Cupra Leon VZx 2022 Track Review

Forget its small stature. Of the incoming Cupra range in Australia, it’s the 2022 Cupra Leon VZx hot hatch that lands the biggest punch.

The Spanish performance brand – an offshoot of Seat – has touched down ahead of a formal launch in June.

It’s clear Cupra, which is short for Cup Racing, will represent different things to different buyers.

Yet for most, the Cupra Leon VZx heralds fun, feisty dynamics and a bona fide rival to the incoming new Honda Civic Type R and other hot hatches – at least on paper.

Cupra’s Australian arm is making plenty of noise around the 2022 Cupra Leon (pronounced lay-on) range opening at $43,990 plus on-road costs for the Leon V, which will actually be the final variant to arrive from around August.

However, the four-model range quickly bumps up in price as you navigate VZ (from $52,590), VZe ($59,990) and VZx ($60,990) variants, all of which generally share a common specification level with the only real differences being their power outputs and exterior styling – save for the VZe which is a plug-in hybrid.

The VZx flagship’s circa-$65K drive-away figure seems especially expensive when you consider the entry-level V model offers competitive standard equipment including 18-inch alloy wheels (with space-saver spare), LEDs for the headlights, tail-lights and daytime running lights, tyre pressure monitoring, heated and powered folding mirrors, tinted rear windows, keyless entry and start, three-zone climate control and auto-dimming rear-view mirror.

Infotainment comprises a 10-inch centre touch-screen, 10.25-inch digital cockpit, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (both able to be used with either wireless or wired connection), plus two front and two rear USB ports.

In terms of safety, the Cupra Leon carries a five-star ANCAP rating backdated to 2020 and based on New Zealand specification.

Standard safety items include adaptive cruise control, travel assist, front assist with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane assist, park assist, side assist with exit assist, driver fatigue monitor, emergency assist and a reversing camera.

Notably for some, it misses out on rear cross traffic alert.

The Cupra range is backed by a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty in Australia, together with the added enticer of a complimentary three-year servicing offer.

The 2022 Cupra Leon range might be new to Australia, however the fundamental hardware is not.

The Leon is based on the Volkswagen Group’s ubiquitous MQB architecture, with customers offered the choice of a 140kW/320Nm 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder (Leon V), an uprated 180kW/370Nm version (VZ) or a 180kW/400Nm 1.4-litre petrol-electric plug-in hybrid (VZe).

Then there’s our chariot for the day. Sitting atop the range is the Leon VZx, powered by an even higher-output version of the V and VZ’s 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine.

It produces 221kW and 400Nm, driving the front wheels through the same seven-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission and completing the 0-100km/h dash in a claimed 5.7 seconds.

For reference, the drivetrain mirrors that of the Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport.

Crucially, drive is shuffled via an electromechanical locking front differential. The quad exhaust tips are fully operational, too.

The Cupra Leon is based on the fourth-generation Seat hatch, sitting 25mm lower at the front and 20mm lower at the rear. It rides on a MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension.

Among the options on the VZx are 370mm Brembo performance brakes that eschew the standard car’s 340mm rotors.

As we detail below, they’re likely to be a worthwhile investment if ownership includes regular track driving.

Our first foray in the 2022 Cupra Leon VZx involves about eight laps at the 11-turn Grand Prix circuit at Sydney Motorsport Park.

Exiting pit lane, the go-fast Leon quickly enamours with deftly-tuned controls and plenty of induction noise filtering into the cabin as the familiar 2.0-litre turbo-petrol goes about its business.

There’s some fake exhaust sound at play as well – more of a five-cylinder Audi RS 3 warble than four-pot. It certainly adds to the fanfare and, thankfully for some, you can turn it off.

The Leon VZx immediately feels more visceral than similarly-minded VW Group hatch products, with a healthy amount of torque steer under acceleration and some bobbing and weaving under hard braking and through fast corners.

Changes in direction are met with excellent response and agility, reflective of a nimble circa-1450kg kerb mass.

Equally, there’s a healthy amount of playfulness too, with some lift-off oversteer easily provoked around circuit corners of the 11-turn Eastern Creek layout and progressive and exploitable mid-corner movement on fast-wearing Continental rubber.

Ultimately, our pre-production car lacks the raw drama and acutely-tuned steering of the previous Honda Civic Type R to really challenge its widely-acclaimed mantle as hot hatch king.

The steering weight in the Leon feels light and heavily assisted in comparison to the Type R’s raw, meaty tiller. And while it offers excellent balance front to rear, it can’t quite emulate the Type R’s absolute precision in attacking corners.

Rather, we’d align the Leon more closely with the Hyundai i30 N or Ford Focus ST – but on a hunch, the i30 N feels more focused and the Focus ST more playful than the Cupra.

One of the major strong points of the Cupra Leon is also the most familiar – its engine. This is the EA888 like we haven’t really seen it before: boisterous, fun and with a real theatrical edge.

Full-throttle blasts are met with glorious induction noise inside the cabin and a real willingness to get the job done regardless of steering angle and grip.

The winning combination undoubtedly boils down to the electrometrical differential. It helps claw the Leon out of corners, provides excellent power down and underlines the raw drama and excitement.

Against the XDS electronic diff in the Volkswagen Golf GTI, it marks wholesale improvement.

Ultimately, the standard brakes in the Leon cry enough after five laps at Eastern Creek; a quick dap of the brakes before turn one before hitting them hard again on approach to turn two is enough to result in a lengthening brake pedal – a disconcerting feeling with a sand trap fast approaching…

This trait confirms two things: it’s time for a cool-down lap and the optional Brembo brake package ($3600) sounds like a worthwhile investment if track days will be a regular part of ownership.

Given the pre-production specification of our test car, we’ll reserve judgement on interior fitment, finish and spatial layout for the proper launch in June. Ditto, its road-going qualities.

In isolation though, there’s a good mix of interior cues from Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda and even Lamborghini (the latter in the form of steering wheel button controls) set against sound proportions and quality materials.

The 10-inch screen covers nearly all basic infotainment, trip and climate control commands in concert with some steering wheel-mounted switchgear.

That means you’ll need to delve into sub-menus to change the fan speed, but also results in a clean, minimalist dashboard layout.

The 2022 Cupra Leon VZx makes a sterling first impression in Australia, especially on circuit.

For many, the bigger test will materialise with its on-road impressions, which will come at a more formal launch in June.

Unfortunately for some, the price of the Cupra Leon VZx will strike it from buying lists straight away.

That in itself is a shame because this feels like an exciting, well-put-together hot hatch.

How much does the 2022 Cupra Leon VZx cost?
Price: $60,990 (plus on-road costs)
Available: June 2022
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 221kW/400Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel: 6.8L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 156g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2020)