Cupra Leon Sportstourer VZe: Review of an elegant estate with a hybrid heart
Estates are becoming an increasingly rare choice these days, but as history shows, European brands know how to create them better than others. The Cupra Leon Sportstourer is precisely such an example. It is sold alongside the smaller hatchback version but offers more practicality and, undoubtedly, more style.
Cupra has come a long way in recent years and has been selling its own version of the Seat Leon for several years now. This already elegant and aggressive car has recently been updated, making it even more impressive. We had the opportunity to live with it in the VZe version.
Although the model we tested had the same powertrain as the Cupra Terramar VZe, which I also lived with recently, the Leon proved to be a better all-around package, free from some of the SUV’s problems. If VW or Skoda are not stylish enough for you, then the Leon Sportstourer could be your choice.
Fast Facts
Prices and Trims
Currently, three versions of the Cupra Leon are sold in Australia, with two more expected to arrive soon. The base model is the Leon Hatch S starting at AU$46,990, with the powerful Leon Hatch VZe with a 296-hp turbo engine sitting above it at AU$64,990. Although the Leon Sportstourer VZe does not match the VZx’s performance, it is more expensive (from AU$69,990) due to the more complex hybrid powertrain. Later this year, the Leon Sportstourer VZx will arrive with the same 329-hp engine as the Golf R.
Interior: Stylish and Practical
There is no doubt that spending time inside the Leon Sportstourer is very pleasant. It feels more special than comparable VW or Skoda models, even though it shares many familiar parts with other VW Group models. Unlike the Terramar, the Leon retains an electronic gear selector on the center tunnel, allowing Cupra to use the familiar, albeit inexpensive, plastic steering column stalks. The main highlights of the cabin are the sporty steering wheel with copper inserts and the large 12.9-inch infotainment screen.
The screen on the dashboard doesn’t look overly stylish, but it works well and doesn’t require a long learning curve. It supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and contains all the essential vehicle controls, including climate control. Working alongside the central screen is a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster with a wide selection of displays and settings.
On the console, there is a round button to deactivate the stability control system, which I mistook for the engine start button a few times. Also present are plastic shift paddles, soft black leatherette plastic on the dashboard with copper stitching, and a metallic pattern along the panel.
Since the Sportstourer is an estate and not an SUV, the driver’s seat can be positioned low in the cockpit. The seat itself is quite comfortable with good side bolsters, but I found the seat cushion to be quite firm on long journeys. Like in the Audi SQ6 e-tron, there is a curved ambient lighting strip at the base of the windshield, which also serves as a blind-spot warning system. Other notable features include a 12-speaker Sennheiser premium audio system, which I think is slightly better than in the Terramar, though not exceptional.
As for practicality, the Leon Sportstourer exceeds expectations. The second row is spacious enough for adults, and the trunk offers up to 470 liters of cargo space with the seats up or 1045 liters with them folded. It’s also nice that there is a small ski hatch in the center rear seat, which can be folded down separately.
Hybrid Powertrain: Efficiency and Compromises
Like the Terramar VZe, the Leon Sportstourer VZe uses a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine driving the front wheels, supplemented by a single electric motor and a 25.8 kWh battery. Overall, it produces 268 hp and 400 Nm of torque.
This powertrain isn’t the most exciting, but its efficiency is undeniable. Thanks to the relatively large battery, Cupra claims fuel consumption can be as low as 0.4 L/100 km, with energy consumption from the battery at 16.9 kWh/100 km in hybrid mode. Of course, such efficiency is only relevant with frequent battery charging. On electric power alone, the Leon Sportstourer VZe can travel up to 121 km, which is more than enough for daily commutes. During our test, average consumption was just over 4.0 L/100 km, but this was without recharging the battery, which eventually drained completely. With both engine and electric motor running, the car averages 5.2 L/100 km.
I was disappointed with the real-world performance of the Terramar VZe’s hybrid system due to excessive torque steer on the steering wheel and a lack of refinement. The Leon proved more adept. Although it still had some torque steer, which is expected for a car with this power and front-wheel drive, the low-slung estate feels much more composed than its SUV sibling. It also doesn’t suffer from jerky starts, distributing the electric motor’s instant torque more smoothly, making it more pleasant to drive.
Performance is adequate: the sprint to 100 km/h takes 7.2 seconds. It feels quickest in Cupra mode, where the electric motor’s power is available immediately. Unfortunately, this mode adds awful artificial engine sounds, so I mostly drove in Individual mode with the powertrain in Cupra mode but with the artificial sounds turned off.
Handling: The Star of the Show
But the Leon Sportstourer shines not on straights, but in corners. It is equipped with Dynamic Chassis Control Pro suspension, offering a wide range of settings from soft and sporty to firm. I mostly kept it in the softest mode because the roads around my house are terrible. Regardless of the suspension setting, the Sportstourer VZe handles corners exceptionally well. With 235/35 Bridgestone Potenza S005 tires, it offers plenty of mid-corner grip and feels glued to the road. The downside of these tires is that they are noisy on rough surfaces and don’t have a good reputation for longevity. The Terramar handles well, but the Leon is much better, undoubtedly due to its lower center of gravity. The steering is also excellent, providing direct responses and good weighting through corners.
Somewhat undermining the car’s sporty characteristics is the braking, similar to the Terramar VZe. Cupra simply hasn’t managed to calibrate the brake feel well, and the transition between regenerative and friction braking can be quite abrupt. The braking itself isn’t a critical flaw, but I suspect it might put off some potential buyers.
Verdict
The Leon Sportstourer VZe is probably not the best version in the lineup. It has a relatively high price and, due to the complexity of the hybrid system, lacks the polish of its non-electrified alternatives. Nevertheless, the estate body makes it even more appealing, not only enhancing the design but also adding practicality that rivals some Cupra SUVs.
It is much more stylish than comparable models from VW or Skoda and backs up its aggressive design with a sporty and well-equipped interior. It’s quite pleasant to drive and efficient, especially if you utilize the charging capabilities. Unfortunately, Americans won’t be able to enjoy Cupra models like this anytime soon.
Overall, the Cupra Leon Sportstourer VZe is an intriguing compromise. It offers a rare combination of stylish estate design, a practical interior, and efficient hybrid technology. While the brakes and some nuances of the hybrid system may raise questions, the overall package is very appealing for those seeking something more distinctive than a typical family car and willing to accept certain compromises for style and fuel economy. It is a car that proves estates can still be not only practical but also genuinely exciting.