Sporty new Spanish brand Cupra has detailed the pricing and specifications for the Leon small car ahead of an Australian launch in July, with its four-pronged line-up of hot hatches headlined by a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variant.
Pricing ranges from $43,990 all the way up to $60,990 before on-road costs for the flagship Leon VZx.
The Leon’s entry-level variant is the 140kW/320Nm V, which is motivated by a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine, just like the mid-range 180kW/370Nm VZ and flagship 221kW/400Nm VZx. A seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT) is also common.
Meanwhile, the mid-range VZe PHEV combines a 110kW/250Nm 1.4-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine with an 85kW/300Nm front-mounted electric motor to deliver a combined 180kW/400Nm. It has a six-speed DCT.
The Kia Cerato GT-rivalling V, Hyundai i30 N-baiting VZ and VZe, and Honda Civic Type R-rattling VZx are all front-wheel drive.
Arriving separately in early 2023, the V has a long list of standard equipment, including adaptive suspension, variable-ratio steering, metallic paintwork, dusk-sensing LED lights, rain-sensing wipers, black/silver 18-inch Sport alloy wheels (with a space-saver spare), power-folding side mirrors with heating and dark-chrome caps, keyless entry and rear privacy glass.
Inside, keyless start, a 10.0-inch touchscreen multimedia system, satellite navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, a wireless smartphone charger, tri-zone climate control, a heated steering wheel, front sports seats, cloth upholstery, ambient lighting, aluminium pedals, illuminated scuff plates and an auto-dimming rearview mirror feature.
Advanced driver-assist systems extend to autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-keep and steering assist, adaptive cruise control, high-beam assist, driver attention alert, blind-spot monitoring, tyre pressure monitoring, park assist, a reversing camera and safe exit alert.
The VZ adds black/silver 19-inch Sport alloy wheels, while the VZe swaps out the otherwise-included space-saver spare for a tyre repair kit.
Meanwhile, the VZx also gets a body kit, black/copper 19-inch Performance alloy wheels, quad exhaust tailpipes, a sports steering wheel, a 340W Beats sound system with nine speakers, heated front seats (including driver power adjustment and memory functionality) and Petrol Blue leather upholstery.
Optional for the V and VZ is a Leather and Sound Package, which bundles in a 340W Beats sound system with nine speakers, heated front seats (including drive power adjustment and memory functionality), leather upholstery and copper dashboard stitching.
The VZe can instead be optioned with a Leather Package, which combines the same features as above, excluding the – you guessed it – 340W Beats sound system with nine speakers.
A sunroof is an option on all four variants, while the VZx can also gain a Brembo brakes package.
Cupra Australia head of product and planning Jeff Shafer said: “There is no entry-level variant as such.
“Yes, there is an ascending order in terms of output, but we’ve equipped all Leons with such a level of standard equipment that no-one will feel shortchanged in any version.
“With outputs ranging from 140kW/320Nm to 221kW/400Nm, each Leon has the power and torque to match its design – a combination that in only four years has seen Cupra become a byword for performance and style.”
2022 Cupra Leon pricing on-road costs
| Variant | Transmission | Cost |
| V | Automatic | $43,990 |
| VZ | Automatic | $52,590 |
| VZe | Automatic | $59,990 |
| VZx | Automatic | $60,990 |
Keyword: 2022 Cupra Leon price and features: New hybrid-ready hot hatch puts Kia Cerato GT, Hyundai i30 N and Honda Civic Type R on notice prior to Australian launch