Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

Cupra Leon review – MPG and running costs

Mostly sits in the 30s, making it fine by modern hot hatchback standards

Evo rating
RRP
from £31,090
  • Brisk, decently engaging, nicely balanced
  • Slightly numb steering, aggressively priced, frustrating HMI

All Cupra Leons are relatively efficient considering their level of performance. The all-wheel-drive 333 estate is unsurprisingly the thirstiest, while the PHEVs will be by far the most frugal with management and effective use of that plug-in powertrain.

With the 300, like all modern turbocharged petrol engines, on-paper mpg figures must be taken with a pinch of salt, as the moment you get that turbo spinning the figures will plummet. The mid-30s figures we saw in our old long termer continue with this new car. The old 310 estate managed high-20s. Longer journeys at reasonable motorway speeds would bring the figures closer into line.

The EA888 motor has otherwise proven to be very reliable, and throughout our many experiences has had no major hiccups. The Leon’s updated infotainment system is a bit sturdier than before, with less of a tendency to freeze up.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Leons on the 235-section 19-inch Bridgestone S005 tyre used to run you about £170 per corner. These Hankooks are a little cheaper, at £165 as of December 2024.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Looking for a used Mercedes-AMG V8 bargain? These are our picks
Mercedes-AMG V8s
Features

Looking for a used Mercedes-AMG V8 bargain? These are our picks

Mercedes-AMG is rectifying its down-sizing strategy and working on a V8, but while you wait here’s four used V8 AMG icons we’d take a punt on
29 Jan 2026
New Toyota GR Yaris Aero Performance review – more aero, still brilliant
Toyota GR Yaris Aero Performance
Reviews

New Toyota GR Yaris Aero Performance review – more aero, still brilliant

A wilder-looking winged variant of the GR Yaris joins Toyota’s GR range – and the best news is it’s coming to the UK
28 Jan 2026
Living with the Toyota GR Yaris, a homologation hot hatch for £20k
evo Fast Fleet Toyota GR Yaris
Long term tests

Living with the Toyota GR Yaris, a homologation hot hatch for £20k

As the mystery of the GR’s true fuel tank capacity is solved, a new enigma emerges
27 Jan 2026