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BMW 1 Series vs SEAT Leon comparison

Compare performance (300 HP vs 272 HP), boot space and price (29,400 £ vs 24,800 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – BMW 1 Series or SEAT Leon?

BMW 1 Series vs SEAT Leon: Key differences

BMW 1 Series

5 (1 Reviews)
rate
  • barely more power
  • significantly quicker 0–100 km/h
details

SEAT Leon

4.4 (2 Reviews)
rate
  • moderately cheaper
  • considerably more efficient
  • marginally lighter
details

All details on performance, efficiency, range and trunk space can be found in the technical comparison below – including user reviews for both models.

By Achim Sedelmaier

Here’s where it gets real: The technical differences in detail

1 Series

Costs and Efficiency:

Price and efficiency are often the first things buyers look at. Here it becomes clear which model has the long-term edge – whether at the pump, the plug, or in purchase price.

SEAT Leon is moderately cheaper – starting at 24,800 £ , while the BMW 1 Series costs 29,400 £ . That’s a price difference of around 4,552 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the SEAT Leon uses 1.2 L/100km and is considerably more efficient than the BMW 1 Series with 4.3 L/100km. The difference is about 3.1 L/100km.

Leon

Engine and Performance:

Under the bonnet, it becomes clear which model is tuned for sportiness and which one takes the lead when you hit the accelerator.

When it comes to engine power, the BMW 1 Series offers barely more power – delivering 300 HP compared to 272 HP. That’s roughly 28 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the BMW 1 Series is significantly quicker – completing the sprint in 4.9 s, while the SEAT Leon takes 7.7 s. That’s about 2.8 s quicker.

There’s also a difference in torque: the BMW 1 Series delivers marginally more torque with 400 Nm compared to 360 Nm. That’s about 40 Nm more.

1 Series

Space and Everyday Use:

Whether family car or daily driver – which one offers more room, flexibility and comfort?

Both vehicles offer seating for 5 people.

In terms of curb weight, SEAT Leon is marginally lighter – 1,344 kg compared to 1,465 kg. The difference is around 121 kg.

Boot capacity is identical – both offer 380 L of storage.

When it comes to payload, the SEAT Leon carries very slightly more – 521 kg compared to 510 kg. That’s a difference of about 11 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The SEAT Leon is clearly superior overall in the objective data comparison.
This result only shows which model scores more points on paper – not which of the two cars feels right for you.

from £24,800
Leon

SEAT Leon

  • Engine Type : Petrol, Petrol MHEV, Plugin Hybrid, Diesel
  • Transmission : Manuel, Automatic
  • Drive Type : Front-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP : 116 - 272 HP
  • Consumption L/100km : 1.2 - 5.5 L/100km
  • Electric Range : 133 km
details

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SEAT Leon

Costs and Consumption
View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance
View detailed analysis

Dimensions and Body
View detailed analysis

BMW 1 Series

The BMW 1 Series is a compact premium hatchback that injects a proper sense of driving fun into everyday life, with sharp handling and a cabin that punches above its class. It’s a great pick for buyers who want sporty manners without losing practicality, and yes, you’ll still get that unmistakable BMW grin behind the wheel.

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Reviews BMW 1 Series

5 (1 Reviews)
rate

No reviews yet. Share your experience and help others decide.

SEAT Leon

SEAT Leon pairs sharp, modern styling with a cabin that's sensible and slightly sporty, making it an appealing choice for buyers who want flair without fuss. It drives with eager composure and offers a neat balance of comfort and agility, so you get everyday usability with a wink of fun.

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Small-35510-SEATLeonkeepsWhatCarAwardinthefamily

Reviews SEAT Leon

4.4 (2 Reviews)
rate
FaBio
4 Jan 2026, 21:30:20

Mechanically the car is fairly well built, apart from the rear axle.
The air conditioning is effective and visibility is good, while the FR setup paired with the 18" wheels, in my view, hurts comfort — getting in and out can be awkward. Once on board, though, the seats are very comfortable. The infotainment is comprehensive, with a generously sized screen and full-link smartphone connectivity; the factory sat-nav does what it can, but obviously Maps is superior in every way.
All in all, a fun/sporty car that also winks at family life thanks to a roomy boot and modest fuel consumption.

How do you mainly use this car? (optional): Long-distance driver
Efficiency / Consumption & Range
Comfort & Interior
Driving Fun / Performance
Technology & Infotainment
Safety
Practicality / Trunk & Everyday Use
Value for Money

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BMW 1 Series
SEAT Leon

Costs and Consumption
Price
29,400 - 51,900 £
Price
24,800 - 36,800 £
Consumption L/100km
4.3 - 7.6 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
1.2 - 5.5 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
-
Electric Range
133 km
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
-
co2
112 - 173 g/km
co2
28 - 126 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
-

Dimensions and Body
Body Type
Hatchback
Body Type
Hatchback
Seats
5
Seats
5
Doors
-
Doors
-
Curb weight
1,465 - 1,625 kg
Curb weight
1,344 - 1,657 kg
Trunk capacity
300 - 380 L
Trunk capacity
270 - 380 L
Length
-
Length
-
Width
1,800 mm
Width
1,799 mm
Height
-
Height
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
475 - 510 kg
Payload
473 - 521 kg

Engine and Performance
Engine Type
Diesel, Petrol MHEV, Diesel MHEV, Petrol
Engine Type
Petrol, Petrol MHEV, Plugin Hybrid, Diesel
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission
Manuel, Automatic
Transmission Detail
Dual-Clutch Automatic
Transmission Detail
Manual Gearbox, Dual-Clutch Automatic
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive
Power HP
122 - 300 HP
Power HP
116 - 272 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
4.9 - 9.8 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
7.7 - 10.5 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
-
Torque
230 - 400 Nm
Torque
220 - 360 Nm
Number of Cylinders
3 - 4
Number of Cylinders
4
Power kW
90 - 221 kW
Power kW
85 - 200 kW
Engine capacity
1,499 - 1,998 cm3
Engine capacity
1,498 - 1,968 cm3

General
Model Year
2024
Model Year
2,024 - 2,026
CO2 Efficiency Class
D, C, F
CO2 Efficiency Class
D, B
Brand
BMW
Brand
SEAT
What drive types are available for the BMW 1 Series?

The BMW 1 Series is offered with Front-Wheel Drive or All-Wheel Drive.

DriveDuel uses data analysis and artificial intelligence to evaluate vehicle data and create content. Content is regularly reviewed and improved. The displayed prices are estimates based on German list prices, adjusted to the respective country’s VAT. Country-specific registration taxes are not included. This information is not legally binding.