In a market dominated by SUVs and where the station wagon has seen a big decline, there’s a manufacturer that believes that now is the perfect time to bring some sharp looking wagons and a hot hatch to help fill the void.

SEAT and its performance arm CUPRA have just released the all-new Leon, and AA Motoring was invited to check the new models out.

Facing little competition now since the demise of the Subaru Levorg and Volkswagen Golf wagon, the Leon is close to the styling of the Toyota Corolla wagon, but that’s where the similarities end. The greatest competitor now is the sister car SKODA Octavia - talk about a competitive family.  

The range starts from $44,900 (+ORC) for the SEAT Leon Sportstourer. 

SEAT Leon Sportstourer

The more standard (but still very well appointed) wagon, the SEAT Leon has a mild hybrid 1.5-litre engine powering the front wheels via a tried and tested seven-speed DSG transmission. Unlike its super sibling the CUPRA Leon, the SEAT Leon is now only available as a station wagon.

The new SEAT Leon Sportstourer

The term ‘Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle’ (MHEV) means that the engine can turn off via the Start/Stop system and allow the vehicle to coast to a stop, as long as it’s travelling under 15km/h and the conditions are right for this to occur.

The difference with a MHEV is the engine start-up. The initial start-up of the engine after switching the ignition on is done with the starter. The comfort start of the engine during the stop phases of the Start/Stop is done with the alternator. Energy is recovered during deceleration which, in turn, puts charge back into the battery.

There is also a ‘boost’ function and a ‘coasting mode’ where the 48V alternator can work as an electric motor to support the engine by taking a load off, and the DSG clutches open to allow the vehicle to run freely, thus reducing emissions and improving overall fuel consumption. In reality, this system would save around 1L/100km over a non-MHEV engine.

The Leon has a great level of standard safety features that paved the way for a 5-star ANCAP safety rating when tested last year. A Safety Assist Pack can be added on for an additional $1,600, consisting of High-Beam Assist, Side Assist - Blind Spot Detection with Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Exit Assist and an LED interior which gives smart wraparound ambient lighting.

A lot of car for your money

The SEAT Leon is packed full of usable, everyday features like Keyless Entry and Go (KESSY), a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, a 10.0-inch colour touchscreen with sat nav, triple-zone climate control, steering wheel mounted paddle shifters, LED lights, a hands free tailgate and SEAT Drive Profile with four different modes (Eco-Normal-Sport-Individual) just to name a few.

This is a fun little wagon that is very well appointed and comfortable. It’s also very nimble, fuel efficient, has a 1,700kg tow rating, and it also has a fairly decent luggage capacity (620 litres) to make it the perfect all-rounder.

The SEAT Leon has a fuel efficiency rating of 4.9L/100km, and a CO2 emissions rating of 112g/km.

Lights are the new chrome

While chrome accents have been used to give off a more luxurious feeling, this has now been replaced with lights. What’s becoming increasingly popular is to link the two rear taillights with a nice LED strip, which enhances the visual stance and makes the wagon appear wider.

The interior in the CUPRA models

Ambient lighting can be added for $700 or can be included as part of the aforementioned Safety Pack. The benefit is that it combines with the Blind Spot Detection and uses part of the LED strip ambient lighting to pulse a warning that something is in your blind spot. The Safety Assist and Ambient lighting comes standard in the CUPRA.

CUPRA Leon

SEAT’s recently established performance arm CUPRA is well and truly stamping its mark, from the recently released Formentor to now launching this hot hatch and Sportstourer into the mix.

Known as the CUPRA Leon VZ, the hatch brings the likes of a 2-litre turbo petrol engine, a seven-speed DSG with front wheel drive hot hatch fun, or AWD road holding grip in the VZ Sportstourer. 

The new CUPRA Leon VZ

Equipped with launch control, both vehicles (in CUPRA mode) belt out a wonderful turbo exhaust note, as well as rev matching on the throttle off down shifts.

What was optional in the SEAT Leon comes standard in the CUPRA Leon, on top of a whole lot more to give off a truly sporty, copper-coloured contrast. The Sportstourer is rated to tow, but due to the hot hatch nature and sporty rear bumper valance, the hatch is not able to house a tow bar.

Depending on the variant you choose, the CUPRA Leon has a fuel efficiency rating of between 6.7L and 7.6L/100km, and a CO2 emissions rating of between 152g and 174g/km.

The drive

All three of these vehicles felt at home navigating Auckland city traffic on a winter’s day, but even more so on the coastal East Auckland back roads.

The hatch is lively being a larger engine front wheel drive, but it also felt very much planted under acceleration thanks to the electronic diff lock. The Sportstourer felt a little more well-behaved or grown-up thanks to the AWD keeping all the wheels firmly planted the tarmac, and you could certainly feel the small weight increase of the larger body and extra drive train components. 

What a wagon! The new CUPRA Leon Sportstourer

What new products are we expecting in the pipeline for SEAT/CUPRA? Keep an eye out for the Arona facelift early next year, the CUPRA Born in late 2023 and the CUPRA Tavascan in 2025.

Keep an eye out for more in depth reviews of these cars on our car review page soon.

Safety systems

• Front Assist including City Emergency Braking and Pedestrian / Cyclist Protection
• Driver and front passenger front and side airbags with passenger airbag deactivation
• Lane Keeping System
• Curtain, Driver’s knee and Central airbags
• Traction Control System (ASR) + Anti-lock brakes (ABS)
• Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with Emergency Brake Assist (EBA)
• XDS Electronic differential lock system
• Safety Assist Pack (Optional)

Safety systems

• Front Assist, City Emergency Braking and Pedestrian Protection
• Side Assist (Blind Spot Detection with Rear Cross Traffic Alert)
• Exit Assist (warning of vehicles / cyclists approaching from rear when opening door)
• Travel Assist – combines Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Assist
• Traction Control System (ASR), Anti-lock brakes (ABS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
• Driver and front passenger front airbags with passenger de-activation
• Front and rear curtain and side airbags, driver’s knee airbag, Central airbag (between front seats)
• XDS Electronic differential lock system (maximises road holding and improves cornering)

Find out more on how the AA can help you when buying a new car:

• AA Money - aa.co.nz/money
• AA Insurance - aa.co.nz/insurance
• AA Car Reviews - aa.co.nz/car-reviews
• AA Running Cost Reports - aa.co.nz/runningcosts

Vehicle experts you can trust