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SEAT Leon vs Volvo XC40 comparison

Compare performance (272 HP vs 197 HP), boot space and price (24,500 £ vs 36,800 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – SEAT Leon or Volvo XC40?

SEAT Leon vs Volvo XC40: Key differences

SEAT Leon

4.4 (2 Reviews)
rate
  • significantly cheaper
  • clearly more power
  • significantly more efficient
  • clearly lighter

Volvo XC40

5 (4 Reviews)
rate
  • barely quicker 0–100 km/h
  • slightly more trunk space

All details on performance, efficiency, range and trunk space can be found in the technical comparison below – including user reviews for both models.

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

Leon

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 significantly cheaper – starting at 24,500 £ , while the Volvo XC40 costs 36,800 £ . That’s a price difference of around 12,308 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the SEAT Leon uses 1.2 L/100km and is significantly more efficient than the Volvo XC40 with 6.5 L/100km. The difference is about 5.3 L/100km.

XC40

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 clearly more power – delivering 272 HP compared to 197 HP. That’s roughly 75 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the Volvo XC40 is barely quicker – completing the sprint in 7.6 s, while the SEAT Leon takes 7.7 s. That’s about 0.1 s quicker.

Looking at top speed, the SEAT Leon is somewhat faster – reaching 220 km/h, while the Volvo XC40 tops out at 180 km/h. The difference is around 40 km/h.

There’s also a difference in torque: the SEAT Leon delivers moderately more torque with 360 Nm compared to 300 Nm. That’s about 60 Nm more.

Leon

Space and Everyday Use:

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

Both vehicles offer seating for 5 people.

In terms of curb weight, SEAT Leon is clearly lighter – 1,344 kg compared to 1,688 kg. The difference is around 344 kg.

Looking at boot space, the Volvo XC40 offers slightly more boot space – 452 L compared to 380 L. That’s a difference of about 72 L.

For maximum load capacity, the Volvo XC40 offers very slightly more capacity – up to 1,328 L, about 27 L more than the SEAT Leon.

When it comes to payload, the Volvo XC40 carries marginally more – 532 kg compared to 521 kg. That’s a difference of about 11 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The SEAT Leon 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 £24,500
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
details

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Costs and Consumption
View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance
View detailed analysis

Dimensions and Body
View detailed analysis

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.

details
Small-33980-LeonSEDynamic-MysteryBlue
Small-33989-LeonSEDynamic-MysteryBlue
ipp-all-new-seat-leon-114-hq
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

Volvo XC40

The Volvo XC40 wraps Scandinavian minimalism into a compact, city-ready SUV with a premium cabin that feels both practical and grown-up. It will suit buyers who prize safety, clever storage and a composed ride, proving that small dimensions don't mean small personality.

details
223202_XC40_Inscription_-_exterior
223206_XC40_Inscription_-_exterior
223200_XC40_Inscription_-_exterior
265601_XC40_Recharge_Plug-In_Hybrid_R-Design_Leather_Charcoal_in_Charcoal
265600_XC40_AWD_R-Design_expression_in_Crystal_White_Pearl

Reviews Volvo XC40

5 (4 Reviews)
rate

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

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Costs and Consumption
Price
24,500 - 36,400 £
Price
36,800 - 47,200 £
Consumption L/100km
1.2 - 5.5 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
6.5 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
133 km
Electric Range
-
Battery Capacity
19.7 kWh
Battery Capacity
-
co2
27 - 126 g/km
co2
147 - 148 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
40 - 45 L
Fuel tank capacity
54 L

Dimensions and Body
Body Type
Hatchback
Body Type
SUV
Seats
5
Seats
5
Doors
5
Doors
5
Curb weight
1,344 - 1,657 kg
Curb weight
1,688 kg
Trunk capacity
270 - 380 L
Trunk capacity
452 L
Length
4,368 mm
Length
4,425 mm
Width
1,799 mm
Width
1,863 mm
Height
1,442 - 1,460 mm
Height
1,652 mm
Max trunk capacity
1,187 - 1,301 L
Max trunk capacity
1,328 L
Payload
473 - 521 kg
Payload
532 kg

Engine and Performance
Engine Type
Petrol, Petrol MHEV, Plugin Hybrid, Diesel
Engine Type
Petrol MHEV
Transmission
Manuel, Automatic
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission Detail
Manual Gearbox, Dual-Clutch Automatic
Transmission Detail
Dual-Clutch Automatic
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive
Power HP
116 - 272 HP
Power HP
163 - 197 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
7.7 - 10.5 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
7.6 - 8.6 s
Max Speed
197 - 220 km/h
Max Speed
180 km/h
Torque
220 - 360 Nm
Torque
265 - 300 Nm
Number of Cylinders
4
Number of Cylinders
4
Power kW
85 - 200 kW
Power kW
120 - 145 kW
Engine capacity
1,498 - 1,968 cm3
Engine capacity
1,969 cm3

General
Model Year
2,024 - 2,026
Model Year
2,024
CO2 Efficiency Class
D, B
CO2 Efficiency Class
E
Brand
SEAT
Brand
Volvo
Is the SEAT Leon offered with different drivetrains?

The SEAT Leon is offered with Front-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.