CUPRA FORMENTOR ESTATE 2.0 TSI 333 VZ3 5dr DSG 4Drive

The Formentor was the first unique car from CUPRA. Jonathan Crouch looks at the updated version.

Ten Second Review

The CUPRA performance brand's first bespoke model was this one, the Formentor, a lively Spanish take on the mid-sized performance SUV concept. It's now been usefully improved.

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, both of which produce products this Formentor model sets out to directly target: namely, quick, charismatic petrol-powered mid-sized SUVs, cars that offer a lot of what you get in, say, a Porsche Macan for a great deal less money. Is that what we've got here, with this revised Formentor model launched in Summer 2024? Let's find out.

Engines and Tech Spec

It should be no surprise given CUPRA's mantra as a performance brand that drive dynamics are the Formentor's main focus. For this updated model, the brand claims to have tuned this car for an even sportier dynamic character. And the top 2.0-litre turbo model gets 23PS more power (333PS) and sees the previous Haldex differential swapped for a torque-splitter with a multi-plate clutch at either end of the driveshaft to vary power delivery across the rear axle. There's an entry-level front driven 1.5-litre TSI 150PS variant too (also offered in mild hybrid 48V eTSI form if you order it with DSG auto transmission). But if budget permits, a better choice for efficiency would be one of the 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 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. The top 2.0-litre turbo version, like other Volkswagen Group models using this 333PS unit, gets 4-wheel drive and adaptive damping as part of a very accomplished package. 62mph from rest here takes well over 5s and drive is via the usual VW Group 7-speed dual-clutch paddleshift auto gearbox. And there are five selectable drive mode settings - 'Comfort', 'Off Road', 'Sport' and rorty 'CUPRA', with an extra 'Individual' menu if you want to set your own parameters. Handling through the turns is accomplished, thanks to the 4Drive electro-hydraulic multi-disc system's reassuring levels of traction, its software constantly monitoring numerous sources - steering angle, wheel speed, the yaw of the vehicle and road conditions in real time - so as to always deliver power to the wheels with most traction.

Design and Build

As with the latest CUPRA Leon, this updated Formentor 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 competitively-sized 420-litre boot in the conventionally-engined models. It's 345-litres in the e-Hybrid version.

Market and Model

You'll need a budget starting at well over £33,000, even for the entry-level 1.5-litre TSI model. Lesser variants in the range have 'V1' and 'V2' trim options. The e-Hybrid model starts from around £41,000 and comes with most of the available trim levels. The top 333PS 2.0 TSI 4Drive flagship version sticks with the top 'VZ1', 'VZ2' and 'VZ3' trim options, and prices from just over £45,000. 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. Optional is an all-new high-fidelity 12-speaker audio sound system from Sennheiser.

Cost of Ownership

The next generation Formentor will be an EV. For the time being though, if you really care about efficiency in a Performance SUV and want this CUPRA, then it's to the 'e-HYBRID' Formentor models you'll be looking. We already mentioned that these now offer a much-improved electric-only range of 70 miles on the WLTP cycle, with 9g/km of CO2 and a BiK tax rating of just 5%. Powering a PHEV CUPRA 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. At the other end of the scale sit the 2.0 TSI 333PS 4Drive versions of this car with their DSG auto transmission. These return just over 30mpg on the combined cycle and just under 200g/km of CO2. The base 1.5 TSI version manages up to 44.8mpg and 143g/km in manual form. Less impressive is the three year/60,000 mile warranty cover. The paintwork warranty lasts for three years and, as you'd expect, this car is protected by a 12-year anti-corrosion package. The Formentor e-HYBRID has a separate eight year battery warranty, which also covers the battery for up to 100,000 miles. For insurance purposes, Thatcham rate the 2.0 TSI DSG-auto 4Drive 333 model in group 33P.

Summary

With this Formentor, the story of the CUPRA brand began in earnest. It's difficult to forge your own identity when you've spent most of your time helping to define performance models from another brand, in this case SEAT. But with this car, the whole 'Iberian Alfa Romeo' thing started to make some sort of sense. After all, the Formentor is (potentially) fast, practical, interesting to look at and you might even think it to be a touch exotic, especially in this usefully updated form. Whether you actually get what's been promised here - essentially a Porsche Macan, a BMW X4 or a Mercedes GLC Coupe distilled down into something more affordable - is a judgement you might actually rather enjoy making. We're not quite convinced, but we have seen enough to feel hopeful about the CUPRA brand's future. Can there really be 'latin spirit in every one'? If the marque can continue to deliver that, there's a place for it in the market.

Body Glass

Rear wash/wipe

Tinted rear windows

Electric front/rear windows

Rain sensing wipers

Brakes

Anti-lock brake system

Electronic parking brake

Hill hold control

Brake control system - ESC and brake booster

Akebono brakes

Chassis/Suspension

CUPRA sport suspension

Adaptive chassis control with continuous operation

Communication

Voice control system

Wireless apple carplay

Wired Android Auto

Driver Aids

Forward collision warning with automatic braking

Dynamic road sign display

Side and exit assist

Front cross traffic assist

Top view camera

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

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

Intelligent park assist

Driver alert system with driver monitoring

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

Speed sensitive power steering

Driver Convenience

Wireless phone charger

Start/stop system with regenerative braking

Virtual pedal and electric tailgate

Driver Information

10.25" digital cockpit and configurable dashboard

Service interval indicator

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

Full link phone integration

Emergency steering support with turn assist

Driving Mirrors

Automatic dimming rear view mirror

Dark grey wing mirror

Electrically adjustable heated and folding door mirrors with memory function

Embellishment Trims

Copper and aluminium interior detailing

Entertainment

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

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

2 front and 2 rear USB type C sockets

Exterior Body Features

Rear diffuser with twin exhaust pipe on each side

Black roof spoiler

Rear side wing doors

Body colour door handles

Gloss black roof rails and window surrounds

Side skirts

Body coloured bumpers

Exterior Lights

Matrix Ultra HD headlights

Door panel ambient lighting

Welcome lights (within exterior mirror housing)

LED Taillights with dynamic indicator

Daytime running light with automatic headlight control and coming home feature

LED 3rd brake light

Dynamic headlight range control

LED front fog lamps with cornering function

High beam assist

Rear fog lights

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

Dust/pollen filter

Three zone climate control with control panel in rear

Interior Features

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

Black headlining

Satellite steering wheel

12V socket

Black interior roof lining

Leather dashboard, door insert and side trim panel

Cupra sports pedals

Illuminated aluminium doorsteps

Variable luggage/load compartment floor

Illuminated interior front door sills

Height/reach adjust steering wheel

PVC/Textile upholstery + cup bucket seats

Front centre armrest

Interior Lights

LED smart wraparound lighting

2 front and 2 rear reading lights

Safety

Seat belt reminder for front and rear seats

Side airbag for front and rear with curtain airbags

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

Child proof door locks

Tyre pressure monitoring system

Driver and front passenger knee airbag

3 point seatbelts on all rear seats

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

Public e-call

Seats

3 seat bench in 2nd row

Electrically adjustable front seats with lumbar support and memory function

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

Front and rear head restraints

Heated front seats

Single front passenger seat

Isofix

Security

Locking wheel bolts

Anti theft alarm system

KESSY Advanced - Keyless start, keyless entry with SAFELOCK

Service/Warranty

Warranty - 5 years/90,000 miles

Transmission

Electronic locking differential and dynamic traction support

Vanity Mirrors

Illuminated sunvisor with mirror

Wheels - Alloy

19" Hailstorm forged machined R black and copper alloy wheels

Wheels - Spare

Breakdown and tool kit

Emissions - ICE

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Medium: 198

NOx: 0.019

HC+NOx: N

Particles: N

Standard Euro Emissions: EURO 6

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Low: 278

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - High: 169

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Extra High: 193

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb: 198

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEH: 207

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEL: 198

Engine and Drive Train

Cylinders - Stroke (mm): 92.8

Cylinders: 4

Cylinder Layout: IN-LINE

Number of Valves: 16

Camshaft: DOHC

Fuel Delivery: DIRECT INJECTION

Catalytic Convertor: No

Engine Layout: FRONT TRANSVERSE

Cylinders - Bore (mm): 82.5

Compression Ratio: 9.3:1

Transmission: SEMI-AUTO

Gears: 7 SPEED

CC: 1984

Fuel Consumption - ICE

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEH: 9.1

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb: 8.7

EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies: 0

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEL: 8.7

WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEH: 31

WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEL: 32.5

WLTP - MPG - Comb: 32.5

WLTP - MPG - Extra High: 33.2

WLTP - MPG - High: 37.7

WLTP - MPG - Medium: 32.5

WLTP - MPG - Low: 23

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Low: 12.3

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Medium: 8.7

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Extra High: 8.5

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - High: 7.5

General

Alternative Fuel Qualifying: 0

Service Interval Frequency - Months: 24

Vehicle Homologation Class: M1

Badge Engine CC: 2.0

Badge Power: 333

Special Edition: 0

Special Order: 0

Based On ID: N

Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 35E

Service Interval Mileage: 18600

Coin Series: VZ3

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

Coin Description: TSI

Standard manufacturers warranty - Years: 5

Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage: 90000

Performance

Engine Torque - MKG: 42.8

Engine Power - BHP: 333

Engine Power - PS: No

0 to 60 mph (secs): 0

Top Speed: 155

0 to 62 mph (secs): 4.8

Engine Power - KW: 245

Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 310

Engine Torque - NM: 420

Engine Torque - RPM: 2100

Engine Power - RPM: 5600

Test Cycles

RDE Certification Level: RDE 2

Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP

Tyres

Tyre Size Spare: TYRE REPAIR KIT

Wheel Style: HAILSTORM

Alloys?: No

Space Saver?: 0

Wheel Type: 19" ALLOY

Tyre Size Front: 245/40 R19

Tyre Size Rear: 245/40 R19

Vehicle Dimensions

Wheelbase: 2681

Height: 1505

Height (including roof rails): N

Width: 1839

Length: 4451

Weight and Capacities

Gross Vehicle Weight: 2160

Minimum Kerbweight: 1559

Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): 55

Max. Towing Weight - Braked: 1700

Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked: 750

Max. Loading Weight: 601

Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 420

No. of Seats: 5

Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 11

Exterior Body Features

Metallic paint

Premium metallic paint

Matt paint

Panoramic opening glass roof

Paint - Metallic

Metallic - Midnight black

Metallic - Glacier white

Metallic - Magnetic tech grey

Paint - Solid

Solid - Fiord blue

Paint - Special

Premium metallic - Graphene grey

Matt - Magnetic tech grey

Matt - Century bronze

Matt - Enceladus grey

Premium metallic - Dark void

Towing

Tow bar pre-installation

Tow bar pre-installation with hook and Trailer assist

Trim - Cloth

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