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Just flicking through some car mags at my local newsagent and I notice that Auto Express are comparing the Leon Cupra and the Civic Type-R in this weeks issue (out 31/10/01). Anybody driven both? What was your verdict? Somehow I doubt if the verdict on here will be the same as the mags verdict. Has anybody else noticed that all these mags and car programs seem to miss the point of the Leon and compare it with thrash happy road racers. I think it will fall down performance wise against the Type-R, lets just hope they view the whole package, where it should hold it's own.
Biff
Cupramax
30-10-2001, 13:47
Biff,
I've got a Leon Cupra and have recently test driven a Civic Type R. To be honest they are completely different in terms of performance and style.
On the performance front a standard Leon will not stay with the Type R in a straight drag race, the Civic is lighter and has another 20hp or so, however all is not lost as the Leon has so much more mid range torque that in everyday driving you would say that the Leon is faster. The Civic is also very "pointy", steering wise, but is also fidgety in a straight line where the Leon is relaxed and excels even when cruising at 100mph plus. I've found the faster you go in a Leon the more planted it feels. This was not my impression with the Civic.
Interior wise I hated the Civic. Seats were OK but the dash mounted gearlever I really couldn;t get on with and kacky silver trim looked sh*te where as the Leon although pretty bland looks classy. Also you need to spend another £800 or so on top of the £15,999 retail on aircon as it ain't standard on the Civic. You'd do better to get a Leon and stick an Upsolute chip in it and save £1,500
If I had the choice again I'd still have the Leon but thats just my choice. Others may be swayed by the performance as the Civic really does go like a bat out of hell when given its head of steam.:eek:
Much as i suspected Max. I think I prefer the comfort of the Leon, I hold that in higher regard than out and out performance. It should be interesting to see what Auto Express say.
Biff
I got myself a copy this morning and although the leon didn't get the overall vote it did well.
It actually beat the civic type R in the 0 - 60 sprint in a time of 7.3seconds against 7.4seconds (not bad being track was damp). The traction control probably helped as i don't think the civic has this. Around the track the Civic was obviously a better car but not so refined as the leon.
My overall verdict is that i still bought the right car bearing in mind i will never race it on the track.
Andy
I have also driven both cars and i do think that the civic r handles better than the leon, it seems more nimble, but i would agree that it is fidgety in a straight line,
You do have to absolutely thrash the nads off the civic to get it to go, and in normal driving i thought the leon was faster, but if you rev the civic out to the max in every gear then you can see that it is slightly faster,
But i agree tat i have still made the right choice, especially as with the upsolute chip in mine now it is way faster than the civic everywhere and is a far more comfortable car than the civic
Well, I'm finding the Leon Cupra experience more than acceptable after 7 plus years of Impreza Turbos and I don't just mean cost wise. What lovely cars they are...