Thinking of getting a Cupra Formentor?
Why buy the Cupra Formentor?
The Cupra Formentor is a mid-size SUV coupe with a sporty vibe and sleek looks. Cupra is the Spanish car maker Seat’s premium brand and the Formentor is its first bespoke model – previous Cupra cars were upgraded versions of standard Seat models but there’s no Seat version of the Formentor.
The Formentor has been sold new since 2020 and it shares many parts (including most of its dashboard) with the latest Seat Leon. It’s available with a choice of petrol engine or plug-in hybrid power and every version is fun to drive and well-equipped.
Cupra Formentor range and updates
The Cupra Formentor went on sale in late 2020 with a choice of six trim levels and five power outputs, although some engines were only available with certain trims. All have relatively a sporty feel, as befits the Cupra brand – the name was originally used for sporty Seat models.
The trim levels from lowest to highest spec are V1, V2, VZ1, VZ2, VZ3 and VZ Edition. All are very well-equipped – even the entry-level V1 has 18-inch wheels and a 12-inch infotainment screen. When new, you could pick from a 1.5-litre petrol engine with 148bhp, a 2.0-litre model with 187bhp.
Two plug-in hybrid (PHEV) models were also introduced, with a 1.4-litre petrol engine combined with an electric motor that gives it an electric-only range of up to 31 miles, according to official tests. The PHEVs have 201bhp or 242bhp. If you want a high-performance experience, go for the four-wheel-drive, 2.0-litre model with 306bhp.
Cupra Formentor tech and features
The Formentor’s interior has a dark, sporty look with copper-coloured details (a Cupra speciality).
All models have a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which looks great but will require some time to learn. It makes the dashboard look very smart, but touchscreens are generally harder to use than systems with buttons, especially if you want to adjust something on the move. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included to let you mirror your phone on the car’s screen, and you also get four USB-C charging ports and a wireless phone charger.
Cupra Formentor running costs and value
The Cupra Formentor will cost you a bit more than some rivals but it’s decent value overall.
The 148bhp 1.5-litre models will be the most affordable to buy, and should be the cheapest to run, promising up to 44.8mpg with a manual gearbox, according to official figures. The performance model, with its powerful 2.0-litre engine promises up to 32.8mpg.
You may get the best fuel economy from the PHEV model if you do lots of short journeys where you can use electric power alone. But that’s also one of the most expensive models to buy. There’s no diesel option.
Cupra Formentor vs rivals
When it comes to coupe-style sporty SUVs, rivals for the Cupra Formentor include cars such as the Toyota C-HR and, in looks at least, the Nissan Juke, and all the way up to the BMW X2. Other cars of a similar shape and size include the Citroen C4, Kia XCeed and Renault Arkana. Among these, the Cupra Formentor stands out for its especially sporty look and feel.
