Should you buy one?

Absolutely. The Cupra Leon is a real Swiss Army knife of a hot hatchback. It looks good, it drives well, it’s practical and it’s comfortable. The entry-level engine isn’t quite as quick as you would expect, but the car makes up for this with its balanced chassis and keen pricing.

Speaking of which (just in case you needed a little more convincing), prices for the Cupra Leon start from £33,100. The Volkswagen Golf GTI is priced from £36,185 – and we can’t figure out what you’re getting for the extra money, apart from the badge.

It’s the same story when you move further up the Cupra Leon’s pecking order. The fastest 300hp version is priced from £37,130, while the mechanically identical Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport commands almost an extra £3,000. A gulf like that makes the Cupra look like a good bargain.

What we like

The Cupra Leon’s engines are eager (even if they’re not as fast as we were expecting), its chassis planted and its interior is well screwed together. The car’s sports seats and driving position are utterly excellent and it’s a good £3,000 cheaper than the equivalent Volkswagen branded hot hatchback, right across the range.

What we don’t like

There aren’t any physical buttons for the climate controls and radio on the dashboard. All of the interior functions are operated using the Volkswagen-sourced infotainment system which is absolutely rubbish. It’s slow to respond, unreliable and clunky. The PHEV model also offers disappointing performance and economy once the battery is depleted.

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