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NEW Mild hybrid vs hybrid car – which is REALLY cheaper? Seat Leon vs Toyota Corolla | What Car?

In this test we drive 200 miles in a mild hybrid and a routine hybrid cars and truck. What's the distinction and which is cheaper? We crunch the numbers to find out.

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Comments

67 responses to “NEW Mild hybrid vs hybrid car – which is REALLY cheaper? Seat Leon vs Toyota Corolla | What Car?”

  1. @dzat Avatar
    @dzat

    just get the corolla…it will last 10-20 yrs and its a proven 1.8 prius hybrid which can easily clock 1 million km mileage in taxi used in NY

    Reply
    1. @bikeman123 Avatar
      @bikeman123

      Who wants a car for 20 years?

      Reply
    2. @Brian-om2hh Avatar
      @Brian-om2hh

      I did…..and I don’t regret it one bit.

      Reply
    3. @gb649 Avatar
      @gb649

      just get your favorite car. you only live once. dont waste your time saving pennies

      Reply
    4. @Brian-om2hh Avatar
      @Brian-om2hh

      @@bikeman123 True, not necessarily everyone, but I think you miss the point. The Corolla (and perhaps some other cars too) have enviable reputations for build quality and reliability. Even if you didn’t keep one for 20 years, their known qualities still makes them desirable as used buys at 5, 10 or even more years old…..

      Reply
    5. @Naffacakes98 Avatar
      @Naffacakes98

      ​@@bikeman123its a lot more common than you think, or people are keeping their cars for longer than the usual 3-5 years

      Reply
  2. @alexanderstefanov6474 Avatar
    @alexanderstefanov6474

    The base model corolla has all the spec you need, plus 16″ wheels, not those ridiculous low profile things. The Toyota will be trouble free and worth twice as much as the seat in 5 years

    Reply
    1. @Brian-om2hh Avatar
      @Brian-om2hh

      The 16 inch wheels were a further reason I switched from a Skoda Kamiq (with 18 inch wheels and skinny tyres) to the Corolla estate. The improvement in ride comfort was remarkable…..and my 68 year old back really does appreciate the difference. And yes, Toyota’s hold their value very well.

      Reply
    2. @knowntobehonest Avatar
      @knowntobehonest

      They are dead slow.

      Reply
    3. @willrichardson519 Avatar
      @willrichardson519

      Smoother suspension/ride with the 16″ wheels than bigger ones, I understand.

      Reply
  3. @robinterrycomposer103 Avatar
    @robinterrycomposer103

    I have a Corolla hybrid hatchback, and I can confirm that town driving is very economical indeed – 70+ mpg. Also, I drive to work mostly on motorways, and I try to use cruise control as much as I can. This seems to help the hybrid system decide better how to achieve the best fuel economy. When I drive like that, I can get 60-65 mpg even with motorway driving.

    One thing that sometimes puts people off Corolla hybrids is the use of a CVT transmission. CVTs have a poor reputation for reliability (see Nissan’s current problems) but the transmission in the Corolla is actually an eCVT, which is a different kind of transmission altogether that gives CVT-like behaviour without the use of a belt. So the reliability concerns go away. I looked up what transmission the Leon hybrid uses, and it’s a six-speed automatic.

    Reply
    1. @robinterrycomposer103 Avatar
      @robinterrycomposer103

      The fuel saving I see with cruise control might of course be because I’m a bit heavy footed on the accelerator, and I’m forever lifting and pressing. Cruise control stops me doing that, so that could be the reason.

      Reply
    2. @Brian-om2hh Avatar
      @Brian-om2hh

      Yes, as a Corolla estate owner, I agree with those figures….although I don’t use cruise control.

      Reply
    3. @Brian-om2hh Avatar
      @Brian-om2hh

      @@robinterrycomposer103 Every change of pressure on the pedal – even slight changes – will take several seconds to stabilise within the fuel delivery system. You should avoid doing this…..

      Reply
    4. @superstevie2680 Avatar
      @superstevie2680

      I don’t think people have an issue with CVT because of reliability, not from a Toyota point of view at least. It is more how they drive. Having had a corolla for 3 years in 2.0 spec, I don’t mind the eCVT at all. The earlier 1.8’s had an issue with it suddenly revving under the slightest accelerator input, making an absolute racket yet not feeling like youre accelerating, but the new generation eCVT have lessened that. The 2.0 doesn’t do it as much as it has a lot more power in the first place. Around town, it’s a great gearbox to have, super smooth to drive.

      Reply
    5. @makemineapint Avatar
      @makemineapint

      I’ve had two Corolla Estates since 2020, both have been faultless apart for when the current one wasn’t used for 6 weeks and the 12v battery went flat, 2hr charge and we were good to go :-), they’re pretty economical about town, the hybrid drive train make stop/start seem positively archaic, they can be exceptional on country roads where the electric cut’s in a lot, we got 76mpg on a tank over a week in Devon a few years ago and regularly achieve 60mpg Summer/55 mpg Winter. The electric will also cut in at 70mph on the motorway if the battery is full and you’re on the flat, when you look at the data in the App it’s amazing how often you’re in electric mode and you don’t waste fuel in traffic jam!. The gearbox is amazing, it allows 60+ mph per 1000 revs on the motorway when the goings steady, I saw a video of how it works and it’s engeneering genius. You have to remember the ICE is as much a generator as a motive unit, so it likes to get warm as quick as possible in the winter and having an Anderson combustion cycle, it isn’t as sprightly as other cars so needs the electric assist, saying that Toyota seems to want to attract Hybrid owners who want comfort, economy and reliability rather than pure performance, the cars encourage relaxed driving and I’ve certainly become more chilled driving one. We’ve become hooked on full Hybrid’s and are also on our 5th Yaris hybrid, the latest ones are also very good, but I think we’ll probably go electric next time we change, BEV’s are now at the point where the cost and range are getting on par with their Hybrid equivalents and the running cost are so much lower.

      Reply
  4. @flyguy1359 Avatar
    @flyguy1359

    I had the Toyota as a courtesy car last year for two months and it never dropped below 65mpg from town and motorway driving, with a very comfy ride

    Reply
    1. @Brian-om2hh Avatar
      @Brian-om2hh

      Yes, spot on. Corolla owner here…. The Corolla’s ride quality is probably the best in it’s class….

      Reply
  5. @robertleong7097 Avatar
    @robertleong7097

    I much agree with your findings. I still have a SEAT Leon 1.4 CoD Sports Tourer since new for 7 years and would say it is sportier and fun to drive but less comfortable. I also have a full hybrid and would concur with the results of your economy test. On the motorway I would get over 60 mpg driving steady at 70 mph with my hybrid and around 52mph with my SEAT. The real benefit is in suburbia where I get around 60 mpg vs 35mpg, a big difference. The Toyota 2 litre was on my radar. However I bought the 11th gen Honda Civic over the Toyota as it has great handling, fun to drive, faster and yet its very compliant – a great all round practical drivers car.

    Reply
    1. @vasilisskarlatopoulos9051 Avatar
      @vasilisskarlatopoulos9051

      the 2.0 litre Civic hybrid is the perfect car.

      Reply
    2. @volt8684 Avatar
      @volt8684

      @@vasilisskarlatopoulos9051except direct injection = problems after a while

      Reply
    3. @whosthisguythinkheis Avatar
      @whosthisguythinkheis

      im looking at the civic, how is the road noise? can’t compare anything online as it seems every market gets different spec

      Reply
  6. @TL-xw6fh Avatar
    @TL-xw6fh

    If you also want peace of mind for the next 10 years of driving, just get the Toyota. Case closed.

    Reply
    1. @Brian-om2hh Avatar
      @Brian-om2hh

      Particularly if you have your Toyota dealer serviced, because with each service comes a further 12 Months warranty. My father in-law had (and still has) a RAV 4, he bought new 9 years ago. Around 2 or 3 years ago, it failed an MOT on some suspension components. But because he’d kept up a full Toyota dealer service record, the repair/replacement work was carried out under the warranty. He was told it would have cost around £1600, had he not had that warranty in place…..

      Reply
    2. @evanbrugge Avatar
      @evanbrugge

      But I have to sell my caravan 😢

      Reply
  7. @uncontrollablelaugh Avatar
    @uncontrollablelaugh

    I’d definitely pick the Corolla for the proven technology and reliability of the Toyota. Excellent video – informative and entertaining as ever.

    Reply
    1. @superstevie2680 Avatar
      @superstevie2680

      As an estate car, I’d choose the Leon as the boot is better shaped and the up front it has proper storage space. As a company car, I’d choose the Corolla for the much lower BIK. Corolla is nearly £370 a year less than the Leon in these specs.

      Reply
    2. @MauriceNL1 Avatar
      @MauriceNL1

      @@superstevie2680 And the Leon does not have the god awful CVT. A nice normal and super smooth DSG

      Reply
    3. @dd9ag Avatar
      @dd9ag

      @@MauriceNL1eCvt is the smoothest most robust transmission fitted to a vehicle other than a single speed in an EV. Its only downside is if you like to go 80%- full throttle often where it’ll sound pretty awful. But then why would you buy a hybrid to drive around fast in?

      Reply
    4. @gisellekalengankongolo7737 Avatar
      @gisellekalengankongolo7737

      SEAT

      Reply
    5. @Tom-sd2vi Avatar
      @Tom-sd2vi

      @@MauriceNL1 The DSG drives better but the CVT is much much more reliable…

      Reply
  8. @MietoK Avatar
    @MietoK

    After 5 years one will notice what is difference between Toyota and VAG cars 🙂

    Reply
    1. @CastironCoffee Avatar
      @CastironCoffee

      Lucky if VAG car even lasts 5 years….

      Reply
    2. @jaanussaar9481 Avatar
      @jaanussaar9481

      I don’t know, new Toyotas have some 1.2 Peugeot engine that doesn’t even last three oil changes

      Reply
    3. @vasilisskarlatopoulos9051 Avatar
      @vasilisskarlatopoulos9051

      @@jaanussaar9481 which model?almost all are hybrids with 1.5,1.8, 2.0 and 2.5 engines.

      Reply
    4. @hughjanus7354 Avatar
      @hughjanus7354

      @@vasilisskarlatopoulos9051 proace i.e. a rebaged berlingo/rifter/partner

      Reply
    5. @GHJ322 Avatar
      @GHJ322

      I have driven my last Seat for more than 5 years and 75000 miles later there is no need even for brake pads change. It costs me almost nothing. I’ve driven these cars since 1995 till now and I can assure you that you’re talking complete nonsense.

      Reply
  9. @colinfoster7149 Avatar
    @colinfoster7149

    My old ‘17 plate Citroen C4 Grand Picasso could return 72.4 mpg on a long journey, with five people in the car and a full boot. I used cruise control wherever I could (still do). I miss the economy of that thing, now I only get just under 50mpg in my petrol car!

    Reply
    1. @ToreForberg Avatar
      @ToreForberg

      I had the sister car – the 5008 1. gen, for 5 years. Its mpg was on par with the Corolla on long journeys, but 30% higher than the Corolla on local driving which accounts for 70% of my driving. AND I do not need to worry about EGR, DPF etc anymore.
      The diesel is perfect for long relaxed journeys, though. And I miss all the space in the 5008 even if the Corolla is fine (wagon).

      Reply
    2. @Brian-om2hh Avatar
      @Brian-om2hh

      I drove diesel cars of all shapes and sizes for 25+ years, and none of them, without exception, came even close to 72 mpg during motorway driving. Frankly, I don’t believe you..

      Reply
    3. @colinfoster7149 Avatar
      @colinfoster7149

      @@Brian-om2hhoh, ok Brian.

      Reply
  10. @waynephatg Avatar
    @waynephatg

    Corollla is night and day better than any VAG garbage with their horrendous infotainment systems and the utter joke of heater controls. Plus the Toyota will outlive them too.

    Reply
    1. @oliverstemp9132 Avatar
      @oliverstemp9132

      Sound like you’ve not tried a Toyota touchscreen. They aren’t great.

      Reply
    2. @Brian-om2hh Avatar
      @Brian-om2hh

      @@oliverstemp9132 Certainly not the slickest out there, but they do the job. I’ll forgive the not so slick Corolla screen in favour of the really comfortable ride, and the astonishingly good fuel economy….

      Reply
    3. @oliverstemp9132 Avatar
      @oliverstemp9132

      @@Brian-om2hhyou look like a taxi

      Reply
    4. @waynephatg Avatar
      @waynephatg

      @@oliverstemp9132 can’t be any be worse than VAG garbage😂

      Reply
    5. @adwinadwin100 Avatar
      @adwinadwin100

      ​@@oliverstemp9132Corolla touchscreen is night and day better than the VAG junk… It doesn’t freeze and lose the heating controls 😂

      Reply
  11. @waynephatg Avatar
    @waynephatg

    I’ve got the Clio hybrid. Words I’d never thought I’d say. It averages 61mpg and 58 on a motorway. I’m very pleased with it and it drives superbly for a B segment car.

    Reply
  12. @aarongoddard2845 Avatar
    @aarongoddard2845

    I considered both of these and went for the cupra leon estate with same engine as in the video (1.5 tsi mild hybrid) with DSG box. Im averaging upto 66mpg on motorway runs. The Leon estate is bigger, more powerful, better looking inside and out. Also 5 year warranty with Cupra. Bought 7 months old from main dealer. Ex employee car with 3k miles for 23,700. 👌

    Reply
    1. @jdmguy44 Avatar
      @jdmguy44

      The Corolla is more powerful if you go with the 190 hp 2.0 powertrain. The 1.5 eTSi has 150 in its most powerful variant. The warranty on the Toyota is double the Seats at 10 years. Looks are subjective – I prefer the Corolla plus it has a physical controls for HVAC.

      Reply
    2. @aarongoddard2845 Avatar
      @aarongoddard2845

      ​@@jdmguy44 Cupra offers a 2.0 with over 300bhp and AWD if you dont mind the reduction in MPG. Bigger boot on the Leon which is why i bought an estate. Looks are individual of course but i personally dont think Toyota have made a good looking car since the 90s.

      Reply
    3. @CastironCoffee Avatar
      @CastironCoffee

      @@aarongoddard2845 As someone that had an Audi A3 , VAG cars look good but fall apart way too soon.

      Reply
    4. @aarongoddard2845 Avatar
      @aarongoddard2845

      ​@@CastironCoffeeWell as previous owner of BMWs and Vauxhalls im used to cars falling apart 😆

      Reply
    5. @dragospahontu Avatar
      @dragospahontu

      ​@@CastironCoffeewhat do you mean by falling apart?

      Reply
  13. @IwasBraveFor2WholeSeconds Avatar
    @IwasBraveFor2WholeSeconds

    I average 60-62 MPG in the 2022 Seat leon estate 1.5 tsi evo 130 on the motorway, I’ve hit 70 MPG if the roads are extremely flat.. It depends on how heavy your foot is, cruising at 60mph it’s quite achievable. Popping down the road in a 4 mile route to the shops with mixed inner city, roundabouts and a 1 mile duel carriageway I achieve 50-51mpg regularly..If you want to save fuel change gear before 2000 revs and smooth acceleration and gear changes otherwise knock yerself oot..

    Reply
  14. @mykewright1 Avatar
    @mykewright1

    Such a shame Lexus don’t do an estate based on the Corolla, with cooled front seats and a nice Mark Levinson stereo or even better, one based on the Camry.

    Reply
    1. @aidan1585 Avatar
      @aidan1585

      That would be great but i believe lexus’s biggest market is the US where nobody buys estate cars, and i also doubt any one would really buy an expensive estate lexus here in europe either.

      Reply
  15. @asianskywalker Avatar
    @asianskywalker

    I don’t think people appreciate just how good toyota’s hybrid tech is. They’ve made something so complex but so reliable at the same time. Years of development into perfecting it. I have 162k on my Lexus is300h now and not even a hint of an oil leak anywhere. Just been changing oil everk 10k miles.

    Reply
    1. @aidan8535 Avatar
      @aidan8535

      What kind of fuel economy do you get on the is300h? Nice car

      Reply
  16. @zoranm6432 Avatar
    @zoranm6432

    Another thing to also keep in mind. I have a Toyota Camry hybrid. It has no external drive belts. It doesn’t have an alternator a starter motor. And the transmission is just basically a simple coupling. Toyota have never had one fail while virtually all other hybrids still have all those components as well.

    Reply
  17. @henryrolt3747 Avatar
    @henryrolt3747

    6 seconds and I’m saying the Corolla walks it. EDIT: OK so the test route was majority motorway, and the Corolla still won by 5%. Impressive.

    Reply
    1. @odarge Avatar
      @odarge

      very impressed too, nice surprise

      Reply
  18. @Rjhs001 Avatar
    @Rjhs001

    I have a Lexus CT200h with the 1.8 hybrid system. On a recent European road trip that lasted two months I averaged just over 58mpg and I was really pleased with that.
    The Toyota system is so tried and tested and completely reliable. This is my second CT200h and I’d have another one in a heartbeat.

    Reply
    1. @thepete129 Avatar
      @thepete129

      If you like cheap running just get an EV . These pathetic 25% energy savings . EV is 7 X cheaper to
      Home charge . FACT

      Reply
    2. @Rjhs001 Avatar
      @Rjhs001

      ​@@thepete129 Using an EV on the public charging network is not cheap running. I think the environmental impact of everyone replacing their ICE cars with EVs is greater than if we just kept our old cars for as long as possible.

      Reply
  19. @mitevm Avatar
    @mitevm

    You guys picked the Corolla with the biggest wheels and smallest engine for highway driving versus city, but didn’t mention important factors like the Corolla’s much higher resale value and significantly better reliability compared to the VAG car. That’s a big oversight.

    Reply
  20. @robmills481 Avatar
    @robmills481

    I took my 2018 Prius to Rugby. About 165 miles from my home.
    Brimmed before we left. It did just over 70mpg on the trip up there and 75mpg on the way back.
    Set on eco mode but no hypermiling, and always up to the allowed speed limit when possible.
    Used the adaptive cruise control whenever possible too.
    Refilled when we got back and it took about £30 to refill. Amazing.

    Reply

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