Cupra Leon vs Mercedes-Benz A45
What's the difference?

Cupra Leon

$46,990 - $69,990

2026 price

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Mercedes-Benz A45

$49,498 - $76,800

2020 price

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Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Mercedes-Benz A35

Mercedes-Benz A45

Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Summary

2026 Cupra Leon

2020 Mercedes-Benz A45

By Stephen Ottley

By Laura Berry

Safety Rating

Engine Type

—

Turbo 4, 2.0L

Fuel Type

—

Premium Unleaded Petrol

Fuel Efficiency

—

8.9L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Rare wagon option
Sporty VZx hot hatch
Unique styling

310kW from a four cylinder!
Outstanding performance, but not spine destroying
Hatch practicality

Dislikes

Lack of physical buttons
Clinical driving experience
Limited model range (for now)

Rear head- and legroom limited
Looks a bit too low-key without the aero pack
Can be thirsty

2026 Cupra Leon Summary

Cupra is not trying to fit in.

In a car market that is getting more and more crowded the Volkswagen Group-owned Spanish performance brand is looking to stand out. Which is why its refreshed Leon hatchback range has added the most unlikely of new models - a small wagon.

The conventional hatchback is struggling to survive against the onslaught of SUVs, and almost every brand has abandoned the wagon in all its sizes, but not Cupra. It has added the Leon Sportstourer to its facelifted Leon hatchback range, giving buyers looking for something different a new alternative.

This new compact wagon is powered by a plug-in hybrid powertrain and joins the Leon hatch in a three-pronged line-up initially, with the Leon S mild-hybrid and VZx hot hatch. A red hot VZx version of the Sportstourer and plug-in hybrid hatch are locked in to join the local Cupra range in 2026, but for now we’ll focus on this trio.

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2020 Mercedes-Benz A45 Summary

Driving the first-generation Mercedes-AMG A 45 in 2013 was an intense, noisy, brutal experience and I loved every bone-shaking, ear-bleeding moment of it.

But I’m older now, married and have children, and while this is also an intense, noisy, brutal experience I now prefer cars to be less like a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week continuous cage fight. So, I was surprised to find the new-generation A45 S has grown up a bit, too.

So, like me, is the new Mercedes-AMG A 45 S 4Matic+ not as quick as it used to be, and does it have a dad bod, now, too? Far from it. If anything, it’s matured into the serious weapon of a hot hatch it was always supposed to be.

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Deep dive comparison

2026 Cupra Leon 2020 Mercedes-Benz A45

Verdict

There's a lot to like about the updated Leon line-up, but probably not by lots of people. It won't be a best-seller, Cupra doesn't need or even want it to be. What it will do is offer something different, and in the case of the Sportstourer something very rare.

The S and VZx will face stiffer competition in the hatchback markets, primarily from Volkswagen, Audi and even Skoda, and it's hard to pick an area where they really stand out from the competition, apart from the unique styling. Not that they aren't pleasant cars to drive, it's just a crowded market.

Which is why the Sportstourer, especially with its plug-in hybrid powertrain, has a chance to be something that really sets Cupra apart from its rivals. Dynamic, efficient and different, it won’t fit in - and that’s exactly what the brand is hoping for.

Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with meals provided.

Verdict

The Mercedes-AMG A 45 4Matic+ may have grown up a bit in that it’s not as noisy or uncomfortable as the first-generation version which arrived in 2013, But if anything, its more portent than ever. Superb Mercedes-AMG craftmanship, outstanding performance and good value as far as bang for your buck goes.

Cupra Leon vs Mercedes-Benz A45 What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Cupra Leon vs Mercedes-Benz A45
What's the difference?