Very concise review as usual Tom. I think that in a few years Cupra will become a serious contender in the Australian market, providing that its priced accordingly. Chasing Cars is definitely becoming the go-to channel for independent ( and honest ) reviews.
Test drove the VZ and VZx, wayyyyy better than the Golf and T-Roc for me inside, finish is so good, so much better than VW models and zero piano black inside. Might have considered the V if it was in stock at the time, ended up buying the VZ demo model and no regrets! Great review 👌
Awesome review Tom… I picked up my Leon V a couple of weeks ago and have loved every minute. I effectively bought it blind as there were no units available to test drive and zero reviews online - so I only really had the VZ/VZx to get a feel for the chassis and Formentor V for engine. Really glad I went for it in the end. Side note - I optioned the leather pack and for me, the black leather available in the V/VZ presents a little better than the blue in the VZx
There are some very tempting 'used' Leons for sale. The cheapest Leon V listed is a red one going for $42K before on road costs with 68km - that's ridiculously good value.
I wish they would just give you a proper gear lever. I hate it how manufacturers have messed around with it. Not a fan of the stupid little thing they give you in the Cupra.
The Skoda Rapid was a better car!? Lol what? The Rapid was built from retired VW parts, with a focus on developing markets. Why Skoda thought they could sell it in developed markets is beyond me.
Is the Cupra Formentor for sale in Australia? I'm from Barcelona and here in Spain people don't buy the Leon anymore. The old Leon buyers now buy the Cupra Formentor instead.
.....mmmm just searched carsales this minute, yeah its out here. Questionable "premium" Hatch status (you still have to option the expensive leather seats?, and no standard sunroof) Questionable thats its any better than the VW Polo GTI Questionble brand, being Spanish In the end a very...Questionable Hatchback Possibly....if this V with the 140kw Polo engine was offered in a manual and for its "premium hatch" price a sunroof. 1 Good Point for this V it has the multi-link rear suspension from the sportier VZx. But, the last outgoing Hyundai Veloster Turbo Australia got, also had a sophisticated rear mult-link rear suspension (early Velosters didn't have it), but that feature didn't increase that cars sales, nor save it. Better handling than the current (torsion beam rear axle) Mazda 3 Mmm, be interesting to see a comparo between this Cupra V and a 6spd manual Mazda 3 with a sunroof, for similar price. I personally have no idea what sort of buyer in Australia this new Cupra hatch model is aimed at?
It’s considerably more sophisticated to drive than a Polo GTI when the road gets complex - mid-corner bumps, weird cambers, quick gradient change. Which we have a lot of in Australia.
Why would anyone buy this over an i30N for 5-7k less, the amount of horror stories I've heard and personally experienced as a tech with VW group cars is too many to count, e.g. 2017 golf R roof guttering blocked letting water inside the cabin, guy went to multiple VW dealerships all said you will have to pay 6 grand to replace all the seals on the car, (1 month out of warranty in 2020)
The brand’s been around for years in Europe. Think of it as a Golf with a lot more power and fruit for a lower price and you’ve got a great car. Drove the top spec one around the Adelaide hills and must say it was one of the most fun cars I’ve driven in ages
@@MarwanAnwar88 who’s Seat? Oh, that’s right, the car company that went out of business in Australia 5 years after they arrived. Unproven? Yup, sounds like it to me.
@@whatthe6532 I drive a i30n sedan and the road noise is there but it's not too bad. Comes down to the size of tyres really.. personally I'd rather feel the road it's more engaging and certainly more fun to drive than a gti
Very concise review as usual Tom. I think that in a few years Cupra will become a serious contender in the Australian market, providing that its priced accordingly. Chasing Cars is definitely becoming the go-to channel for independent ( and honest ) reviews.
Thanks Tom 🙏 Picking up my Leon V next week 🎉
Test drove the VZ and VZx, wayyyyy better than the Golf and T-Roc for me inside, finish is so good, so much better than VW models and zero piano black inside. Might have considered the V if it was in stock at the time, ended up buying the VZ demo model and no regrets! Great review 👌
Enjoy the car!
Awesome review Tom… I picked up my Leon V a couple of weeks ago and have loved every minute. I effectively bought it blind as there were no units available to test drive and zero reviews online - so I only really had the VZ/VZx to get a feel for the chassis and Formentor V for engine. Really glad I went for it in the end.
Side note - I optioned the leather pack and for me, the black leather available in the V/VZ presents a little better than the blue in the VZx
Ditto, another great, informative review from Tom!!
Same here mate picked my V up yesterday leather + sunroof absolutely loving it
Will get used to the controls pretty quick I’m sure
Excellent review Tom, as per usual.
Does this car have more interior space than the golf/gti?
Is it’s ride quality similar to that of the current gti?
Great review once again thanks. I would like to see a review on the Lexus ux 200 luxury please 2023 version.
Coming soon
Just bought one 🎉
There are some very tempting 'used' Leons for sale. The cheapest Leon V listed is a red one going for $42K before on road costs with 68km - that's ridiculously good value.
They’re on offer for $42,990 with cash back right now
@@chasingcars I forgot about the $5K offer. If I hadn't just put a deposit on an Octavia RS I might just have gone for it.
I wish they would just give you a proper gear lever. I hate it how manufacturers have messed around with it. Not a fan of the stupid little thing they give you in the Cupra.
I'm considering selling my I30 N Line and getting a VZx. How are they for reliability?
Ok but still using the stupid vw software and no separate aircon controls, also the Skoda Rapid was a better car
I’ll deal with it for the chassis
The Skoda Rapid was a better car!? Lol what? The Rapid was built from retired VW parts, with a focus on developing markets. Why Skoda thought they could sell it in developed markets is beyond me.
The rapid was trash
would be more interested in the VZe.. 0-100, weight, dynamics, range/eco etc
We have a comprehensive VZe review that includes all those points available: ua-cam.com/video/DKJyr5YxQBI/v-deo.html
Considering the polo gti is now cheaper at 40k, would that be a better deal value-wise?
Which car interior is that in the budget direct ad intro?
All you need to do now is tune the engine to VZX spec 😊
Ha! To be honest with our speed limits I sometimes prefer to have a little less, so you can wring it out more.
Its a porky. heavy, hatch for just 140kw.
Certainly doesn’t feel it.
Funny how 140kw snd 300+ nm is just enough. It was just about WRX numbers originally 😂
There are people out there that think an RS3 with 300Kw is not that quick...its what your used to I guess.
Mine comes thursday cant wait
Would be good to do a 3-way comparison of similar specs from VW, Skoda and Cupra.
what's the reliability like?
Is the Cupra Formentor for sale in Australia? I'm from Barcelona and here in Spain people don't buy the Leon anymore. The old Leon buyers now buy the Cupra Formentor instead.
Yes, the Formentor is available in Australia. Except for the VZ5, as that is limited-run and is left-hand drive only.
Yes it is, but the Leon is ultimately more fun to drive
Formentor still remarkably enjoyable though
From the outside it looks like an old Mazda 3, decent value with today’s prices.
Pick of the VAG range?
It’s up there right now (July 2023)
.....mmmm just searched carsales this minute, yeah its out here.
Questionable "premium" Hatch status (you still have to option the expensive leather seats?, and no standard sunroof)
Questionable thats its any better than the VW Polo GTI
Questionble brand, being Spanish
In the end a very...Questionable Hatchback
Possibly....if this V with the 140kw Polo engine was offered in a manual and for its "premium hatch" price a sunroof.
1 Good Point for this V it has the multi-link rear suspension from the sportier VZx. But, the last outgoing Hyundai Veloster Turbo Australia got, also had a sophisticated rear mult-link rear suspension (early Velosters didn't have it), but that feature didn't increase that cars sales, nor save it. Better handling than the current (torsion beam rear axle) Mazda 3 Mmm, be interesting to see a comparo between this Cupra V and a 6spd manual Mazda 3 with a sunroof, for similar price.
I personally have no idea what sort of buyer in Australia this new Cupra hatch model is aimed at?
It’s considerably more sophisticated to drive than a Polo GTI when the road gets complex - mid-corner bumps, weird cambers, quick gradient change. Which we have a lot of in Australia.
Further - sadly - the manual Mazda 3 has been discontinued
Why would being Spanish make it questionable?
Very nice car/package for the price. Unfortunate cause EV will be my next car.
Most people find VAG hatchbacks "numb" in steering feel. Are you saying this one is different?
Yes I am
@@chasingcars exciting! i'll take one for a roadtest then
Why would anyone buy this over an i30N for 5-7k less, the amount of horror stories I've heard and personally experienced as a tech with VW group cars is too many to count,
e.g. 2017 golf R roof guttering blocked letting water inside the cabin, guy went to multiple VW dealerships all said you will have to pay 6 grand to replace all the seals on the car, (1 month out of warranty in 2020)
Well, one reason might be that i30 N orders have been closed for a very long time.
I'd go for this over an i30, water leaks and all!
Is it 2.0 or 1.5tsi?
1:53
2.0
Best hot hatch? Even compared to i20n? Seems you only compared euro warm and hot hatches
The V's straight line performance is warm but its sharp chassis means you can hold amazing pace. If you want more speed, get the 228kW VZx…
47k for a plain fwd hatch back of unproven hematite? Tell’em they’re dream’in.
The brand’s been around for years in Europe. Think of it as a Golf with a lot more power and fruit for a lower price and you’ve got a great car. Drove the top spec one around the Adelaide hills and must say it was one of the most fun cars I’ve driven in ages
“Unproven”? It’s been around for ages, now the brand is detached from SEAT, but it’s basically the same. VW family, super reliable
Knowledge is king.
Seat is unproven? Lol
@@MarwanAnwar88 who’s Seat? Oh, that’s right, the car company that went out of business in Australia 5 years after they arrived. Unproven? Yup, sounds like it to me.
I thought Cupra will make only EV... great surprise
To those who speak English as a second language - ordinary means below average.
Melted styling, apart from the initial offer price, standard pricing is high. For me it's a big Meh.
Looks like an old Mazda.
It looks hideous compared to an S3 or Golf R though, imo obviously.
Road noise. I’m out. Back to Golf.
A fun hatch always has road noise
@@mharro88 Try a GTi. Sure there’s noise but not the din of the Cupra. More like a small swarm of bees following you.
@@whatthe6532 I drive a i30n sedan and the road noise is there but it's not too bad. Comes down to the size of tyres really.. personally I'd rather feel the road it's more engaging and certainly more fun to drive than a gti
When it comes to coarse chip road, most cars would be noisy. I'm guessing it is no louder than say a Mazda 3?
@@mharro88 Good on you. Each to their own. Cheers.
That's very expensive ridiculous given electric cars cost the same
😂
Even not 4x4. Lame