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CUPRA Formentor vs CUPRA Leon comparison

Compare performance (390 HP vs 325 HP), boot space and price (35,800 £ vs 35,700 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – CUPRA Formentor or CUPRA Leon?

CUPRA Formentor vs CUPRA Leon: Key differences

CUPRA Formentor

4.9 (2 Reviews)
rate
  • slightly more power
  • visibly quicker 0–100 km/h
  • somewhat more trunk space
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CUPRA Leon

  • only slightly cheaper
  • very slightly more efficient
  • very slightly more electric range
  • very slightly lighter
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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

Formentor

Head-to-head: CUPRA Formentor vs CUPRA Leon — crossover flair meets hot-hatch sharpness

CUPRA Formentor vs CUPRA Leon sets the stage for a classic intra-brand duel: a cheeky compact performance crossover up against a compact hot hatchback that likes to hustle. The CUPRA Formentor announces itself with a taller, more sculpted profile that reads like a sport SUV; the CUPRA Leon keeps things lower, tighter and unapologetically hatchback-focused. This comparison is about how those shape and stance translate to daily life, style and driving feel rather than just raw figures. Readers who want a quick sense of which model suits their life will find the differences obvious once you start living with either car. Expect personality over paper — and a fairly entertaining split in character between the two.

Leon

Two different attitudes on the road

The CUPRA Formentor feels like the moodier, more dramatic sibling: higher seating, a more planted SUV presence and an emphasis on composed power delivery that comforts as much as it excites. By contrast the CUPRA Leon is more eager-to-please on backroads and in city traffic, delivering a tauter, more connected steering and chassis balance that rewards input. In everyday driving the Formentor leans toward relaxed muscle while the Leon punches above its weight with incisive handling. Both cars wear their sportiness proudly, but they do so with clearly different signatures — one broad-shouldered and confident, the other compact and alert. Personality matters here: choose the vibe that matches how you want to feel behind the wheel.

Formentor

How they behave in the real world

When it comes to daily life, the CUPRA Formentor tends to behave like a longer-haul companion: it swallows luggage and long motorway stints with less fuss and a more relaxed seating posture. The CUPRA Leon makes city parking, narrow lanes and fuel-aware commuting simpler thanks to its smaller footprint and zippier reflexes. Family practicality leans toward the Formentor if boot space and flexibility matter; solo drivers or those who prize urban agility will prefer the Leon. Comfort, ride height and perceived insulation from road noise also tilt toward Formentor on longer trips, while Leon’s tighter setup keeps the driver more involved on twisty roads. Both are usable every day, but their sweet spots are distinct.

Leon

Buying one to make a statement (and a practical case)

People choose the CUPRA Formentor when they want presence — it reads as more aspirational and gives off a stronger premium vibe without shouting. The CUPRA Leon will attract buyers who want a sporty badge with sharper driver engagement and a more economical, no-nonsense justification for their purchase. If perceived quality, a roomy feel and a taste for a grander image matter, Formentor answers that brief; if you want immediacy, efficiency and a purposeful cockpit, Leon is the rational retort. Either way, both cars are good at projecting a performance-oriented personality, just tuned for different kinds of attention. Choose whether you want to be noticed for stature or for driving smarts.

Formentor

Who should lean toward the CUPRA Formentor

If you favour a more composed cabin, higher driving position and a car that doubles as a family-friendly weekend escape, the CUPRA Formentor is the more natural pick. Buyers who care about comfort, a stronger road presence and a bit of style theatre will find the Formentor’s packaging and image more satisfying. It’s the car for drivers who prioritise relaxed long-distance usability and want a car that looks like it can handle an active life without fuss. In short: if comfort and statement are higher on your checklist than razor-sharp handling, Formentor deserves a close look. Scroll down for the detailed figures to confirm how the differences play out on paper.

Leon

Who should favour the CUPRA Leon (and why the Formentor still matters)

The CUPRA Leon suits buyers who prize efficiency, nimble handling and lower running compromise, making it a strong choice for commuters and those who enjoy a hands-on drive around town and country lanes. If you’re the sort who weighs value and practicality against flash, Leon’s compact footprint and more engaging chassis will feel persuasive. That said, the CUPRA Formentor remains a tempting alternative for anyone who wants more space and a more relaxed highway companion, so don’t dismiss it if your priorities shift. Decide whether you want to be rewarded for tight driving manners or rewarded for everyday comfort — then read the detailed data below to match the subjective fit with the objective numbers.

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

Formentor

Costs and Efficiency:

Price and efficiency are key factors when choosing a car – and this is often where the real differences emerge.

CUPRA Leon is only slightly cheaper – starting at 35,700 £ , while the CUPRA Formentor costs 35,800 £ . That’s a price difference of around 73 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the CUPRA Leon uses 1.3 L/100km and is very slightly more efficient than the CUPRA Formentor with 1.4 L/100km. The difference is about 0.1 L/100km.

As for electric range, the CUPRA Leon offers very slightly more range – reaching up to 131 km, about 5 km more than the CUPRA Formentor.

Leon

Engine and Performance:

Power, torque and acceleration are the classic benchmarks for car enthusiasts – and here, some clear differences start to show.

When it comes to engine power, the CUPRA Formentor offers slightly more power – delivering 390 HP compared to 325 HP. That’s roughly 65 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the CUPRA Formentor is visibly quicker – completing the sprint in 4.2 s, while the CUPRA Leon takes 5.4 s. That’s about 1.2 s quicker.

There’s also a difference in torque: the CUPRA Formentor delivers somewhat more torque with 480 Nm compared to 420 Nm. That’s about 60 Nm more.

Formentor

Space and Everyday Use:

Cabin size, boot volume and payload all play a role in everyday practicality. Here, comfort and flexibility make the difference.

Both vehicles offer seating for 5 people.

In terms of curb weight, CUPRA Leon is very slightly lighter – 1,371 kg compared to 1,434 kg. The difference is around 63 kg.

Looking at boot space, the CUPRA Formentor offers somewhat more boot space – 450 L compared to 380 L. That’s a difference of about 70 L.

When it comes to payload, the CUPRA Formentor carries marginally more – 526 kg compared to 493 kg. That’s a difference of about 33 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The CUPRA Formentor stands well ahead of its rival 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 £35,800
Formentor

CUPRA Formentor

  • Engine Type Petrol, Petrol MHEV, Diesel, Plugin Hybrid
  • Transmission Automatic, Manuel
  • Drive Type Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP 150 - 390 HP
  • Consumption L/100km 1.4 - 10.1 L/100km
  • Electric Range 117 - 126 km
CUPRA Formentor
CUPRA Leon

Costs and Consumption

View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance

View detailed analysis

Dimensions and Body

View detailed analysis

CUPRA Formentor

The CUPRA Formentor blends sporty driving dynamics with crossover practicality, delivering sharp handling and an engaging character that makes it fun on twisty roads as well as in daily driving. Inside, it pairs a driver-focused cabin and premium materials with clever practicality, offering a confident, distinctive alternative to conventional SUVs.

details

CUPRA Leon

The Cupra Leon blends sporting intent with everyday practicality, serving up sharp handling and a cabin that feels more premium than its hatchback looks might suggest. It's a driver's car in commuter clothing — lively, distinctive, and clever enough to make daily driving feel a little less routine without screaming for attention.

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CUPRA Formentor
CUPRA Leon

Costs and Consumption

Price
35,800 - 62,500 £
Price
35,700 - 50,900 £
Consumption L/100km
1.4 - 10.1 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
1.3 - 7.6 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
117 - 126 km
Electric Range
124 - 131 km
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
-
co2
32 - 229 g/km
co2
28 - 172 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
-

Dimensions and Body

Body Type
SUV
Body Type
Hatchback
Seats
5
Seats
5
Doors
-
Doors
-
Curb weight
1,434 - 1,742 kg
Curb weight
1,371 - 1,708 kg
Trunk capacity
345 - 450 L
Trunk capacity
270 - 380 L
Length
-
Length
-
Width
1,839 - 1,852 mm
Width
1,799 mm
Height
-
Height
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
439 - 526 kg
Payload
432 - 493 kg

Engine and Performance

Engine Type
Petrol, Petrol MHEV, Diesel, Plugin Hybrid
Engine Type
Diesel, Plugin Hybrid, Petrol, Petrol MHEV
Transmission
Automatic, Manuel
Transmission
Automatic, Manuel
Transmission Detail
Dual-Clutch Automatic, Manual Gearbox
Transmission Detail
Dual-Clutch Automatic, Manual Gearbox
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive
Power HP
150 - 390 HP
Power HP
150 - 325 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
4.2 - 9 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
5.4 - 8.9 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
-
Torque
250 - 480 Nm
Torque
250 - 420 Nm
Number of Cylinders
4 - 5
Number of Cylinders
4
Power kW
110 - 287 kW
Power kW
110 - 239 kW
Engine capacity
1,498 - 2,480 cm3
Engine capacity
1,498 - 1,984 cm3

General

Model Year
2,024 - 2,026
Model Year
2,025 - 2,026
CO2 Efficiency Class
G, E, D, F, B
CO2 Efficiency Class
D, B, F
Brand
CUPRA
Brand
CUPRA
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.