road tax.

That compares to the £540 the hatch version of the Leon Cupra attracts due to its lower emissions of 170g/km as it doesn’t have the extra weight of an all-wheel drive system to contend with.

Choose the Leon Cupra and you get 19-inch alloy wheels, brake calipers with the Cupra logo, unique bumpers, body kit and grille, and twin exhaust pipes.

You also get LED lights, automatic headlights and wipers, and all-round parking sensors. On the inside, there’s a flat-bottomed steering wheel, front sports seats and microsuede upholstery, black roof lining, climate control, aluminium pedals, and SEAT’s digital cockpit main instrument display.

Infotainment is taken care of by the 8-inch touchscreen in the centre of the dash that has sat-nav, DAB digital radio, MirrorLink, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It’s also works the Cupra Drive Profile.

On top of this lot, you can have the Lux pack that comes with sportier front bucket seats, Adaptive Cruise Control, and KESSY keyless entry and ignition. The Lux versions also have wireless phone charging, rear seat belt reminder and Tiredness recognition to warn if the driver might be feeling fatigued.