Version review

Cupra Leon 1.5 eTSI V1 5dr DSG Review

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Against a regular family car, this engine has decent grunt and efficiency. But it lacks the excitement to be considered a real hot hatch.

1.5 TSI

Estate

<p>The sportiest Seats have long used the&nbsp;Cupra name, but it's now been turned into a standalone sub-brand, in much the same way as Fiat's sportiest models are badged as Abarths.</p>

<p>There's just one car in the line-up at the moment: the Cupra Ateca SUV. However, Cupra versions of the Ibiza and Leon hatchbacks are also planned, as is a bespoke model which –&nbsp;initially, at least –&nbsp;won't be offered in regular Seat from.</p>

<p>Don't think that the first Cupra is just an Ateca with a bit more power and a sporty bodykit, either. Its&nbsp;engine, gearbox and four-wheel drive system are actually very similar to what you'll find in Volkswagen's flagship Golf R hot hatch, and the car can hit 62mph in just 5.4sec.</p>


CUPRA

LEON

This trim is reserved for the 1.5 TSI 150 and 2.0 TSI 190 engines. You get 18in alloys, LED headlights, a digital instrument cluster, 10.1in touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, three-zone climate control, plus front and rear parking sensors along with a back-up camera, and adaptive cruise control. There’s also the added quirk of a heated steering wheel.

1.5 eTSI V1 5dr DSG

15-etsi-v1-5dr-dsg

Driver/passenger manual seat height adjustment

Park assist (inc front/rear parking sensors)

Start/stop system with regenerative braking

LED front fog lamps with cornering function

Electrically adjustable, heated and folding door mirrors

Full link smartphone integration with Mirror Link, wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Google Android Auto

Driver and front passenger airbags with front passenger airbag de-activation, front side and curtain airbags

Separate daytime running light with automatic headlight control and coming home feature

LED headlights with dynamic turn signals, tail lights, rear fog lights with rear coast to coast lighting

Media system plus with navigation pack - Leon Cupra

Cupra Leon

The Cupra Leon 310 estate is practical, surprisingly comfortable and quick, but we'd avoid the e-Hybrid 300, which is mediocre to drive by hot hatch standards, and the pure-petrol 300 hatchback.

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Engaging handling </li> <li>Thrilling performance </li> <li>A characterful engine with an enticing soundtrack </li> <li>Reasonable running costs </li> <li>Not hard to live with day to day</li></ul>

<p>A popular choice with UK buyers since the days of the original Volkswagen Golf GTI, the hot hatchback mixes everyday practicality with higher performance and the sort of handling and agility that’s ideally suited to British roads. A good hot hatch should be fun and, since it’s likely to be your daily drive, it should also deliver respectable running costs.</p>

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Cupra Leon 1.5 eTSI V1 5dr DSG Review

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47.1

620

litres

136

g/km

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