The SEAT Leon first went on sale in the UK in 2000. Since then this mid-size family hatchback has become one of the brand’s firm favourites with over 40,000 sold to date, including over 2,500 of the most sporting model the Leon Cupra R.

The Leon is available in five specification levels, S, SX, SE, FR and Cupra R with a choice of nine engines including five petrol a 1.4 16v, 1.6 16v and three versions of the 1.8 20V T engine with 125, 150 and 225PS and four 1.9 TDI variants with 90, 110, 130 and 150 PS

 

The 1.8 litre 20 valve turbo engine replaces the 210 PS version originally available in the Leon Cupra R. It has been fine-tuned to deliver 225 PS at 5900 rpm, enabling the Leon Cupra R to accelerate from 0-62mph in 6.9 seconds and continue to a top speed of 150 mph. This performance makes the Cupra R a reference point amongst front wheel drive cars in its segment.

The Cupra R is the ultimate Leon - power delivery is near instantaneous and it is designed for quick and safe motoring. The acceleration and top speed are complemented with Brembo brakes, ventilated discs all round and for those of you who wish to wear your brakes on your sleeve, the 'four pot' callipers are painted red. All Leon's are equipped with ABS (anti-lock braking system) and EBD (electronic brakeforce distribution) as standard. The brakes are very effective and felt perfectly in tune with the car.

 

The Cupra R features a 6-speed gearbox, which enables you to reach 60 mph in second gear and then carry onto 150 mph. The gear change is superb offering precise and fluid changes. Fuel consumption is very good returning 32.1 mpg on a combined cycle - not back for hot hatch delivering 225 PS.

One word of caution - unless you are restrained with the throttle you could find yourself relying on public transport.

The SEAT Leon Cupra R is equipped with sports suspension as standard which lowers the car all round by 15 mm, firming up the ride, tightening up the handling and giving it a more aggressive stance on the road. The sports suspension pack also includes a rear anti-roll bar.

The Leon suspension has MacPherson struts at the front with trailing arms and an anti-roll bar on all versions. At the rear, there’s a semi-independent set-up with longitudinal arms and coil springs.

The Leon Cupra R features SEAT’s 'agile chassis concept', known as DSR (dynamic steering response) which was developed especially for the Cupra R. Central to DSR is the adoption of a revised and further lowered (6mm at the rear) suspension geometry with a new sub-frame at the front that is mounted to the chassis using compliant silent bloc bushes. A thinner (19mm) front anti-roll bar is anchored directly onto the spring/damper assembly to minimise interference caused by the vertical movement of the suspension. The sub-frame assembly adds greater torsional stiffness to the car’s body shell, which has a positive effect on the Cupra R’s handling. Revised spring damper rates and silent bloc mounts at the rear enhance the small degree of passive rear wheel steering which is built into the chassis to improve precision and rapid response to direction changes.

The Cupra R is fitted with 18” wheels and 225/40 ZR tyres all round, of course the tyres will tramline and there is the expected torque steer, but it really isn't that bad and it is counteracted by an electronic differential. Ride is always pretty much composed but with sports suspension lowering the car, you certainly feel in touch with the road. One problem we faced was grounding the front spoiler of the car on our favourite Devon country lanes. We mowed the grass growing down the middle of many a lane and had to be very careful pulling out of a side road onto the main road, purely because we were going to rip off the front spoiler. Again in town we faced the same problem over the hideous speed humps that litter our towns and cities.

 

SX models and above have EDS (electronic differential system) and TCS (traction control). EDS corrects loss of traction in the front wheels by ‘listening’ to the ABS system’s wheel sensors, and increasing the braking pressure to the spinning wheel. The wheel with greater traction receives more power to get the car moving smoothly. TCS cuts in when one or both front wheels lose traction under acceleration, again detected by the ABS wheel sensors, engine speed and accelerator position. A message is then sent to the engine control unit to close the throttle and reduce the torque being sent to the driving axle. The Cupra R additionally gains ESP (electronic stability program) and EBA (emergency brake assist).

 

The steering is well weighted and gives good positive feedback. We didn't find the TCS/ESP intrusive, although it does cut in a little bit too early, but it is better to be safe than sorry. You can of course switch it off, but we would not recommend that on the public highway.

Overall the Cupra R is about having fun and it does not disappoint. We always had smiles on our faces after driving the car and there were battles over who would drive it. So we are going to award it 4 stars for ride and handling.

The SEAT Leon Cupra R is a very easy car to drive, park and manoeuvre. Visibility is very good with large windows offering superb forward and side vision however, rear vision was a little restricted. The dashboard is ergonomically laid out, simple and uncluttered. All the controls are tactile and stylish with everything to hand. We did find the climate control and stereo a little fiddly to use, but nothing to worrying.

What makes the Cupra R so appealing is how easy it is to use, you can transport a family of 4-5 in comfort with their luggage, safely tucked up in the boot. You can potter around in the car or if you wish or you can have a jolly good time, enjoying the car on some good ‘B’ roads.

Should you need to you can lower the split fold rear seats and then the Leon, becomes a competent load carrier. The luggage capacity is 340 litres with the rear seats up and a parcel shelf installed, or 656 litres with the seats folded and packed to window level, or 1050 litres with the seats folded and loaded to the ceiling.

As the Leon Cupra R is such as versatile 'hot hatch' we are going to award it 4 stars for ease of use.

Security features include remote central locking with deadlocks, locking wheel bolts, anti-theft roof antenna, remote release fuel flap, visible VIN, immobiliser with cryptocode, driver and front passenger airbags, passenger airbag de-activation, front side airbags, ISOFIX child-seat mounting points and front fog lamps.

All models except the S are fitted with a Thatcham 1 volumetric alarm and the Leon Cupra R is also fitted with Tracker Retrieve, an electronic device, which enables the police to locate a vehicle if they are informed that it has been stolen. One year’s subscription to tracker is included within the purchase price; this will help to reduce your insurance premiums. It is good to see that SEAT has fitted Tracker as standard, although we would like to see 3 years cover as standard. The car also features remote door locking with deadlocks.

Our car was equipped with optional front Recaro seats, which we found to be supportive and the bolsters kept us in place, although for those of us with larger bottoms, rather snug. There is the option for leather upholstery with electric adjustment but we are not too keen on leather, as you tend to slide, when you want to stay put.

The three spoke leather steering wheel is adjustable for reach and rake and the front seats are adjustable for height enabling you to find the perfect driving position.

The level of refinement is high and includes electric windows all round, large front door bins, trip computer, climatronic air conditioning, electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors, outside temperature gauge, rpm counter, digital clock, auto lock/unlock doors, child locks, and sports gear knob.

The lowered suspension, body kit and 18” wheels filling the wheel arches make the SEAT Leon Cupra R an aggressive predator. We think that the exterior of the car still has great road presence even though it has been around since 2000.

Undoubtedly, the best angle to view the Leon from is its rear. The tail has been set deliberately high with simple styling, a high-mounted, colour-coded rear spoiler and a steeply angled rear window. We love the large, boot-mounted 'S' badge, which doubles as the opening handle and hides the lock. It is damped, so that after use, it glides smoothly back into place. These styling touches make owning a Leon so much fun.

Cupra R models are easily distinguished by their more aggressive styling, deeper roof spoiler, body coloured door mouldings, honeycomb grille and the chromed exhaust tail pipe with SEAT Sport exhaust completing the look.