Leon Cupra vs Golf R - I can't decide

f0cker

Active Member
Feb 15, 2016
8
0
I've owned a few Seats and I like them (currently driving an Ibiza Cupra '13), I've had my eye on the Leon Cupra for a while now but my head has been turned by the Golf R and I'm having trouble deciding. I decided I would test drive the golf before I went and bought the leon, just to be sure, and I left with a huge grin on my face so I'm now pretty confused. Although the steering did feel a little heavy the pull on that thing was insane. I've only driven the cupra ST and the sales guy was less 'encouraging' when it came to putting my foot down so not sure I pushed it as much as I should have, but the difference felt pretty big in the Golf. The price difference isn't all that much, probably £3,000ish - depending on deals and extras. It's also worth bearing in mind that the depreciation is probably better for the golf.

I've done a fair bit of reading and it seems they are fairly evenly matched and if anything the Cupra is faster on the track. However, that 0-60 in 4.9 on the Golf is very tempting and I kind of feel I might be disappointed if I opt for the leon instead.

Anyone made a similar decision or have experience/opinions of them both?

Additionally, the S3 is the same price as the golf at the moment, which is also tempting.
 
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hilly81

Active Member
Apr 28, 2014
265
43
Little Sutton
It sounds like you can afford any of the three? So take them all out and pick which one you fall in love with most. Anyone else's opinion is irrelevant as it will be your car. Plus there will be natural bias towards the Leon on here.
 

sf04our

Active Member
Jan 17, 2016
25
0
I was looking at the Cupra 290 and the Golf R - when I specced the Golf R to everything that I wanted and compared to the deal that I got on the Cupra it wasn't even close. For me the Golf didn't do enough to justify spending around £5k more.
 
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sf04our

Active Member
Jan 17, 2016
25
0
I also had the opposite experience as you did when driving the Cupra - the sales guy took us on a great route that really gave me a change to open it up and experience the power. It wasn't until my wife in the back started shouting at us that I looked down and saw the crazy speed it was doing in a matter of seconds. I would suggest going elsewhere for a drive of another one as close to what you're looking to buy as possible.
 

f0cker

Active Member
Feb 15, 2016
8
0
It sounds like you can afford any of the three? So take them all out and pick which one you fall in love with most. Anyone else's opinion is irrelevant as it will be your car. Plus there will be natural bias towards the Leon on here.

Maybe, but I'm pushing it really. It was just that when I added the sub8 pack and paint etc to the leon it was getting very close to the golf r price-wise. I was expecting the bias, I've read a few similar threads on the vw forums so wanted to get some feedback from here. Plus I have a soft spot for Seat anyway ;)
 

Wings988

Active Member
Oct 27, 2011
509
59
Derbyshire
I also had the choice of a golf r and cupra280. Having previously had a golf mk7 GTD was a nice car and I was very tempted to stick with a golf but after trying the leon well that was it. As many others have said the cupra is much better kitted for less money plus it drives better more of the time imo. See the auto car independent test of both cars on track at cadwell park.

linky ☺
 

mx5

Active Member
Apr 26, 2014
30
0
Ireland
Obviously there will be a bias to the cupra here, but most owners would have checked the R too.

I had a Ibiza cupra for 18 months before the Leon and also tested the R back to back with the Cupra on a wet day. Yes, the traction the R has is amazing, but I think the Cupra is more involving to drive, you need to feed on the power in slow corner, but when you do and you feel the LSD working is much more fun than the R.

The Cupra was also a lot cheaper for me, if they were the same price it would be harder to decide, but I think it would still be the Cupra.
 

sf04our

Active Member
Jan 17, 2016
25
0
Other factor for me was the number of Golf Rs you see on the road vs numbers of Cupra. I see Golf Rs all the time whenever I'm out in the car. Since ordering my Cupra 290 over a month ago I'm still yet to see another 5dr Cupra on the road and that included a long weekend in Spain!
 

f0cker

Active Member
Feb 15, 2016
8
0
The Leon looks much nicer than both the golf and s3 I think. I wish they did a 4WD version.
 

MATTCR

FR
Mar 6, 2007
1,525
1
UK
Golf or S3 hands down, the interior of the SEAT's are appauling. Sit inside one of the other 2 and then sit in the Leon.......... Poor.
 

Mr Mustard

Active Member
Jan 24, 2015
151
29
South East
With the facelift A3/S3 coming along later in the year, there are some really good discounts (16%) at the moment on the car broker sites for the S3. While probably not as well resolved handling wise as the Golf R & the Cupra R, due to its lower depreciation the repayments on a PCP, if you buy your cars that way, are very attractive.

I test drove them both recently and the extra traction of the S (+Golf) on cold damp roads was very welcome.
 

f0cker

Active Member
Feb 15, 2016
8
0
@Mr Mustard, ye that was my thought exactly. The PCP payments are only about £20-30 more per month for the golf/s3.
 

Alex_280

Active Member
Dec 31, 2015
42
1
Golf or S3 hands down, the interior of the SEAT's are appauling. Sit inside one of the other 2 and then sit in the Leon.......... Poor.

Keep seeing this utterly bizarre comment, are you sure it was a Leon mk3 you sat in? It really cannot be called appalling, it's hardly that different to the VW or Audi.

All of them are various bits of plastic and leather, it's not exactly Rolls Royce vs Nissan Micra.
 

page3

Active Member
Dec 25, 2015
112
1
Keep seeing this utterly bizarre comment, are you sure it was a Leon mk3 you sat in? It really cannot be called appalling, it's hardly that different to the VW or Audi.

All of them are various bits of plastic and leather, it's not exactly Rolls Royce vs Nissan Micra.

Agree. I keep reading this, but it didn't seem to be the case test driving the Golf and Leon back to back. The Golf has shiny plastic, the Leon mat plastic. I preferred the latter, although it doesn't photograph so well. If you didn't know and took the badges off I'm sure most wouldn't be able to pick which was which.
 

Mr Bigglesworth

Active Member
Dec 13, 2008
385
0
Herts
Keep seeing this utterly bizarre comment, are you sure it was a Leon mk3 you sat in? It really cannot be called appalling, it's hardly that different to the VW or Audi.

All of them are various bits of plastic and leather, it's not exactly Rolls Royce vs Nissan Micra.

I also have thought this that there wasn't a huge difference between the Leon and Golf interiors. Haven't been inside a newer S3 so can't compare.
 

sf04our

Active Member
Jan 17, 2016
25
0
Agree. I keep reading this, but it didn't seem to be the case test driving the Golf and Leon back to back. The Golf has shiny plastic, the Leon mat plastic. I preferred the latter, although it doesn't photograph so well. If you didn't know and took the badges off I'm sure most wouldn't be able to pick which was which.

+1 for me on this there wasn't a great difference between them
 
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