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Mazda MX-5 Roadster vs VW Golf - Differences and prices compared

Compare performance (132 HP vs 333 HP), boot space and price (28400 £ vs 25200 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Mazda MX-5 Roadster or VW Golf?

Mazda MX-5 Roadster

VW Golf

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

MX-5 Roadster

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 has a somewhat advantage in terms of price – it starts at 25200 £ , while the Mazda MX-5 Roadster costs 28400 £ . That’s a price difference of around 3253 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: VW Golf manages with 1.10 L and is therefore clearly more efficient than the Mazda MX-5 Roadster with 6.20 L. The difference is about 5.10 L per 100 km.

Golf

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 VW Golf has a clearly edge – offering 333 HP compared to 132 HP. That’s roughly 201 HP more horsepower.

In acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h, the VW Golf is clearly quicker – completing the sprint in 4.60 s, while the Mazda MX-5 Roadster takes 8.30 s. That’s about 3.70 s faster.

There’s also a difference in torque: VW Golf pulls decisively stronger with 420 Nm compared to 152 Nm. That’s about 268 Nm difference.

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MX-5 Roadster

Space and Everyday Use:

Beyond pure performance, interior space and usability matter most in daily life. This is where you see which car is more practical and versatile.

Seats: VW Golf offers clearly more seating capacity – 5 vs 2.

In curb weight, Mazda MX-5 Roadster is evident lighter – 1078 kg compared to 1307 kg. The difference is around 229 kg.

In terms of boot space, the VW Golf offers convincingly more room – 381 L compared to 130 L. That’s a difference of about 251 L.

When it comes to payload, VW Golf significantly takes the win – 508 kg compared to 152 kg. That’s a difference of about 356 kg.

Who comes out on top?

Overall, the VW Golf shows itself to be is largely superior and secures the title of DriveDuel Champion.
It convinces with the more balanced overall package and proves to be the more versatile choice for everyday use.

from about £25,200
Golf

VW Golf

  • Engine Type : Petrol MHEV, Petrol, Diesel, Plugin Hybrid
  • Transmission : Automatic, Manuel
  • Drive Type : Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP : 116 - 333 HP
  • Consumption L/100km : 1.1 - 8.1 L
  • Electric Range : 131 - 143 km
details
Mazda MX-5 Roadster
VW Golf

Costs and Consumption
View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance
View detailed analysis

Dimensions and Body
View detailed analysis

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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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 Mazda MX-5 Roadster

Reviews VW Golf

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Mazda MX-5 Roadster
VW Golf

Costs and Consumption
Price
28400 - 33800 £
Price
25200 - 47600 £
Consumption L/100km
6.20 L
Consumption L/100km
1.1 - 8.1 L
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
-
Electric Range
131 - 143 km
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
19.70 kWh
co2
140 g/km
co2
25 - 184 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
40 - 55 L

Dimensions and Body
Body Type
Roadster
Body Type
Hatchback
Seats
2
Seats
5
Doors
-
Doors
5
Curb weight
1078 kg
Curb weight
1307 - 1662 kg
Trunk capacity
130 L
Trunk capacity
273 - 381 L
Length
-
Length
4282 - 4296 mm
Width
1735 mm
Width
1789 mm
Height
-
Height
1454 - 1483 mm
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
1129 - 1237 L
Payload
152 kg
Payload
438 - 508 kg

Engine and Performance
Engine Type
Petrol
Engine Type
Petrol MHEV, Petrol, Diesel, Plugin Hybrid
Transmission
Manuel
Transmission
Automatic, Manuel
Transmission Detail
Manual Gearbox
Transmission Detail
Dual-Clutch Automatic, Manual Gearbox
Drive Type
Rear-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Power HP
132 HP
Power HP
116 - 333 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
8.30 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
4.6 - 10.2 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
202 - 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 - 245 kW
Engine capacity
1496 cm3
Engine capacity
1498 - 1984 cm3

General
Model Year
2025
Model Year
2024 - 2025
CO2 Efficiency Class
E
CO2 Efficiency Class
D, F, G, C, B
Brand
Mazda
Brand
VW

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What drivetrain options does the Mazda MX-5 Roadster have?

The Mazda MX-5 Roadster is offered with Rear-Wheel Drive.

The prices shown are estimates based on German list prices, adjusted for local VAT. Local registration taxes (e.g. NoVA, BPM or CO2 malus) are not included. This information is not legally binding.