SEAT Leon Cupra (2014 – 2020) Review

SEAT Leon Cupra (2014 – 2020) At A Glance

4/5
Honest John Overall Rating
It may not be the most obvious choice of hot hatch, but you ignore the SEAT Leon Cupra at your peril if you’re in the market for this type of car.

+Great fun to drive with superb handling. Throaty exhaust note. Well equipped as standard.

-More expensive than a Ford Focus ST.

Insurance Groups are between 32–36
On average it achieves 76% of the official MPG figure

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.

Ask Honest John

Should I change all four tyres on an all-wheel drive car?

"I have owned my SEAT Leon Cupra ST 300 4Drive (estate version) since new. It's now three years old and has done 30,000 miles. It has the original tyres on. The front tyres need replacing due to tread depth, down to 2-3mm. The rears still have 5mm. Do I need to replace all four tyres or just the front two? If I replace just the front two, do they need to be the same as the rear two (I currently have Continental ContiSportContact 5, and was considering having SportContact 7's). In effect, can I put 2 SportContact 7's on the front, or is it better to have all four SportContact 7's? I was also contemplating Continental All Season tyres, but that would mean changing all four. "
Our default answer on this is that replacing all four tyres would be the ideal scenario, but replacing the two tyres on each axle at a time isn't a disaster. However with all-wheel drive cars there is a risk of mechanical damage because the older, more worn tyres have a lower circumference and will rotate faster than the new tyres. This can cause increased mechanical wear on items such as differentials on all-wheel drive cars. Given yours is a high power car that needs all the grip it can get, we'd bite the bullet and get all four. You might find that the tyre fitter is willing to discount and sell on your rear tyres as part-worn.
Answered by Lawrence Allan

Which hatchback should I buy?

"I have a fair budget for a used car, preferably a petrol hot hatch with reasonable MPG consumption and also suitable for everyday car use. I am thinking of something up to a 2.0-litre engine. I am looking currently at the SEAT Ibiza III FR, SEAT Leon Cupra, SEAT Ibiza VI FR, SEAT Leon, Audi S3, Audi A3, Audi quattro, Volkswagen Golf V GTI, and Volkswagen Polo V. Can you please advice me what is the best choice and also what are the most common issues with the above cars."
The current Ibiza Cupra 1.8 TSI or Polo GTI 1.8 TSI are good, but a Ford Fiesta ST goes and handles better. Avoid Audi A1, Ibiza and Polo with the 1.4 Twincharger engine and DSG transmission. Current A3 with EA888 engine okay; previous one had trouble with timing chain, piston rings and coking up of inlet valves. The current SEAT Leon FR 1.8 TSI with independent rear suspension is okay. I'd avoid the previous generation of hot Leon because they are ugly. Avoid Golf V and VI because they are the most troublesome cars recorded. Polo and Ibiza 1.2 with timing chains can have timing chain trouble. Check them all out at http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/
Answered by Honest John

Which performance Golf is best?

"I am struggling to decide which quick Volkswagen Golf to buy. Unusually, the diesel-engined GTD costs £500 less than the admittedly quicker and probably sharper GTI. On the other hand, the GTD is a lot less thirsty and has lower emission levels also. Both models are similarly finished inside and out. Maybe the deciding factor is that I drive fewer than 12000 miles a year, mostly journeys of 30 miles or less with a few longer trips thrown in. My head says GTD but my heart says GTI. What do you think? Of the two, is there a clear winner? Thank you."
Get the GTI, or a SEAT Cupra 290.
Answered by Honest John

Buying a fast estate - Octavia vRS or Leon Cupra ST?

"I'm currently looking at buying a quick(ish) estate car. I'll be travelling approximately 10,000 miles a year, so petrol seems the best option for me. Having driven Skodas for some time, the Octavia vRS estate seems the obvious choice. However the Leon Cupra ST isn't a huge amount more to buy, especially when equipped as I would like, although the interior does seem a bit dull. Which car would you buy? "
The Skoda is a very solid feeling car but it gives away 60PS to the Leon Cupra ST so if it's poke you want the Leon wins. The other obvious contender is the Focus ST estate which journos generally reckon handles better, has 250PS (v/s 220PS and 280PS) but initially had a very dodgy ESC/Traction Control system that was best left switched off. Don't have a test of the Octavia VRS estate. Do of the others: http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/road-tests/seat/seat-leon-st-cupra-2015-road-test// http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/road-tests/ford/ford-focus-st-2012-road-test// Avoid the VAG DSG autoboxes. They spoil the cars.
Answered by Honest John
More Questions

What does a SEAT Leon Cupra (2014 – 2020) cost?