2023 Cupra Leon, Formentor and Ateca pricing and specs: Increased cost and equipment for updated sports car range

Cupra is yet to officially launch in Australia, with the first customer deliveries expected early next month, but is already planning for the future with the updated model year 2023 Leon, Formentor and Ateca locked in.

The good news is that the 2023 models will score more equipment than before, but the spec bump will also come with a slight price increase on some variants.

Starting with the Leon, all 2023 variants are fitted with a 12.0-inch multimedia touchscreen (up two inches from the outgoing version), while the dynamic LED tail-lights are also replaced by static ones.

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As a result, the VZ variant is up $400 to $52,990 before on-road costs, while the VZe and VZx are up $500 to $60,490 and $61,490 respectively. The entry-level V’s pricing remains static at $43,990 because it was not available as a MY22 vehicle.

Equipment that carries over from before includes metallic paint, 18- or 19-inch alloy wheels (depending on variant), LED headlights, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless smartphone charger, heated steering wheel, sports seats, keyless entry and start, tri-zone climate control, and a full suite of active safety systems.

As for the Formentor, pricing moves up $500 to $61,990 for VZx grade, with buyers compensated with the addition of a surround-view monitor.

The rest of the Formentor range, including base V ($50,690 before on-road costs), VZ ($53,790) and VZe ($60,990), prices remain static.

Much of the Formentor equipment mirrors the Leon, except the V and VZx grades feature all-wheel drive whereas the Cupra small hatchback is exclusively front-axle driven.

Pricing for the Ateca (offered in the sole VZx grade) meanwhile, remains steady at $60,990, but customers now score a towing pre-wire kit as standard, on top of the 19-inch wheels, powered tailgate, privacy glass, auto-folding and heated mirrors, front and rear parking sensors, heated front seats, and more.

Powering the Cupra range is a choice of three 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engines, or a plug-in hybrid set-up.

V variants are fitted with a 140kW/320Nm 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine, which sends drive to the road via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

VZ variants score an uprated 2.0-litre engine that delivers a 180kW/370Nm punch, while the VZx engine makes 228kW/400Nm.

As for the plug-in VZe, it pairs a 1.4-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine with an electric motor for a combined output of 180kW/400Nm, which is paired to a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

With a 13kWh battery in tow, the PHEV versions of the Formentor and Leon are good for around 50km and 60km of all-electric driving respectively before need a recharge.

Cupra has also confirmed its plug-in hybrid Leon and Formentor will start rolling out to customers from October this year, while the rest of its petrol-powered range will begin deliveries next month for those who ordered a MY22 vehicle.

Though Cupra was expected to start handing over cars to customers in July, a small delay in shipment means buyers won’t get their hands on their Leon, Formentor and Ateca until early August.

Orders for the MY23 range are now open online, and all Cupra models sold come with a five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty.

Nine Cupra Garages have been appointed around the country, including the flagship store on Pitt Street, Sydney, as well as outlets at Artarmon (NSW), Richmond (VIC), Chadstone Shopping Centre (VIC), Robina (QLD), Indooroopilly (QLD), Canberra, Adelaide and Perth.

And to further differentiate the buying experience, each customer will be assigned to a ‘Cupra Master’ who will walk them through the purchase and ownership experience.

2023 Cupra Leon pricing before on-road costs

2023 Cupra Formentor pricing before on-road costs

2023 Cupra Ateca pricing before on-road costs