We like the improved CUPRA Formentor. But will it be as appealing in e-HYBRID PHEV form? Jonathan Crouch takes a look.

Ten Second Review

The CUPRA performance brand struck out on its own with the Formentor, a lively Spanish take on the mid-sized performance SUV concept. This Coupe-Crossover will be a rare sight on our roads - and even rarer in this PHEV e-HYBRID plug-in form, but in this improved form, it deserves serious consideration from anyone prioritising efficiency and wanting something just a little different in this segment.

Background

When in 2018, Spanish maker SEAT announced that CUPRA would become a stand-alone brand, we were first served up merely a performance variant of the Iberian maker's Ateca Crossover. This Formentor model in contrast, launched in 2021, was a completely new design - well almost anyway. It did share a platform and some mechanicals with the Ateca, but everything else felt much more bespoke. Now, SEAT wants CUPRA to mean more, creating, in its words, 'a range of unique, sophisticated performance models designed to captivate car enthusiasts'. The idea here, says the company, is 'to create cars not founded in nostalgia but rooted in the present'. Presumably, that's meant to be a dig at directly competing brands like Alfa Romeo and MINI. But can those kinds of ambitions be realised with the extra weight and complexity of a PHEV system on board? Let's check out this much improved Formentor e-Hybrid and find out.

Driving Experience

There are two front-driven e-Hybrid PHEV plug-in derivatives, both now usefully improved and offering either 204 or 272PS. In both cases, a 150PS 1.5-litre TSI petrol engine (up from 1.4-litres before) is mated to a 6-speed DSG auto gearbox and an 85kW electric motor powered by a now-larger 19.7kWh lithium-ion battery with a WLTP-rated all-electric driving range now quoted at 70 miles - nearly double that of the previous 13.0kWh version of this model. Which of course you won't get anywhere near if you explore the quoted all-electric top speed of 80mph or start trying to throw the thing around too much (an extra kerb weight addition of up to 60kgs over a conventionally-engined Formentor discourages you from doing that anyway). There's a set of drive modes - 'Comfort', 'Sport' and 'CUPRA', the latter for those red mist moments. These set-ups determine throttle response, gearshift timings from the DSG 7-speed auto, steering feel and the level of artificial engine noise you'll want pumped into the cabin. An extra 'Individual' menu option allows you to set your own parameters if you don't like the pre-set ones.

Design and Build

There are no significant visual changes differentiating this PHEV variant from other Formentors. As with the latest CUPRA Leon e-Hybrid, this updated Formentor e-Hybrid gets the brand's latest 'shark nose' front end that sees the car gain a broader grille and triangular-shaped LED headlights. The rear CUPRA badge is now illuminated. As before, the Formentor sits a little lower than most other performance SUVs and Crossovers. In fact, it's a full 150mm lower than the Ateca that it is based on and only 50mm higher than the CUPRA Leon hatchback. In terms of size, think Volvo XC40 or Audi Q3, but it has more pavement presence than either of those two cars, the design emphasis being on a long bonnet, which coupled with the lower height, gives the car a very dynamic appearance - and one that is completely distinctive. Inside, the main change with this updated model is the adoption of a larger 12.9-inch central touchscreen which runs new operating software. The touch-sensitive slider controls for temperature and volume are now back-lit too. And the cabin materials are more environmentally-conscious; the cloth upholstery on the optional bucket seats is, for instance, now made from a 73% vegan textile. As before, there's lots of brushed, dark aluminium with copper accents. And a fully-customisable 10-inch digital instrument binnacle; sitting behind a flat-bottomed steering wheel that houses both the engine start button and the 'CUPRA' driving mode buttons. There's the usual stubby VW Group auto gear lever. And a lovely orange LED strip that circumnavigates the top of the dash, flowing into the doors. The rear seat could comfortably take a couple of adults - but three would be tight. And out back, there's a 345-litre boot (down in size from the 420-litre space you get in the conventionally-engined models). With the seats folded, the e-Hybrid's total capacity is 1,370-litres.

Market and Model

Prices for the Formentor e-Hybrid start from around £41,500 from this updated model's launch and there's a wide choice of four trim levels, 'V1', 'V2', 'V3', 'VZ1', 'VZ2' and 'VZ3'. The name VZ comes from the word 'Veloz' in Spanish, translating as 'Speed' or 'Fast'. Even with base 'V1' trim, customers get quite a lot: 18-inch alloy wheels, a 12-inch infotainment touchscreen with connected navigation, a 10-inch digital driver binnacle, LED headlights, rain-sensing wipers, Adaptive Cruise Control, a wireless smartphone charger, a leather steering wheel and rear parking sensors. With the 'VZ2', you also get 19-inch wheels, a powered tailgate, a heated steering wheel and a rear view camera. From 'VZ2' trim upwards, there's leather upholstery, powered front bucket seats, leather trim for the dash and doors. There's also a 'Safety and Driving Pack', which gives you Dynamic road sign display, High Beam Assist, Side Assist (effectively a blind spot monitor), Exit Assist (offering audible and visual warnings of approaching traffic when opening doors), Lane Change Assist and Emergency Assist. The 'VZ3' adds 19-inch 'Exclusive' copper/black alloy wheels and Brembo brakes.

Cost of Ownership

Both these improved Formentor e-Hybrid derivatives boast a WLTP-rated all-electric driving range of up to 70 miles (up from 34 miles before). Of course, in deciding the budgetary case for this PHEV CUPRA, you will of course need to factor in charging costs, but if you get your charging regime right on off-peak electricity that'll hopefully cost pennies rather than pounds to consume, these bills shouldn't be too great. The combined range of the petrol and electric motor is around 660 miles, making a plug-in Formentor an ideal comfortable car for the really long journeys that would probably defeat full-EV Crossovers in this class like, say, a Lexus UX 300e or a BMW iX1 - or CUPRA's own Born EV. And the electrified version of this CUPRA will charge much quicker than a full-EV: powering a PHEV Formentor up from a domestic socket would take around five hours, but using a garage wallbox, you'll be able to reduce your charging time period to around three and a half hours. Bear in mind that only a single Mode 3 charging cable is included as standard. The quoted WLTP combined cycle fuel return for a Formentor e-HYBRID 204PS model is up to 235.4mpg. For the 'VZ' 272PS e-Hybrid variant, it's up to 188.3mpg. These are pie-in-the-sky figures of course. If you don't charge your Formentor e-Hybrid much and use a little of throttle, you'll be burning plenty of fuel - and possibly getting through quite a few sets of front tyres too.

Summary

CUPRA has tried to do something quite difficult here. Namely, take a lot of existing mechanicals and create something genuinely interesting and different from them, a particularly hard job in a market already awash with crossover clones. But, with this improved Formentor, they've very nearly managed it. And this car certainly adds up in e-Hybrid guise. It looks distinctive, it drives well and the cabin is classily trimmed - lighting up beautifully at night. Plus there's all the kudos of owning a performance brand none of your friends will have heard of, yet a car with a completely proven set of underpinnings which in the case of this PHEV, promise the prospect of rare filling station visits. The now-enhanced e-Hybrid hardware adds a bit of extra weight, but unless you're really throwing the thing around, you won't really notice that. What you will notice is that this car has real character and identity. With this car, the whole 'Iberian Alfa Romeo' thing finally starts to make some sort of sense.

Body Glass

Rear wash/wipe

Rain sensing wipers

Tinted rear windows

Electric front/rear windows

Brakes

Anti-lock brake system

Performance brakes with front brembo calipers

Hill hold control

Electronic parking brake

Brake control system - ESC and brake booster

Chassis/Suspension

Adaptive chassis control with continuous operation

CUPRA sport suspension

Communication

Voice control system

Wired Android Auto

Wireless apple carplay

Driver Aids

Adaptive cruise control with follow-to-stop and speed limiter

Side and exit assist

Advanced lane assist with semi-automatic vehicle control in a medical emergency and traffic jam assist

Rear view camera

Dynamic road sign display

Speed sensitive power steering

Advanced driver alert system

Dynamic chassis control with driving profile selection (Comfort, Sport, CUPRA, Individual)

Forward collision warning with automatic braking

Front and rear parking sensors

Driver Convenience

Start/stop system with regenerative braking

Wireless phone charger

Virtual pedal and electric tailgate

Driver Information

10.25" digital cockpit and configurable dashboard

Full link phone integration

Emergency steering support with turn assist

RPM, trip computer, outside temp gauge, instrument light brightness, low fuel warning light, lights on reminder, gearshift indicator

Service interval indicator

Driving Mirrors

Dark grey wing mirror

Electrically adjustable heated and folding door mirrors with memory function

Automatic dimming rear view mirror

Embellishment Trims

Copper and aluminium interior detailing

Entertainment

Immersive by Sennheiser TM - 10 speakers, 1 central speaker, 1 subwoofer

2 front and 2 rear USB type C sockets

Media system with navigation, 12.9" touchscreen display, voice control, DAB, steering wheel mounted controls

Exterior Body Features

Body colour door handles

Gloss black roof rails and window surrounds

Rear diffuser with copper simulated exhaust pipes

Rear side wing doors

Body coloured bumpers

Panoramic opening glass roof

Exterior Lights

Dynamic headlight range control

High beam assist

3D LED rear lights

LED 3rd brake light

Rear fog lights

Welcome lights (within exterior mirror housing)

Matrix LED headlights with multifunction camera

LED front fog lamps with cornering function

LED Taillights with dynamic indicator

Daytime running light with automatic headlight control and coming home feature

Door panel ambient lighting

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

Dust/pollen filter

Three zone climate control with control panel in rear

Interior Features

Cupra sports pedals

Leather dashboard, door insert and side trim panel

PVC/Textile upholstery + cup bucket seats

Heated supersports multifunction leather steering wheel with satellite buttons and gear shift paddles

Black interior roof lining

Satellite steering wheel

Illuminated aluminium doorsteps

Front centre armrest

Black headlining

Illuminated interior front door sills

Height/reach adjust steering wheel

12V socket

Interior Lights

LED smart wraparound lighting

2 front and 2 rear reading lights

Safety

Driver and front passenger knee airbag

Child proof door locks

Tyre pressure monitoring system

3 point seatbelts on all rear seats

Side airbag for front and rear with curtain airbags

Pre-crash front and rear seat belt tensioner, window closure and hazard lights

Public e-call

Seat belt reminder for front and rear seats

Driver and front passenger airbags with front passenger airbag de-activation

Seats

3 seat bench in 2nd row

Electrically adjustable front seats with lumbar support and memory function

Single front passenger seat

Isofix

Heated front seats

60/40 split rear bench seat with armrest and mechanical seat release

Front and rear head restraints

Security

Anti theft alarm system

Locking wheel bolts

KESSY Advanced - Keyless start, keyless entry with SAFELOCK

Transmission

Electronic locking differential and dynamic traction support

Vanity Mirrors

Illuminated sunvisor with mirror

Vehicle Charging

32 amp mode 3 charging cable

10 amp mode 2 charging cable

Wheels - Alloy

19" Artic machined R black and copper alloy wheels

Wheels - Spare

Breakdown and tool kit

Electric Vehicle Data

Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Charge Time (Mins): 150

Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Power Supply - kW: 11

Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Percentage Change: 0-100

Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Charge Time (Mins): 26

Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Power Supply - kW: 50

Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Percentage Change: 0-80

Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Charge Time (Mins): N

Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Power Supply - kW: N

Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Percentage Change: N

Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Charge Time (Mins): N

Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Power Supply - kW: N

Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Percentage Change: N

Coupler/Connector Type: Type 2

Standard manufacturers Battery warranty - Years: 5

Standard manufacturers Battery warranty - Mileage: 100000

Battery Capacity in kWh: 25.8

Battery Leased: 0

Battery Type: Lithium-ion

WLTP - EC (kWh/100km) - Comb - TEL: 16.9

WLTP - EC (kWh/100km) - Comb - TEH: 18.3

WLTP - Equivalent AER (km) - Comb: 116

WLTP - Equivalent AER (km) - Comb - TEL: 119

WLTP - Equivalent AER (km) - Comb - TEH: 108

WLTP - EC AC Weighted (kWh/100km) - Comb: 17.3

WLTP - EC (miles/kWh) - Comb - TEH: 3.4

WLTP - EC (miles/kWh) - Comb - TEL: 3.7

WLTP - EC AC Weighted (miles/kWh) - Comb: 3.6

WLTP - Equivalent AER (miles) - Comb: 72

WLTP - Equivalent AER (miles) - Comb - TEH: 67.1

WLTP - Equivalent AER (miles) - Comb - TEL: 73.9

Battery Capacity % guaranteed under warranty: 70

Charging Port Location: Left Side Front

Usable Battery Capacity: 25.8

Maximum Charging Rate - kW: 50

Emissions - ICE

Standard Euro Emissions: EURO 6

NOx: 0.008

HC+NOx: N

Particles: N

Emissions - PHEV

WLTP - CO2 Ch Sus (g/km) - Low: 165

WLTP - CO2 Ch Sus (g/km) - Medium: 111

WLTP - CO2 Ch Sus (g/km) - High: 115

WLTP - CO2 Ch Sus (g/km) - Extra High: 141

WLTP - CO2 Ch Sus (g/km) - Comb: 117

WLTP - CO2 Weighted (g/km) - Comb: 10

WLTP - CO2 Weighted (g/km) - Comb - TEL: 10

WLTP - CO2 Weighted (g/km) - Comb - TEH: 13

Engine and Drive Train

Cylinders - Bore (mm): 74.5

Cylinders - Stroke (mm): 85.9

CC: 1498

Cylinders: 4

Cylinder Layout: IN-LINE

Number of Valves: 16

Camshaft: DOHC

Fuel Delivery: DIRECT INJECTION

Catalytic Convertor: No

Engine Layout: FRONT TRANSVERSE

Compression Ratio: 11.5:1

Transmission: SEMI-AUTO

Gears: 6 SPEED

Fuel Consumption - ICE

EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies: 0

Fuel Consumption - PHEV

WLTP - FC Ch Sus (mpg) - Low: 38.7

WLTP - FC Ch Sus (mpg) - Medium: 57.6

WLTP - FC Ch Sus (mpg) - High: 55.4

WLTP - FC Ch Sus (mpg) - Extra High: 44.8

WLTP - FC Ch Sus (mpg) - Comb: 48.7

WLTP - FC Ch Sus (l/100km) - Low: 7.3

WLTP - FC Ch Sus (l/100km) - Medium: 4.9

WLTP - FC Ch Sus (l/100km) - High: 5.1

WLTP - FC Ch Sus (l/100km) - Extra High: 6.3

WLTP - FC Ch Sus (l/100km) - Comb: 5.8

WLTP - FC Weighted (l/100km) - Comb: 0.5

WLTP - FC Weighted (l/100km) - Comb - TEL: 0.5

WLTP - FC Weighted (l/100km) - Comb - TEH: 0.6

WLTP - FC Weighted (mpg) - Comb: 565

WLTP - FC Weighted (mpg) - Comb - TEL: 565

WLTP - FC Weighted (mpg) - Comb - TEH: 470.8

General

Coin Series: VZ First Edition

Coin Description: eHybrid

Standard manufacturers warranty - Years: 5

Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage: 90000

Did at least one aspect of this vehicle's safety give cause for concern?: 0

Special Edition: No

Special Order: 0

Based On ID: 106090

Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 30E

Service Interval Mileage: 18600

Service Interval Frequency - Months: 24

Badge Power: 272

Badge Engine CC: 1.5

Vehicle Homologation Class: M1

Alternative Fuel Qualifying: No

Performance

0 to 62 mph (secs): 7.2

Top Speed: 137

Engine Power - BHP: 272

Engine Power - PS: No

0 to 60 mph (secs): 0

Engine Power - KW: 200

Engine Power - RPM: 5500

Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 295

Engine Torque - NM: 400

Engine Torque - RPM: 1500

Engine Torque - MKG: 40.8

Test Cycles

Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP

RDE Certification Level: RDE 2

Tyres

Tyre Size Front: 245/40 R19

Tyre Size Rear: 245/40 R19

Tyre Size Spare: TYRE REPAIR KIT

Wheel Type: 19" ALLOY

Wheel Style: ARTIC

Alloys?: No

Space Saver?: 0

Vehicle Dimensions

Length: 4451

Width: 1839

Wheelbase: 2681

Height: 1508

Height (including roof rails): N

Weight and Capacities

Minimum Kerbweight: 1667

Gross Vehicle Weight: 2200

Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): 40

Max. Towing Weight - Braked: 1700

Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked: 750

Max. Loading Weight: 533

Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 345

No. of Seats: 5

Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 11

Exterior Body Features

Matt paint

Paint - Metallic

Metallic - Magnetic tech grey

Paint - Special

Matt - Century bronze

Trim - Cloth

PVC/Textile - Enceladus grey and embroidered CUPRA logo in headrest + cup bucket seats