2022 Cupra Leon VZx review: Australian preview drive

This is our first preview of the 2022 Cupra Leon VZx. Stay tuned for a full on-road drive in the near future.

Australians have been spoilt for choice in the hot hatch market for some time, but now there is a new player in town with the Cupra Leon launching locally in the coming months.

We are at Sydney Motorsport Park to drive the Spanish challenger as part of our first taste experience with Cupra locally. Launching officially in Australia in July, Cupra brought a number of New Zealand market vehicles to our shores for evaluation.

Although we aren’t able to drive the cars on public roads, we can give them a thrashing on the track. We’ll reserve a proper final verdict until we are able to conduct a comprehensive road test, but our initial experience with the Leon, and its two SUV siblings – the Ateca and Formentor – are impressive.

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Only a single variant was available to drive at the event, the flagship VZx. However, when the Leon officially launches, a total of four model grades will be offered to Australian customers.

Sitting at the top of the tree, the VZx uses an EA888 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder to send 221kW and 400Nm to the front wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. That engine code might be familiar, because it is. As a member of the Volkswagen Group, Cupra has access to the automotive giant’s expansive parts catalogue, including engines and chassis.

Don’t think of the Leon as a reskinned Golf GTI though, it is much more than that, with a unique personality of its own that was able to shine through even with our initially limited exposure.

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Each variant is offered with a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty. All feature adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, auto emergency braking, three-zone climate control, keyless entry and start, adaptive dampers, LED headlights and taillights, and wireless phone charging as standard.

Inside the cabin, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster sits in front of the driver, with a central 10.0-inch infotainment touchscreen featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard.

Leather bucket seats are the main feature of the cabin, offering impressive levels of support, and can be adjusted to a Goldilocks ‘just right’ position

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Starting the range is the V, which won’t be available at the initial launch, but carries a retail price of $43,990 before on-road costs. This variant uses a 140kW/320Nm tune for the 2.0-litre turbo four-pot engine. The entry-level Leon V will be available in Q3 of this year, with deliveries expected to start next year.

Next is the VZ, which has Golf GTI-rivalling 180kW and 370Nm outputs, available from July with drive-away pricing of $56,990. A plug-in hybrid, badged VZe, will be available at $59,990 before on-road costs. The total system output from the 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine and electric motor is 180kW and 400Nm. Cupra claims the VZe will be able to drive up to 65km on electricity alone thanks to its 12.8kWh battery pack.

But we are here to drive the fastest version of the Leon, the VZx, with its Golf R-rivalling power outputs. The flagship model has a $64,990 drive-away price and is stacked with generous levels of equipment as standard.

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Leather bucket seats in striking Petrol Blue colour are the main feature of the cabin in the VZx, offering impressive levels of support, and can be adjusted to a Goldilocks ‘just right’ seating position. This is the first indicator that Cupra is a brand that takes the art of driving seriously.

The Leon is quick. Like, really quick. It deploys its power impressively and revs eagerly. The steering is sharp, and the car responds positively and directly to inputs. Track driving offers little in ride assessment so we’ll need to wait to get the car on an Aussie B-road for that, but the chassis is tied down and composed when driven aggressively.

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The Leon’s platform is shared with fellow Volkswagen Group siblings the Audi S3, VW Golf R, and Skoda Octavia RS. Where the S3 and Golf R use similar power outputs, they make do with two extra driven wheels – the Leon VZx being exclusively front-driven.

An electronically activated mechanical limited-slip diff deals with the power adequately. Sydney Motorsport Park requires patience before applying the throttle in many of its corners but the Leon VZx accommodates the greedy driver by gripping and pulling the hatch out of corners with vigour.

In a straight line, the Leon VZx is an absolute weapon. Cupra claims a 0-100km/h time of 5.7 seconds which is on-par for this kind of front-drive performance, but when up and running the Leon is something to behold with relentless in-gear acceleration.

Despite using well-known Volkswagen Group ingredients, there is a distinct character to the Leon. Livelier than a GTI, but more sensible than a Civic Type R

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It's no one-trick pony though, willing to duck and dive through the bends in a way that engages and rewards. It doesn’t have the early mid-corner rotation of something like a Ford Focus ST, but the Leon VZx possess a potent and sharp front-end.

The actual mechanical grip is paired well with well-judged steering that has the car darting toward apex just off centre when applying lock. Impressive too is the weight, which is heavier than some key premium rivals, speaking to Cupra’s performance intent. Feedback is ample, and you are well aware of front grip levels through the wheel.

Despite using a selection of well-known Volkswagen Group ingredients, there is a distinct character to the Leon. Livelier than a GTI, but more sensible than a Honda Civic Type R. The Leon looks to fill a surprising hole in the hot hatch market.

From our initial impressions, customers looking in that particular niche will be well-served by the Leon, and our wider performance car market got just that little bit more competitive.

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When Cupra officially launches in July with cars being delivered to customers, Australia’s performance car landscape will gain a new, endearing challenger. Stay tuned for our comprehensive first drive on Australian roads in the near future.