Seat Leon Cupra R 1.8 20V Biturbo Review

Overall Rating

Can't get more for your £
Makes most BMW drivers (upto 330 csi spec) cry when left @ lights!
I'd love to give more good points but I just can't get a test drive in one!

Chances of a test drive are non-existent!
You can't have leather seats as an option.

Can't get more for your £ than the Seat Leon Cupra R1.8 20v Biturbo.
Ok, three points about the Cupra R
Firstly, does anyone knows a dealer in England that can offer me a test drive? I have spent the last week trying to find a UK dealer that has a demonstrator. However, took the standard Cupra out for a spin to get an idea of ride/handling/accel etc, and was very impressed.

Secondly, the Cupra R is not bi-turbo..shock! It is based on the Audi TT 1.8 Turbo with twin intercoolers. Twin intercoolers = greater density of air/oxygen getting to the Turbo's which gives it an extra 30 BHP more that the standard Cupra. (sorry... just wanted to clear that up!)

Thirdly, on paper the standard spec is good, climate control, electric windows, twin front and side airbags, 6-CD player and a multi-function computer all standard.
However, you can't have leather seats as an option - which in my opinion is a bit silly.

Finally, the standard Cupra is a flying machine - all the markings of a iconic "hot hatch". The Cupra R will give the driver a refined driving experience at a reasonable price. To finish - you just don't get 210 BHP, 5 seats and room for the dog for less than £17k, this car will re-write the "hot hatch" rules. I just can't wait to drive it!

Members' Comments onOwen.'s Review

• J. on 20th Sep 2002

  I believe there's a demo in Manchester UK, - Lookers Seat. Look on the seat.co.uk website.
  
  Leather seat's _are_ an option on the standard Cupra. Most people don't seem to take it though, so it isn't that common for the second hand market. The Leather seats are also electrically motorised. On the older models (2000), they had a memory assosiated, but that was dropped because "nobody could work out what nods and handshakes were required to get the system to work".
  
  Completely agree - brilliant car. Only the S3 comes close to topping it as a hot-hatch in that size bracket.

• Shaun. on 11th Jan 2003

  JCT SEAT at Yeadon , Leeds, have a Cupra R available for test drives. - I've just ordered the standard cupra which seems a mighty fine flying machine.

• Debby. on 3rd Feb 2003

  You can have a faster car for less money, I just sold my Leon Cupra because of the problems this car gave me. The doors leaked, paint flaked, and rear lock failed twice. I now drive a Honda Civic Type R, 15.995 on the road and it faster and cheaper than the Leon Cupra R.

• geoff. on 3rd Feb 2003

  Try a Civic Type R as an alternative and you will soon be reaching for your cheque book. The best hot hatch money can buy.

• Owen. on 27th Feb 2003

  Yeah the Civic ia a great motor but no Climate Contol as standard and only 3 doors! I have a family so 5 doors is a must. Still fancy taking one out for a spin though :-)

• Peter. on 14th May 2003

  I have driven a Cupra R at a freindly dealer in Stoke on Trent. I currently drive a Mondeo 2.0 Zetec although its a tweaked repmobile its a fine drive previously had a RGT Turbo - the Cupra R did not feel good by comparison - dreadful heavy wooden steering spoilt the car v fast but not enjoyable. The Octavia RS drives better - driven 2 of them and you can chip it to 210hp. Std Cupra OK. Re the Honda not tried it for me it would probably be tiresome on the motorway. My choice would be - wait a couple of months and buy an ex demo Impreza WRX 3 for 17K driven one - nothing else comes close.

• itbestuk on 9th Jan 2005

  Hi, I took a cupra R for a test drive yesterday and yes it was very impressive, shame the dash looks a bit cheap.
  
  The garrage was in Accocks green in Birmingham.