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Holden Commodore vs Cupra Leon

What's the difference?

VS
Holden Commodore
Holden Commodore

$9,999 - $34,990

2018 price

Cupra Leon
Cupra Leon

$36,880 - $67,888

2023 price

Summary

2018 Holden Commodore
2023 Cupra Leon
Safety Rating

Engine Type
Diesel Turbo 4, 2.0L

Turbo 4, 1.4L
Fuel Type
Diesel

Premium Unleaded/Electric
Fuel Efficiency
5.6L/100km (combined)

1.8L/100km (combined)
Seating
5

5
Dislikes
  • Relatively unassuming looks
  • V6 not as refined as the 2.0 turbo
  • VXR doesn't match the romance of old V8 SS

  • Infuriating multimedia system
  • Expensive
  • PHEV-related limited boot space
2018 Holden Commodore Summary

For many Australians, calling the new ZB a Commodore is tantamount to being forced to call your Mum’s new boyfriend ‘Dad.’ 

It's not built here, available in rear-wheel drive, there's no sign of a V8 or a sedan body, so why should we accept it as a worthy heir to the badge worn by Holden’s proudest model since 1978? 

One big reason is that it was always going to be the next Commodore, even before Holden decided to stop building cars in Australia. Yes, it was even set to be built here. 

Once the VE/VF Commodore’s Zeta platform was axed during General Motors’ post-GFC rationalisation, the next best thing was to align with the Opel/Vauxhall Insignia designed primarily for Europe. 

Holden was actually involved with the new Insignia’s development from the beginning, which has led to some key details for the Commodore version and Australia, and a whole lot of input from our world-renowned Aussie engineering team. 

So it’s a whole lot more Commodore than you may realise. Whether it lives up to its reputation is another matter. 

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2023 Cupra Leon Summary

Behold the beautiful Cupra Leon VZe.

Like its name and multimedia screen, this enigmatic hatchback needs some decoding to make sense to Australians.

Essentially, the Leon VZe is a variation of today's eighth-generation Volkswagen Golf. Except it's built in Spain by VW Group subsidiary SEAT (remember them?), offering sleeker styling, and – in VZe guise – a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) powertrain.

In other words, this is similar to the intriguing Golf GTE grade not offered in Australia, but with more than a splash of Balenciaga about the way it looks, feels and drives – and with pricing to match (from $59,990, before on-road costs).

So, does the Leon VZe combine the sportiness of a hot hatch and torquey zing of an EV with the parsimony of a hybrid? Could this be the most complete small car on sale in Australia today?

Let's spill the tea to find out.

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Deep dive comparison

2018 Holden Commodore 2023 Cupra Leon

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