VS

Mazda 3 Hatchback vs CUPRA Leon comparison

Compare performance (186 HP vs 325 HP), boot space and price (25,000 £ vs 35,700 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Mazda 3 Hatchback or CUPRA Leon?

Mazda 3 Hatchback vs CUPRA Leon: Key differences

Mazda 3 Hatchback

  • clearly cheaper
details

CUPRA Leon

  • significantly more power
  • significantly more efficient
  • considerably quicker 0–100 km/h
  • marginally lighter
  • very slightly more trunk space
details

By Achim Sedelmaier

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

3 Hatchback

Costs and Efficiency:

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

Mazda 3 Hatchback is clearly cheaper – starting at 25,000 £ , while the CUPRA Leon costs 35,700 £ . That’s a price difference of around 10,658 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the CUPRA Leon uses 1.3 L/100km and is significantly more efficient than the Mazda 3 Hatchback with 5.6 L/100km. The difference is about 4.3 L/100km.

Leon

Engine and Performance:

Power, torque and acceleration say a lot about how a car feels on the road. This is where you see which model delivers more driving dynamics.

When it comes to engine power, the CUPRA Leon offers significantly more power – delivering 325 HP compared to 186 HP. That’s roughly 139 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the CUPRA Leon is considerably quicker – completing the sprint in 5.4 s, while the Mazda 3 Hatchback takes 8 s. That’s about 2.6 s quicker.

There’s also a difference in torque: the CUPRA Leon delivers substantially more torque with 420 Nm compared to 240 Nm. That’s about 180 Nm more.

3 Hatchback

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, CUPRA Leon is marginally lighter – 1,371 kg compared to 1,417 kg. The difference is around 46 kg.

Looking at boot space, the CUPRA Leon offers very slightly more boot space – 380 L compared to 351 L. That’s a difference of about 29 L.

When it comes to payload, the Mazda 3 Hatchback carries only slightly more – 502 kg compared to 493 kg. That’s a difference of about 9 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The CUPRA 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 £35,700
Leon

CUPRA Leon

  • Engine Type Diesel, Plugin Hybrid, Petrol, Petrol MHEV
  • Transmission Automatic, Manuel
  • Drive Type Front-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP 150 - 325 HP
  • Consumption L/100km 1.3 - 7.6 L/100km
  • Electric Range 124 - 131 km
Mazda 3 Hatchback
CUPRA Leon

Costs and Consumption

View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance

View detailed analysis

Dimensions and Body

View detailed analysis

Mazda 3 Hatchback

The Mazda 3 hatchback blends elegant design with a surprisingly sporty drive, giving a cabin that feels more upscale than you’d expect for the segment. Practical enough for everyday life yet eager to entertain behind the wheel, it’s a smart, good-humored choice that makes even grocery runs feel like a mini escape.

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.

details
Mazda 3 Hatchback
CUPRA Leon

Costs and Consumption

Price
25,000 - 36,000 £
Price
35,700 - 50,900 £
Consumption L/100km
5.6 - 6.5 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
1.3 - 7.6 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
-
Electric Range
124 - 131 km
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
-
co2
126 - 146 g/km
co2
28 - 172 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
1,417 - 1,529 kg
Curb weight
1,371 - 1,708 kg
Trunk capacity
351 L
Trunk capacity
270 - 380 L
Length
-
Length
-
Width
1,795 mm
Width
1,799 mm
Height
-
Height
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
487 - 502 kg
Payload
432 - 493 kg

Engine and Performance

Engine Type
Petrol MHEV
Engine Type
Diesel, Plugin Hybrid, Petrol, Petrol MHEV
Transmission
Manuel, Automatic
Transmission
Automatic, Manuel
Transmission Detail
Manual Gearbox, Automatic Gearbox
Transmission Detail
Dual-Clutch Automatic, Manual Gearbox
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive
Power HP
140 - 186 HP
Power HP
150 - 325 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
8 - 9.8 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
5.4 - 8.9 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
-
Torque
238 - 240 Nm
Torque
250 - 420 Nm
Number of Cylinders
4
Number of Cylinders
4
Power kW
103 - 137 kW
Power kW
110 - 239 kW
Engine capacity
1,998 - 2,488 cm3
Engine capacity
1,498 - 1,984 cm3

General

Model Year
2026
Model Year
2,025 - 2,026
CO2 Efficiency Class
D, E
CO2 Efficiency Class
D, B, F
Brand
Mazda
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.