The facelifted Cupra Leon is arriving in Australia soon, and the lineup looks as dramatically different as its unusual new headlights.
The hot Leon Hatch VZx is the only carryover variant in the updated lineup, still packing a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine producing 221kW of power and 400Nm of torque. It’s priced at $64,990 before on-road costs.
It’s now bookended at the bottom end of the range by the much cheaper Leon Hatch S, featuring a new turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder mild-hybrid powertrain producing 110kW and 250Nm. It opens the range at $46,990 before on-roads.
Its 48V starter-generator and lithium-ion battery allows the vehicle to coast with the engine switched off during certain driving conditions, while also recovering energy under braking.
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Sitting at the top of the lineup just above the VZx in terms of price (but not performance) is the Leon Sportstourer VZe at $69,990 before on-roads.
It represents the first time the Leon has been offered as a wagon locally, and also debuts a new longer-range plug-in hybrid powertrain with total outputs of 200kW/400Nm and 121km of electric-only range on the WLTP cycle.
S and VZx versions of the Leon Hatch, as well as the Leon Sportstourer VZe, are available to test drive and order from October ahead of customer deliveries commencing in November 2025.
Cupra has previously confirmed a 245kW all-wheel drive VZx Sportstourer and a 150kW Ve hatchback will join the lineup early in 2026, giving Volkswagen Group Australia a replacement for the defunct Volkswagen Golf R wagon and the outgoing Leon Hatch VZe respectively.
The rollout of the updated Leon lineup was originally set to start in the second quarter of this year.
The facelift brings a ‘shark-nose’ front-end with triangular LED daytime running lights, while down back there’s an illuminated Cupra logo.
Inside, there’s an overhauled centre console and dashboard, as well as new materials and a larger 12.9-inch infotainment touchscreen featuring backlit touch sliders underneath.
The reshuffled lineup locally sees the demise of the turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol-powered V and VZ models, which produced 140kW/320Nm and 180kW/370Nm respectively.
Pricing
| Model | Price before on-road costs |
|---|---|
| 2026 Cupra Leon Hatch S | $46,990 |
| 2026 Cupra Leon Hatch VZx | $64,990 |
| 2026 Cupra Leon Sportstourer VZe | $69,990 |
Drivetrains and Efficiency
The Leon is offered with varying degrees of electrification, from none (Hatch VZx) to a mild-hybrid system (Hatch S) up to a plug-in hybrid system (Sportstourer VZe).
The Sportstourer VZe can be fast-charged using DC power.
| Specifications | Leon Hatch S | Leon Hatch VZx | Leon Sportstourer VZe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1.5L turbo 4cyl 48V mild-hybrid | 2.0L turbo 4cyl | 1.5L turbo 4cyl plug-in hybrid |
| Power | 110kW | 221kW | 200kW |
| Torque | 250Nm | 400Nm | 400Nm |
| Battery capacity | – | – | 25.8kWh (gross) |
| Transmission | 7-speed dual-clutch auto | 7-speed dual-clutch auto | 6-speed dual-clutch auto |
| Drive type | Front-wheel drive | Front-wheel drive | Front-wheel drive |
| 0-100km/h (claimed) | 8.7 seconds | 5.7 seconds | 7.3 seconds |
| Fuel economy (claimed) | 5.4L/100km | 7.6L/100km | 0.4L/100km |
| Electric driving range (WLTP) | – | – | 121km |
Dimensions
| Dimensions | Leon Hatch | Leon Sportstourer |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4398mm | 4656mm |
| Width | 1799mm (1992mm incl. mirrors) | 1799mm (1992mm incl. mirrors) |
| Height | 1444mm | 1438mm (1466mm incl. roof racks) |
| Wheelbase | 2686mm | 2686mm |
| Cargo capacity | 380L | 470L |
Servicing and Warranty
Cupra Australia backs its vehicles with a five-year, unlimited-kilometre vehicle warranty, plus an eight-year, 160,000km high-voltage battery warranty for plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles.
The company has yet to announce servicing details for the refreshed Leon lineup.
Safety
The Cupra Leon has a five-star safety rating from ANCAP, based on testing conducted in 2020.
| Category | Cupra Leon |
|---|---|
| Adult occupant protection | 91 per cent |
| Child occupant protection | 88 per cent |
| Vulnerable road user protection | 71 per cent |
| Safety assist | 80 per cent |
Standard safety equipment across the range includes:
- Adaptive cruise control
- Autonomous emergency braking
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Front cross-traffic assist
- Lane-keep assist
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Speed sign recognition
- Speed limit assist
- Travel Assist (adaptive cruise + lane centring)
- Reversing camera
- Front and rear parking sensors
- 10 airbags including rear side, front centre airbags
Standard Equipment
There are three members of the 2026 Leon lineup.
The Leon Hatch S comes standard with the following equipment:
- 18-inch ‘Windstorm’ black and silver alloy wheels
- LED headlights
- Semi-autonomous parking assist
- Proximity entry with push-button start
- Paddle shifters
- Selectable drive modes
- 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster
- 12.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Satellite navigation
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Wireless phone charger
- Sports front bucket seats
- Soul Black Dinamica upholstery
- Power-adjustable driver’s seat with memory
- Heated front seats
- ‘Supersport’ heated steering wheel
- 6-speaker sound system
- 3-zone climate control
- Ambient lighting
- Auto-dimming interior mirror
Over the Leon Hatch S, the Leon Hatch VZx adds:
- Multi-link independent suspension
- DCC adaptive dampers
- Electrohydraulic front differential locking
- Customisable engine sound modelling
- Upgraded brakes
- Tyre repair kit (replaces space-saver spare)
- Cupra drive mode
- Quad exhaust outlets
- Side skirts
- 19-inch ‘Hailstorm’ black and copper alloy wheels
- Moonslate leather-appointed seat trim
- Power-adjustable front passenger seat with memory
- 12-speaker Sennheiser sound system
Over the Leon Hatch S, the Leon Sportstourer VZe adds:
- 19-inch ‘Polar’ black and copper alloy wheels
- DCC adaptive dampers
- Hands-free power tailgate
- Black roof rails
- Mode 2 & 3 charging cables
- 12-speaker Sennheiser sound system
- Power-adjustable front passenger seat with memory
- Moonslate leather-appointed seat trim
Options
The Leather & Sound Package ($2200, Leon S only) adds:
- Moonslate leather-appointed seat trim
- Power-adjustable passenger seat with memory
- 12-speaker Sennheiser sound system
The Extreme Package ($7600, Leon VZx only) ditches the front centre airbag and front seatback pockets but adds:
- Copper 6-piston Akebono front brake calipers and larger cross-drilled front rotors
- Matrix Ultra ‘cascading high beams’
- Enceladus Grey Dinamica seat trim
- CUP Bucket front seats
- Dark gloss grey interior accents
The following standalone options are also available:
- Sunroof: $1800 (Leon Hatch)
- Panoramic sunroof: $2000 (Leon Sportstourer)
Colours
The following exterior paint finishes come at no extra cost:
- Fiord Blue
- Glacial White
- Magnetic Tech
- Midnight Black
The following premium finishes are available for an additional $620:
- Taiga Grey
- Graphene Grey
- Dark Void
The following matte finishes are available for an additional $2650:
- Century Bronze
- Enceladus Grey
- Magnetic Tech