Cupra Terramar first drive | Sporty but sensible family SUV

Cupra continues to impress with its latest addition, the Terramar SUV. Offered with efficient plug-in hybrid engines, it provides a blend of sporty performance and sensible practicality.

Overview

While Cupra’s electric car line-up is taking shape, the Spanish brand remains committed to the internal combustion engine (ICE) in equal measure.

That’s why this all-new family-sized SUV from Cupra comes with a choice of petrol powertrains, including a couple of plug-in hybrids.

The Terramar is a mid-size SUV, sitting above the Ateca in the brand’s line-up. Although, curiously, it seems smaller in-the-flesh than its stablemate despite having a larger footprint.

Where the Ateca is boxy, the Terramar is more sleek. It’s designed to fit in with Cupra’s latest models, like the Tavascan and upcoming Raval.

The interior, compete with its bucket-style seats, is sporty and upmarket. You sit lower in the Terramar, than in other SUVs, too.

Prices start at £37,290 – well into the premium end of the market. For the plug-in hybrid (eHybrid), it’s £44,000.

Cupra offers a selection of trim levels dependent on powertrain. The lower-powered models are available in V1 and V2, while higher-performance ones come in VZ1 and VZ2.

Every Terramar gets a decent array of standard kit, including front and rear parking sensors, rear view camera, keyless entry and LED headlights.

Comfort and practicality

Cupra is a sporty brand by nature and while the Terramar can be had with some fairly tame powertrain options, it also comes in higher-performance driver-focussed ones.

As a result, the car is set up to fit the needs of more enthusiast-led audience.

There’s a premium feel to the Terramar that gives it real appeal. Material quality is high and there’s plenty of technology. The dashboard is angled towards the driver and there’s a minimalist approach to switchgear.

The engine start button lives on the steering wheel and the gear selector is on the steering column, so there’s space in the centre console for some cupholders and a wireless phone charging pad.

It’s not a sparse cabin, though. Cupra has incorporated some really neat design touches with chunky contrasting trim pieces and a copper theme throughout the interior.

The driving position is quite low, like it is in a BMW X1, giving a more car-like and immersive feel than some of the more generic crossovers in this segment.

It feels more like you’re in a hatchback than an SUV, at times. Especially in the rear, where legroom is less generous than in the family-favourite Nissan Qashqai.

You do get a reasonable boot, with up to 540 litres of space. Plug-in hybrid versions, which most fleet customers are likely to choose, only have a 450-litre boot, however.

Safety and technology

The Terramar shares a platform with the new Volkswagen Tiguan, making it a safe and technologically advanced family car. There’s a full array of assistance and anti-collision systems to keep occupants safe on the road.

These systems are strengthened with the integration of seven airbags, including a standard front-central airbag.

From the entry-level grade, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist and autonomous pre-collision braking comes as standard. The V2 and VZ2 are additionally equipped with blind spot monitoring and an advanced Occupant Protection System, which can react to prepare the car for a potential crash by tightening the seatbelts and closing the windows.

In day-to-day driving the assistance systems are unintrusive and seem well calibrated to avoid false warnings. It’s easy to switch off systems like the speed limit warning, if desired, by swiping down from the top of the infotainment screen to open the quick access menu.

Using a combination of rocker switches and physical buttons, the controls on the steering wheel for the adaptive cruise control and infotainment are straightforward and easy to use.

The infotainment system itself is presented in a 12.9-inch central touchscreen. The main screen is organised in a tile-based layout which can be customised based on preference. Temperature and volume is controlled via a touch sensitive panel beneath the screen.

You’ll find everything from car settings to Bluetooth telephone functions within the display. Some functions are tricker to find than others, but overall it’s a competent setup.

Connected services, including use of the MyCupra smartphone app, are included for free for 10 years.

Cupra doesn’t offer many optional features, but the £420 Sennheiser sound system is good value for how impressive it is. Other options available include a panoramic sunroof, a towbar and heated seats for models that don’t come with them as standard.

Driveability and efficiency

The Terramar comes with a wide choice of powertrain options. At the entry level is a mild-hybrid 1.5-litre petrol unit (eTSI) with 150PS and CO2 emissions of 139g/km.

The same 1.5-litre engine is used in plug-in hybrid (eHybrid) variants, of which there are two. V1 and V2 grades come with the 204PS eHybrid system, while VZ1 and VZ2 get a 272PS version of the powertrain.

These integrate an electric motor into their transmission and are fitted with a 19.7kWh battery. Cupra claims a zero-emission range of more than 70 miles, enough to achieve a 6% benefit-in-kind tax rate (2025/26).

In our test we were able to achieve 52 miles from a charge. The electric motor provides ample performance and silent running. When more power is needed, or the battery runs out, the engine fires up and facilitates. It’s not the most refined or sonorous unit, especially when being worked hard. Switch the drive mode to Sport or Cupra, however, and a more fruity engine sound is piped in to the cabin via the speakers.

Over a mixed route of 95 miles, the Terramar managed 60.1mpg. Based on our experience with this powertrain in other VW Group products, it’ll quite easily return more than 50mpg even when the battery isn’t charged.

The battery can be charged in around three hours using a home wallbox, or slightly faster if you have access to an 11kW charger. There’s also DC fast charging, at 50kW, enabling a 10% - 80% top up in less than half an hour.

Alongside the eTSI and eHybrids, which are likely to be the key fleet picks, Cupra also offers the Terramar with an all-wheel petrol engine. This can be had with either 204PS or 265PS. CO2 emissions are far higher, ranging from 172 – 194g/km and are more suited to private buyers.

We were impressed with the Terramar’s driveability during our time with a VZ2 eHybrid. There’s plenty of power on tap and the car feels responsive and eager to accelerate. The steering is very light and makes the car feel nimble. Ride quality errs on the firm side, as you’d expect from a sportier model, which delivers smooth and confident driving dynamics. Our higher-spec test car was fitted with adaptive dampers (DCC), which gives drivers the option of a softer, more wallowy ride, or a keener, harsher one.

At higher speeds, the Terramar feels planted and comfortable for long motorway jaunts. There is a tad more wind and road noise than we’d have liked, however.

Company car tax and running costs

The Terramar is a compelling fleet choice, combining a sporty drive and desirable looks with low running costs and proven VW Group technology.

It’s a little more expensive than a Tiguan, but offers a more bespoke and finessed feel. Equally, premium rivals like the BMW X1 and Mercedes GLA are more expensive.

Opting for the Terramar eHybrid V2, at £46,570, gets all the kit you could possibly want plus great efficiency. Running costs are 44p per mile, over a four year (80k) cycle, while company car drivers will pay less than £50 per month (20% taxpayer) in tax.