Well
I had a test drive today. Cupra 290 DSG. Link in the post
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202002287832129
lovely car. Super quick, could not believe how long it holds onto 2nd gear in Cupra mode. The grip it has for a FWD was superb
car did sound good but am not sure if this is pre or post the exhaust filter thing lol.
the car does have a lot of plastic inside & the difference in quality to my A3 saloon is clear to see. I just need to decide now if the cupra and the power is what I want.
That's a 2016 so doesn't have the GPF, not sure about other silencers though. I think that would be louder than a new 290.
Quality wise, I think the 300 in your original post would be nicer to be in for sure, but not on the same level as an A3.
My 290 lux has alcantara seats / door panels, but there's still a lot of plastic. Seems silly to have hard plastic on the top of the door and then alcantara leather directly underneath it... But I can let that slide because of the price.
For me the lower quality interior is made up for by how fun it is to drive. I've got a JB1 tuning box on it and it absolutely flies!