There is a newer version of this car Read the latest SEAT Leon Cupra (14-16) review here

SEAT Leon Cupra (2007-2011) running costs and reliability

Looking for a different model? (change model)

Running costs rating: 4 out of 54.0

Written by David Ross Published: 6 June 2019

Miles per pound (mpp)

Reliable fuel consumption data for comparison purposes is not available for this model.

What is miles per pound?

Fuel economy

A more stringent standard for fuel economy (WLTP) was introduced from September 2017, and this model was not required to undergo that test. Its fuel economy measured under the previous test system was 34 mpg. However these figures are less likely to be achievable in real world driving and so should never be compared to another car's mpg which was measured under the newer, more realistic WLTP system.

View mpg & specs for any version

With average fuel economy of 34mpg (35mpg in revised models from 2009), the Cupra shows that high performance needn’t mean high costs. Insurance is group 17 which is on a par with other hot hatches like the Honda Civic Type-R, Ford Focus ST and Vauxhall Astra VXR plus the Cupra will hold its value well, although not quite as well as the Volkswagen Golf GTI.

SEAT servicing is good value and parts are reasonably priced.

The Cupra is quite a polluting model with emissions of 199g/km of CO2, but this is acceptable given the performance and power it offers while fuel economy is 34mpg. Revised models from 2009 have lower emissions of 190g/km while economy improves slightly to 35mpg.

This engine has been well proven across the Volkswagen range as well as in cars from Audi and Skoda. It’s never been boosted to this power though, but the Golf GTI Edition 30 has the same engine with 230bhp and has proved problem free.