Cupra cuts price of Leon hot hatches as market shrinks

Cupra Australia has reduced the price of its Leon VZx and VZe performance hatches to match the cost of the newly launched Born EV.

It means Cupra offers ICE, PHEV and EV performance hatchbacks all at the same $59,990 list price, though there are differences on drive-away prices depending on the specifics of each state.

It has also cut the Leon VZ price to further “aggressively pursue” volume as competitors depart the hot hatch market – examples being the Ford Focus ST (gone) and the Renault Megane R.S (dies this year).

“We have strategically negotiated even sharper pricing for our Leon hot hatchback, because we have seen greater opportunities emerge in that segment as other well-known names depart,” said Cupra director Ben Wilks.

The Spanish brand has cut $1500 from the Leon VZx, taking it to $59,990 before on-road costs. That gets you a front-wheel drive hot hatch with 221kW and 400Nm, a 0-100km/h time of 5.7 seconds, and a seven-speed DSG.

Its $59,990 list price sits between the less powerful and also FWD Volkswagen Golf GTI ($55,490) and more powerful and AWD Volkswagen Golf R AWD ($66,990). It also about matches a BMW 128ti ($58,900).

To keep the price points relative, Cupra has also cut $1000 from the price of the Leon VZ FWD – which uses the Golf GTI’s 180kW and 370Nm engine and DSG – taking it to $51,990, which is $3500 less than its higher-profile VW sibling.

The other side of the performance coin is the Cupra Leon VZe, down a more modest $500 to $59,990 once orders re-open at a time yet-to-be-specified, again equal to the Born and back to the initial list price announced in April 2022.

The Cupra Leon VZe runs a 180kW and 400Nm PHEV system pairing a 1.4-litre engine, FWD and a six-speed DSG, with an 85kW motor and 12.8Wh battery – capable of a 6.7-second 0-100km/h time and a claimed 67km of EV range.

Existing order-holders will get the revised prices.

New Cupra Leon prices

• Leon V 140kW: $43,990 list or $47,990 drive-away
• Leon VZ 180kW: $51,990 list or $56,490 drive-away
• Leon VZx 221kW: $59,990 or $63,990 drive-away
• Leon VZe PHEV: $59,990 or
  • $62,990 drive-away in ACT
  • $63,990 drive-away in Qld
  • $64,990 drive-away in NSW
  • $64,990 drive-away in SA
  • $65,490 drive-away in Vic
  • $65,990 drive-away in WA

MORE: 2023 Cupra Born review
MORE: 2023 Cupra Leon VZ review
MORE: 2023 Cupra Leon VZe review
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