2025 Cupra Leon review

When Open Road last got behind the wheel of the Cupra Leon, we praised its performance and styling while also noting that under the skin it was just a Volkswagen Golf. That’s still true to a point in this mid-generation update, but Cupra is shaking up the model mix with station wagon variants (adding to the hatch that was the only option previously) plus new hybrid drivetrains. The styling looks tremendous, but with prices up across the board and Skoda offering similar performance with even more practicality, does the Cupra Leon do enough to justify its price tag?

How much does the Cupra Leon cost? 

The Leon will have a staggered release schedule, with two petrol variants of the hatch available now, a plug-in hybrid hatch launching in the new year, and two versions of the station wagon (known as a Sports Tourer) hitting showrooms in the first half of 2026.

The old V base model (which ran VW’s 2.0-litre turbo petrol four-cylinder) is out in favour of the S, which has a 48-volt mild hybrid 1.5-litre petrol engine and starts at $46,990, a $3000 increase. With the unpopular mid-spec VZ gone, too, the next step up in the hatch range is the VE plug-in hybrid (Cupra has yet to reveal pricing). The top-spec hatch option, the VZx ($64,990, up $5000), is unchanged under the bonnet with a 221kW/400Nm 2.0-litre turbo engine and front-wheel drive. The wagon or ‘Sports Tourer’ range consists of the VZe, a 200kW PHEV for $69,990, and the VZx which has a 2.0-litre petrol engine and AWD (pricing is yet to be confirmed for that one, too, although it will likely be approaching $70k).

What is the Cupra Leon like inside? 

Interior styling remains largely unchanged, which should be a disappointment to no one. A dark colour palette, geometric shapes and copper accents combine to create a sharp and sporty look, yet nothing spills over into the garish or ostentatious.

There’s a generous and configurable driver’s information screen, nicely positioned and easy to use central touchscreen, thick steering wheel and well-bolstered seats. The toggle gear-shifter remains, too (far preferable to the Mercedes-style column shifter that has made its way into newer Volkswagen vehicles), while the addition of padding on the sides of the centre console is a welcome addition for knees.

The sloping roofline does mean a penalty in rear occupant head room and cargo space. The hatch offers only 344 litres in the boot and, while the wagon has a more practical 470 litres, it still trails the class leaders (including the 600-litre Skoda Octavia, with which it shares a wheelbase).

What equipment does the Cupra Leon come with? 

While the S costs $3000 more than the discontinued V and offers less power, it is well equipped with 18-inch black and silver alloy wheels, keyless entry and start, a 10.25-inch digital cockpit, 12.9-inch infotainment screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, ambient interior lighting, reversing camera/sensors and parking assistance, three-zone climate control, heated steering wheel, six-speaker sound system, and a driver’s seat with heating, power and memory. Cloth upholstery in a car approaching $50k after you’ve paid on-road costs is the only real friendship-stretcher.

The VZx steps up to 19-inch black and copper wheels, adaptive suspension with a multi-link independent setup at the rear and front locking differential, ‘Moonslate’ leather-appointed upholstery, powered front passenger’s seat with memory, 12-speaker Sennheiser sound system, an upgraded brake package and Cupra drive mode, quad exhaust tips, and side skirts.

It’s quite a price jump to the VZe Sports Tourer and, in addition to a wagon body style and PHEV powertrain, it enjoys 19-inch black and copper wheels (a different design to the VZx hatch), unique LED headlights and taillights, a powered tailgate with kick sensor, mode 2 and 3 charging cables, sports front seats with ‘Moonslate’ leather trim, powered front seats with memory and heating, and a Supersport heated steering wheel.

The S model hatch gets a space-saver spare tyre, while the VZx hatch has a tyre repair kit.

An optional sunroof costs $1800 for the hatchback or $2000 for the Sports Tourer, plus – in typical VW Group fashion – there’s a bewildering array of option packs for each model. 

All Cupra Leons come with a five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty – fairly standard a few years ago, now looking a bit light on (even Skoda offers seven on its Octavia).

How safe is the Cupra Leon? 

ANCAP tested the Cupra Leon in 2021 and awarded it five stars, although there is no mention of this new range on the ANCAP site. The base model Leon comes with 10 airbags, including rear side and front centre airbags. The 2026 year-models will feature speed sign recognition, potentially a good or bad inclusion depending on whether sanity-sapping bing-bongs are part of its repertoire.    

What powers the Cupra Leon? 

This depends on which model you choose.

The base model S runs a seven-speed DSG gearbox and 1.5-litre four-cylinder 48-volt mild hybrid engine that produces 110kW and 250Nm. This makes it substantially less powerful than the 2.0-litre turbo four (140kW/320Nm) in the previous base model, but it’s designed for fuel economy and it does deliver that (see our drive impression below).

Unlike the rest of the Cupra range the VZx hatch remains largely unchanged, running a seven-speed DSG transmission and a 2.0-litre turbo engine with a 221kW/400Nm output driving the front wheels.

The VE hatch replaces the ignored VZ (which ran a Golf GTI spec 2.0-litre engine producing 180kW/370Nm). The VE is a plug-in hybrid and, while Cupra did not reveal all specifications at the launch event, we know it produces 150kW and will likely have a pure electric range in excess of 50km.

The VZe Sports Tourer is also a plug-in hybrid, running a 1.5-litre turbo four-cylinder engine and a single electric motor (FWD). Output is a claimed 200kW/400Nm and it has an electric-only range of 121km (WLTP). Managing everything is a six-speed DSG gearbox. Claimed fuel consumption is a mere 0.4L/100km, although as with all PHEVs this is dependent on diligent charging and electric motor use.

What is the Cupra Leon like to drive?  

At the Cupra Leon launch event between Sydney and Mudgee, Open Road had an opportunity to drive the Leon S, Leon VZx and Leon VZe Sports Tourer PHEV.

The S is a different approach for the Leon, with its mild hybrid drivetrain geared more for fuel economy than performance. This is immediately evident in a back-to-back drive with the other models, acceleration approaching ‘warm’ hatch territory and nothing more. It does deliver on the promise of frugality, however, showing 5.0L-6.0L/100km on our route that included a lot of highway/motorway driving and steep climbs. Throttle response is nothing flash, although sport mode keeps engine revs higher and improves rolling acceleration.

With its 221kW/400Nm output and front-wheel drive, the VZx hatch lands somewhere between the VW Golf GTI and Golf R for performance and it has a respectable 0-100km/h time of 5.7 seconds. The mechanical front diff works overtime to keep torque steer to a barely perceptible minimum and adaptive suspension further lifts its prowess in the twisty stuff. It’s worth noting the optional Extreme Package available for the VZx hatch includes Sabelt Cup bucket front seats with a carbon fibre back – firm and sporty, sure, but ruinous for the Leon’s credentials as a touring car, with body parts sure to start aching after an hour or two.

The VZx Sports Tourer with 245kW and AWD is arriving in the first half of 2026, so if you want the full practicality, performance and handling sizzle, best wait for that. 

Running Cupra’s second-generation hybrid engine (with power up to 200kW from 180kW and the same 400Nm of torque), the VZe Sports Tourer doesn’t give up much to the VZx in straight line acceleration. Once you hit country roads, however, the hybrid drivetrain’s limitations become apparent, with less immediate throttle response out of corners as it switches between petrol and electric and the additional weight from the wagon body shape and motor evident during braking and quick directional changes.

All three Leons tested exhibited that twitchy feel that VW vehicles seem to get on country Australia’s rough-and-ready roads, and the VZe in particular can be crashy over dips and potholes. That said, performance and handling across the range are well above average and the VZx Sports Tourer will likely be even better when it arrives in 2026. 

Open Road’s take on the Cupra Leon  

The addition of a wagon does help the updated Leon seem less like a ‘reskinned Golf’ (especially since the Golf wagon is no longer available in Australia). The drivetrain selection is also much better suited to modern tastes, and the styling sets the Leon apart from commensurate VW and Skoda offerings. The substantial price hikes that come with its more premium positioning are cause for pause, though, especially when Skoda’s wagons have seen recent and appealing facelifts themselves. As always with Cupra, looks will be the deciding factor.

PROS

• Attractive sports wagon
• Updated drivetrains
• Better differentiated from VW models

CONS

• Price rises across the range
• Plug-in hybrids feel heavier to drive
• Skoda wagons have more boot space