CUPRA Formentor SUV (2020 - 2024) review

The Cupra Formentor launched as a high-performance model powered by a 310 horsepower petrol engine, the plug-in hybrid versions that have since joined the line-up opening the door to fleet drivers thanks to much-reduced Benefit In Kind (BIK) rating. So it’s a pays your money, takes your choice situation, the high-powered petrol version predictably costing a lot to fuel and tax while being usefully cheaper to buy than the equivalently powerful Mercedes-AMG GLA35 and BMW X2 M35i. On the other hand if you have facility to charge at home the plug-in hybrid version has more than enough poke to drive in electric mode on shorter journeys, meaning you could save a chunk on petrol while enjoying the same stylish looks and sporty vibe. This is very usage dependent, though, and if plugging in isn’t an option the 1.5-litre petrol is a lot cheaper up front, even if tax and other costs are still quite high.

The Formentor shares its foundations, engines and electronics with the latest Volkswagen Golf and many other vehicles within the group, including those from Audi and Skoda. It’s too early to say how reliable this new generation platform is but the economies of scale and generally decent reputation of all these brands should give reason to be confident. If you’re committing to a typical 48-month finance plan you may want to consider upgrading the standard three-year warranty to a five-year one, which you can do for a relatively modest fee if you do so when ordering. A fixed cost service plan is another option worth considering.

The sleeker, more low-slung look of the Formentor is more stylish than the Ateca’s blocky SUV shape but, thankfully, it’s still got plenty of interior space to operate successfully as a family car. Rear headroom is a little less accommodating but legroom is fine for adults and the boot is a decent size, albeit with a high floor for humping shopping onto. The sports seats up front – clad in distinctive blue leather on our test car – are as comfy as they are stylish, following a theme of the cabin in general. Higher powered versions of the Formentor like the one we drove include adaptive dampers, which vary the suspension stiffness according to which of the various driver modes you select from the button on the steering wheel. These models also get bigger wheels, which look good but make the ride comfort at urban speeds somewhat brittle. Same goes for the rest of the range, even on standard suspension and relatively smaller 18-inch wheels. Those buying into the Formentor’s sporty image probably won’t mind this too much and the pay-off is impressive body control as the speeds rise and hot-hatch like agility. In its most potent, all-wheel drive form the Formentor is a fast and enjoyable car to drive, living up to the looks and capable of deploying its considerable performance on any road, in any weather.

The sleeker, more low-slung look of the Formentor is more contemporary and stylish than the Ateca’s blocky SUV shape but, thankfully, it’s still got plenty of interior space to operate successfully as a family SUV. Rear headroom is a little less accommodating but legroom is fine for adults and the boot is a decent size, albeit with a high floor for humping shopping onto. The sports seats up front – clad in distinctive blue leather on our test car – are as comfy as they are stylish, following a theme of the cabin in general. Higher powered versions of the Formentor like the one we drove include adaptive dampers, which vary the suspension stiffness according to which of the various driver modes you select from the button on the steering wheel. These models also get bigger wheels, which look good but make the ride comfort at urban speeds somewhat brittle. Those buying into the Formentor’s sporty image probably won’t mind this too much and the pay-off is impressive body control as the speeds rise and hot-hatch like agility with the bonus of SUV all-wheel drive traction in slippery conditions. In its most potent form the Formentor is a fast and enjoyable car to drive, living up to the looks and capable of deploying its considerable performance on any road, in any weather. Cupra mode adds extra weight to the steering and fake engine noise, neither or which contribute much to the experience but can at least be turned off in the configurable individual setting. Judgement of the more basic models on standard suspension and smaller wheels will have to wait until we’ve had opportunity to test them.

The fact Cupra launched the Formentor in its high-performance variant says all you need to know about the character of this car. The first model to arrive was the 310 horsepower petrol, which has now been joined by the 245 horsepower plug-in hybrid. Lower-powered hybrids and petrols have now joined the range as well. In its flagship guise the Formentor is a seriously fast car, with performance figures to match all-wheel drive hot hatches like the VW Golf R and Audi S3 and little real-world compromise from its taller stance and additional weight. 0-62mph takes less than five seconds and the response to the throttle is strong throughout the rev range, though if you indulge yourself there you’ll be wanting to keep an eye on the speedo to avoid getting into serious trouble. Confidence to use this performance in all weathers comes from the all-wheel drive and the Formentor feels absolutely planted, even when the roads are slippery and wet. Swap to the plug-in hybrid version and you'll get a combined 245 horsepower and, more significantly, up to 37 miles of electric-only driving, which makes it possible to drive this car for most of the week without tapping into fossil fuels. It's a bit slower to 62mph than the petrol version, but it's supremely quiet and smooth, and the official CO2 emissions are a tax-friendly 33g/km.

The fact Cupra launched the Formentor in its high-performance variant says all you need to know about the character of this car. The first model to arrive was the 310 horsepower petrol, which has now been joined by the 245 horsepower plug-in hybrid. Lower-powered hybrids and petrols will expand the range further down the line. In its flagship guise the Formentor is a seriously fast car, with performance figures to match all-wheel drive hot hatches like the VW Golf R and Audi S3 and little real-world compromise from its taller stance and additional weight. 0-62mph takes less than five seconds and the response to the throttle is strong throughout the rev range, though if you indulge yourself there you’ll be wanting to keep an eye on the speedo to avoid getting into serious trouble. Confidence to use this performance in all weathers comes from the all-wheel drive and the Formentor feels absolutely planted, even when the roads are slippery and wet. Swap to the plug-in hybrid version and you'll get a combined 245 horsepower and, more significantly, up to 34 miles of electric-only driving, which makes it possible to drive this car for most of the week without tapping into fossil fuels. It's a bit slower to 62mph than the petrol version, but it's supremely quiet and smooth, and the official CO2 emissions are a tax-friendly 33g/km.