Cupra Leon Sportstourer VZ Pantera Edition review: crouching leopard in Taiga

We're on record as loving a hot Cupra station wagon. Know what Cupra loves? A special-edition model. It always seems to have something on the go that offers a little more style or performance for the same (or a little more) money.

That's where the new Pantera Edition models come in. Presumably not named after the American heavy metal band, although funnily enough the band was named after a car: co-founder Vinne Paul says "Pantera" was suggested to him by a childhood friend because of the De Tomaso Pantera, a "badass race car". He didn't discover the true meaning until a little later, which proved even more appropriate.

Are we getting off track? Sorry. Pantera is of course Spanish/Italian for a leopard and you no doubt thought of a black panther straight away, which works fine because black's a theme in these special editions.

Cupra is offering 20 Leons and 20 Formentors in Pantera specification, split 50/50 between V and VZ models for both. The package includes exterior addenda and interior upgrades (we'll get to all those below) for no extra cost, representing between $7900-$9750 in extra gear depending on model. Our Leon Sportstourer VZ is at the top end of that.

On the outside: what are the Cupra Leon Sportstourer VZ Pantera Editions's main design features?

What were we saying about black? That's a bit undermined by our test car's striking Taiga Grey paintwork, which is a bit tiger-ish but not very grey. And quite bright. Cool though.

We love hot Cupra wagons. Know what Cupra loves? Special-edition models.

Anyway, on the outside the VZ Pantera Edition gets black side skirts and rear spoiler, Obsidian Black side mirrors and 19-inch wheels in Sport Black (otherwise known as the Black Package if you add them to a regular model).

On the non-black front there are the fantastic Matrix LED headlights with digital projection and an electric swivel towbar, in case you want to use your high-performance wagon for wagon-y things.

OVERVIEW

On the inside: what's the Cupra Leon Sportstourer VZ Pantera cabin like?

Inside, the Black Dinamica upholstery is swapped out for Moon Slate (sustainably produced "conscious leather", says Cupra) with copper stitching, which also adds power adjustment and memory for the front passenger; already provided for the driver, of course.

It feels suitably premium and as long as you don't mind sitting very low, the Leon Sportstourer also happens to be a super-practical wagon.

Otherwise it's business as usual for the Leon, with the new-gen interior that we've covered previously in the latest Formentor and Leon models. The dashboard is dominated by a 12.9-inch infotainment display which goes hard on the touch/haptic controls from Volkswagen Group's original generation of ID models, but has been substantially upgraded with features such as illumination for the audio/climate slide controls.

The infotainment operating system skin is Cupra-specific, with lots of colour and a logical layout.

The controls on the steering wheel are physical buttons and as is now Cupra lore, a brace of controls dangle from the spokes that act as start/stop and drive-mode controllers: one long press of the latter and you go straight to a slightly unhinged "Cupra" mode. But more about that in a minute.

The whole interior looks and feels suitably premium and as long as you don't mind sitting very low, the Leon Sportstourer also happens to be a super-practical wagon. The wheelbase is long, which benefits rear-passenger legroom, and the rear overhang is long, which results in a massive 718-litre boot.

A long tail should also result in slightly awkward looks, but in the Sportstourer's case, it just seems to look speedier. Not that we have the Leon hatchback to compare it to: that body shape is not sold here, presumably because the Formentor pseudo-SUV (also in Pantera-spec, remember) fills that gap for Kiwis.

INTERIOR

On the road: what's the Cupra Leon Sportstourer VZ Pantera like to drive?

Being more closely related to smaller Volkswagen Group hotties like the Formentor VZ, Audi S3 and Volkswagen Golf R means that the Leon Sportstourer VZ gets the full-noise turbo-petrol powertrain: 245kW/420Nm and all-wheel drive with Drift Mode, compared to the more sober version in the larger Terramar VZ SUV with 195kW and no skiddy-tech.

In 'Cupra' mode, the transmission goes into an S+ setting that isn't too keen on changing gears until you've bounced off the redline.

The Leon VZ will still serve you well as a family wagon: it's easy to drive and relatively comfortable, although you can't ignore the firm ride even in the most comfortable suspension setting (of 15 different options contained within the dynamic chassis control menu).

If that's a real problem, you can always opt for the Sportstourer V, which is much more compliant and still looks cool (including a Pantera package if you want it). If you've bought the VZ, we assume the priority is enthusiast driving.

It's very good at that, assured and grippy. If you want the full growly engine sound (some of it's synthetic and sounds it, though) and most responsive steering/throttle/suspension you can go straight to Cupra mode. Tempting.

But it's not entirely usable on the road. The suspension is actually tolerable (surprisingly), but the transmission goes into an "S+" setting that isn't too keen on changing gears until you've bounced off the redline. A quick flick of the stubby selector back into S-setting fixes that and keeps the rest. Or you can delve into the individual settings for everything in the infotainment menu.

The Pantera package does nothing towards any of the above, of course. But you look cooler while you're having fun.

SPECIFICATIONS

On ownership: what's the Cupra Leon Sportstourer VZ Pantera warranty and servicing situation?

The Leon Sportstourer VZ is covered for 5 years/100,000km, including roadside assistance; the mechanical warranty can be extended to 150,000km (still 5 years, though) for $550.

Three years/45,000km scheduled maintenance is also included in the purchase price.

On the whole: what do we think of the Cupra Leon Sportstourer VZ Pantera?

You had us at "hot wagon". The Sportstourer VZ is not without its flaws and might be just a bit too edgy for some mainstream buyers, if they've chosen it simply because it's the most expensive Leon, rather than the one that suits them best.

To those people we say: buy the V. It's a really pleasant, perky drive and the two are visually very similar. You'll still look awesome. We love the VZ's performance and handling commitment; it's representing Cupra as the sportiest of VW Group's family-car brands beautifully.

Whichever you choose, the Pantera package is a win because it doesn't cost any extra and the additions are all pretty tasteful and/or useful. At the time of writing there are 10 gone, 30 left. You know what to do.

Cupra Leon Sportstourer VZ Pantera FAQs

What kind of car is the Cupra Leon Sportstourer VZ Pantera?

A 5-door station wagon, or estate car if you like.

Does the Cupra Leon Sportstourer VZ Pantera have hybrid or EV technology?

It's a turbo-petrol with no electrification. 

What’s the fuel economy of the Cupra Leon Sportstourer VZ Pantera?

It returns 8.3l/100km against NZ's 3P-WLTP standard.

Is the Cupra Leon Sportstourer VZ Pantera safe?

The Cupra gets a 5-star ANCAP rating based on testing of the Seat Leon in 2020 (they are structurally the same). It expires in December this year.

What safety and assistance features does the Cupra Leon Sportstourer VZ Pantera have?

What are the Cupra Leon Sportstourer VZ Pantera Edition's main rivals?

• Cupra Formentor VZ Pantera Edition: ($87,500): Leon's SUV sibling, same power but less luggage space.
• Subaru WRX GT wagon ($69,990): Low-key, old-school, but still hugely appealing.
• Skoda Octavia RS wagon ($71,500): Bit more mild, but just as much enthusiast cred.
• Audi S5 Avant ($147,990): Kind of within the family, the only other VW brand that makes a wagon anywhere near as cool.
• BMW M3 Competition Touring ($201,600): Yes, yes, in a totally different league. But hot wagons, right?