ON first glance it might not strike you as an SUV but what’s before you here can be viewed as a more butch version of the popular Ateca.
The CUPRA Formentor is aimed squarely – or, rather, not-so squarely – at buyers who want an SUV that doesn’t look box-shaped and boring. Not that the Ateca is boring.
Sleek, stylish, sporty and decently equipped, it also scores well as a family car.The CUPRA name was first used back in 1996 on the SEAT Ibiza – and it’s a name that has grown in popularity with UK buyers.
There’s a heavy VW Group influence – you can’t miss it on the inside. But it’s given a different feel by the subtle use of CUPRA’s signature copper/bronze coloured stitching and the big brand logo in the middle of the multi function steering wheel that features more buttons that a big girl’s blouse.
The engine range starts with the 148bhp 1.5 TSI 150 petrol, and it’s a good choice. It’s a unit that does service across the VW Group and while it might seem a bit at odds in a range that has the accent on performance it’s actually no slouch. And you don’t need to work it hard to make decent progress.
The standard suspension that comes with the V1 trim is fairly firm but manages to strike a good balance between comfort and body control. It’s surprisingly agile for an SUV and you can press on with confidence, knowing it’s not going to loll about like a galleon in a gale, and keep its four wheels in contact with the black stuff.
The low driving position here means your vision is not as commanding as in a regular SUV but the pillar are slim enough not to compromise your view too much at junctions.The dashboard is a tidy piece of design but there are no proper buttons or switches. The air-conditioning controls have been replaced with touch-sensitive pads that are’t really intuitive, so you have to look away from the road to find them.
All Formentors come with built-in sat nav, DAB radio, four USB-C ports, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring, wireless phone-charging and, since a 2024 facelift, a larger 12.9inch infotainment touchscreen which is clear, informative and easy to master.
There’s plenty of head room in the front of the Formentor and the seats slide back a long way. And if you’re looking at the picture and thinking Formentor’s rakish coupé roofline will make it less practical than rivals for rear-seat space, you’d be wrong. Two tall adults will fit comfortably, with good head and leg room.
Entry level V1 trim gives you parking aids (but no rear camera (you need to step up to V2 for that) and that big touchscreen, 18in alloy wheels, full LED headlights, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, privacy glass, power-folding door mirrors, three-zone climate control, adaptive cruise control and keyless entry.
Whichever trim level you go for, you’ll be getting a good amount of safety equipment too, with automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance and traffic-sign recognition all coming as standard.
And all new Cupra models now come with a five year/90,000 mile warranty.
CUPRA Formentor V1
Price: £36,175 (£36,870 as tested)
Engine: 1.5 litre, four cylinder, petrol
Power: 148bhp
Torque: 184lb/ft
Transmission: 7 speed DSG
Top speed: 127mph
0-62mph: 9.0 seconds
Economy: 47.9mpg
CO2 emissions: 133g/km