Cupra Leon e-Hybrid vs DS DS4 PureTech 225 EAT8: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the Leon e-Hybrid hits 100 km/h in 7.54 s versus 7.76 s for the DS4 PureTech 225 EAT8. The instant torque of 350 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the Leon e-Hybrid leads by 0.22 s and sits roughly 5 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the Leon e-Hybrid is doing 125 km/h against 126 km/h for the DS4 PureTech 225 EAT8. The gap is 0.19 s. The gap remains stable from the start.

At 400 metres standing start, the Leon e-Hybrid crosses the line in 15.48 s versus 15.61 s. The 0.13 s gap represents roughly 6 m of track — barely a car length.

Past 400 metres, the situation changes. The Leon e-Hybrid maxes out at 225 km/h while the DS4 PureTech 225 EAT8 keeps accelerating towards 245 km/h. At 600 metres, the gap has dropped to 0.04 s.

Around 689 metres, both vehicles are level. This is the inversion point: the DS4 PureTech 225 EAT8 overcomes its launch deficit thanks to a 20 km/h higher top speed.

At 1,000 metres, the DS4 PureTech 225 EAT8 finishes in 27.41 s versus 27.56 s. The 0.15 s delta shows an extremely tight race.

Electronically capped at 225 km/h, the Leon e-Hybrid never reaches its natural aerodynamic ceiling in this duel. That’s not a physical limit of the motor — it’s a deliberate manufacturer decision, typically tied to standard-fit tyre ratings or model-range positioning.

Instant electric torque gives an advantage off the line. The higher top speed of the combustion engine gives an advantage over longer distances. The distance at which one catches the other depends on the top speed differential.

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 11.04 seconds. The 0.22 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.