Cupra Leon long-term test: report 3

The car Cupra Leon 1.5 e-Hybrid Shadow Edition Run by George Hill, Used Cars Writer

Why it’s here To find out whether the plug-in hybrid Cupra Leon is a fun daily driver

Needs to Deliver a good electric range for commuting, while being economical when the battery runs out of juice. An enjoyable driving experience is a must, too. 

Miles covered 1704 List price £44,635 Target Price £36,595 Price as tested £45,330 Official economy 206.5mpg Test economy 59.6mpg

19 March 2026 – Heading for the hills

Cup Racing. That’s what the Cupra name stands for, because it was once the performance arm of Seat, before diverging into a standalone – and subsequently very successful – brand. Indeed, Cupra sold 41,214 cars in the UK last year, which is almost double the amount Seat sold. And I can see why.

You see, it’s this motorsport DNA that drew me to running a Cupra Leon as a company car in the first place. I was looking for a fun daily driver, but one that wouldn’t cost me the earth to run, which is why I chose the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version.

But just how fun is my car? Well, to find out, I decided to head to the sweeping roads of the South Downs. And then, on arrival, I pushed the big, copper-coloured Cupra button on the steering wheel, which allows you to flick through the Comfort, Performance and Individual driving modes.

I selected Performance, which sharpens up the accelerator response, firms up the adaptive suspension, and maximises responsiveness from the engine and electric motor. And the result was… a mostly pleasant drive.

The steering has a nice, weighty feel to it, while the bucket-style driver’s seat kept me tightly in place through faster corners, and the handling is good for a weighty PHEV. Just bear in mind that this weight (from the hybrid battery) means the PHEV Leon isn’t as nimble as a pure petrol alternative, such as a Volkswagen Golf GTI.

The ride is also quite firm in Performance mode, meaning the car can crash over harsh bumps. But this isn’t unusual for a hot hatch, and the trade-off is good body control.

Instead, the biggest disappointment for me on this trip was the engine, which isn’t as responsive as I’d like and sounds coarse when the revs go above 4000rpm. I’ll admit, it left me lusting after the more zesty 293bhp 2.0-litre petrol Leon, which is faster and smoother.

Then again, on my daily commute, the PHEV version is proving to be a very capable companion. And it’s certainly good for my wallet: not only does it qualify for a lowly 7% BIK tax rate (versus the 37% of the fastest pure-petrol Leon), but my average fuel economy is nudging 60mpg. And that’s after my spirited drive in the South Downs.

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