Audi RS5 vs CUPRA Leon Sportstourer
Two electric cars go head to head. Which EV is the better buy for Australian drivers in 2026?
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Audi RS5
From $179,900
Sedan
Plug-in Hybrid
Twin-turbo V6 and Plug-in-Hybrid Electric Vehicle technology (PHEV)
470kW
4.2 kWh/100km
ANCAP: no data
—
CUPRA Leon Sportstourer
From $69,990
Wagon
Plug-in Hybrid
4-cyl Turbo Petrol PHEV
200kW
1.5 kWh/100km
5★ ANCAP
470L
Audi RS5: we're still completing length, width, height, wheelbase and kerb weight, plus 6 others.
A blank cell below means we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.
Plug-in hybrid fuel economy is shown as a hybrid (battery depleted) so it compares fairly with the other car. A PHEV's official "combined" figure assumes you start every trip fully charged, so real-world economy depends on how often you plug in. Electric range shows how far it goes before the petrol engine is needed.
Track the Audi RS5 & CUPRA Leon Sportstourer
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Price Breakdown
The Audi RS5 starts from $179,900 before on-road costs, while the CUPRA Leon Sportstourer opens at $69,990. That makes the CUPRA Leon Sportstourer the more affordable entry point by $109,910.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. Estimated driveaway prices sit around $195,216 for the Audi RS5 and $76,610 for the CUPRA Leon Sportstourer.
Over 5 years, the running costs are nearly identical since both have similar efficiency.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Charging Times
How long each takes to charge, from a household power point to ultra-rapid DC, estimated from battery size and max charge rates.
How long to charge
22kWh usableEstimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (7.4kW AC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
How long to charge
20kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 50kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (7.4kW AC, 50kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The Audi RS5 features a 14.5-inch touchscreen paired with a 11.9-inch digital dash, while the CUPRA Leon Sportstourer gets a 12.9-inch display and 10.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Audi RS5 stands out with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, head-up display, wireless charging, panoramic roof, heated front seats, ventilated seats and Bang & Olufsen audio — features our data doesn't list for the CUPRA Leon Sportstourer. The CUPRA Leon Sportstourer counters with Apple CarPlay and Sennheiser audio. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Audi RS5 gets rs sport seats plus in leather combination upholstery, perforated with honeycomb pattern (leather appointed: genuine and artificial leather) upholstery while the CUPRA Leon Sportstourer offers leather.
Drivetrain
The Audi RS5 uses a Twin-turbo V6 and Plug-in-Hybrid Electric Vehicle technology (PHEV) producing 470kW and 825Nm of torque, sent through a 8-speed tiptronic to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 3.6 seconds.
The CUPRA Leon Sportstourer responds with a 4-cyl Turbo Petrol PHEV making 200kW and 400Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 7.3 seconds.
The Audi RS5 has the clear power advantage at 470kW vs 200kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Audi RS5 is 3.7s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Battery: 25.9kWh (Audi RS5) vs 20kWh (CUPRA Leon Sportstourer), giving WLTP ranges of 78km and 121km.
Space & Comfort
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.8m diameter
Good
Based on 10.8m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Interactive simulator: U-turns, parking & towing
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns are easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
Good
Needs a 3-point turn (one reverse)
Needs about 9.4 m to swing round without stopping. Road is 9.0 m.
U-turn on a wide street
≥ 10 m: clears in one
U-turn on a standard street
7 m: 3-point turn
Standard parking bay
1.8 m wide: fits with room
Tight carpark aisle
6 m: swings in
Narrow laneway
3.5 m: no room to turn
Turning circle ratings
Standard widths: AU local streets carry ~5.5–7 m of carriageway; main roads ~9–12 m. AS 2890.1 carpark aisles are ~5.8–6.6 m for 90° bays (2.6 m wide × 5.4 m deep).
Road, aisle, swing and off-tracking figures are indicative estimates from the published turning circle. Verify in person before relying on them.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, electricity costs roughly $202/year for the Audi RS5 and $72/year for the CUPRA Leon Sportstourer. That is a $130 annual difference in favour of the CUPRA Leon Sportstourer.
Warranty: 5 years (Audi RS5) vs 5 years / 999,999km (CUPRA Leon Sportstourer). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Audi RS5 if: You prioritise performance, or prefer Audi's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the CUPRA Leon Sportstourer if: You want the lower entry price, want lower running costs, or prefer CUPRA's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The CUPRA Leon Sportstourer takes 4 of 7 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. The CUPRA Leon Sportstourer will save you roughly $130 a year in electricity. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Audi RS5 and CUPRA Leon Sportstourer?
The CUPRA Leon Sportstourer is the cheapest at $69,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Audi RS5 by $109,910.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The CUPRA Leon Sportstourer uses the least fuel at 1.5L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
CUPRA Leon Sportstourer holds a 5-star ANCAP rating. We have no published ANCAP rating for Audi RS5, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which can tow the most?
The CUPRA Leon Sportstourer has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,200kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Audi RS5 makes the most power at 470kW. The Audi RS5 is quickest to 100km/h in 3.6s.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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