Used Cupra Leon cars for sale

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Used Cupra Leon pros and cons

Sharp styling inside and out
Hybrid doesn't drive like a hot hatch
Fun to drive yet easy to live with
Lower-powered engines don't suit sporty ethos
Unique plug-in hybrid option
AWD only available on estate

Is a used Cupra Leon a good car?

The Cupra Leon is a high-performance version of the SEAT Leon hatchback. While Cupra does have its own brand-specific models, such as the Forementor, Tavascan, and Terramar, the Leon is a legacy of Cupra being spun off from SEAT, where it was originally the Spanish company’s high-performance brand.

The Cupra Leon looks different to the SEAT version, thanks to a chunkier, sportier bodykit, the strange copper-coloured twin-prong Cupra badge (which still looks like some sort of Klingon flag from Star Trek), and some nice alloy wheels. It’s not as OTT as a Honda Civic Type R in how it looks, but it’s smart and sporty.

Inside, the cabin is broadly the same as that of the SEAT version, apart from the racing car-style flat-bottom steering wheel, and some nice contrasting copper-coloured bits and pieces, including some neat stitching on the dashboard and seats.

Because it’s based on a practical family hatchback, there’s plenty of space in the Cupra Leon, with lots of handy storage areas up front, and room in the back for full-sized adults. The boot is good, at 380 litres (it shrinks quite a bit if you go for the plug-in hybrid model though) and the estate version is even better with 620 litres (though again, the Octavia has a little more than that).

The best thing about the Cupra Leon is that because the mechanically identical Golf GTI and Skoda Octavia vRS are better regarded by the second-hand market, you can usually pick up a Leon at a slightly cheaper price, and with more power than an equivalent Skoda or VW.

What to look for when buying a used Cupra Leon

The Cupra Leon is quite a new car although the 1.5 TSI engine has a known issue with a surging throttle which can cause it to bunny-hop along the road at low speeds. A software flash usually fixes the issue. The Haldex four-wheel drive system offered in the estate can also suffer from centre-clutch burnout, so check for that. The touchscreen is often also a source of grief, some of which software updates can fix, but it’s kind of inherently glitchy and annoying.

Otherwise, the Leon seems to be a solidly-built car with few major issues.

Cupra Leon FAQs

Is the Cupra Leon reliable?

Yes, the Cupra Leon is reliable. The 1.5-litre petrol engine has a known, but easily fixed, software issue, and the centre clutch in the four-wheel drive system needs regular check-ups, but aside from that the only problem is the glitchy and irritating touchscreen, which can often just go blank for a time before starting up again.

Is the Cupra Leon four-wheel drive?

Only the most powerful 310hp version of the Cupra Leon comes with four-wheel drive, and it’s only offered in the estate body.

Who makes the Cupra Leon?

Well, it’s made by Cupra. Cupra, nowadays a standalone brand, used to be the high-performance brand of SEAT, which is of course owned by the VW Group, hence the commonality between the Cupra Leon and the VW Golf, Audi A3, and Skoda Octavia.

What is the difference between a SEAT Leon and a Cupra Leon?

In some ways, there’s not much difference between the SEAT and the Cupra versions of the Leon. Same body, same chassis, broadly the same interior, and many of the same engines. The difference is that the Cupra version is more sporty in its style and setup, and can be had with more powerful engines.