We face two “brothers” that reflect the sportiness of the VW group: Cupra Leon VZ vs Cupra Formentor VZ 4Drive
The Cupra Formentor is a compact SUV based on the Volkswagen group’s well-known MQB evo platform. Although it squeezes 10bhp more out of the two-litre TSI than the Cupra León, it has to drag a heavy four-wheel drive, giving it 135kg more.
The two Cupras also take different paths when it comes to tires. The Leon wears the “sticky” Bridgestone Potenza Race in 19 inches (was to be on the racetrack later for another story). However, the measurements were made with the Potenza Sport for comparability with the Formentor.
Although the semi-slick brings a small advantage under braking and acceleration, there would have been deductions in daily qualifying. Sports tires without tread do not like rain at all. The Formentor, on the other hand, wears Michelin Pilot Sport 4.
Design
The driving impressions of our ascents and descents in the winding Altmühltal should suffice for an evaluation of the driving dynamics. But we’ll talk about that later.
First, let’s take a look at the two candidates from the outside: the affinity with Seat cannot be overlooked, even as the Formentor goes its own way, especially in the area of the front apron and the clearly sculpted waist crease.
The lights are nearly identical, but the grille is more forceful on the Leon, which is lower. At the rear, too, there are more similarities than differences: both have a rising beltline that merges into a massive C-pillar. Same with roof edge spoilers and continuous lighting graphics.
Four exhaust pipes sleep in the skirt, but the option of an Akrapovic system as in the Golf R or Cupra Ateca is not available for either. It probably has something to do with the “apron” design.
We also see many identical parts in the cockpits. Steering wheel, DSG gear lever, operating concept: everything from a modular system. Operation is mostly buttonless, which is cheaper for the Cupra in production, but has drawbacks in practice.
The volume slider below the screen can be operated much less precisely than a rotary wheel, the touch fields for temperature control next to it cause less trouble, but only in daylight.
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Why? Apparently Cupra forgot a backlight during development, so you have to turn on the interior light or grope in the dark at random in hopes of hitting the right spot. How that could have happened is a complete mystery to us.
The touch screen above has the problem that it doesn’t react well to the cold: if you want to switch directly to the navigation menu after a boot in the middle of the morning, you have to tap the icon five times before the screen reacts.
At least we have been told that our test Formentor had an older software version. Therefore, there is hope that this deficiency has already been remedied. Because everything works noticeably better in the Leon.
History of the Cupra car brand
Driving-relevant assistants cause significantly fewer problems, even when the lane departure warning system with its penetrating steering interventions is more of a nuisance than a help.
There are two round buttons on the steering wheel below the usual buttons for the menu, cruise control, and audio controls. To the left is the Cupra button, which can be used to switch between driving modes. Depending on the selected mode, the speakers more or less emulate the sound of the engine inside.
Behavior
In Sport or Cupra mode, the Leon and Formentor spend longer in the lowest gear, maintaining higher revs and more agile response. The steering is precise but soft-touch and provides enough feedback.
The flattened ruffles at the bottom grip nicely, the mix of perforated and smooth leather is nice. On country roads, the Formentor kicks up more dust initially, because with its all-wheel drive it catapults from 0 to 100 in a measured 4.7 seconds. Two tenths faster than indicated in the brochure.
The Lion loses a second here, although – as has already been mentioned – he has to fight with 135 kilos less. This corresponds exactly to the factory specification.
The Formentor uses its traction up to 130 km/h and extends the advantage to 1.6 seconds, then its greater air resistance slows it down. Up to 200 km/h, the Leon, 10 hp weaker, is only half a second behind.
In terms of elasticity, the compact, lighter and more agile has the advantage. Under braking, the additional weight of the Formentor is reflected in an extra 0.9 metres, which costs it three points in our rating system.
Factors to decide the purchase
The Leon wins on driving impressions: agility, cornering talent, seating position… we like it a little better in all of these areas, which is due to its lower center of gravity. In addition, there is the lower consumption (both between 10 and 15 percent above the factory one) and around 3,000 euros of savings when spending cash. With a narrow lead, the Cupra León wins in the end.
