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Mazda MX-5 Roadster vs SEAT Leon comparison

Compare performance (132 HP vs 272 HP), boot space and price (29,000 £ vs 24,800 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Mazda MX-5 Roadster or SEAT Leon?

Mazda MX-5 Roadster vs SEAT Leon: Key differences

Mazda MX-5 Roadster

  • markedly lighter
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SEAT Leon

4.4 (2 Reviews)
rate
  • slightly cheaper
  • significantly more power
  • significantly more efficient
  • very slightly quicker 0–100 km/h
  • clearly more trunk space
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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

MX-5 Roadster

Costs and Efficiency:

Price and efficiency are key factors when choosing a car – and this is often where the real differences emerge.

SEAT Leon is slightly cheaper – starting at 24,800 £ , while the Mazda MX-5 Roadster costs 29,000 £ . That’s a price difference of around 4,157 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the SEAT Leon uses 1.2 L/100km and is significantly more efficient than the Mazda MX-5 Roadster with 6.2 L/100km. The difference is about 5 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 SEAT Leon offers significantly more power – delivering 272 HP compared to 132 HP. That’s roughly 140 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the SEAT Leon is very slightly quicker – completing the sprint in 7.7 s, while the Mazda MX-5 Roadster takes 8.3 s. That’s about 0.6 s quicker.

There’s also a difference in torque: the SEAT Leon delivers substantially more torque with 360 Nm compared to 152 Nm. That’s about 208 Nm more.

MX-5 Roadster

Space and Everyday Use:

Cabin size, boot volume and payload all play a role in everyday practicality. Here, comfort and flexibility make the difference.

Seats: SEAT Leon offers more seats – 5 vs 2.

In terms of curb weight, Mazda MX-5 Roadster is markedly lighter – 1,078 kg compared to 1,344 kg. The difference is around 266 kg.

Looking at boot space, the SEAT Leon offers clearly more boot space – 380 L compared to 130 L. That’s a difference of about 250 L.

When it comes to payload, the SEAT Leon carries clearly more – 521 kg compared to 152 kg. That’s a difference of about 369 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The SEAT Leon is decisively ahead 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 £24,800
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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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.

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Reviews Mazda MX-5 Roadster

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-35510-SEATLeonkeepsWhatCarAwardinthefamily

Reviews SEAT Leon

4.4 (2 Reviews)
rate
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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Mazda MX-5 Roadster
SEAT Leon

Costs and Consumption
Price
29,000 - 34,300 £
Price
24,800 - 36,800 £
Consumption L/100km
6.2 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
-
co2
140 g/km
co2
28 - 126 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
-

Dimensions and Body
Body Type
Roadster
Body Type
Hatchback
Seats
2
Seats
5
Doors
-
Doors
-
Curb weight
1,078 kg
Curb weight
1,344 - 1,657 kg
Trunk capacity
130 L
Trunk capacity
270 - 380 L
Length
-
Length
-
Width
1,735 mm
Width
1,799 mm
Height
-
Height
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
152 kg
Payload
473 - 521 kg

Engine and Performance
Engine Type
Petrol
Engine Type
Petrol, Petrol MHEV, Plugin Hybrid, Diesel
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
116 - 272 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
8.3 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
7.7 - 10.5 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
-
Torque
152 Nm
Torque
220 - 360 Nm
Number of Cylinders
4
Number of Cylinders
4
Power kW
97 kW
Power kW
85 - 200 kW
Engine capacity
1,496 cm3
Engine capacity
1,498 - 1,968 cm3

General
Model Year
2025
Model Year
2,024 - 2,026
CO2 Efficiency Class
E
CO2 Efficiency Class
D, B
Brand
Mazda
Brand
SEAT
What drive types are available for the Mazda MX-5 Roadster?

The Mazda MX-5 Roadster is available as 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.