James Wong
Cupra wants to defy Australia's slow PHEV sales as more supply lands
Some 450 Cupra plug-in hybrids are landing in Australia, as the Spanish performance brand plugs its hybrid tech amidst slow industry uptake.
1 Year Ago
About the Cupra Leon
Last updated Dec 18, 2024Cupra’s most affordable, smallest car, the Leon hatchback, is gaining a new entry-level model for 2023.
The Cupra Leon V has been given drive-away pricing for 2023, kicking off at $47,990 drive-away. It packs 140kW of power from its 2.0-litre turbocharged engine.
List pricing starts at $43,990 before on-road costs for the Leon V and extends to $61,490 before on-road costs for the Leon VZx.
All existing Cupra Leon models have received a price rise of between $400 and $500 on top of the pre-update models, besides the entry-level V because it hasn’t been made available to purchase yet.
2023 Cupra Leon models have ditched their 10-inch touchscreens in favour of a larger, 12-inch unit. Scrolling indicators have also been ditched in favour of static indicators in the tail lights.
Pros
- Handsome exterior design
- Interesting cabin, even in base model
- Impressive performance, with more mongrel
Cons
- Infotainment can be fiddly
- Faces off with some tough rivals
- Brembo brakes cost $3500
Cupra Leon Rating
Cupra Leon News
2023 Cupra Leon Reviews
2023 Cupra Leon Price
V
| Configuration | Price From* |
|---|---|
| 2.0L, 7 sp automatic Premium Unleaded FWD 5d Hatchback | $43,990 |
VZe
| Configuration | Price From* |
|---|---|
| 1.4L, 6 sp automatic Electric FWD 5d Hatchback | $60,490 |
VZx
| Configuration | Price From* |
|---|---|
| 2.0L, 7 sp automatic Premium Unleaded FWD 5d Hatchback | $59,990 |
VZ
| Configuration | Price From* |
|---|---|
| 2.0L, 7 sp automatic Premium Unleaded FWD 5d Hatchback | $52,990 |
*excl. on-roads
All Cupra Leon Pricing
New Cupra Leon deals
2023 Cupra Leon Dimensions
1442mm
1799mm
4398mm
The dimensions shown above are for the base model.
See all 2023 Cupra Leon Dimensions2023 Cupra Leon Boot Space
Boot space varies based on which model you choose. The VZe has just 270 litres because of the PHEV battery hardware, while the VZ and VZx up that to 380L.
2023 Cupra Leon Gallery
CarExpert High Resolution Photos of the Cupra Leon
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2023 Cupra Leon Exterior
Under the skin, the Cupra Leon is a hotted-up version of the Seat Leon – itself a Spanish take on the Volkswagen Golf.
It shares its powertrains with parts of the Skoda Octavia and Volkswagen Golf ranges, and the cabin features the latest technology the Volkswagen Group has to offer.
It’s far from a carbon copy, though. Outside, the Leon is clothed in a sharp Spanish suit that’s eye-catching in person, especially in the hero matte blue with copper accents, and the car is being sold online or through retail-style Cupra Garage locations instead of conventional dealers.
There’s no proper entry-level model, either. Even the least powerful Leon packs 30kW more than a base Golf, and the plug-in hybrid VZe packs a powertrain not offered elsewhere in the Volkswagen, Skoda, or Audi stables locally.
Cupra is pitching itself as a “tribe” to Australians, and the Leon is aimed squarely at people who want the performance and polish of a Volkswagen hot hatch, but don’t to be a part of the Golf club.
2023 Cupra Leon Interior
The Leon is essentially a Spanish cousin to the Golf, and it feels it behind the wheel. That’s not to say it’s a carbon copy, though.
With unique bronze highlights and stunning petrol blue leather trim, not to mention the wheel and its supercar-style start button, the Leon VZx looks and feels a bit more special than its demure German relative.
Even the base Leon V on show at the Cupra launch event looked and felt special inside, albeit without some of the posher materials you get in the VZx.
he fundamentals are excellent. Driver and passenger sit in sporty seats with plenty of bolstering, and tall drivers won’t have trouble getting comfortable.
It’d be nice if the seats dropped lower to really deliver a sporty feel, but otherwise there isn’t much to complain about.
As you’d expect of a modern Volkswagen Group cabin, screens are the showpiece here.
Rear seat space is about par for the class. The chunky seats with their one-piece backrests block forward visibility, but kids will be able to get comfortable back there without too much stress.
Average-sized adults will be able to slot back there as well, although the bigger Formentor or Ateca are better options if you’re lugging people around regularly.
Dual ISOFIX points and three top-tether points for child seats feature back there, along with a fold-down central armrest, air vents, and dual USB-C points.
2023 Cupra Leon Infotainment
The touchscreen is a 12-inch unit running Cupra’s take on the software rolled out across the Golf and Octavia ranges, along with the same touch sliders below for volume and temperature control.
Points to Cupra for allowing owners to drop a widget on the home screen to control fan speed for the air-con, and for making shortcut buttons prominent – it’s easier to jump around the system than in the Golf – but it’s fiddly at times.
The digital cockpit is handsome, and features unique graphics in keeping with Cupra’s sportier remit. The steering wheel itself feels great in your hands, and has proper buttons instead of the touch controls rolling out elsewhere.
Opting for the VZx gets you a start/stop button and drive mode controller on the wheel; other models bury their drive modes in the touchscreen. The fact you need to dive through a screen for Sport mode in most versions is hard to understand.
2023 Cupra Leon Safety Rating
The Cupra Leon has a five-star safety rating from ANCAP, which is based on Euro NCAP testing conducted in 2020.
It received an adult occupant protection rating of 91 per cent, a child occupant protection rating of 88 per cent, a vulnerable road user protection rating of 71 per cent, and a safety assist rating of 80 per cent.
Standard safety equipment across the Leon range includes:
- 10 airbags
- Autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian and cyclist detection
- Adaptive cruise control
- Lane-keep assist with highway lane-centering
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Safe exit warning
- Driver fatigue monitoring
- Reversing camera
2023 Cupra Leon Fuel Economy
The 2023 Cupra Leon has the following claimed combined fuel economy figures:
- V: 6.2L/100km
- VZ: 6.7L/100km
- VZe: 1.8L/100km
- VZx: 6.8L/100km
All Leon models require a minimum of 95 RON premium unleaded petrol except for the flagship VZx which requires 98 RON premium unleaded.
The plug-in hybrid (PHEV) Leon VZe has a claimed all-electric range of up to 60km.
| Cupra Leon | Fuel Type | Combined |
|---|---|---|
| 2.0L, 7 sp automatic Premium Unleaded FWD 5d Hatchback | Premium Unleaded | 6.2 L/100km |
Cost of ownership
What are the running and servicing costs of a Cupra Leon?
How does the 2023 Cupra Leon drive?
Our expert take on Cupra Leon drivability.
Each of the four Cupra Leon variants has a different powertrain.
The base V is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 140kW of power and 320Nm of torque. This is mated with a seven-speed wet dual-clutch transmission.
The VZ also uses a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine and a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, but its engine produces 180kW and 370Nm.
The VZe mates a 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with an electric motor, for total system outputs of 180kW and 400Nm. It uses a six-speed wet dual-clutch transmission.
Lastly, the VZx is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 221kW of power and 400Nm of torque.
All models are front-wheel drive.
The 100km/h sprint takes a claimed 5.7 seconds, but the quickest Leon feels faster than that in-gear.
2023 Cupra Leon Colours
What colours are available for the Cupra Leon
The 2023 Cupra Leon is available in the following exterior paint finishes, depending on the trim level.
- Nevada White metallic
- Magnetic Tech metallic
- Midnight Black metallic
- Asphalt Blue metallic
- Urban Silver metallic
- Desire Red premium metallic
- Graphene Grey premium metallic
- Petrol Blue matte
- Magnetic Tech matte
Premium metallic paint finishes comprise Desire Red and Graphene Grey, and are a $475 option across the range. Desire Red isn’t available on the VZx.
Exclusive to the VZx is the option of matte paint ($2300), available in either Petrol Blue or Magnetic Tech.
2023 Cupra Leon Warranty
The 2023 Cupra Leon is covered by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.
Cupra also includes three years of free servicing.
2023 Cupra Leon vs other Smalls to consider
Should you buy the 2023 Cupra Leon
Is this the right car for you? Out experts buy or not guide.
There’s plenty of variety in the Leon range.
At the bottom end of the range, the upcoming Leon V shapes as a well-specced alternative to a VW Golf R Line or even a base Audi A3, while the Leon VZe plug-in hybrid fills one of the very few empty niches elsewhere in the Volkswagen Group Australia world.
The real excitement for enthusiasts lies in the VZx, though. It possesses almost all the polish of a Golf R or Audi S3, but features an extra dose of mongrel thanks to its front-wheel drive setup.
We’ll know more when we spend more time with the car, but based on our first road drive it’s going to be an interesting addition to the already crowded hot hatch market in Australia.
Cupra Leon FAQs
The cheapest Cupra Leon is the V that starts from $39,900.
The most expensive Cupra Leon is the VZx that starts from $59,700.
The best towing capacity of a Cupra Leon is null kg offered by the following variants: V, VZ, VZe PHEV and VZx.
The largest Cupra Leon is the VZe PHEV which measures 1799mm wide, 4398mm in length and sits 1489mm tall.
The most powerful Cupra Leon is the VZx which has 221kW of power from its 2.0L TURBO DIRECT F/INJ engine.
The Cupra Leon is built in Spain and shipped to Australia.
The heaviest Cupra Leon is the VZe PHEV which weighs 2070 kg (kerb weight).
The Cupra Leon may use different fuel/energy types based on the variant which includes Premium Unleaded-Electric Hybrid or Premium Unleaded Petrol.