The rain is pouring down in waves and does not stop. I know because I am charging in NSW for Cupra Leon Vand I had to switch from automatic wipers to full setting.
Just a few hours ago I sat down to watch a short product presentation indicating that the Leon V’s power output is reduced compared to other variants.
Never mind the numbers, because we’re setting exceptional speeds in slippery conditions and the base Leon couldn’t feel more at home. The fact is, I expect the inclement weather to last for a few days, that’s the progress we’re making and the fun we’re having.
It’s not just the speed that surprises us, but more importantly, that we’re working through these isolated B-roads and doing it with ease, with reassuring confidence.
Whichever way you look at it, there’s a strong case for the basic Cupra Leon hatch offering the best performance in the range, especially with a favorable balance between performance, equipment and price .
How much does Cupra Leon V cost?
Cupra just raised the price of the Leon for 2024 to $1700 and added a DAB+ radio to the standard equipment list to help make up for it – but the cars affected by that haven’t dropped yet.
In the meantime, there’s still a stock of cheaper 2023 models at their original price – including the Leon V tested here starting at $43,990 before on the road or $47,990 with the drive away.
For the updated MY24 model range, it will cost you $49,190 to drive (+$1200) for the entry-level Leon V.
Price of Cupra Leon 2024
- 2024 Cupra Leon V: $49,190 (+1200 USD)
- 2024 Cupra Leon VZ: $57,990 (+$1500)
- 2024 Leon VZe: $61,690 before on-road costs (+$1700)
- $64,690 (ACT) (+$1700)
- $65,690 (QLD) (+$1700)
- $66,690 (NSW) (+$1700)
- $66,690 (SA) (+$1700)
- $67,190 (VIC) (+$1700)
- $67,690 (WA) (+$1700)
- 2024 Cupra Leon VZx: $65,690 (+$1700)
All prices are drive away.
What is the inside of the Cupra Leon V like?
It may be the affordable variant in the Cupra Leon range, but you don’t miss out on a lot of material quality and a generous equipment list in the range.
Cupra brings a new approach to design, especially when it comes to interiors. It is clearly sporty, but also has a premium look and feel about the entire cabin.
Sports seats for the front row, even in the base Leon, won’t look out of place in a Lamborghini.
They’re only partially leather with patterned material inserts, but they’re incredibly comfortable behind the wheel for longer with extra support at all laps.
For buyers of partial or full Nappa leather, we recommend the Leather & Sound Pack, which adds heated seats with power adjustment for the driver, as well as a Beats sound system.
The Cupra makes a flat-bottomed steering wheel better than most, using perforated tactile leather emblazoned with a unique bronze logo and a bright finish. The rims themselves are perfectly thick, making it easy for the driver to change direction quickly.
Knobs and dials do not exist in the Leon. Thankfully, though, the designers made good sense to leave a few scroll wheels on the tiller for volume control and the driver’s ability to configure the display.
That level of practicality hasn’t been extended to the climate controls, where the touch buttons are the only shortcut option for temperature control. It’s actually pretty intuitive, or you can tap the Clima button on the center display to bring up the entire HVAC display.
The center-mounted touchscreen is a huge 12-inch device that delivers first-class clarity and color, along with responsiveness, while the driver’s display is a bit smaller at 10 .25 inches but still usefully configurable.
Annoyingly, there’s no drive mode button on the center console where you’d normally find it.
Instead, you tap an icon on the touchscreen that brings up several modes including Personal, allows for further customization of your steering, powertrain and suspension setup. I like a rocker switch conveniently placed next to the stubborn gear selector.
Overall, it’s roomy and clutter-free with plenty of compartments for all the usual things like phones, keys, sunscreen, and bottled water. The door pockets are particularly large in that respect.
The front compartment functions as a wireless phone charger, and you have a choice of both wired and wireless CarPlay and Android Auto. It’s strong, without a single dropout in the many hours of driving in the New South Wales area.
The same sense of spaciousness applies to the second row of seats, which provide properly supported seating for two outside passengers, with plenty of room left for the center seat if it’s not used as a pedestal. hand.
Legroom is very good there, with the added convenience of automatic air conditioning and dual USB-C ports. Smaller passengers, however, can feel a bit claustrophobic with the monocoque sport seats blocking the view ahead.
The rear seats can be folded 60/40 and don’t lower completely, with the inconvenience of a large lip to manage if you’re carrying bulky things like a bike or even a surfboard. .
It’s manageable but not ideal. There’s 380 liters of trunk space after that.
What’s under the bonnet?
Power in the Leon V comes from a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder petrol engine. 140kW power between 4200rpm and 6000rpm, and 320Nm torque between 1500rpm and 4100rpm.
It is transmitted exclusively to the front axle via a seven-speed wet dual-clutch transmission. The sprint from 0 to 100 km/h takes 7.2 seconds.
The obvious comparison is with the Cupra Leon VZ for buyers who have enough means to upgrade. It uses a version of the same 2.0-litre turbocharged engine tuned to deliver 180kW and 370Nm – good enough to cover the 100km/h sprint in 6.4 seconds.
The claimed fuel economy for the Leon V is 6.2 l/100 km on the combined cycle, we found this consumption as low as 6.8 l/100 km on the highway back to Sydney from Blue Mountains.
95 RON premium unleaded fuel is required as a minimum and the fuel tank holds 50 liters.
How does the Cupra Leon V drive?
Usually, I fall into a mild depression when faced with the realization that things are going to turn out badly for what should have been an exciting and difficult journey.
However, the roads were completely deserted, and at least it rained steadily if not heavily. No wind can impede progress further or worse, even make the vehicle more unstable.
On the contrary, concurrent progress is swift and certain, and we are in the midst of something really difficult. The feel from behind the wheel is eerie. It feels completely tied up.
What’s even more encouraging is that there are a couple of Leon VZe plug-in hybrids out there and we’ll go with them – comfortably thanks to the car’s excellent balance, grip and handling.
In the end, we just kept turning on the power (at all), even when the rain fell harder, and there was no moment when the front wheels skidded or spun. I’m setting our rate of progress down to feedback through the steering wheel. It was a complete surprise that the Leon V was the starting point of the range.
It’s not just the steering that inspires; it’s the same as adjusting the damper in Leon. It looks like someone at Porsche was sent in specifically to set up the suspension on this car, so compliance at high speeds on some fairly normal surfaces is good.
The runway is littered with bumps, deep potholes and cracked ledges, but you don’t feel them in Leon – so you drive straight through them. Scratches in the middle of a corner don’t seem to destabilize the car, so you keep hitting the cornering speed.
Do you miss out on the 40kW of power or the 60Nm of torque gained with increasing range? Not in these conditions, especially considering that the Leon V is 30kg lighter. It seems to make all the difference here.
Perhaps the combination of the sound of falling rain, the roar of tires, and the general noise of the road will cancel out any snarl of a four-pot engine that may be man-made or electronically synthesized, but I want more than that, even on V.
The same goes for the automatic throttle clatter when shifting gears, which is also not loud enough to stimulate properly. Perhaps a large button would be appropriate, or even a composite note from VZe would suffice.
You get what?
2024 Cupra Leon V Comes with the following standard features:
- 18-inch black and silver alloy wheels
- 18-inch space-saving spare wheel
- Heated rearview mirror, electric folding
- LED headlights
- LED daytime running lights
- Fog lights with cornering function
- LED tail light with static indicator
- automatic headlights
- Automatic headlights
- Rain sensor wiper
- Rear tinted window
- 12-inch touchscreen infotainment screen
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto wired and wireless
- 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster
- Wireless phone charger
- Radio DAB + digital (New)
- Two USB-C ports front and two back
- Leather-wrapped, heated steering wheel
- Gearshift paddles
- Interior ambient lighting
- black headlights
- Sports cloth bucket chair
- Driver Profile Selection
- Dynamic Chassis Control
- progressive direction
- Keyless entry and start
- Automatic anti-glare rearview mirror
- Three-zone climate control
- Illuminated door sill
- rear spoiler
- Semi-automatic parking assistance
- Two cup holders in front and two at the back
Is Cupra Leon V safe?
The Cupra Leon gets a five-star ANCAP safety rating, based on Euro NCAP testing conducted on the SEAT Leon in 2020.
It received an adult occupant protection rating of 91%, a child occupant protection rating of 88%, a vulnerable pedestrian protection rating of 71% and a Safety support is 80%.
Standard safety equipment includes:
- 10 airbags included. front center, driver’s knee
- AEB includes Pedestrian, Bicyclist Detection
- Adaptive cruise control with stop/go
- Blind spot monitoring
- Rear traffic warning
- Monitor driver fatigue
- Lane keeping assist
- Actively protect passengers (before accidents)
- Reverse camera
- Safe exit warning
- Travel assist (adaptive cruise + lane centering)
How much does it cost to run the Cupra Leon V?
Cupra Leon is covered by a 5 year unlimited km warranty.
Cupra no longer offers a free three-year service, buyers can choose three and five-year plans instead. The three-year plan costs $990, while the 5-year plan is $90.
CarExpert’s Take
Hardcore enthusiasts who like the Cupra’s edgy design will likely skip the Leon V in favor of more powerful variants, but that will put it on the smack of a sale in many ways.
Never mind the shortfall in output compared to the VZ, the base Leon is an exceptionally well-arranged hatch and is more capable than the numbers might suggest, especially in the twists and turns. zigzag – and especially in wet conditions.
Then there is the value for money aspect. There aren’t many accessories the Leon V misses out on, but if you want the full kit, the Skin and Sound Pack is a solid bargain.
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THAN: Everything Cupra Leon
