Hot Hatch of the Year 2015 - Pictures

Battling off the Golf GTI, the SEAT Leon Cupra takes home the Best Hot Hatch award.

<span>The muscular 276bhp turbocharged 2.0-litre engine fires the Leon Cupra from 0-62mph in just five seconds and on to a top speed of 155mph.</span>

<span>The steering is quick and well weighted, the standard adaptive dampers provide iron-fisted body control and there’s limpet-like grip.</span>

<span>A clever electronically-controlled limited-slip differential&nbsp;<span>helps neutralise understeer in fast bends.</span></span>

<span>Not only does the Leon undercut its less potent rivals on price,&nbsp;it won’t cost the earth to run either. The Leon produces 149g/km of CO2 emissions and claims to reach 44.1mpg.</span>

<span>A fat and flat-bottomed steering wheel along with a smattering of Cupra logos give this Leon a visual edge, while build quality and design remain a strong point.</span>

The SEAT Leon Cupra is the 2015 Auto Express Hot Hatch of the Year