The CUPRA Formentor e-Hybrid.
The CUPRA Formentor e-Hybrid.
The CUPRA Formentor. We were intrigued by its name, which sounded like a mash-up of ‘formidable’, ‘roadster’ and ‘tormentor’.
Oddly enough, the name means ‘wheat’ in Spanish. Hardly inspiring. But, trust us, our definition is much better. The Formentor is no ‘skip-along in a field on a summer’s day’ kind of car. Instead, this is the sort of vehicle that’d take an angle-grinder to a wheatfield and then munch it all down for lunch.
If you're wondering what a CUPRA is, it’s SEAT’s performance range. But, while CUPRA predominantly sells SEAT cars that have been beefed up, the Formentor has the distinction of being a CUPRA original. It is loosely based on a SEAT Ateca, but there’s also a CUPRA version of that, and the Formentor is wildly different.
In terms of looks, it screams performance with an angled and sporty front end. And, at the back, the car boasts quad exhausts and a generously sized window spoiler.
Entry-level V1 trim gets you 18-inch alloys, a 12-inch touchscreen with sat nav, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, a digital cockpit, three-zone air conditioning and keyless start. It also has lumbar support, adaptive cruise control, a stop-start system and an electronic parking brake.
V2 adds 19-inch wheels, electric and heated leather seats, wraparound interior lighting, and heated electronic door mirrors. A rear-view camera and collision warning braking are also included.
VZ2 trim adds dynamic chassis control, a powered tailgate, and various sports accessories, including sports suspension and speed-sensitive power steering, while VZ3 adds Brembo brakes.
The e-Hybrid version is a six-speed automatic, combining a 1.4-litre petrol engine, delivering 204PS. With V1 and V2 trims, it has 204PS (235mpg, 27g/km CO2), but it produces 245PS (188mpg, 33g/km CO2) in the VZ2 and VZ3 trims.
If you don’t fancy the hybrid, you can opt for a 1.5-litre 150PS engine (51.4-52.3mpg, 143-151g/km CO2) or 2.0-litre 190PS (40.9mpg, 176g/km CO2) or 310PS (36.7mpg, 194g/km Co2) turbocharged petrol engines.
The e-Hybrid has a claimed all-electric range of around 35 miles, and in 245PS guise, it comes with plenty of power, too.
Electric motors add a burst of instantaneous torque. But sometimes, especially if part of the car is unloaded at the exit of a bend, you’ll find a lot of wheelspin as the tyres struggle to transfer the turning force onto the road. Four-wheel drive isn't an option in the e-Hybrids, but, at times, it needs it.
Nevertheless, the acceleration is impressive and fierce, and the electric motor and engine combine smoothly. As the speed increases, the impressiveness of the acceleration decreases, however. Therefore, the top-of-the-range 310PS (non-hybrid) petrol will be needed for those who want to enjoy the speediness. This is even more the case with the lower-powered e-Hybrid. Still, the amount of muscle in either of the two hybrids should suffice for most.
Despite the very light steering, you get a decent amount of feedback. The handling is fantastic, too. Unless you demand too much power on a corner exit, the car grips the road superbly and gives you the confidence to throw it into the corners, with little body roll. What’s more, the DSG gearbox is very good, especially at speed. In all honesty, you’d struggle to believe you’re driving an SUV.
The higher-powered e-Hybrid comes with the VZ2 and VZ3 trims, which means you get adaptive dampers. They are excellent, helping to smooth out the ride. They also give you the option to customise the suspension set-up for yourself. This means you can make the Formentor as comfortable as possible for the family motorway trip, but as hair-raising as you like for the commute to work.
Comfort, Normal, Sport and CUPRA driving pre-sets also make a noticeable difference to the car's set-up. They improve the versatility of the Formentor over some of its rivals. There’s also an Off-Road option on higher-spec trims.
The interior is as impressive as the CUPRA's handling, but is minimalist with just about every button, switch and dial embedded within the large infotainment screen. You can adjust the climate control, but it's a touch-sensitive slider that is fiddly to operate on the move. That said, the voice control can help get around this. The touchscreen is quick to respond, too.
The digital cockpit, which sits within a double-layered dashboard, is good-looking, informative, and customisable.
There is a lot of headroom in the front, helped by a lower-than-expected driving position. Even with the slope in the roofline, taller passengers will fit in the back without any trouble, while legroom is plentiful.
You’ll get 345 litres of boot space (petrol versions have 420 litres with two-wheel drive and 450 litres with four-wheel drive).
The CUPRA scored well in a crash test performed by Euro NCAP, achieving a five-star safety rating. Automatic high-beam, collision warning, automatic braking, lane-keep assist, and driver attention alert are all included.
In addition, an optional Winter Pack adds collision warning braking and a rear-view camera. At the same time, VZ2 versions and above have automatic emergency braking, lane-change assist, emergency assist and exit assist.
Overall, the CUPRA Formentor e-Hybrid is mightily impressive – to look at, sit in, and drive. It oozes character and performance, handling incredibly well for an SUV.
The hybrid powertrains are good and rapid – albeit not with the same craziness of the top-of-the-range petrol. Only the higher-powered hybrid comes in the VZ trims, which are needed so the adaptive dampers can maximise the handling performance.
The CUPRA Formentor provides excellent driveability with space and practicality. Plus, lots of kit is included, even on the entry-level model. And the amount of safety tech onboard provides much reassurance in a car designed to be driven hard.
This model isn’t cheap, though, and that raises expectations – but we dare anyone to claim that it doesn’t live up to them with comparative ease.
| CUPRA Formentor e-Hybrid 245PS (VZ2 trim as tested) | |
|---|---|
| Max speed | 130 mph |
| Acceleration | 0-62 mph in 7.0 seconds |
| Combined mpg | 188 mpg |
| Engine layout | 1,395cc 4-cylinder petrol + electric |
| Max power | 245 PS |
| CO2 emissions | 33 g/km |
| Price | £40,585 |
