Cupra Leon VZ Cup – TEST. It’s like “white collar” with a little character

This car evokes strong feelings. On the one hand, it has everything expected from a modern hothatch, but on the other hand, it lacks one important feature. Cupra Leon VZ Cup is the flagship version of this model, but it will definitely not join the group of the best representatives of its niche.

But let’s start from the beginning, ie from what Cupra has been. I still consider it to be singled out as a separate brand as one of the greatest achievements and best moves of the Volkswagen group. After many years of struggling to create the right image for Kiti, a strategy was adopted that solved this problem immediately.

We know the rest of the story – Seat seems to be a brand on life support, while Cupra is thriving. You can see it on the street, in the increasing number of showrooms of this brand and with the delight of customers.

The most correct method was chosen here, that is, to hit the market “from high C” and slowly descend to the lowest weather. And so, first the 300-horsepower Ateca and the comparable Formentor entered the showrooms, and later they were joined by weaker versions, including the 150-horsepower 1.5 TSI variant.

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They became the inspiration behind the Cupra. People find that they can have an attractive car that looks like their neighbor’s car. And this is a big plus, but also a minus of this brand – at least for some people.

The Cupra Leon VZ is powerful, drives well and looks impressive. However, he does not have claws

However, this is not only a criticism of this model, but of the attitude of the Volkswagen group to such cars. There are many components on the company’s warehouse shelves that can be used to build a large and impressive car.

Most of them ended up in this car. Here we have a 300-horsepower 2.0 TSI engine from the EA888 family. There is also a good suspension and shock absorbers. There were also optional Brembo brakes, a differential, a DSG gearbox and excellent bucket seats prepared by Sabelt.

So I secretly hoped that I would get here what the Seat Leon Cupra R used to offer

In fact, we are talking about the last generation in one of the latest versions. To this day I think it is an underrated and brilliant machine. It drove amazingly, it was a lot of fun to drive and, like a few other hotshots, it drove with its right foot. He could show his claws and surprise, which also required a little attention.

In short – this car was “some” and memorable. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said about the new Leon VZ Cup. It’s beautiful and accurate, but painfully synthetic. If someone prepared an AI “prompt” that read: “build me a sporty, universal and refined hatchback”, this example would be the result.

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It’s hard to find hilly roads around Warsaw, but there are places where there are bends and you can push the gas pedal harder. Despite the winter tires, the traction was excellent in positive temperatures, and the Cupra drove like on rails, faithfully following the movements of the steering wheel.

Don’t expect a happy moderator here, though

It was something that the Seat Leon Cupra R could do like few other cars – it threw the rear end with incredible grace and agility. You won’t see this in a new model unless you push the safety envelope beyond what should be done on public roads.

Moreover, all this “joy” takes place accompanied by the exhausting of an artificial sound, enhanced by the sound from the speakers. And although in CUPRA mode there are clever shots when you take your foot off the gas pedal at high speed.they also seem carefully calculated and refined.

So when you drive fast it’s “nice and cute”. Especially as with normal daily mileage

This will definitely be the strong point of this car, at least for some people. The Cupra Leon VZ can drive efficiently and quickly, but it is also comfortable and surprisingly economical in everyday use.

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Of course, by opening the throttle fully and stretching your right limb, you will quickly empty the 50 liter fuel tank. However, when driving slowly, the Leon with the TSI 2.0 engine is surprisingly restrained when it comes to consuming 98-octane gasoline.

In the city I got results of 11-12 liters easily. On the highway, less than 8.3 liters at 140 km / h on the highway is a value that puts a smile on your face.

Cupra Leon VZ Cup 2.0 TSI 300 HP DSG7 – fuel consumption

Another addition in terms of universality is suspension adjustment. It is not painfully difficult and copes well with unevenness. I don’t know if there was a problem with this unit, but its operation was very large. Every big bump caused a “thud thud” from the front and rear wheels.

This brand still has some things to improve. One of them is “user experience”.

In this regard, this brand is currently the worst in the Volkswagen group. Although more than 3 years have passed since the model’s debut, Leon still has very slow and ineffective media that can drive you crazy.

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No one fixed the stupid issue, i.e. changing the clock face after turning off the navigation assistant. Selecting this menu brings up one specific view of the indicators (including support systems), and returning to the previous settings requires a few clicks from the steering wheel.

Leon, surprisingly, has not thought of cup holders – they are a problem place, and their depth means that a regular coffee mug rests on the lid, which can open them. And no one wants to pour themselves a dark caffeinated drink with their beautiful blue skin.

The interior, known for many years, looks simple and finished in an acceptable way. This is roughly the same level as in the new Golf. The amount of space also does not disappoint. A type of bucket Sabelt armchairs they are comfortable and not tight during long journeys. In the back, two tall people can sit comfortably.

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Cupra Leon VZ Cup costs PLN 208,300

Considering the current price levels of hotatchas in this size, the Cupra’s offer is not the worst. For example, a Hyundai i30 N with a DCT8 gearbox will initially be cheaper by PLN 6,000. However, he is slightly weaker than Leon. Focus ST with automatic transmission is better (it costs more than PLN 190,000), but it does not differ better from the better operation of the transmission itself.

These are basically the closest cars to the Cupra. The Skoda Octavia RS and Golf GTI have less power (245 HP), and the Golf R offers four-wheel drive. In the category of front-wheel drive hothatches, the choice has decreased significantly, which gives the Spanish brand a big advantage.

Of course, this amount, PLN 208,300, is the beginning of happiness. He found this article Petrol Blue Matt matte varnish, which costs more than PLN 9,000. You’ll pay around PLN 14,000 extra for Brembo brakes, available in a package with a Beats sound system. In total we receive PLN 235,969.

A lot of? Yes – but these are the standards now. Only one hatchback is more expensive, possibly the best on the market – Honda Civic Type R. It costs PLN 261,500, but it is basically no longer available in Poland.

Is the Cupra Leon VZ Cup worthy of consideration?

If it is to be a versatile car, especially for daily driving and for occasional fun on hilly roads or on the track, then it will work perfectly in this role. This is a great car for a “white collar” person looking for a quick escape from everyday life.

However, if you put emotions and pleasure first, look elsewhere. Hyundai i30 N will be better in this regard, although and Cupra wastes time comparing other features.