Mazda MX-5 Roadster vs VW Polo – Differences & prices compared

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

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 has a clearly advantage in terms of price – it starts at 17000 £, while the Mazda MX-5 Roadster costs 28400 £. That’s a price difference of around 11447 £.

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

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 has a distinct edge – offering 207 HP compared to 132 HP. That’s roughly 75 HP more horsepower.

In acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h, the VW Polo is noticeable quicker – completing the sprint in 6.50 s, while the Mazda MX-5 Roadster takes 8.30 s. That’s about 1.80 s faster.

In terms of top speed, the VW Polo performs slightly better – reaching 240 km/h, while the Mazda MX-5 Roadster tops out at 204 km/h. The difference is around 36 km/h.

There’s also a difference in torque: the VW Polo pulls decisively stronger with 320 Nm compared to 152 Nm. That’s about 168 Nm difference.

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 Polo offers significantly more seating capacity – 5 vs 2.

In curb weight, the Mazda MX-5 Roadster is slight lighter – 1078 kg compared to 1143 kg. The difference is around 65 kg.

In terms of boot space, the VW Polo offers significantly more room – 351 L compared to 130 L. That’s a difference of about 221 L.

When it comes to payload, VW Polo clearly takes the win – 457 kg compared to 152 kg. That’s a difference of about 305 kg.

Our conclusion: The VW Polo proves to be wins the duel decisively and thus becomes our DriveDuel Champion!
Overall, VW Polo is the better all-rounder in this comparison.