Cupra Australia is part of the #SaveTheWagons clan, with the Leon Sportstourer slated for an October arrival as part of the facelifted Leon range in Australia. Head of product Jeff Shafer confirmed the local range will kick off with the 200kW VZe plug-in hybrid, with the 245kW VZx with all-wheel drive due in the early stages of 2026. Mr Shafer cited “technical reasons” for the delayed launch of the VZx, though said the Spanish brand is excited to go against the grain and offer a sporty wagon in a market where options are next to none. “Wagons are a niche in Australia, there’s no doubt about it. But I think they also appeal to a really devoted fan base,” Mr Shafer told CarExpert. Cupra Leon Sportstourer PHEV here in October with 120km EV range “I think in some ways [we’re bringing it in] because we can. At Cupra, we have a bit of leeway to be a little bit daring.” However, Mr Shafer said the Leon Sportstourer isn’t likely to be a hit with fleets as has often been the case with station wagons. As for price point, Mr Shafer wouldn’t be drawn to confirm a figure for the Leon Sportstourer VZe, but did hint that it would be logical to assume the wagon-bodied Leon will be “just a little above” the equivalent hatchback. While the updated Leon Hatch at this stage will only get the lower-tune 150kW PHEV in early 2026, the outgoing Leon Hatch VZe with the 180kW PHEV system – the predecessor to the 200kW version – wears a retail price of $61,690 before on-road costs. Factor in the usual wagon premium of $2000-$3000, and you can see where the Sportstourer VZe might end up. The VZe will use the 200kW/400Nm 1.5 e-Hybrid PHEV drivetrain, the more powerful of the two offered globally. Driving the front wheels via a six-speed ‘DSG’ dual-clutch automatic, the Leon Sportstourer PHEV claims a 7.3-second 0-100km/h sprint as well as 120-124km of electric driving range (WLTP) from its 25.8kWh (gross) battery pack. Fans of the old Golf R Wagon meanwhile, will love the VZx’s 245kW/420Nm turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with all-wheel drive, shared with the refreshed VW Golf R and Audi S3. It’ll crack 100km/h from standstill in 4.9 seconds. Perhaps most important to note is the boot space, a key differentiator between the Leon Sportstourer and Leon Hatch. Petrol versions quote 620 litres (versus 380L), while the PHEVs offer 470 litres (versus 270L). Stay tuned to CarExpert for all the latest Leon Sportstourer updates in the lead-up to its October arrival!
