Cupra Leon Estate long term test: report 4
Our chief photographer needs a practical car that can cope with heavy lifting during the week, but knows how to have fun after working hours. Does the Cupra Leon Estate deliver?...
The car Cupra Leon Estate 2.0TSI 4Drive 310 DSG Run by John Bradshaw, chief photographer
Why it’s here To see if this sporty family estate can cut it as a workhorse from Monday to Friday and an entertainer at the weekend.
Needs to Be fun on the right road, while carrying heavy, bulky camera equipment all over the country in comfort and safety.
Mileage 4620 List price £42,185 Target Price £38,863 Price as tested £43,710 Test economy 34.5mpg Official economy 35.8mpg
14 August 2023 – Flashes, but not flashiness
My Cupra Leon Estate feels pretty purposeful inside. The overall atmosphere suits the sporty estate car ethos to a tee, being elevated from the nicely-made, logically arranged and easy-to-use interior of the regular Seat Leon Estate only by a set of heavily contoured sports seats with Alcantara upholstery, and Cupra’s signature copper-coloured detailing.
Contrasting with all this subtlety and fitness-for-purpose, my Leon’s multicolour ambient lighting seemed a little off-brief at first; I thought having pretty glowing bits in such a workmanlike machine were a bit like installing a cupholder in the cockpit of a Formula One car. When I learned, though, that the system is linked to the blindspot assistance system, my mind was forever changed.
When the car detects another vehicle in my blind spot, rather than a bulb in the door mirror lighting up, the forward section of ambient lighting in the door itself glows vividly, and that's much easier to spot in my peripheral vision. It’s a rare – and excellent – case of style enabling function, and it's saved my bacon a few times in fast-moving traffic.
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