In an increasingly homogenised automotive landscape (MG this, Chinese EV that), Cupra has emerged as a welcome jolt of lightning with its sporting-flavoured hatch, wagon and SUV range. The Spanish manufacturer – which started as an offshoot of SEAT’s hottest models – has the wind in its sails, with a 29.8 per cent year-to-date increase in volume in Australia (VFACTS, September 2025).
That growth has come on the back of a product offensive – the most recent additions being the outrageous Tavascan EV and Terramar SUV. Most excitingly of all, the Formentor VZ5 arrives next year with the delectable VW Group 2.5-litre turbo five-banger.
In the meantime, the facelifted 2026 Cupra Leon hatchback has arrived with some serious changes, unapologetic bold styling, and a new Sportstourer wagon variant – because who doesn’t love a wagon? Cupra invited Driving Enthusiast to sample them both on some mesmerising roads in the Central Tablelands of NSW.
2026 Cupra Leon VZx: Specifications
Engine: 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder
Output: 221kW@5300-6500rpm / 400Nm@2000-5200rpm
Gearbox: Seven-speed dual-clutch auto
Drive type: Front-wheel drive
Wheels: F & R: 19×8.0, 235/35Tare weight: 1543kg
Power-to-weight: 6.98:1 (kg:kW)
Official consumption: 7.5L/100km
Power efficiency: 29.46kW:L/100km
0-100km/h (claimed): 5.7s
Starting price: $64,990
2026 Cupra Leon Sportstourer VZe: Specifications
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo four-cylinder PHEV
Electrical: 20kWh battery, 121km range
Output: 200kW / 400Nm
Gearbox: Six-speed dual-clutch auto
Drive type: Front-wheel drive
Wheels: F & R: 19×8.0, 235/35Tare weight: 1755kg
Power-to-weight: 8.77:1 (kg:kW)
Official consumption: 0.4L/100km
Power efficiency: 500kW:L/100km
0-100km/h (claimed): 7.3s
Starting price: $69,990
2026 Cupra Leon: How much does it cost?
Initially, three versions will be available. Opening the range is the Leon S with a 1.5-litre turbo four-cylinder with 48V mild-hybrid tech (110kW/250Nm). From there, the range splits into two paths; the Leon VZx with 221kW/400Nm produced by the 2.0-litre turbocharged ‘EA888 evo4’ engine, and the Leon VZe Sportstourer plug-in hybrid with 200kW/400Nm and 121km of EV range.
These will be joined next year by a VZe hatch and an AWD VZx wound up to 245kW (similar to the VW Golf R). For now, the VZx is front-drive only but with a clever locking diff and adaptive damping.
Pricing for the initial trio is set at $47,990 for the Leon S, $64,990 for the VZx, and $69,990 for the VZe Sportstourer (all before on-road costs). An expanding dealer network and launch offer for five years of servicing ($1990) aim to keep the brand’s momentum going.
2026 Cupra Leon: Interior & packaging
There’s a lot to talk about visually, with dramatic changes that elevate the Leon to a new level. The new corporate ‘sharks-nose’ bumper with triangular LED daytime running lights and grille treatment give it a far more aggressive yet futuristic look.
A rear lightbar now incorporates the Cupra emblem and runs the length of the tailgate, book-ended either side by triple triangular elements to channel the front. New wheel patterns round out a more purposeful and distinctive look on the outside.
There’s a freshened colour palate with ten new choices, including three matt colours; Enceladus Grey, Magnetic Tech and Century Bronze ($2650 extra). Three premium colours can be had for $620 extra; Graphene Grey, Dark Void and Taiga Grey, which stand out with a glow-in-the-dark finish.
An equally vibrant interior awaits within. What stands out immediately are three buttons. Two on the steering wheel including one with a Cupra logo (driving mode) and the other being engine start/stop button. The other is the DSC off button given prominence ahead of the gear selector. A statement of intent if ever we saw one.
Other noteworthy aspects include copper highlights for button surrounds, vent and console inserts and surrounding ambient lighting which cleverly integrates indicating and blind-spot alerts.
A 10.25-inch instrument screen is configurable – our favourite configuration has a combination speedometer/tacho in the middle with either side configurable with everything from transmission, engine oil and coolant temp to average consumption.
A 12.9-inch centre touch-screen is familiar within the VW group portfolio, with haptic sliders for volume and tri-zone climate. One of the biggest wrongs of its Golf cousin is righted in the form of actual steering wheel buttons. Moreover, a well-calibrated voice command system makes things like switching between radio and streaming a distraction-free affair.
2026 Cupra Leon: Powertrain & handling
The first leg of the journey was in the VZe Sportstourer from Western Sydney to the Blue Mountains, with the famous Bells Line of Road giving us an idyllic backdrop for this plug-in hybrid longroof. Serving as the de facto flagship of the range (for now), it mirrors the VZx in sporting intent, offering adaptive damping and black and copper alloy wheels wrapped in Pirelli PZero liquorice.
Favourably, it uses a six-speed DSG rather than the CVT of some PHEVs. Through the sweeping scenery and elevation changes, the VZe was impressively taut and composed, with the longer wheelbase of the wagon providing the most relaxing ride. The drivetrain is engaging by PHEV standards, bearing in mind the priority is economy with an official ADR81/02 rating of 0.4L/100km. We saw 2.4L/100km, and let’s just say, we weren’t hypermiling.
The sizable battery can be recharged with up to 50kWh of DC power, with two modes of regeneration able to replenish it as well. The steering system in both cars we sampled was incredible, with eager immediacy off-centre but reassuringly connected at high speed – this platform is designed with 200km/h autobahn cruising in mind, after all.
After the wagon, it was time to step into the VZx hatch on even more challenging roads. Despite being front-wheel drive only, it proved devastatingly capable. The locking front diff is an especially welcome companion, pulling the Cupra into apexes with ferocity.
Despite our best efforts – and even with the DSC turned off – it was nigh on impossible to upset it. If you do come in a bit hot, the standard brake package works well enough, but we’d opt for the $7600 Extreme Pack, which has ‘Cup Bucket’ front seats, six-piston Akebono brakes and Matrix Ultra headlights as of next year.
Switching to Race and ‘Cupra’ mode made a more pronounced difference in the VZx, with freneticism dialled up to 11 for damper firmness, steering weight and a pleasing yet artificial engine sound. Custom mode allows for ‘Pure’ engine noise to remain, which is uniquely characterful in itself.
As much as Cupra would not appreciate the comparison, the Golf R shares much under the skin, with the Cupra majoring more on engagement than just being ruthlessly competent. Interestingly, the character of the engine feels so different sonically, with a smoother transition between gears rather than the notorious DSG ‘fart’ Golf fanboys froth over.
Another highlight is the Sennheiser 12-speaker sound system, with a 390W amp, subwoofer and Ambeo immersive technology, which isolates all the graphical elements from any given song and reprocesses them brilliantly.
For the entry Leon S, it is part of a $2200 ‘Leather & Sound’ package. While we didn’t have a chance to sample the Leon S, it has most of the core ingredients but with torsion beam rear suspension instead of multi-link (and no adaptive damping), but manages 5.4L/100km – some 2.2L better than the VZx.
Safety-wise, it’s hard to argue with ten airbags. You’ll have to wait until next year for traffic sign recognition, but every other facet of the ADAS suite worked flawlessly without nuisance.
2026 Cupra Leon: First impressions
Criticisms? Few and far between but we have to chide the tacky-feeling gearshift paddles, goo-in-a-can in lieu of a spare tyre on all but the Leon S, and the standard seats don’t have the extendable thigh support seen in platform stablemates.
Getting a bit exxy? Perhaps, and the options certainly aren’t cheap but the depth of changes more than justifies it, in our opinion. It’s worth bearing in mind the outgoing Cupra V can be had from $35,990 on runout.
Cupra has successfully infused its hot hatch with character which is more than skin deep, and included a PHEV wagon with just as much desirability. New additions for 2026 will only sweeten the deal. Thanks to this new facelift, it now has the visual punch it deserved from the beginning.
2026 Cupra Leon: Video
