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Kia Picanto vs SEAT Leon comparison

Compare performance (68 HP vs 272 HP), boot space and price (15,300 £ vs 24,500 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Kia Picanto or SEAT Leon?

Kia Picanto vs SEAT Leon: Key differences

Kia Picanto

4.5 (3 Reviews)
rate
  • clearly cheaper
  • a bit lighter
details

SEAT Leon

4.4 (2 Reviews)
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  • considerably more power
  • considerably more efficient
  • substantially quicker 0–100 km/h
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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

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

Picanto

Costs and Efficiency:

When it comes to price and running costs, the biggest differences usually appear. This is often where you see which car fits your budget better in the long run.

Kia Picanto is clearly cheaper – starting at 15,300 £ , while the SEAT Leon costs 24,500 £ . That’s a price difference of around 9,154 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the SEAT Leon uses 1.2 L/100km and is considerably more efficient than the Kia Picanto with 5.5 L/100km. The difference is about 4.3 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 SEAT Leon offers considerably more power – delivering 272 HP compared to 68 HP. That’s roughly 204 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the SEAT Leon is substantially quicker – completing the sprint in 7.7 s, while the Kia Picanto takes 14.6 s. That’s about 6.9 s quicker.

There’s also a difference in torque: the SEAT Leon delivers considerably more torque with 360 Nm compared to 96 Nm. That’s about 264 Nm more.

Picanto

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, Kia Picanto is a bit lighter – 1,124 kg compared to 1,344 kg. The difference is around 220 kg.

When it comes to payload, the SEAT Leon carries noticeably more – 521 kg compared to 332 kg. That’s a difference of about 189 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The SEAT 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.

from £24,500
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
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Frequently compared as well

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SEAT Arona
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Kia Picanto
SEAT Leon

Costs and Consumption
View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance
View detailed analysis

Dimensions and Body
View detailed analysis

Kia Picanto

Kia Picanto is a cheeky city hatch that squeezes surprising style, practicality and a smile-inducing drive into a pocket-friendly package. It’s ideal for urban buyers who want fuss-free running, effortless parking and a car that punches above its class without pretending to be anything it’s not.

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Kia_Picanto_GT_Line_MJ21_03
Kia Picanto X-Line_02
Kia_Picanto_MJ22_Innen_01

Reviews Kia Picanto

4.5 (3 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-33980-LeonSEDynamic-MysteryBlue
Small-33989-LeonSEDynamic-MysteryBlue
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Small-35510-SEATLeonkeepsWhatCarAwardinthefamily

Reviews SEAT Leon

4.4 (2 Reviews)
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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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Toyota Yaris
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The Kia Picanto is a cheeky city sparrow: tiny, cheap to buy and park, and surprisingly fun to hustle through tight streets if you don’t need boot space or long‑distance refinement. The Toyota Yaris, meanwhile, feels grown‑up by comparison — roomier, safer and available as an economical hybrid, so …
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Kia Picanto is the sensible choice — roomier, better equipped and more grown-up to drive, so it suits buyers who want a proper small car without compromises. The Toyota Aygo is the cheeky, city-savvy toy: cheaper to run and full of character, but falls short on space and refinement compared with …
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When comparing the Kia Picanto and the Kia Stonic, both models showcase the brand's commitment to stylish design and impressive efficiency. The Picanto stands out with its compact size, making it perfect for urban driving, while the Stonic offers a more rugged look and additional cargo space, …
Fiat Panda
Kia Picanto
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In the battle of the city cars, the Fiat Panda impresses with its quirky design and practicality, making it a favorite for those seeking versatility and charm. On the other hand, the Kia Picanto stands out with its punchy performance and a more modern tech-savvy interior, appealing to younger …
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Kia Picanto
SEAT Leon

Costs and Consumption
Price
15,300 - 19,300 £
Price
24,500 - 36,400 £
Consumption L/100km
5.5 - 5.9 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
19.7 kWh
co2
126 - 134 g/km
co2
27 - 126 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
40 - 45 L

Dimensions and Body
Body Type
Hatchback
Body Type
Hatchback
Seats
4 - 5
Seats
5
Doors
-
Doors
5
Curb weight
1,124 - 1,131 kg
Curb weight
1,344 - 1,657 kg
Trunk capacity
-
Trunk capacity
270 - 380 L
Length
-
Length
4,368 mm
Width
1,595 mm
Width
1,799 mm
Height
-
Height
1,442 - 1,460 mm
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
1,187 - 1,301 L
Payload
253 - 332 kg
Payload
473 - 521 kg

Engine and Performance
Engine Type
Petrol
Engine Type
Petrol, Petrol MHEV, Plugin Hybrid, Diesel
Transmission
Manuel, Automatic
Transmission
Manuel, Automatic
Transmission Detail
Manual Gearbox, Automated Manual
Transmission Detail
Manual Gearbox, Dual-Clutch Automatic
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive
Power HP
68 HP
Power HP
116 - 272 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
14.6 - 17.2 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
7.7 - 10.5 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
197 - 220 km/h
Torque
96 Nm
Torque
220 - 360 Nm
Number of Cylinders
3
Number of Cylinders
4
Power kW
50 kW
Power kW
85 - 200 kW
Engine capacity
998 cm3
Engine capacity
1,498 - 1,968 cm3

General
Model Year
2025
Model Year
2,024 - 2,026
CO2 Efficiency Class
D
CO2 Efficiency Class
D, B
Brand
Kia
Brand
SEAT
What drivetrain options does the Kia Picanto have?

The Kia Picanto is offered with Front-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.