2023 Cupra Leon Sportstourer V review

The Cupra Leon Sportstourer roams in a shrinking segment. Wagons are on the outer, particularly the smaller ones.

Case in point; we drove a Kia Cerato GT wagon early last year but Kia has since dropped its entire Cerato line-up here.

There are a couple of fleet-friendly offerings like the Hyundai i30, but sales have been glacial, Hyundai selling more Ioniq EVs than i30s these days.

And really, you’d be mad to go for the Hyundai when you can buy the Corolla wagon hybrid, which is actually quite good. It’s a relative bargain at $36,990, with over $2k back in rebates.

Trouble is getting one, with more than a six-month wait.

After something with a bit more, er, style? It’s a two-horse race in this niche, between Cupra and its Czech cousin, Skoda. Both the Leon Sportstourer and Skoda Octavia wagon range offer an entry model and a sporty number.

Skoda asks $52,990 for its Style variant which has an identical 110kW/250Nm output to the Leon Sportstourer V, yet the engine and trans are different. Skoda uses a 1.4T and an eight-speed auto, the Cupra a 1.5T with mild hybrid bits and a seven-speed twin-clutch.

The Octavia is a tick quicker, while the Cupra has lower emissions and fuel use, rated at 130g/km and 5.7L/100km versus 142g/km and 6.2L/100km for the Skoda, though both are fee neutral.

The Cupra’s a bit cheaper at $49,900 drive away (no ORCs to pay) but isn’t as well specified as the Skoda, the Octavia with a few more active safety helpers, more ‘clever’ features and cargo solutions, along with additional tech gadgets like wireless CarPlay and Android Auto, and a charge pad.

There are a few other differences in terms of warranty and servicing costs too. While Cupra runs a no haggle policy, Skoda might cut you a deal.

Both have a plug-in hybrid option too, the Leon version arriving next year. But, like the Octavia, it’s pricey at $77,900, and the rebate will be gone by the time it gets here.

Choosing between the two might come down to the fact that the Octavia has a bigger cargo hold, quoted at 640-1700L, whereas the Leon’s is listed at 579-1559L.

You could be swayed by the styling, subjective of course, and we like the sleeker looking Cupra. Prefer a more supple, easy going character? Then the Octavia will be more you, while we like the more engaging persona of the Leon.

This wagon has a similar dynamic character to the hatch, with quick and talkative steering, a positive vibe on initial turn-in and it grips well through the bend.

It’s not too staid however, as there’s a hint of life at the rear which helps give it a neutral stance in the corners. The 1.5T works away, journeyman like, but it’s quick enough to effect an overtake when required while the twin-clutch sorts the gears ably.

Yeah, it goes a bit better in the Sport mode, but given that it requires a few taps on the touchscreen to initiate, you’ll seldom be bothered.

While the general ride traits are okay at urban speeds, it can get a little lumpy on rougher highway roads at speed, though is never harsh.

Some might have more of an issue with the tyre rumble on coarse chip, which is in the 74dB range.

The powertrain makes this a happy commuter; it’s into the torque early with plenty of pull for urban use. Being a mild hybrid, the idle stop function is proactive but also quick acting, and therefore not annoying.

The Leon is not exceptional as far as fuel use is concerned, the long-term average over 1000km for this machine was 8.2, while we saw 8.0L/100km with a mix of urban and motorway use.

Being a little longer than the hatch (4657mm vs 4398mm), the extras are given to the rear overhang and additional luggage space. While the hatch has a handy 344L of space in the boot, the Sportstourer has 579L, which can expand out to 1559L.

The hold is well shaped, wide and long. There is a variable floor that can be lowered to maximise the capacity or raised back up when you fold the rear seats, producing a level load area.

Dropping the second row is made easier with remote levers in the boot area while there’s a powered tailgate as well.

Also decent is the passenger space in the rear, at least for a pair of adults. The big hump in the floor robs all legroom for the centre passenger, and it’s a bit of a squeeze for three kids even. The usual Isofix points are present.

Up front the seats are sporty in nature, and while the adjustments are manual, it’s not hard to find a decent driving position. The dials are digital, and configurable, the driver aids relatively easy to switch out if you find them troublesome.

Though you shouldn’t have to as they are quite well behaved. The infotainment has enough features to satisfy, looks snazzy and is quick enough, though it’s not the most intuitive operation you’ll come across.

We like the Cupra Leon V, a good honest toiler. And while the Sportstourer carries a $2K premium over the hatch, it’s more practical while it can also tow, rated at up to 1700kg braked.

This article first appeared in the November 2023 issue of NZ Autocar magazine.