Abarth 500e 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.
Price Breakdown
The Abarth 500e starts from $60,500 before on-road costs, while the CUPRA Leon Sportstourer opens at $59,990. That makes the CUPRA Leon Sportstourer the more affordable entry point by $510.
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. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $66,550 and $65,989 respectively.
Both models qualify for Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) exemption, which is a significant advantage for salary-sacrificed novated leases. Depending on your tax bracket, this can save $5,000-$15,000+ per year compared to an equivalent ICE vehicle.
Safety Rundown
The CUPRA Leon Sportstourer holds a 5-star ANCAP rating vs 4 stars for the Abarth 500e.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. The CUPRA Leon Sportstourer packs more ADAS features with 8 out of 10 key systems fitted, compared to 1 in the Abarth 500e.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 6 in the Abarth 500e and 10 in the CUPRA Leon Sportstourer.
Feature Showdown
The Abarth 500e features a 10.3-inch touchscreen, 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 Abarth 500e stands out with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, wireless charging and JBL audio that you will not find on the CUPRA Leon Sportstourer. The CUPRA Leon Sportstourer counters with Apple CarPlay, power tailgate, Sennheiser audio and ambient lighting. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Abarth 500e gets leather & alcantara upholstery while the CUPRA Leon Sportstourer offers leather-appointed. Climate control is 1-zone in the Abarth 500e and 3-zone in the CUPRA Leon Sportstourer.
Drivetrain
The Abarth 500e uses a Electric producing 113kW and 235Nm of torque, sent through a single-speed automatic to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 7 seconds.
The CUPRA Leon Sportstourer responds with a 4-cyl Turbo Petrol PHEV making 130kW and 250Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 7.3 seconds.
The CUPRA Leon Sportstourer has the clear power advantage at 130kW vs 113kW. In the real-world sprint, the Abarth 500e is 0.3s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
DC fast charging peaks at 85kW (Abarth 500e) vs 50kW (CUPRA Leon Sportstourer).
Space & Comfort
The Abarth 500e measures 3,673mm long on a 2,322mm wheelbase, 983mm shorter than the CUPRA Leon Sportstourer at 4,656mm (2,682mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the CUPRA Leon Sportstourer generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 185L in the Abarth 500e and 470L in the CUPRA Leon Sportstourer, giving the CUPRA Leon Sportstourer a 285L advantage. The CUPRA Leon Sportstourer seats 5 vs 4.
0Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
9.4m to 10.8m
Based on 9.4m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 10.8m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
True Cost to Own
Running cost data is not yet available for both models. We will update when figures are confirmed.
Warranty: 3 years / 150,000km (Abarth 500e) vs 5 years / 999,999km (CUPRA Leon Sportstourer). The CUPRA Leon Sportstourer has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Abarth 500e if: You or prefer Abarth's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the CUPRA Leon Sportstourer if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, need more boot space, value a longer warranty, or prefer CUPRA's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The CUPRA Leon Sportstourer takes 6 of 9 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. If boot space matters, the CUPRA Leon Sportstourer has a clear edge. The CUPRA Leon Sportstourer adds peace of mind with a longer 5-year warranty. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Abarth 500e and CUPRA Leon Sportstourer?
The CUPRA Leon Sportstourer is the cheapest at $59,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Abarth 500e by $510.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The CUPRA Leon Sportstourer uses the least fuel at 1.5L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
The CUPRA Leon Sportstourer has the highest ANCAP rating at 5 stars.
Which has the most boot space?
The CUPRA Leon Sportstourer has the largest boot at 470L.
Which can tow the most?
The CUPRA Leon Sportstourer has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,200kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The CUPRA Leon Sportstourer has the longest warranty at 5 years / 1000k km.
Which is the most powerful?
The CUPRA Leon Sportstourer makes the most power at 130kW. The Abarth 500e is quickest to 100km/h in 7s.
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
Comments (0)
Sign in to join the conversation
No comments yet. Be the first!
