It's taken 6,000 miles and a road trip or two but Matt and the Leon have finally clicked
You know how it is with long-term test cars. Very good car arrives on loan, remains very good for a few months and then, just when it look like there's nothing left to write about, 'that drive' happens and the relationship is far more positive. I shared your cynicism. Right up until I had that drive in the Leon. Damn.
Wales and Leon a great match
It was my transport for the
Race of Remembrance weekend and it was, quite simply, brilliant. Whatever scenario was thrown at the Cupra over three days it absolutely excelled at. It was used to dry race suits, it was slogged across motorways, it was thrashed across Wales, I ate meals in it and I also got lost in a caravan park. All the time the SEAT was there and seemingly perfect for the task at hand. Which is kind of what you want a hot hatch to do. But it so far exceeded my expectations for a do-it-all performance car that I can't help but like it so much more.
Furthermore, it's now the car inextricably linked with huge highs (winning an endurance race) and lows (leaving home at 0400h. In a storm) of recent weeks. Experiences and adventures with a car always increase your attachment to the vehicle. It's simple and a bit stupid but it does happen.
Perfect for the way home too
The A5 that takes you most of the way across Wales was the perfect indicator of the Cupra's strengths. It's a fast and flowing road when clear, a great test of acceleration, braking and traction. The Leon was huge fun, engaging and fast without being annoying. That huge spread of torque made overtaking easy too. Even after five and a half hours driving, I arrived at Anglesey with a smile on my face. Once the adrenaline had worn off on the way home I still had a smile on my face. Because now it was no longer the Wales warrior but instead a quiet and refined hatch, comfortably seeing off the 280 motorway miles home.
Having spent so much time in the car recently I think I've found a setting for the 'Individual' mode. Possibly. At present the engine is in sport, the VAQ diff lock in Cupra, the dampers in sport and the steering in normal. That takes some deliberation! I've grown tired of the engine's drone in Cupra even though the throttle response is great. The behaviour of the 'diff' is quite addictive, hence using its most aggressive setting. Having the dampers in comfort is fine most of the time but sport remains my preference as there's a subtle improvement in control with little loss of comfort. The steering adds a load of unnecessary weight in Cupra and is frankly not very nice. All make sense?
Individual setting decided. Maybe
Add the Wales trip to a university reunion in Hull (with a new best of 36mpg) plus a few drives just for the fun of it and I'm very much in the Cupra fanboy club. I even like yellow now. So much so in fact that I've been weighing up the Leon against that new doyen of all hot hatches, the apparently invincible
Golf R. Now, full disclosure in the truest Colby Dousche sense: I've not actually driven the Golf yet. But in two track battles (including the
Autocar comparison), the Leon has come out as faster and rated more fun by the reviewer. The circuits were Cadwell and Blyton Park so there's sufficient difference there to prove a point. The Leon is cheaper, lighter and, to my eyes, better looking. But even allowing for those dubious lease deals, there are so many more Golfs out there than Leons. Having now lived with the Cupra through 6,000 miles I think that's a real shame. Give one a try if you're after a hot hatch. It's a cracker.
FACT SHEET
Car: SEAT Leon Cupra 280
Run by: Matt
On fleet since: July 2014
Mileage: 6,091
List price new: £26,945 before options (£29,650 as tested, comprising Leather Pack with Winter Pack £755, Driver Assist Pack including high beam and lane assist £295, Safety Pack £115, SEAT Sound System £250, Adaptive Cruise Control and front assist £500, space saver £95 and Dynamic custom paint £695).
Last month at a glance: All sorts thrown at the Cupra recently and it has coped superbly
Previous reports:
A 280hp Leon arrives, all discussion is on the damn paint
Against racer and hot hatch nemesis the Leon does just fine
Quick and capable yes, but could it be more so?
Slower Cupra battles faster Cupra. Wins. Huh?
Cupra driven by others, verdicts mostly positive
Autocar vid here.
