“We’re not fans of the hidden exterior boot release button under the rear light bar on the driver’s side of the car. The centrally positioned flip-up Cupra badge of pre-facelift models was easier to find.” – Max Adams, online reviews editor.
The Leon has wowed Euro NCAP on more than one occasion, but owners aren’t as impressed
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Cons |
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The Leon received a full five star safety rating from Euro NCAP when it was originally tested in 2020 and retested again under more stringent criteria in 2025.
Cupra, as a brand, is still in its infancy, and it would appear there’s a long way to go if it truly wants to wow its customers. In the 2026 Driver Power owner satisfaction survey, Cupra only managed a meagre 27th place finish out of 30 brands in the best manufacturer results. This was the worst performance out of the entire VW Group, but Volkswagen wasn’t too far ahead in 26th place.
| Euro NCAP safety ratings | |
| Euro NCAP safety rating | 5 stars (2025) |
| Adult occupant protection | 88% |
| Child occupant protection | 86% |
| Vulnerable road user protection | 82% |
| Safety assist | 77% |
- Best buy: Leon Hatchback 1.5 eHybrid 204 V1
The temptation to go for the quickest version is difficult to resist, but with the Cupra Leon, it is necessary if you wish to keep the price from getting out of control. In entry-level V1 form, you’ll be looking at no less than £33,000. However, we recommend sticking with this trim, as it includes all the standard kit you need, and we’d upgrade to plug-in hybrid power.
This powertrain strikes a strong balance between performance and efficiency. This brings the price up to nearly £40,000, but you can soon save a considerable amount on running costs, partly thanks to its pure-electric capability. It’s important to note, though, that these prices reflect the hatchback, and the estate carries a premium of roughly £2,500 compared to the equivalent hatch.
Whichever Leon you’re lusting after, you can save by building your perfect Cupra Leon Hatchback through the Auto Express Buy A Car service. We can also help you to sell your car.
Cupra Leon alternatives
Larger hot hatchbacks are a bit thin on the ground at present, so the Cupra Leon’s closest competition mostly comes from within the VW Group family. The Volkswagen Golf GTI and Volkswagen Golf R are the brand’s best-known hot hatches, and share plenty of their DNA with the Leon. The Skoda Octavia vRS is also a genuinely fast family car worth considering.
If you’re considering going electric, the Cupra Born is the more obvious alternative to the Leon, along with the closely related Volkswagen ID.3. Other appealing electric hatchbacks include the Renault Megane E-Tech and MG4.
Cupra Leon pictures
Key updates of the Cupra Leon review
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- 18 August 2026: Up-to-date pricing data.
- 5 May 2026: Latest driving impressions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Every brand-new Cupra Leon comes with a five-year or 90,000-mile warranty, whichever comes first. This is actually longer than the Volkswagen Golf’s warranty, which only applies for three years or 60,000 miles.
