Cupra Formentor
2.0 TSI 190 V2 5dr DSG 4Drive
Cupra Formentor
1.5 eTSI 150 V1 5dr DSG
Cupra Formentor
2.0 TSI 310 VZ3 5dr DSG 4Drive
Cupra Formentor
1.5 eTSI 150 V2 5dr DSG
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Despite its coupe-like swooping roofline, the Cupra Formentor is a practical car with enough space for family life. You get lots of headroom in the front seats and although headroom in the back seats isn’t a match for more boxy-looking SUVs the back is comfortable for two adults.
The boot has a capacity of 450 litres, which is more than you get in most mid-size hatchbacks but a bit short of mid-size SUVs such as the Peugeot 3008 or Skoda Karoq.
The Formentor sits at the top-end of the relatively small Cupra range. It’s slightly longer (but lower) than the Ateca SUV and larger than the Born electric hatchback. The hatchback is smaller, but the Leon ST estate is longer. The Cupra Tavascan SUV, set to go on sale in 2024, will be bigger still.
The Cupra Formentor was tested by independent safety organisation Euro NCAP in 2021 and was given a maximum five-star score, with strong performance in all areas. Standard safety systems include automatic emergency braking and lane-keep assist while higher-spec models also have features such as blind-spot monitoring.
There are no full-hybrid Cupra Formentors but there are two plug-in hybrid models, badged e-Hybrid. They use the same 1.4-litre petrol engine with an electric motor, but have different power outputs – the eHybrid 204 has 201bhp, while the e-Hybrid 245 has 242bhp. Keep the battery charged and you should get up to 31 miles of electric-only driving, according to official figures.
