In the first kilometer, I managed to maintain a reasonable distance from rally driver Jordi Gené, who led our convoy up the winding road. We were driving 2.0 TSI Cupras with 333 horsepower. The engine and 7-speed gearbox cooperated perfectly with me, the steering was direct and sharp, and Cupra mode prevented excessive body roll. I was satisfied with the pace until suddenly Jordi's Leon started pulling away from me. Did he decide to show us what he's capable of? Maybe he finished a phone call? Or perhaps he just remembered to release the handbrake?
In any case, we continued flying up the twisting asphalt, 4.2 kilometers that were once a rally stage in the Basque region. The drive lasted only about five minutes, but it demonstrated the level of concentration required of real rally drivers. At the finish line, I asked Jordi at what pace he would drive here if he didn’t have to lead a convoy of journalists. "With this car as it is," he replied with a smile, "I would drive 25-30% faster. With slick tires, maybe 50-55% faster." And with the VZ-TCR rally version? I pressed. Ahhh, Jordi sighed, you don’t want to know.
The question isn't how much faster Jordi was than me, but what this says about the new Cupras. I believe sending automotive journalists to a rally stage on a road closed to public traffic says a lot about Cupra's commitment to preserving its sporty character. This decision is a clear show of confidence in the sporting abilities of the Spanish product, and indeed, the two Cupras we tested – the Leon and Formentor – have not lost any of their sporty nature. The Leon faithfully preserves the classic DNA of a small, mischievous sports hatchback, as invented by its great-grandmother, the Golf GTI, in the 1970s. The Formentor also demonstrates impressive sporting capabilities for the crossover category it belongs to, though it is less sporty due to its larger weight and height compared to the Leon.
Design: The refreshed Cupras aren't drastically different from the outgoing ones – the changes are mainly in the front, hinting at the electric look flooding the roads. The Spaniards claim that the new front end is designed to resemble a shark's nose, but I'm not sure that zoologically, this claim can be proven. The designers aimed to distance Cupra from its parent brand, SEAT, hence the sharper and lower nose of the Leon, featuring a large and menacing air intake. On either side are striking LED matrix lights with prominent triangular elements. The refreshed Formentor also has similar lighting units, but it boasts two more aggressive air intakes, and in both cases, the copper-colored Cupra logo has moved to the hood itself. The refreshed design gives the Cupras a more up-to-date and bold appearance that will appeal to younger audiences.
The truth is, it's not hard to confuse the Leon and Formentor, which look very similar to each other, except for the height advantage of the Formentor and its more complex front end. Given this, it's strange that the only place where the model name appears is in a tiny inscription hidden inside the rear lights – a kind of unclear modesty. Other subtle differences appear at the rear of the Cupras, which feature a light bar across the body, including an illuminated logo. Both models have four impressive exhausts; I liked both the look and the sound.
The Formentor continues to be Cupra's best-selling model (over 5,700 Formentors have been sold in Israel to date), but the Leon remains the keeper of the sporty flame. The Leon family includes the model familiar to us in Israel, which is 4.34 meters long; next to it stands the Sportstourer station wagon, which is 4.66 meters long. The 32 centimeters were added to the car's rear, and the wheelbase remained unchanged. The extended body adds 90 liters to the trunk capacity and 150 kilograms to the station wagon's curb weight. It's not a bad deal for those looking for a larger trunk or for those who want a sporty shooting brake, as the Germans and Brits love. Israelis are less fond of station wagons, and it's not clear if the Sportstourer will arrive here – despite being equipped with the strongest engine in the group.
In conclusion, the Cupra design hasn't changed dramatically, but this is a facelift that refreshes the Cupras, which were already quite distinctive in their sporty design in the previous generation. The launch included Cupras in a selection of interesting and original metallic shades, such as bronze, copper, and matte dark blue; I’m sure that in Israel, you’ll also be able to get them in dull office-mouse gray or boring white.
Passenger Cabin: The cabins haven’t undergone massive changes, but higher-quality materials (some recycled) have been added, and 'bucket' seats provide a sporty seating position and grip. A standout feature is the 12.9-inch multimedia screen with excellent quality. It takes time to get used to the screen layout and the absence of physical buttons around it. We didn't like having to navigate through menus, though there’s an evident effort to simplify the process. The Sennheiser 12-speaker system offers high-quality sound and, somewhat embarrassingly, enhances the exhaust sound in 'Sport' and 'Cupra' modes.
The start and drive mode selection buttons are conveniently placed on the steering wheel. The high level of equipment includes keyless entry and start, electric heated seats, a wireless charging pad, a panoramic sunroof with a shade, and more. It’s a luxurious interior, though not quite premium, but nicer and of higher quality than direct competitors.
Engine Performance - Formentor VZ: While we fantasize about the sporty VZ versions, the reality is that around 75% of Formentors sold in Israel come with a 1.5-liter 150-horsepower engine. This version is priced NIS 85,000 less than the more powerful VZ, looks great, and is even slightly more comfortable thanks to 18-inch wheels. With 0-100 km/h in 8.9 seconds, the 1.5 is much slower than the VZ, but many customers choose this modest option. The organizers didn't bother to bring the 1.5-liter with 150 horsepower, featuring a minor upgrade to a mild hybrid system.
We hit the road with the Formentor VZ TSI 2.0-liter, 4X4, and 333 horsepower. With 0-100 km/h in 4.8 seconds, this is a fiercely fast crossover, responding swiftly to every press of the right pedal, pulling strongly up the revs, and accelerating decisively even at 160 km/h and well beyond. In the electric era, where manufacturers strive to shave tenths of a second off the 0-100 sprint, 4.8 seconds isn’t breathtaking. But Cupras aren’t competing in that sprint; they aim to deliver sharp, sporty road handling, forging a better connection between driver and machine, rather than just offering brutal acceleration.
Road Handling and Comfort - Formentor VZ: The launch roads included mountainous sections, reminding us that while the Formentor may be a heavy and tall SUV (relative to the Leon), it hasn’t lost Cupra’s DNA. You won’t find the exaggerated nose dives and body roll of typical crossovers from Europe and the Far East here—the Formentor is a joy for hands that love playful driving.
A switch near the steering wheel allows selection between driving modes, from 'Regular' to 'Sporty', with a 'Cupra' mode that unleashes all the demons: the gearbox shifts toward the redline, the suspension stiffens even more, and the engine sound is amplified. It sounds good, but still synthetic and sometimes too noisy. You can reduce the speaker volume and adjust other parameters. We didn’t have time to play with these settings or the 'Drift' mode, which is meant to make tail-wagging antics easier for those who want it.
The road grip is excellent, and the optional Akebono brakes bite well into the asphalt. The 245/40R19 tires don’t provide full ride comfort, especially in 'Cupra' mode, which stiffens the adaptive dampers. I usually oppose the low-profile tire trend, but in the case of the sport-oriented Cupra, it’s easier to accept them.
Safety systems include autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control assisted by the navigation system to identify intersections and roundabouts, blind-spot monitoring, and if that’s not enough, there are also 7 airbags.
Engine Performance - Leon 1.5 eHybrid Plug-in: For some reason, the 333-horsepower engine is only offered in the Leon Sportstourer, which is longer and heavier than the regular Leon. This is unfortunate because those who want to drive a small and feisty hatchback would be happy to get the most powerful engine in the lightest body. As a consolation prize, performance enthusiasts can get the Leon with a respectable 300-horsepower 2.0-liter gasoline engine, producing 40 kgm, enough for 0-100 km/h in 5.7 seconds, up to 250 km/h.
At the launch, we drove the 272-horsepower plug-in hybrid version, producing 40 kgm, requiring 7.1 seconds to complete the 0-100 km/h sprint (up to 230 km/h). There’s no 'electric' acceleration punch here, but the hybrid Leon is quick and responds well, with the electric boost providing an immediate and continuous feel during acceleration. The 19.7 kWh battery offers a pure electric range of up to 100 kilometers, enough for most daily commutes. There’s also a weaker hybrid version with 204 horsepower, though it's currently unknown which version will come to Israel.
Road Handling and Comfort - Leon 1.5 Plug-in Hybrid: More important than acceleration figures is the precise road handling of the Leon. With sporty 235/35R19 tires and tight suspension, it dives eagerly into corners, maintains minimal body roll, and provides excellent acceleration towards the next turn. A front limited-slip differential allows strong acceleration even in the middle of a sharp turn. These traits combine with a low seating position, as expected from a sporty car. We were surprised to find significant 'torque steer' under strong acceleration. The ride comfort is good at high speeds but bouncy on broken city asphalt. In our view, the plug-in hybrid Leon is more comfortable than the gasoline version, likely due to the weight of the plug-in battery.
The Spaniards claim that the Leon is 'the strongest lion in the jungle,' and while I don’t fully agree with this poetic statement, I’m happy to praise Cupra for faithfully preserving the DNA of the original Golf GTI: small, powerful, and fun. The Leon is much loved by young drivers, though many buy the relatively inexpensive 1.5-liter version.
Bottom Line: Prices for the new Cupras haven’t been announced yet, but they’re expected to be slightly higher than current prices. In numbers: the 1.5-liter Formentor currently costs NIS 185,000, the hybrid NIS 239,000, and the 300-horsepower Formentor VZ costs NIS 270,000 . These aren’t cheap prices, but they’re not much higher than similarly specced crossovers that lack the charisma and sporty capability of the Cupra Formentor.
The outgoing Leon model costs NIS 177,000 for the 150-horsepower version and 250,000 for the 300-horsepower VZ version. These are the prices of the outgoing Cupra and Leon, and the new models are likely to cost more—due to improvements in the cabin and multimedia, stronger engines, inflation, and so on. First deliveries will arrive in early 2025.
The gasoline-powered Formentor and Leon are the exceptions in Cupra’s increasingly electrified lineup. There are cheaper and more accessible cars on the market, but they often lack automotive identity—efficient but occasionally boring. We’re happy to see a manufacturer waving the flag of automotive passion and allowing us to enjoy the thrill of driving, even in the young luxury market, while other brands that once carried the flag of driving pleasure are heading in different directions.
On the Technical Side: Cupra Formentor 2.0-liter TSI
- Engine: Turbocharged gasoline, 1,984 cc
- Maximum power (hp): 333/5,600
- Maximum torque (kgm): 42/2,100
- Transmission, drivetrain: 7-speed dual-clutch DSG, all-wheel drive
Dimensions:
- Length (meters): 4.45
- Width (meters): 1.84
- Height (meters): 1.51
- Wheelbase (meters): 2.68
- Trunk volume (liters): 420
- Tires: 245/40R19 or 245/45R18
- Curb weight (kg): 1,641 (including driver)
Performance (manufacturer):
- 0-100 km/h (seconds): 4.8
- Top speed (km/h): 250
- Manufacturer warranty: Two years with unlimited mileage. Option to extend to three years or up to 100,000 km.
On the Technical Side: Cupra Leon 2.0-liter TSI
- Engine: Turbocharged gasoline, 1,984 cc
- Maximum power (hp): 300/5,300
- Maximum torque (kgm): 40/2,000
- Transmission, drivetrain: 7-speed dual-clutch DSG, all-wheel drive
Dimensions:
- Length (meters): 4.40
- Width (meters): 1.80
- Height (meters): 144.5
- Wheelbase (meters): 2.88
- Trunk volume (liters): 380
- Tires: 235/35R19 or 225/40R18
- Curb weight (kg): 1,496 (including driver)
Performance (manufacturer):
- 0-100 km/h (seconds): 5.7
- Top speed (km/h): 250
- Manufacturer warranty: Two years with unlimited mileage. Option to extend to three years or up to 100,000 km.
The writer was a guest of Cupra in Spain.