The FR is available with two engines, the 197bhp 2.0-litre turbo from Volkswagen's Golf GTI and a 168bhp diesel. In petrol form, there's plenty of urge, even at low revs, and strong pull all the way to the red line. The diesel doesn't have the same linear power delivery, but is still usefully flexible. The Cupra adds a bigger turbocharger to the FR's petrol engine to give 237bhp. There's a bit more lag, but its pace is blistering.

Seat is VW Group's sporty brand, so the hot Leons have a stiffer suspension set-up than their Golf GTI or Skoda Octavia VRS stablemates. This provides excellent body control and composure through corners, and there's tenacious grip and sharp steering. The downside of this sporting bent is that the Leon's already uncompromising ride is even firmer.

The petrol engine emit a pleasant rasp under acceleration and are hushed when you settle to a cruise. Wind noise is minimal at the national limit however, road noise finds its way into the cabin. The six-speed manual gearbox has a positive action.

The FR gives you a lot of dash for minimal cash, undercutting most key rivals on price. The Cupra is pricier, but the power hike justifies it. Residuals are reasonable, although no match for those of a GTI, and insurance groups are also low given the pace on offer. Fuel consumption does suffer if you use the performance to the max, but go easy on the throttle and you'll get a reasonable return.

All the controls operate with precision and the cabin feels solidly built, but some of the materials used look a little drab compared with the best rivals'. Most of the mechanicals are shared with the latest Golf, so should prove trouble-free, while Seats tend to perform well in customer satisfaction surveys.

Like the rest of the Leon range, the FR and Cupra models come with a comprehensive list of safety equipment. Twin front, side and curtain airbags are fitted as standard, while an electronic stability control system is on hand to help should you get into difficulty. As a rule, VW Group cars are hard to steal.

Supportive sports seats with big bolsters hold the driver in place through corners. The dashboard has a logical layout, and there's two-way steering adjustment and a height-adjustable driver's seat. Less impressive are the thick, sweeping windscreen pillars create large blind spots when you're exiting junctions.

There's plenty of head- and shoulder room for four six-footers, as well as ample legroom in the back. Some practicality has, however, been sacrificed at the altar of style. The Leon's boot is generous enough, but its entrance is awkwardly shaped and there's a high load lip to negotiate.

The sporty Leons are generously equipped, with dual-zone climate control, electric front and rear windows, electrically adjustable and foldable door mirrors, a trip computer and cruise control all fitted as standard. There's also an MP3-compatible CD player with steering wheel-mounted controls, while options include automatic wipers and lights and satellite-navigation.