A full five stars for EuroNCAP testing (based on the standard model) mean SEAT Leon Cupra safety is as good as it gets.

That’s down to the car’s plethora of airbags, including a knee airbag for the driver, and it’s advanced safety systems. The stability system has been specially tuned for the Cupra model, and the Cupra Drive Profile allows for a two stage traction and ESP system with a final option for all intervention to be removed.

All Cupra models are delivered with full LED headlamps for better vision at night thanks to their daylight imitating output, and will even alter their beam pattern after driving at speeds of 68mph or more for at least 30 seconds to improve illumination at motorway speeds. There’s also multi collision assist fitted as standard which applies the brakes after a primary impact to lessen the chance of then rolling into other traffic or objects and causing more damage.

You’ll need to pay extra for the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) which is an adaptive cruise control that will maintain a set gap between you and the car in front without any pedal intervention from yourself. The same applies for the Front Assist which will warn drivers and if needs be brake the car to a stop if it detects an unexpected obstacle at city speeds.

Both are based on the standard car so SEAT Leon Cupra practicality is surprisingly good, sharing exterior and interior dimensions with the regular SC, five-door hatachback and ST estate smodels.

The former has a slightly shorter wheelbase and the sleeker exterior means rear space isn’t as abundant as its bigger brothers, but it’s still perfectly acceptable for four adults. However for those regularly using the rear bench it’s the five-door versions that makes the most sense on account of their easier entry and exit.

Regardless of which hatchback bodystyle you choose the bootspace stays the same, both offering a useful 380-litres of space with the seats in place; the ST outguns them at 587 litres. All cars come with split folding rear seats should you need to increase that capacity or carry longer loads.

Inside the cabin the doors have decent sized pockets, but the glovebox is frustratingly shallow and the under-arm storage in the centre console isn’t big enough to be of any real use either. Interstingly the lidded cubby in front of the gearlever, which so often failed to spring open on early Leons, is no lid-free.