VS

CUPRA Leon vs Mazda MX-5 Roadster comparison

Compare performance (325 HP vs 132 HP), boot space and price (31800 £ vs 28400 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – CUPRA Leon or Mazda MX-5 Roadster?

CUPRA Leon vs Mazda MX-5 Roadster: Key differences

CUPRA Leon

  • clearly more power
  • significantly more efficient
  • convincingly quicker from 0–100 km/h
  • significantly more trunk space

Mazda MX-5 Roadster

  • slightly cheaper
  • clearly perceptible lighter

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

Leon

Costs and Efficiency:

Looking at overall running costs, both models reveal some interesting differences in everyday economy.

Mazda MX-5 Roadster has a slightly advantage in terms of price – it starts at 28400 £ , while the CUPRA Leon costs 31800 £ . That’s a price difference of around 3309 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: CUPRA Leon manages with 1.30 L and is therefore significantly more efficient than the Mazda MX-5 Roadster with 6.20 L. The difference is about 4.90 L per 100 km.

MX-5 Roadster

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 CUPRA Leon has a clearly edge – offering 325 HP compared to 132 HP. That’s roughly 193 HP more horsepower.

In acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h, the CUPRA Leon is convincingly quicker – completing the sprint in 5.40 s, while the Mazda MX-5 Roadster takes 8.30 s. That’s about 2.90 s faster.

There’s also a difference in torque: CUPRA Leon pulls clearly stronger with 420 Nm compared to 152 Nm. That’s about 268 Nm difference.

Leon

Space and Everyday Use:

Beyond pure performance, interior space and usability matter most in daily life. This is where you see which car is more practical and versatile.

Seats: CUPRA Leon offers convincingly more seating capacity – 5 vs 2.

In curb weight, Mazda MX-5 Roadster is clearly perceptible lighter – 1078 kg compared to 1371 kg. The difference is around 293 kg.

In terms of boot space, the CUPRA Leon offers significantly more room – 380 L compared to 130 L. That’s a difference of about 250 L.

When it comes to payload, CUPRA Leon clearly takes the win – 493 kg compared to 152 kg. That’s a difference of about 341 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The CUPRA Leon is far ahead 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.

CUPRA Leon
Mazda MX-5 Roadster

Costs and Consumption

View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance

View detailed analysis

Dimensions and Body

View detailed analysis
from about £31,800
Leon

CUPRA Leon

  • Engine Type : Petrol, Petrol MHEV, Diesel, Plugin Hybrid
  • Transmission : Manuel, Automatic
  • Drive Type : Front-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP : 150 - 325 HP
  • Consumption L/100km : 1.3 - 7.6 L
  • Electric Range : 124 - 131 km

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.

details

Mazda MX-5 Roadster

The Mazda MX-5 is a featherweight, open-top sports car that turns ordinary roads into a grin-inducing playground thanks to razor-sharp steering and an engaging, tactile gearbox. It won’t swallow the weekly shopping or ski bags, but for anyone after pure driving fun and sun-on-your-face weekends, few cars match its sheer charm and value.

details
CUPRA Leon
Mazda MX-5 Roadster

Costs and Consumption

Price
31800 - 50900 £
Price
28400 - 33800 £
Consumption L/100km
1.3 - 7.6 L
Consumption L/100km
6.20 L
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
124 - 131 km
Electric Range
-
Battery Capacity
19.70 kWh
Battery Capacity
-
co2
28 - 172 g/km
co2
140 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
40 - 45 L
Fuel tank capacity
-

Dimensions and Body

Body Type
Hatchback
Body Type
Roadster
Seats
5
Seats
2
Doors
5
Doors
-
Curb weight
1371 - 1708 kg
Curb weight
1078 kg
Trunk capacity
270 - 380 L
Trunk capacity
130 L
Length
4398 - 4399 mm
Length
-
Width
1799 mm
Width
1735 mm
Height
1444 - 1467 mm
Height
-
Max trunk capacity
1191 - 1301 L
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
432 - 493 kg
Payload
152 kg

Engine and Performance

Engine Type
Petrol, Petrol MHEV, Diesel, Plugin Hybrid
Engine Type
Petrol
Transmission
Manuel, Automatic
Transmission
Manuel
Transmission Detail
Manual Gearbox, Dual-Clutch Automatic
Transmission Detail
Manual Gearbox
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Rear-Wheel Drive
Power HP
150 - 325 HP
Power HP
132 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
5.4 - 8.9 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
8.30 s
Max Speed
215 - 229 km/h
Max Speed
-
Torque
250 - 420 Nm
Torque
152 Nm
Number of Cylinders
4
Number of Cylinders
4
Power kW
110 - 239 kW
Power kW
97 kW
Engine capacity
1498 - 1984 cm3
Engine capacity
1496 cm3

General

Model Year
2025 - 2026
Model Year
2025
CO2 Efficiency Class
D, B, F
CO2 Efficiency Class
E
Brand
CUPRA
Brand
Mazda
What drive types are available for the CUPRA Leon?

The CUPRA Leon is available as Front-Wheel Drive.

The prices shown are estimates based on German list prices, adjusted for local VAT. Local registration taxes (e.g. NoVA, BPM or CO2 malus) are not included. This information is not legally binding.