CUPRA Leon Sportstourer, but without the hybrid stuff
Just like it should be! So do I end my article at this point?
Good old 2.0-liter
An engine worthy for the CUPRA Leon, the 2.0-liter four-cylinder from the VAG group. The hybrid version -we tested- had a 1.4-liter e-HYBRID powerplant giving the car 245 horsepower and with that number, the 0-100 km/h was pretty okay. But on the highway, it was another story. This CUPRA Leon Break is fitted with an engine we all are familiar with and this time it produces 310 hp and 400 Nm of torque. Yes, almost Volkswagen Golf 8 R figures. The 2.0-liter Cupra Leon hits 100 km/h in just 4,9 seconds while the fun is over at 250 km/h. Typical german (even being somewhat Spanish).
Beyond the numbers -that are clearly in favor of the 2.0-liter-, the driving feeling off this one gives you just that bit more gratification. The e-HYBRID is always changing its momentum thanks to the available battery power while the 2.0-liter four-cylinder is more predictable. When you are pushing the car you want it to be calculable. And to be honest, you always want the car to give you what you expect. It makes driving the car safer in every situation. In the snow, in the rain and when you overtake another car. Moving to the rain-thing, the car has a crazy amount of grip and even on a wet road, it’s pretty impossible to drift or powerslide the car. And yes, the CUPRA Leon misses out on a drift-modus.
If we keep comparing the two sisters, we need to mention the fact the Leon is the more civilized and has more comfort than the Golf R. You could almost say it’s the most adult choice or the choice for the daddies among us. It can easily be used as a daily driver that is more than fast and comfortable enough on our Belgian roads. Even the average consumption is Belgium-worthy with just 7,9 liters on 100 kilometers and that is when it needs to feed all the 310 horses.
Matte Petrol Blue
CUPRA knows who to make an awesome-looking car! Still connecting to the Seat Leon, CUPRA had limited customization options. More changes will result in a higher price tag in production. It helps CUPRA that the Seat Leon is already an attractive thing. The CUPRA Leon gets an aggressive front bumper with 2 blade-like details hidden in the fake air intake under the fancy headlight. The badge finishes the look in the front and with that said, the petrol-powered and hybrid-powered versions of the car are pretty much identical.
At the side more of the same, we have already seen on the hybrid model. The biggest difference here is different 19-inch rims with bronze-details (and those are optional). Ow and the color, that great-looking Matte Petrol Blue. We, as Team Car Journalism, are fans! Moving further away from the front -towards the back- and the biggest difference reveals itself. With the hybrid, you had some funky-looking fake exhaust in Bronze that -let’s be honest- didn’t make any sense. But this time, ow boy, this time things are different with 2 exhaust pipes on each side. And this also includes some more sound. Don’t expect anything crazy #WLTP.
Familiar
The first time you get the key of the CUPRA Leon, the thing is looking… familiar. We have seen this key at Seat, Skoda, Volkswagen and I don’t find that disruptive. A lot of pieces and a lot of mechanisms of action are the same in the different brands making a switch easy as can be. But, I also understand the people that want to feel “unique” in a CUPRA.
The seats feel singular in the way they greet you and hug you when you get a seat. Then you can take the steering wheel in your hands. A perfect sizes multifunctional wheel with the lovely CUPRA button. Push one time for fun and 2 times for even more fun, though the difference between Sport-mode and CUPRA-mode is negligible. The digital dashboard in front of your nose is clear, easy to change/use and somewhat exaggerated in its capabilities (G-meter). The 10-inch touch screen infotainment system next to it, is from the same kind as you find in the Volkswagen GTI, Volkswagen Golf R and CUPRA Leon e-HYBRID. Pretty much everything is the same as the last one. So you get the Beats Audio, 9 speakers, (stupid) gear selector and ambiance light strip with integrated blind spot assist.
Entering the boot (no trunk challenge this time) and you will find 620 liters waiting for you. More than enough space for the beginning dad and a lot more than the 470 liters of the hybrid one. Again, a victory for the petrol car.
The question of one million
Do you take the CUPRA Leon 2.0 or the e-HYBRID? The e-HYBRID can be yours from 44.750 euros and above (BE), while the petrol-powered one will set you back at least 47.180 euros (BE). The color, the rims, electric seats and Beats audio system will add until you easily hit 53.000 euros and on. Would we pay the original gap of around 2.500 euros to have the petrol above the hybrid? Yes, we would!
