Cupra has operated independently of its parent company SEAT for seven years now. In that time, it’s launched a new range of SUVs and electric cars aimed at family buyers who aren’t prepared to sacrifice a dynamic driving experience for their parental duties. In many ways, the cars are muscling in on Ford’s territory – and the strategy seems to be working.

The Leon is one of the final connections to the past that Cupra is trying to erase – the other being the Ateca SUV – and that presents a problem. Cupra is trying to reinvent itself, but the Leon doesn’t fit neatly into its new range of cars. So, in a bid to reestablish the Leon as a Bonafide Cupra product, the brand launched a facelifted version of the car in April 2024.

Cupra’s updates for Leon include an aggressive new design language that more closely mirrors that of the Formentor SUV and a fresh cabin layout that draws inspiration from its Volkswagen Group sister cars. That means the Leon now shares the same infotainment screen as the Volkswagen Golf, and it has a similarly streamlined centre console to the Audi A3.

As before, the Cupra Leon is available with a broad range of engines that opens with the same 150hp 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol as the standard Leon. Above that, there’s a new plug-in hybrid powertrain, based on the same 1.5-litre engine, with either 204hp or 272hp.

At the top of the range, there’s a performance model featuring the same 300hp 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine as the Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport. Alternatively, if you go for the Cupra Leon Estate, you can have the same 333hp four-wheel drive system as the recently updated Golf R.

The Cupra Leon’s biggest problem is the strength of its rivals, three of which come from within the Volkswagen Group alone. The Volkswagen Golf GTI/R, Skoda Octavia vRS and Audi S3 can all compete with the most potent versions of the Cupra Leon – and there are countless family SUVs to compete with the lowlier models.

Looking outside the Group, there’s the Ford Focus ST, Honda Civic Type R and a used Hyundai i30 N, all of which arguably offer a more engaging and exciting driving experience. Or, if you’re prepared to downsize a little, you could spend the same amount of money on a Toyota GR Yaris, with its punchy three-pot engine and rally-bred four-wheel drive system.

To really stand out from these competitors, the Cupra Leon needs to bring something fresh to the space. Over the next few pages, we’ll consider whether the brand has managed it by exploring the car’s practicality, comfort, technology, driving experience and running costs before offering our final verdict. If you’d like to learn more about how we reached our decision on the car, check out our how we test cars explainer page.