2024 Cupra Leon VZx review

Cupra has been in Australia now for nearly two years, and the emblem is slowly however unquestionably rising its gross sales quantity.

The Leon hatchback is among the fashions the Spanish Volkswagen subsidiary introduced with in the neighborhood, and is lately to be had in a sprawling selection of variants. It’s been a slight overshadowed at the gross sales charts through the Formentor crossover and Born electrical hatchback then again.

On take a look at this is the flagship and high-performance-oriented 2024 Cupra Leon VZx which had its asking value hiked through $1700 for style 12 months 2024 (MY24), regardless that it additionally picked up DAB+ virtual radio.

This actual variant will also be outstanding from the remainder of the Leon territory because of its particular copper-coloured 19-inch alloy wheels and gigantic array of copper accents each inside and outside. It’s additionally the one variant to have right kind quad exhaust shops, too.

There are plethora of automobiles which are in accordance with the Volkswagen Crew’s MQB evo platform to choose between, together with however now not restricted to the Audi A3, Skoda Octavia, Volkswagen Golfing, in addition to the Cupra Formentor. A bundle of them are priced in a similar fashion which makes issues much more difficult.

Will have to you continue to imagine the Leon? Learn alongside to determine.

How a lot does the Cupra Leon value?

Cupra has national drive-away pricing for the Leon – costs went up between $1200 and $1700, relying at the variant, for MY24.

2024 Cupra Leon pricing

• 2024 Cupra Leon V: $49,190 (+$1200)
• 2024 Cupra Leon VZ: $57,990 (+$1500)
• 2024 Leon Leon VZe: $61,690 ahead of on-road prices (+$1700)
  • $64,690 (ACT) (+$1700)
  • $65,690 (QLD) (+$1700)
  • $66,690 (NSW) (+$1700)
  • $66,690 (SA) (+$1700)
  • $67,190 (VIC) (+$1700)
  • $67,690 (WA) (+$1700)
• 2024 Cupra Leon VZx: $65,690 (+$1700)

All costs are drive-away

To peer how the Leon compares with its competitors, worth our comparison tool.

What’s the Cupra Leon like at the within?

Strolling as much as the Cupra Leon VZx it surely has a commanding presence, particularly when completed within the stealthy but crowd pleasing Magnetic Tech matte (graphite gray) external paint as revealed on our tester.

Hopping in you’ve duck a slight not up to you’d to begin with be expecting when you’ve spent an excellent trade in of your life out and in of crossovers (like myself). It is a low-slung hatchback then again and has an simply out there cabin relative to its extra hardcore competitors.

Whenever you’re in you’re introduced with a suite of gorgeous and sporty-looking entrance bucket seats which are one of the crucial primary focal issues within the automobile. They’re completed within the logo’s Petrol Blue leather-appointed upholstery that appears very particular.

The entrance seats hug you in great and snuggly with plethora of facet bolstering, but are actually at ease and supple. The headrests also are tremendous squishy which is a pleasant contact.

The driving force’s seat trade in electrical adjustment with plethora of thigh assistance that may dialled up, in addition to reminiscence. The entrance passenger seat then again is completely manually adjustable which isn’t unusual for the branch however a slight disappointing given that is the flagship variant within the lineup.

To produce up for this each the entrance seats are blazing which is a to hand detail on cold Melbourne mornings whilst you first get into the auto.

Forward of the driving force is a flat-bottomed guidance wheel that Cupra refers to because the ‘Supersport’ guidance wheel. It’s but every other spotlight of the Leon’s internal and is one among my favorite guidance wheels on any unused automobile on the age.

I adore it such a lot as it’s slim and has perforated divisions that store your fingers cool after they get clammy. It’s additionally blazing to store your fingers toasty heat in chilly climate.

All of the buttons on guidance wheel are bodily too, and they’ve a pleasing clicky motion when pressed.

Uniquely the Leon VZx is the one variant within the territory to obtain the guidance wheel-mounted engine start-stop button that makes this automobile really feel particular and prefer race car-like.

In the back of the guidance wheel there are some paddle shifters which are unusually impish given how deafening the Spanish Volkswagen subsidiary logo is. Talking of Volkswagen, the indicator and wiper stalks are familiar and really feel very common.

As usual there’s a right kind 10.25-inch virtual tool aggregate that like many Volkswagen Crew automobiles has loads of customisation. There are a variety of various perspectives to choose between, plus a territory of informative content material that may be cycled via.

My favorite view used to be the person who presentations the revs and speedo in an octagonal environment, with shuttle meter content material within the heart. You’ll be able to put the map view within the heart rather when you’d want.

Transferring throughout there’s a 12.0-inch touchscreen infotainment device that sits proudly at the dashboard. Regardless of its massive measurement it doesn’t essentially glance adore it has the next answer than used Leon fashions which had a smaller 10.0-inch infotainment touchscreen.

The infotainment device’s person interface additionally isn’t right away sunlit and will hurry slightly to be informed and perceive. Even on the finish of the occasion of our mortgage length I used to be nonetheless working out the place explicit menus and pages to management sure options have been.

You’d higher get old to the infotainment device then again since you’re taking to be the use of it a bundle. Nearly all of the condition controls, but even so some contact sliders that don’t light up and restricted touch-sensitive buttons, are built-in into the touchscreen.

Until you already know what you’re doing it may be a slight awkward faffing round to regulate sure condition control-related purposes. Fortunately some key condition management purposes are all the time provide on the manage of the display within the local interface and at the facet when attached to smartphone mirroring.

Talking of smartphone mirroring, all the Leon territory comes with each stressed out and wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. With my iPhone 15 Professional Max attached wirelessly I did have some moments the place it from time to time dropped out, which isn’t unusual for some automobiles with wi-fi smartphone mirroring.

To recovery the temperamental wi-fi smartphone connectivity I discovered I had to worth a USB cable. This additionally fastened every other one among my gripes, which used to be the wi-fi telephone charger didn’t in fact rate my telephone.

When attached to Apple CarPlay it seems that to be extra zoomed in than it appears to be like in alternative automobiles. It’s additionally a slight pixelated which doesn’t produce it glance very flash.

Taking a look across the cabin there are a host of actually cool-looking soft-touch finishes in grand touch-point fields, regardless that you don’t wish to glance a long way to seek out more difficult plastics. I love there are minimum piano grey finishes, regardless that I used to be a slight upset to have the door deal with jerk really feel crunchy when the use of it.

At the centre stack I really like how minimum the tools selector is, plus the miniature quantity of locker on each and every facet. I additionally actually just like the ratcheting centre glovebox armrest that permits you to configure it on your desired top.

The Leon VZx’s internal is nice-looking twilight, copper accents apart, regardless that our tester used to be fitted with the not obligatory electrical sunroof that is helping bleach the atmosphere. The one catch is the sunroof’s aimless isn’t very non-transperant because of this an excellent quantity of solar nonetheless streams via. It will worrying whilst you’re feeling sizzling.

There are internal ambient lights strips within the Leon’s cabin that spans all the width of the dashboard. It is a a laugh approach so as to add your personal persona to the auto, regardless that it additionally doubles as a security serve as as it’s old as a part of the blind-spot tracking.

The extreme factor I’ll point out ahead of speaking about the second one row is the Leon VZx’s nine-speaker Beats pitch device is ok, regardless that a slight too bass bulky for my liking. I’m in most cases all about that bass, nevertheless it’s humorous how on this automobile it’s slightly residue.

Hopping into the second one row there’s an ample quantity of area. At a leggy 182cm imposing I had enough quantity leg, head and shoulder room to get relaxed, regardless that my ahead visibility used to be impeded through the massive sporty entrance bucket seats.

With regards to second-row facilities there’s a 3rd zone of condition management, two USB-C ports, in addition to a fold-down armrest with cupholders.

On the again the Leon VZx has a guide tailgate which isn’t unusual for hatchbacks like this. As soon as it’s observable you’re introduced with a claimed 380 litres of boot area which seems to be deep and reasonably massive.

One problem concerning the boot is there’s a grand loading lip because of this you want to boost the pieces into the boot, in lieu than slide them in.

There actually aren’t many facilities within the boot regardless that a portion of the centre seat will also be folded right down to business like a ski port. That is to hand when you’re loading lengthy pieces into the boot and don’t wish to wrinkle unwell a seat or seats.

Underneath the boot ground as usual within the Leon VZx is a space-saver extra wheel which is healthier than having a tyre restore package or not anything in any respect.

Fortunately our tester wasn’t provided with the not obligatory Brembo brake package deal which subs out the space-saver extra wheel for a tyre restore package.

What’s beneath the bonnet?

There are 4 other powertrains to be had within the native Cupra Leon territory. On take a look at this is the flagship turbo-petrol providing.

To peer how the Leon compares with its competitors, worth our comparison tool.

How does the Cupra Leon power?

The method of initiation up the Cupra Leon VZx feels actually particular as a result of not like each alternative variant within the territory you press a button at the flat-bottomed guidance wheel. You don’t get such things as this in a mainstream automobile very frequently.

As soon as the engine turns over you’re supplied with a stupendous snarl. Even the lazy pitch is excellent regardless that I miracle how a lot of it’s synthesised as it doesn’t pitch the similar out of doors the auto.

Environment off it’s obvious there’s a bucket-load of energy and torque beneath your proper understructure. The whole 400Nm of torque is to be had from 2000rpm so the engine doesn’t need to paintings too crispy to get a exit on. You’ll additionally get driven again into the seat firmly which could be very addictive.

With out residue paintings you’ll simply beat the vast majority of alternative vehicles on the visitors lighting fixtures when you’re that approach prone. Simply take into accout then again as when you’re a slight too generous with the accelerator you’ll get some entrance wheel slip. This isn’t an Audi S3 or Volkswagen Golfing R with the safety of all-wheel power.

There are a slew of power forms that may be cycled via through urgent the alternative round button reverse the engine start-stop button at the guidance wheel. Those now not best trade the engine, transmission and throttle calibration, but additionally the adaptive damper song.

One in all my favorite power forms is the ‘Cupra’ method as it’s looks like probably the most proper strategy to revel in the flagship Leon VZx. It sharpens each a part of the auto, in addition to amplifies the synthesised riding pitch and provides some cool pops and crackles on overrun.

A seven-speed dual-clutch automated transmission is usual within the Leon VZx and it’s a silky easy unit that gives actually speedy tools shifts, even in ordinary riding.

I’m generally now not keen on twin clutches as a result of they are able to now and again be a slight i’m not sure and clunky at low speeds when paired with engines with low torque outputs, then again that is explicit pairing is among the maximum confidence-inspiring combos I’ve sampled to future.

Day the twin clasp supplies lightning speedy tools shifts whilst you’re accelerating briskly to store the engine with ease inside of its torque band, it could possibly additionally store the revs unwell very low to maximize gas economic system when you aren’t accelerating tremendous temporarily or have reached your required whip.

It’s exciting to peer how low the engine revs will also be held and nonetheless be accelerating at a reliable moment. The twin clasp may also keep onto the next tools if it could possibly and best let go a tools when you press the accelerator more impregnable or head up a hill.

At low speeds the Leon VZx’s guidance is actually sunny and a laugh to twirl. This in flip (when you’ll oblivion the pun) makes negotiating tight areas like carparks really easy and smile-inducing.

Each Leon variant has a determined guidance rack that provides weight as you accelerate. The speculation is it makes the auto simple to deal with at low speeds, but extra direct and attractive at upper speeds.

As usual the Leon VZx has entrance and rear parking sensors, regardless that disappointingly just a rear-view digital camera with ample answer. You’ll be able to’t get a surround-view digital camera in any Leon variant lately.

There’s additionally a semi-autonomous parking workman this is to hand when you don’t really feel assured parallel parking for instance, however is annoyingly undisclosed within the touchscreen. This negates its capability in my sights.

Round the city the abeyance is company however by no means too company like some sporty vehicles will also be. You’ll indubitably be feeling whip bumps and vicious pot holes however that’s possibly right down to the massive 19-inch alloy wheels with low-profile tyres.

It’s detectable the Leon VZx is supposed to pushed temporarily. It virtually urges you to be pushed more difficult and quicker at each given alternative, which could be very a laugh.

In case you do give the auto a squirt on some twisty roads you indubitably received’t be upset. The chassis feels extraordinarily dynamic, plus the engine and transmission mixture is in a position to turning in that degree of functionality.

Probably the most unexpected factor about riding the Leon VZx dynamically then again is it’s very user-friendly – it doesn’t really feel adore it desires to tear your head off at any given alternative, which is comforting.

Up to this automobile will also be pushed crispy, it will also be dialled again very simply and grow to be a slick freeway tourer. The aggravating catch then again is at freeway speeds you get bucket plenty of street and tyre noise, which is a familiar gripe for functionality vehicles with sticky tyres.

The Leon VZx has a transmission decoupling serve as whilst you’re coasting to minimise gas worth. When it turns on the engine revs let go again to lazy and also you’ll coast alongside till you press the accelerator once more or press the brake.

The program is excellent for probably the most phase regardless that you simply select up whip unwell hills because of the dearth of engine braking. It additionally now and again will and and others received’t turn on in ordinary visitors which will makes it crispy to gauge how temporarily you want to start out slowing unwell.

The fuel-saving transmission decoupling serve as additionally works whilst you’ve were given adaptive cruise management on, which sees you whip temporarily get up above you’re prepared whip. Fortunately the auto does put the brakes on itself as soon as a undeniable threshold is reached which recouples the transmission and brings again engine braking.

I discovered whilst you’re riding on street with rolling hills when adaptive cruise management is activated it’s going to dip above and underneath the prepared whip slightly residue. I do know I may do a greater activity at keeping up a undeniable whip than the cruise management can.

Fortunately despise this gripe the adaptive cruise management device is superb at judging when a automobile travelling quicker than you is merging into your lane. It received’t slam at the brakes like techniques in some vehicles will.

Above 60km/h ordinary lane escape ultimatum and lane-keeping help will turn on and it’s excellent for probably the most phase, regardless that it could possibly get a slight puzzled on some pale lane markings or roads with meandering curves.

I actually favored the use of the Leon’s Go Lend a hand serve as which mixes adaptive cruise management with lane centring at the highway as it takes the vast majority of the figure out of what’s in most cases monotonous riding.

Finally, the Leon VZx will get incredible LED headlights as usual regardless that disappointingly they don’t have an adaptive or matrix high-beam serve as. They do have an auto high-beam serve as then again, the place it’ll dip the headlights totally when a automobile’s headlights or tail lighting fixtures are detected forward.

What do you get?

The 2024 Cupra Leon is to be had in 4 other variants. On take a look at this is the flagship VZx.

2024 Cupra Leon V highlights:

• 18-inch black-and-silver alloy wheels
• 18-inch space-saver extra wheel
• Scorching, energy folding facet mirrors
• LED headlights
• LED daylight operating lighting fixtures
• Fog lighting fixtures with cornering serve as
• LED tail lighting fixtures with static signs
• Automated headlights
• Automated high-beam
• Mist-sensing wipers
• Rear tinted home windows
• 12-inch touchscreen infotainment show
• Stressed out and wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• 10.25-inch virtual tool aggregate
• Wi-fi telephone charger
• DAB+ radio
• Two entrance and two rear USB-C ports
• Scorching, leather-wrapped guidance wheel
• Paddle shifters
• Internal ambient lights
• Dark headliner
• Material sports activities bucket seats
• Motive force profile variety
• Dynamic Chassis Regulate
• Aspiring guidance
• Keyless access and arrive
• Auto-dimming rear-view reflect
• 3-zone condition management
• Illuminated sill panels
• Rear spoiler
• Semi-autonomous parking help
• Two entrance and two rear cup holders

VZ provides:

• 19-inch black-and-silver alloy wheels
• Aluminium pedals

VZe provides:

• Tyre restore package (instead of space-saver extra wheel)
• Method 2 and Method 3 charging cable

VZx provides:

• 19-inch black-and-copper alloy wheels
• Aspect skirts
• Quad-tip exhaust
• Scorching ‘supersports’ leather-wrapped guidance wheel
• Petrol Blue dashboard
• Petrol Blue leather-based entrance bucket seats
• Scorching entrance seats
• Energy driving force’s seat with reminiscence
• Reminiscence mirrors
• 9-speaker Beats pitch device

Is the Cupra Leon cover?

The Cupra Leon has a five-star protection score from ANCAP, which is in accordance with Euro NCAP trying out performed at the SEAT Leon in 2020.

It won an grownup occupant coverage score of 91 in step with cent, a kid occupant coverage score of 88 in step with cent, a prone street person coverage score of 71 in step with cent, and a security help score of 80 in step with cent.

Usual protection apparatus around the Leon territory contains:

• 8 airbags
• Self sufficient catastrophe braking (AEB)
  • Pedestrian detection
  • Bicycle owner detection
• Aimless-spot tracking
• Cover advance ultimatum
• Rear go visitors alert
• Lane store help
• Adaptive cruise management
• Go Lend a hand (adaptive cruise management, lane centring)
• Motive force fatigue tracking
• Reversing digital camera
• Entrance and rear parking sensors
• Semi-autonomous parking help

How a lot does the Cupra Leon value to run?

The 2024 Cupra Leon is roofed through a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guaranty.

Upkeep is needed each three hundred and sixty five days or 15,000 kilometres.

The emblem not trade in 3 years of sovereign servicing, rather consumers can make a choice from three- and five-year carrier packs. The 3-year store is priced at $990, future the five-year store is $1990.

Cupra trade in its shoppers the choice of a Carrier Store previous to their first scheduled carrier.

CarExpert’s Snatch at the Cupra Leon

The Cupra Leon is an oft forgotten car as it began future as a ordinary SEAT style and lives within the shade of the connected Formentor crossover which is uniquely a Cupra style and dominates it at the gross sales chart.

Taking a look at and experiencing the flagship Leon VZx on take a look at right here it’s crispy now not to attract parallels between it and the sporty Audi S3 or Volkswagen Golfing R which might be all in accordance with the MQB evo platform. Neither of those automobiles then again trade in front-wheel power dynamism and inherent lightness at this (nonetheless rather inexpensive) price ticket.

The absolutely loaded Cupra Leon VZx looks like the easiest way to revel in this sporty Spanish hatchback. Positive all of the variants lately on trade in have their deserves, however this actual automobile is absolutely loaded and has the versatility to wave between being a dynamic nook carver and a at ease cruiser very easily.

There are indubitably louder and extra focussed functionality vehicles on trade in in Australia, regardless that sizzling hatches are a death breed so get in future you’ll!

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