CUPRA León eTSI: why choosing the cheapest CUPRA is the right call when buying
Antonio Roncero @roncero_antonio
23 December 2022
8 min. 
CUPRA completes its CUPRA León range at the lower end with the arrival of the 1.5 eTSI 150 CV and the 2.0 190 CV petrol versions, which join the 2.0 TSI with 245 CV or 300 CV and the Cupra León PHEV plug-in hybrids, available in 204 and 245 CV versions.
And although I already had a clear preconceived idea of how well the CUPRA León’s chassis would work with an engine like the 1.5 eTSI 150 CV, the presentation and dynamic first drive of this version, which positions itself as the most affordable model in the CUPRA range, left me with a very pleasant impression. So much so that I can think of a few reasons to consider it a “smart buy”, even though at first glance you might think its 150 CV is not much for a CUPRA.
We will go into the mechanical side and the driving sensations later. But rest assured that the CUPRA León eTSI does not in any way fall short of the values the brand boasts about: this is a car with its own distinct personality, offering above all driving fun without giving up practicality for everyday use. And, in particular, CUPRA has high hopes for this version, which will contribute to the unstoppable growth of the brand, which already totals 250,000 units sold since its creation in 2018, and more than doubles its 2022 sales compared with the previous year.
As a bit of trivia, in our market, for example, CUPRA’s success undoubtedly rests on the CUPRA Formentor, with more than 11,000 units. The second best-selling model is already the CUPRA Born, surpassing 680 units. And soon we will see the CUPRA León climb the rankings with the arrival of this interesting engine. Currently, its more than 600 units double the sales of the CUPRA Ateca.
But let’s go back to the new CUPRA León eTSI 150 CV, as I want to tell you the keys to why I think it is a very smart choice.
CUPRA León eTSI 150 CV: the price factor
To begin with, we have to talk about price. The CUPRA León eTSI 150 CV with DSG gearbox costs 33,340 euros. There is no option for a manual gearbox, which I don’t consider a mistake at all, especially given how well this dual-clutch gearbox works, with paddle shifters on the steering wheel as standard. For 1,340 euros more you can choose the estate version, the CUPRA León SportsTourer. And here is one more reason to choose the CUPRA León: while the 5-door body is already excellent in terms of interior space and boot capacity, the SportsTourer multiplies its versatility and, in addition, has a really eye-catching design.
This is the list price, but now discounts come into play. And you can stack several: 1,400 euros from the “CUPRA Welcome” promotion, between 1,600 and 3,000 euros for financing the purchase… With all discounts applied, the CUPRA León eTSI 150 CV comes down to 29,340 euros. That is 940 euros less than the new CUPRA León 2.0 TSI 190 CV DSG, which may be “the car” for anyone looking for a bit more character when driving sportily. But you will later see why we still settle for the less powerful one.
As for its possible rivals, the CUPRA León eTSI positions itself exactly where the brand wants it: in its own territory, away from both mainstream brands on one side and premium brands on the other. A Ford Focus ST-Line Ecoboost with Powershift gearbox is clearly cheaper; and a Volkswagen Golf 1.5 eTSI DSG is considerably more expensive. Compared with a Seat León in FR trim… what can I say, the CUPRA appeals to me much more and the price difference is not that large.
A very complete standard equipment list
Another reason the CUPRA León eTSI is a good buy is its balance between price and standard equipment. You won’t need to browse the options catalogue and “dig into your pocket” to enjoy the fantastic 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, the complete 10-inch multimedia system, the convenience of accessing the vehicle and starting the engine without using a key, or wirelessly charging your smartphone without cables.
The standard equipment of the CUPRA León eTSI also includes three-zone climate control, high beam assist, rear parking sensor, progressive steering, 18-inch alloy wheels, or the CUPRA Drive Profile driving mode selector. If you still want to complete the equipment with optional packs, the most recommended is the Pro Pack, which for 1,400 euros includes Matrix LED front headlights -you can’t imagine how well they work until you try them-, an alarm, pre-collision assist, rear curtain airbag, 12-inch multimedia screen, rear-view camera, interior ambient lighting and a complete package of assistants, including one that eases driving in traffic jams.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAIjjGy7ySo
There are more packs to choose from: design, sound… But if you’re going to invest more, my recommendation would be to equip the DCC adaptive suspension, which costs around 800 euros and lets you widen the range considerably in one direction or the other from the reasonable balance between comfort and sportiness that the standard suspension already offers: it has up to 15 positions to choose from, between the firmest and softest settings!
Sufficient performance, very low consumption… and ECO label
In reality, these are three reasons in one; but all of them share a common link, the well-known 1.5 eTSI petrol engine with 4 cylinders and 110 kW (150 CV), which in this version is paired with the DSG gearbox and features 48-volt Mild Hybrid technology, allowing it to enjoy the advantages of the DGT ECO label. An engine we also find in the entry-level CUPRA Formentor, but in that case still without mild hybridisation.
And I’ll add one more point here, because you’re surely wondering: the price difference between the Cupra León and the Formentor with the same engine and transmission is around 3,500 euros. You must really like SUVs to give up the ECO label the way things are going.
In any case, the CUPRA León with this engine performs very well. It has a homologated top speed of 214 km/h and an acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.6 seconds, with a very pleasant throttle response and supported by the effectiveness of the DSG gearbox, which makes the engine feel more sporty than it really is.
It doesn’t shine at the top of the rev counter, nor does it have a sound we could call exciting. But it readily accepts both cheerful driving and the “eco” mode if you want to move with the peace of mind that the consumption indicator won’t go above 7 l/100 km. Very low consumption that is genuinely surprising… but beware, it works the other way round too: if you demand more, it consumes like more powerful, larger-displacement engines.
CUPRA León dynamic behaviour: effective and fun
And we leave the dynamic section for last, although we could just as well start here. Every time I get into a CUPRA, the first thing I notice when driving it is that, beyond logos and aesthetic details, this is where the brand really differs from its “sister” SEAT. The specific chassis tuning to make its cars more agile, precise and, ultimately, more exciting, is noticeable as soon as the bends arrive. Even if the reference is a SEAT León FR.
This version comes as standard with the XDS electronic differential, which performs a self-locking function to improve traction when accelerating out of corners, though it doesn’t have to intervene much, except when the asphalt is wet. The CUPRA León has very good dynamic behaviour. It is one of those cars that allows you to go fast with ease and with a great sense of security. The wheels always go where you expect and the car moves precisely where you point it, changing grip without surprises.
Other sporty compacts, to be equally effective or fun on twisty roads, have to resort to overly firm suspensions. The advantage of the CUPRA León is that it combines this sportiness with a comfort that lets you use it as an everyday car.
Cupra León eTSI – Image gallery
Technical specifications of this car
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