Volkswagen Golf R versus Seat Leon Cupra 280 - which is fastest?

We pit two of the most powerful hot hatchbacks currently on sale head to head around Cadwell Park to answer that all-important question - which is fastest? Steve Sutcliffe is about to find out.

Autocar, the world's leading motoring magazine and website, delivers industry-leading news, the most in-depth car reviews and opinion from our team of experts. Our presenters include some of the world's top motoring journalists who have unrivalled access to the world's fastest, rarest, most exotic and most exciting cars on some of the world's best roads and race tracks.

[chakraUK]

2:50 "I think the Golf is just a tiny bit quicker in a straight line"

6:32 "I think the Seat might actually be a tiny bit quicker in a straight line"

[sultanabran]

so whichever car steve was driving was faster. logic would say that it's the driver not the car that is faster.

[donfedesudek]

I love my Seat Leon, and in my opinion its looks way better, they have the same suppliers and chasis but Seat knows how to dress it better

[josefinkjellsson]

I bought the Cupra yesterday. I’m 40 and that car makes me feel like I’m 20 again. I took a spin after work and that car gives me a smile every time I drive it. 22.000€ and it’s value for the money. The electronic damping system is spot on and the “cupra” setting turns the car into a monster!! Harder shifts, full boost, stiff suspension and valve open in exhaust..I freaking love this little car..and I come from a B7 RS4😬

[daveycmusic]

Why the hate for SEAT (in the comments)? Seats are very very good cars.

[JaySee]

The idiotic soundtrack is quite annoying!

[fikes]

Wish they sold that Seat in the US. We dont get many hot hatches. We have, I have a small dick big trucks, and I like to waste fuel SUVs

[reventon]

I've always loved Seats, really understated, the same as a golf but it looks better.

[prestigeworldwide]

Getting my Leon Cupra 290 tomorrow! Can’t wait

[iantownsend]

Love the Seat. I'll take a 5 door please

[delboy]

So the Seat is cheaper, lighter, better looking and steers better. Once again VW has released a lukewarm Golf R which isn't any better than a GTi

[real_Sandman]

I´m so glad i got the Cupra 280 with manual gearbox, it´s an awesome car even in everyday driving. I also love the new Golf R, but to be honest it wasnt worth the extra money (for me), i nevertheless would love owning one...

[Horrligan]

Idiotic... the Gold blocks the Seat all the time. Let the Seat drive first and see if he is quicker or not...

[ntshembo]

I can only conclude that the one driver is quicker than the other

[grizzly]

This test is stupid. Why do you put the golf out front??! or any car for that matter. You should be judging on the best lap times for each car! The Seat cant pass and does not get a chance to open up and go putting limitations on the car. The car out front sets a pace. This is not how you fairly compare 2 cars

[v_alexiadis]

What an amazing car that Leon is! And there will also be a more focused version (basically the one that lapped the Nord). Can't wait to see how much better that one is! If everything goes as planned, it'll be my next car.

[stewstube]

Remember it's not just about weight with a 4WD system - the extra differentials will sap horsepower so power to the wheels will be reduced. Probably almost identical wheel HP on both cars maybe even slightly better for the Leon, PLUS a weight advantage. That said for real world road driving conditions haldex AWD is much more reassuring.

[dmob]

I'd rather take the Leon over the Golf R. Better price-value ratio (they got almost the same performance) and with 5 extra grand in your pockets you can still make big improvements on the Leon to outrun the R. In my opinion it also got better looks, but that's totally relative. The only real advantage of the Golf R is its name anyways, and that's why it'll have better sales results overall.

[Trumppower]

1st world problems.. i would take the M235 over those.

[PeakTorque]

Anyone who buys a Golf, of any variant, needs an imagination. There is a fun and fruity life beyond the Golf, just reach out and grasp it. Free yourself!