Used Cupra Leon cars for sale

Used Cupra Leon pros and cons

Is a used Cupra Leon a good car?

The Cupra Leon is a high-performance version of the SEAT Leon hatchback. Except it’s also not — Cupra is, of course, its own brand these days, so technically this is the Cupra-nothing-at-all-to-do-with-SEAT Leon. Of course, we all know the truth. It’s like a toddler wearing a false moustache and pretending to be grandad. 

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. Higher-spec models also get touches such as unique starter buttons and drive mode switch. The big 12.0-inch infotainment system gets some Cupra-specific graphics but it’s just as confusing and annoying to use as the one in the SEAT. 

There are nice high-backed bucket seats, which really do lift the look of the cabin (albeit you can’t see them when you’re sitting on them) and which are extremely comfy too. 

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. It’s worth remembering that the mechanically-identical Skoda Octavia vRS offers more space, though. 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). 

Against the grain of the sporty styling, there is a basic 150hp turbo petrol option, which is actually a pretty nice car, with a smooth engine and decent fuel economy. But it’s not what you’d call sporting. The 245hp plug-in hybrid is a bit better, but suffers from its weight and suspension that has to sit a bit higher to make room for the battery. The best Cupra Leon is without doubt the 300hp version, although there’s also the Cupra Leon Estate which gets an extra 10hp and standard four-wheel drive (unavailable on the hatchback, sadly). 

However, the 300hp Cupra Leon hatchback, with its front-wheel drive setup, actually handles its power pretty well, and it’s properly good to drive too. There are hot hatches that are more fun to drive — the Civic Type R especially — but the Cupra Leon strikes a good balance between back-road fun and everyday comfort. Urban commuters will love the plug-in hybrid’s 37 miles of electric range. 

There’s a six-speed manual gearbox for the 1.5-litre petrol, but everything else comes with a seven-speed DSG automatic, which is generally a good ‘box, but which can be a bit sluggish and unresponsive around town. 

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. 

All that plus handsome looks, good quality, and family friendly practicality? What more do you want from a hot hatch?

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.