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Mazda MX-5 Coupe vs VW Golf comparison

Compare performance (132 HP vs 325 HP), boot space and price (30,800 £ vs 28,300 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Mazda MX-5 Coupe or VW Golf?

Mazda MX-5 Coupe vs VW Golf: Key differences

Mazda MX-5 Coupe

  • somewhat lighter
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VW Golf

4.6 (1 Reviews)
rate
  • barely cheaper
  • substantially more power
  • significantly more efficient
  • clearly quicker 0–100 km/h
  • clearly more trunk space
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By Achim Sedelmaier

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

MX-5 Coupe

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.

VW Golf is barely cheaper – starting at 28,300 £ , while the Mazda MX-5 Coupe costs 30,800 £ . That’s a price difference of around 2,567 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the VW Golf uses 1.1 L/100km and is significantly more efficient than the Mazda MX-5 Coupe with 6.2 L/100km. The difference is about 5.1 L/100km.

Golf

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 VW Golf offers substantially more power – delivering 325 HP compared to 132 HP. That’s roughly 193 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the VW Golf is clearly quicker – completing the sprint in 5.3 s, while the Mazda MX-5 Coupe takes 8.6 s. That’s about 3.3 s quicker.

There’s also a difference in torque: the VW Golf delivers clearly more torque with 420 Nm compared to 152 Nm. That’s about 268 Nm more.

MX-5 Coupe

Space and Everyday Use:

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

Seats: VW Golf offers more seats – 5 vs 2.

In terms of curb weight, Mazda MX-5 Coupe is somewhat lighter – 1,114 kg compared to 1,307 kg. The difference is around 193 kg.

Looking at boot space, the VW Golf offers clearly more boot space – 381 L compared to 127 L. That’s a difference of about 254 L.

When it comes to payload, the VW Golf carries substantially more – 508 kg compared to 166 kg. That’s a difference of about 342 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The VW Golf 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 £28,300
Golf

VW Golf

  • Engine Type : Petrol, Petrol MHEV, Diesel, Plugin Hybrid
  • Transmission : Manuel, Automatic
  • Drive Type : Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP : 116 - 325 HP
  • Consumption L/100km : 1.1 - 7.6 L/100km
  • Electric Range : 131 - 143 km
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Frequently compared as well

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Mazda MX-5 Coupe
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Costs and Consumption
View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance
View detailed analysis

Dimensions and Body
View detailed analysis

Mazda MX-5 Coupe

The Mazda MX-5 is a delightfully pure driver's car, wrapped in a compact package and tuned to make steering inputs feel like a conversation rather than a chore. It won’t overwhelm you with gadgetry, but what it delivers—nimble handling, instant feedback and an honest grin every time you drive—makes it a brilliant choice for anyone who values fun over flash.

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Reviews Mazda MX-5 Coupe

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

VW Golf

The VW Golf remains the everyman’s favourite — cleverly balanced, composed and just posh enough to feel grown-up without pretending to be something it’s not. It slips through town and eats up longer trips with a refined cabin, practical layout and a kindly, capable character that turns everyday driving into something a little bit special.

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Reviews VW Golf

4.6 (1 Reviews)
rate

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

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Mazda MX-5 Coupe
VW Golf

Costs and Consumption
Price
30,800 - 36,200 £
Price
28,300 - 46,700 £
Consumption L/100km
6.2 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
1.1 - 7.6 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
-
Electric Range
131 - 143 km
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
19.7 kWh
co2
140 g/km
co2
25 - 173 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
40 - 50 L

Dimensions and Body
Body Type
Coupe
Body Type
Hatchback
Seats
2
Seats
5
Doors
-
Doors
5
Curb weight
1,114 kg
Curb weight
1,307 - 1,662 kg
Trunk capacity
127 L
Trunk capacity
273 - 381 L
Length
-
Length
4,282 - 4,292 mm
Width
1,735 mm
Width
1,789 mm
Height
-
Height
1,463 - 1,483 mm
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
1,129 - 1,230 L
Payload
166 kg
Payload
438 - 508 kg

Engine and Performance
Engine Type
Petrol
Engine Type
Petrol, Petrol MHEV, Diesel, Plugin Hybrid
Transmission
Manuel
Transmission
Manuel, Automatic
Transmission Detail
Manual Gearbox
Transmission Detail
Manual Gearbox, Dual-Clutch Automatic
Drive Type
Rear-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Power HP
132 HP
Power HP
116 - 325 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
8.6 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
5.3 - 10.2 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
220 - 270 km/h
Torque
152 Nm
Torque
220 - 420 Nm
Number of Cylinders
4
Number of Cylinders
4
Power kW
97 kW
Power kW
85 - 239 kW
Engine capacity
1,496 cm3
Engine capacity
1,498 - 1,984 cm3

General
Model Year
2025
Model Year
2025
CO2 Efficiency Class
E
CO2 Efficiency Class
D, C, F, B
Brand
Mazda
Brand
VW
Is the Mazda MX-5 Coupe offered with different drivetrains?

The Mazda MX-5 Coupe is offered with Rear-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.