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Mazda MX-5 Coupe vs VW Polo comparison

Compare performance (132 HP vs 207 HP), boot space and price (30,800 £ vs 17,300 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Mazda MX-5 Coupe or VW Polo?

Mazda MX-5 Coupe vs VW Polo: Key differences

Mazda MX-5 Coupe

  • marginally lighter
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VW Polo

4.1 (3 Reviews)
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  • significantly cheaper
  • visibly more power
  • markedly more efficient
  • markedly quicker 0–100 km/h
  • substantially 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:

Price and efficiency are often the first things buyers look at. Here it becomes clear which model has the long-term edge – whether at the pump, the plug, or in purchase price.

VW Polo is significantly cheaper – starting at 17,300 £ , while the Mazda MX-5 Coupe costs 30,800 £ . That’s a price difference of around 13,590 £.

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

Polo

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 VW Polo offers visibly more power – delivering 207 HP compared to 132 HP. That’s roughly 75 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the VW Polo is markedly quicker – completing the sprint in 6.5 s, while the Mazda MX-5 Coupe takes 8.6 s. That’s about 2.1 s quicker.

There’s also a difference in torque: the VW Polo delivers considerably more torque with 320 Nm compared to 152 Nm. That’s about 168 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 Polo offers more seats – 5 vs 2.

In terms of curb weight, Mazda MX-5 Coupe is marginally lighter – 1,114 kg compared to 1,143 kg. The difference is around 29 kg.

Looking at boot space, the VW Polo offers substantially more boot space – 351 L compared to 127 L. That’s a difference of about 224 L.

When it comes to payload, the VW Polo carries significantly more – 457 kg compared to 166 kg. That’s a difference of about 291 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The VW Polo 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 £17,300
Polo

VW Polo

  • Engine Type : Petrol
  • Transmission : Manuel, Automatic
  • Drive Type : Front-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP : 80 - 207 HP
  • Consumption L/100km : 5.1 - 6.5 L/100km
Mazda MX-5 Coupe
VW Polo

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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VW Polo

The Polo is a small car with surprisingly grown-up refinement, delivering comfortable packaging, crisp handling and a build quality that punches above its class. For buyers who want a practical, fuss-free hatch that still feels a little premium, it’s a sensible, slightly cheeky choice you’ll enjoy every day.

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Mazda MX-5 Coupe
VW Polo

Costs and Consumption

Price
30,800 - 36,200 £
Price
17,300 - 30,800 £
Consumption L/100km
6.2 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
5.1 - 6.5 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
-
Electric Range
-
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
-
co2
140 g/km
co2
116 - 148 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
-

Dimensions and Body

Body Type
Coupe
Body Type
Hatchback
Seats
2
Seats
5
Doors
-
Doors
-
Curb weight
1,114 kg
Curb weight
1,143 - 1,378 kg
Trunk capacity
127 L
Trunk capacity
351 L
Length
-
Length
-
Width
1,735 mm
Width
1,751 mm
Height
-
Height
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
166 kg
Payload
432 - 457 kg

Engine and Performance

Engine Type
Petrol
Engine Type
Petrol
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
Power HP
132 HP
Power HP
80 - 207 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
8.6 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
6.5 - 15.6 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
-
Torque
152 Nm
Torque
93 - 320 Nm
Number of Cylinders
4
Number of Cylinders
3 - 4
Power kW
97 kW
Power kW
59 - 152 kW
Engine capacity
1,496 cm3
Engine capacity
999 - 1,984 cm3

General

Model Year
2025
Model Year
2,024 - 2,025
CO2 Efficiency Class
E
CO2 Efficiency Class
D, E
Brand
Mazda
Brand
VW
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.