Cupra Formentor first drive | good looks and low BIK are a winning formula

Cupra may have made a name for itself as the ‘hot’ arm of Seat, but in these changing times the pressure is on all brands to focus on sustainability. That’s why the new Formentor, Cupra’s first standalone model, is available with a choice of two fleet-friendly plug-in hybrid powertrains.

With its sporty looks and crossover practicality, the Formentor is certainly going to catch the eye of userchoosers. But it’s the 27g/km CO2 emissions figure and zero-emissions range of up to 36 miles that’s likely to be the key selling point here.

It sits on the same platform as the latest VW Golf and, of course, the Seat Leon - with a greater focus on driveability and exclusivity.

Like its stablemates, the Formentor utilises VW’s proven 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine and electric motor, with 204PS or 245PS. These are known as eHybrid. There’s also a choice of 1.5-litre and 2.0-litre petrol engines, but these are less efficient.

Our testing showed that around 28 miles of driving in ‘EV Mode’ is possible, before the petrol engine kicks in. The car defaults to its zero-emission setting each time you start it, although it’s possible to switch to hybrid mode to retain charge for use later. On longer trips, or those where the battery is depleted, we’d expect fuel consumption to hover around the 50mpg mark.

The 204PS car can accelerate from 0-62mph in 7.8 seconds, while the 245PS model manages it in 7.0. As both use the same electric motor, the difference is only noticeable in the mid-range at full throttle. Prices start at £36,115 for the 204PS car in V1 trim, which comes packed with equipment such as LED headlights, digital instruments, sat-nav, keyless entry, adaptive cruise control and heated steering wheel. The V2 (£38,060) adds super-comfy Nappa leather seats with copper stitching, a leather dashboard, front parking sensors and a rear-view camera.

The more powerful engine is only offered in higher-specified VZ1 and VZ2 trims, costing from £38,860. These look and feel sportier, with bucket seats, adaptive dampers and a black headliner. The benefit-in-kind (BIK) tax difference between the top and bottom of the range is only £10 per month, however.

We were impressed at how well the car rides, given its character. Our V2 test model was fitted with 19-inch wheels, as opposed to the 18-inch units found on the base V1 car. It’s firm, but not particularly harsh and delivers enjoyable handling. Practicality is reasonable too. The car sits between a regular hatch and crossover, offering a raised seating position but without the dynamic shortcomings.

There’s a 345-litre boot and decent rear-seat space. Up front, the dashboard is lifted from the Leon, but features copper detailing and plusher materials to help set it apart. A central 12-inch touchscreen takes the place of conventional switchgear, which can be frustrating for
first-time users as some simple functions like switching on the heated seat require several screen taps. It is possible to set-up shortcuts and customise the menus to suit individual requirements.

Cupra’s first bash at making a car from scratch has been a resounding success. It’s enjoyable to drive, has head-turning looks, ample performance and reasonable running costs.

Specification shown for Cupra Formentor eHybrid V2.