- Doors and Seats
5 doors, 5 seats
- Engine
2.0T, 4 cyl.
- Engine Power
221kW, 400Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (98) 6.8L/100KM
- Manufacturer
FWD
- Transmission
Auto (DCT)
- Warranty
5 Yr, Unltd KMs
- Ancap Safety
NA
2022 Cupra Leon VZx review
The 2022 Cupra Leon VZx straddles the performance gap between two of its legendary stablemates – the Volkswagen Golf GTI and Golf R. It's a stylish and different take on the hot hatch class, with Cupra hoping to grab a fast foothold in the Australian market. Trent Nikolic samples the newest hot hatch to find out how it stacks up.
- Established hot hatch pedigree
- Excellent (but optional) Brembo brakes
- Surprisingly efficient for the performance on tap
- Silly HVAC controls
- Price puts it out of reach for some buyers
- Can't quite match Golf's refinement
2022 Cupra Leon VZx
When is a Volkswagen not a Volkswagen? When it's a Cupra it seems. Or a Skoda.
With Volkswagen, Skoda and Audi already well entrenched in the Aussie market, you could be forgiven for wondering why the Volkswagen Group needed – or wanted – another spoke in the wheel.
And yet, here we are with Cupra entering the fray, making an immediate mark with edgy styling, a point of difference, and a badge that means you aren't driving a more recognisable brand. It seems Aussies do indeed like being a little bit different.
The 2022 Cupra Leon VZx we're testing here, if you're wondering where it fits in the range, is effectively a Golf GTI. With one caveat. It's like the more hardcore Golf GTI Clubsport, which you can't currently buy here. That means the VZx effectively sits between a regular GTI and the R, and offers buyers a half step in performance terms.
One thing the VZx doesn't have is breathing space. For the first time in a long time, the hot hatch segment has truly lit back up and Cupra Leon VZx is going to have to punch it out with the Hyundai i30 N, Toyota GR Corolla, Honda Civic Type R, and of course its own relatives.
Great for buyers, maybe not so great for the newcomer. That it is an established hot hatch leader beneath the skin is positive, and its edgy styling appeals to plenty of buyers, though, so buyers have a bit to think about.
Our tester's classy matte paint and bronze accents look fantastic in any light, and certainly grab some attention on the road. I've already canvassed two early adopters to the Cupra stable and both said unequivocally that they were drawn to the styling and the point of difference.
The range-topping option within Cupra's small hatch range, the Leon is aiming to lay claim to the most stylish FWD hot hatch on the market. It might well be, and we're aiming to find out.
How much does the Cupra Leon cost in Australia?
There are few negatives to the Leon VZx on paper, but one challenge is likely to be the price. Yes, it out-punches stablemate Golf GTI, but it's also a fair wedge more expensive too. Pricing is currently from $65,490 drive-away, which begs the question, what price pace and exclusivity? For reference, the starting price is $61,490 before on-road costs.
A Hyundai i30 N hatch can be had from around the $50,500 mark drive-away (in Sydney), for example, and while the Cupra looks to be a more premium offering, that's a big price gap. Traditional hot hatch buyers look for the performance bargain, too, so price is absolutely a factor.
Standard exterior equipment includes the attractive 19-inch black and copper alloy wheels, side skirts and quad exhaust outlets, as well as the distinctive LED light signature. Our tester has some options as well. The Brembo brake package adds $3600, the matte Petrol Blue paint costs $2300, and the electric sunroof costs $1800.
A quick straw poll in the Drive office indicates that everyone loves the styling, the point of difference and the execution. So, too, the specs sheet, which promises punch and performance on any road, and the sense of all-round style that the Cupra brings to the hot hatch occasion. And yet, all that positivity is rounded out with two concerns. One we'll get to further down in this test, and the other? "Gee, it's expensive though..."
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Let's find out whether the Leon VZx can sidestep the asking price with its allure and prowess.
Key details | 2022 Cupra Leon VZx |
Price | $65,490 drive-away |
Colour of test car | Petrol Blue Matte |
Options | Brembo brakes – $3600 Glass roof – $1800 Matte paint – $2300 |
Price as tested | $73,190 drive-away |
Drive-away price | $73,190 |
Rivals | Volkswagen Golf GTI | Hyundai i30 N | Audi S3 |
How much space does the Cupra Leon have inside?
Leon's cabin is a moody blend of high-quality materials that feels premium the second you get comfortable and close the door. It's a Volkswagen in terms of familiarity, but then it isn't, and I think both aspects of that reality have their positives.
The cabin feels genuinely different to VW Group cars, thanks in part to the classy, dark blue leather trim, which feels more like an Aston Martin than a Volkswagen.
The edgy design of the Cupra badge, the shape of the air vents, the whole feeling of the cabin is one of design importance, and that's a good thing. The comfort levels are high, soft-touch surfaces are quality, and detail touches like the stitching and trim pieces are excellent.
I like the balance that Cupra has struck with the front seats. Firm and bolstered enough for an enthusiastic track day, but not so hard as to be uncomfortable on a long trip, adjustability is extensive and visibility is excellent. There's a focused, driver-first feel to the seating position and cabin layout.
Into the second row, there's decent space for two adults – so long as the front seat occupants aren't basketballers – but it's par for the hot hatch course. Par for the small hatch course as a matter of fact.
Four adults will tour in relative comfort, but a third across the back row is a stretch. If you're planning on regular long-haul road trips, though, maybe step up a segment.
Two USB-C ports up front and two in the rear will keep devices charged on a road trip, and back seat passengers get air vents as well. There's a minimalist and clean execution to the cabin that doesn't quite reach reductionist Audi levels, but is still premium.
The second row folds down in a 60:40 split to access a generous 380L luggage compartment, and there's a useful ski port as well. Very Euro, but plenty of you like it. Folding that second row down sees that space extend to a handy 1210L with a flat floor. There's a lip down into the boot, but the flat floor is excellent.
2022 Cupra Leon VZx | |
Seats | Five |
Boot volume | 380L seats up 1210L seats folded |
Length | 4398mm |
Width | 1799mm |
Height | 1442mm |
Wheelbase | 2683mm |
Does the Cupra Leon have Apple CarPlay?
It's this section – controls specifically – where the second gripe I mentioned comes into play, and we'll get it out of the way early. The Leon's nonsensical heating, cooling and AC controls are the silliest take on a simple theory you're likely to encounter.
While a lot of the Leon's functionality is accessed via the infotainment screen, and that can be clumsy enough, it's the AC controls that are impossible to see and use easily.
In the day, at night, stationary, on the move. Doesn't matter what you're doing, they are impossible to use easily. Given the execution of just about everything else in the cabin, I'm at a loss as to how these infuriating controls got past the planning stage.
Now that we've got that off our chest, let's move onto the positives. And there are plenty. The central screen measures in at 10 inches and is a crisp, responsive, and accurate unit. Quick note on the screen. Once we move into MY23, the screen size will step up to 12 inches.
We tested the 10-inch screen, though. It's quick to react to touch inputs, clear and viewable in any light, and mirrors your smartphone system beautifully. Connect Apple CarPlay or Android Auto via the USB-C input and it's faultless. We tested Bluetooth briefly as well and it's also solid. You get wireless smartphone mirroring, but I prefer the reliability of the cable.
The driver gets a 10.25-inch digital display that you can customise, and like the infotainment screen it's visible in any light. Our tester also had the clear Beats audio system with nine speakers and 340 watts, so there's enough grunt to get some tunes cranking on a road trip.
If you don't like the idea of mirroring your smartphone, you can opt to simply set up Bluetooth and then use the native control system. There's some complexity there, but once you get the hang of it and work out where your favourite controls are, it's pretty easy to use.
Is the Cupra Leon a safe car?
The 2022 Cupra Leon gets a full five-star ANCAP safety rating thanks to a 2020 Euro NCAP test with strong scoring across the board. Adult occupant protection scores 91 per cent, child occupant protection 88 per cent, vulnerable road user protection came in at 71 per cent, and safety assist systems get 80 per cent.
2022 Cupra Leon VZx | |
ANCAP rating | Five stars (tested 2020) |
Safety report | Link to ANCAP report |
What safety technology does the Cupra Leon have?
Five-star safety ratings demand not just structural integrity, but also plenty of standard active and passive safety kit. The Cupra Leon VZx is therefore well catered to.
Standard equipment includes autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, Travel Assist (adaptive cruise and lane centring), blind-spot monitor, safe exit warning, rear-view camera, rear parking sensors and 10 airbags.
We'd like front parking sensors to be standard, as it doesn't really matter how small the car is, they still come in handy, but aside from rear AEB, there's nothing significant the Leon lacks.
On test, two points of note stood out. The adaptive cruise control was excellent on the freeway, working truly and accurately whenever we engaged it. And, perhaps even more importantly for us, the lane-keeping assistance systems were free from some of the faults of overly enthusiastic examples.
How much does the Cupra Leon cost to maintain?
Servicing is an area where Cupra has sweetened the deal for those of you considering a switch to the Spanish challenger brand. Leon requires a service every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first.
The first three years are complimentary, and you can round that out to five years for a one-off payment of $1200. Activating that extra two-year period also brings with it conditional concierge service that will see Cupra collect and return your Leon when a service is due.
Leon is covered by Cupra's Volkswagen-matching five year/unlimited kilometre warranty, with Skoda leading the charge for the VW Group at seven years.
You'll have to fork out $1496.27 per annum to insure the Leon VZx based on a comparative quote for a 35-year-old male driver living in Chatswood, NSW. Insurance estimates may vary based on your location, driving history, and personal circumstances.
At a glance | 2022 Cupra Leon VZx |
Warranty | Five years, unlimited km |
Service intervals | 12 months or 15,000km |
Servicing costs | Complimentary (3 years) $1200 (5 years) |
Is the Cupra Leon fuel-efficient?
I was genuinely impressed by the Leon VZx and its apparent lack of thirst for fuel in the real world. The official claim from Cupra is a frugal 6.8L/100km. Certainly frugal for this much performance capability. And yet, after a good 500km of enthusiastic driving out of town, and traffic in town, the indicated usage was just 7.1L/100km.
It does ask for 98-octane premium unleaded, but the usage is very fair given what the Leon VZx is capable of.
Fuel Consumption - brought to you by bp
Fuel Useage | Fuel Stats |
Fuel cons. (claimed) | 6.8L/100km |
Fuel cons. (on test) | 7.1L/100km |
Fuel type | 98-octane premium unleaded |
Fuel tank size | 50L |
What is the Cupra Leon like to drive?
Outputs of 221kW and 400Nm from a known quantity in the form of the Volkswagen Group 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder ensure the Leon VZx is a hoot to drive on any road. Driven through the front wheels, and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, the Leon is sharp, snappy and rapid. 0–100km/h takes just 5.7 seconds and it feels punchy off the mark – even on a damp road.
Where the Leon most impresses is in its broad slab of drivability. Utterly unruffled around town, champing at the bit when it's allowed to stretch its legs on the open road, and everywhere in between, the Leon is always looking to reward. Four driving modes mean you can choose your preferred setting and just go for it.
Don't underestimate the value of the electro-mechanical LSD, which is annoying when added as optional equipment, but undeniably worthwhile when it's included as it is for the Leon VZx.
Through the midrange, the engine's effortless surge continues, and speed is piled on with the accompanying buttery-smooth gearshifts. A warm drive needs Sport mode, and when you do select it, every response is heightened in its urgency, and the Leon is sharp, focused, and quick. It's not silly, either, just a mature take on the hot hatch interaction.
Move to Cupra mode, via the button on the steering wheel, and you get a more sinister exhaust note thanks to some synthetic wizardry, and while you'll love it on-road, it's decidedly more track-friendly. What's most loveable about the Leon is the way you can feel the pace and chassis control. As in actually feel it. There's a taut, controlled way to everything – from the power delivery to the bump absorption – that brings the driver right into the equation in the best possible way.
The suspension is beautifully sorted and tuned to work at speed or on our rubbish road surfaces. You can feel harsh bumps, this is a hot hatch after all, but there's not a rattle, a shake, or a strange noise to be heard. Just that solid, composed sensation as you urge the Leon on even faster.
There are up to 15 different suspension settings you can work through, and you can make the Leon pretty damn firm if you really want to. A Golf R might be better at insulating the worst roads at the outer edge, but not by a huge margin.
The steering has a direct, responsive feel to it through the wheel, working nicely with the front diff to place the nose where you want it to go. Even though the Leon is well beyond the 1000kg mark, as almost all cars are these days, it feels like a sports car from the old world – light and lithe.
Our tester gets the optional Brembo brakes, which need no introduction. You don't need them if you're not inclined to tackle the occasional track day, but they would be a bonus if you do. On-road, you can't find the edges of their performance ability, such is the quality.
Like the rest of the driveline, the harder you work the Leon, the more you find to love about it, and the more enjoyable it gets. The mark of a true high-quality hot hatch.
Key details | 2022 Cupra Leon VZx |
Engine | 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol |
Power | 221kW @ 6000rpm |
Torque | 400Nm @ 2000-5200rpm |
Drive type | Front-wheel drive |
Transmission | Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic |
Power to weight ratio | 144kW/t |
Weight (kerb) | 1533kg |
Spare tyre type | Space-saver |
Turning circle | 11.2m |
Should I buy a Cupra Leon?
I really like the Cupra Leon VZx. I like that it's different, and as undeniably exceptional a Golf GTI is, I love the fact that the Leon is different.
I'm not sure I'd pick the matte paint, but if you take the fiddly HVAC controls out of the equation, and the fact that the price is exxy, this is an excellent hot hatch with substance to match the style.
We may not have needed another VW Group offering in this country, but that doesn't change the fact the Leon VZx is a bloody good one.