Cupra Formentor review: great to drive but not cheap

This softroader from a relatively unknown European brand feels more like a hatchback to drive, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

VALUE

The Cupra Formentor isn’t cheap. Unlike rivals, who have entry level models starting from less than $40,000, the Formentor range starts with the V, which costs $56,490. That buys a 140kW, 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder matched to a seven-speed dual-clutch auto and all-wheel drive. It doesn’t buy you a leather interior, though, which is unusual at this price point. The front seats are manually adjustable, although there is a heated steering wheel, a digital driver display and three-zone climate control. There are other luxuries missing that you might expect at this price point, too, including a premium audio system, power tailgate and sunroof. It does have built-in satnav, though, as well as wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and a wireless charging pad. A “Leather and Power” package costs $2750 for heated, power adjusted leather seats and a hands-free power tailgate, while a sunroof costs $2100. The more expensive front-drive VZ model, which costs $61,490, has more power and the top-of-the-range VZx, which costs more than $70,000 on the road, has more power, a leather interior, bigger wheels, a hands-free tailgate and premium audio. The Formentor is covered by a five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty and capped price servicing is reasonable at $1990 for five years.

The Formentor’s cabin has more character than the average SUV. Picture: Supplied.

COMFORT

From the driver’s seat, the Cupra feels a lot more car-like than many SUVs. There’s a wide range of height adjustment for the driver’s seat, which means that if you’d prefer to, you can sit low in the car, as you would in a hatchback. The front seats are comfortable and supportive, with padding in all the right places and the digital driver display and easy-to-use centre screen make driving a breeze. The Formentor’s suspension leans towards the sporty side, which means it can be a little firm at low speeds on pockmarked inner city streets, but it’s not uncomfortable. Rear passengers have individual air vents and good leg, shoulder and head room. The rear load area is bigger than most, which is handy for swallowing prams, golf bags and other sporting gear. The cabin is pretty quiet on the freeway, with minimal wind noise, although the tyres can be noisy on rough road surfaces.

The Formentor has a bigger than average boot and good rear leg room. Picture: Supplied.

SAFETY

The Cupra scored five stars in independent crash tests in 2021, achieving an excellent score of 93 per cent for adult occupant protection and 88 per cent for child occupant protection. There are ten airbags, including a centre bag to stop the driver and passenger banging heads in a side impact. It has a comprehensive range of crash avoidance tech, including auto emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot detection, radar cruise control and fatigue detection. It will also warn passengers if they are about to open a door into a passing car.

All the latest driver assistance tech is standard. Picture: Supplied.

ON THE ROAD

The Formentor is one of the most accomplished mid-sized SUVs on the road. A relatively low centre of gravity and firm, well-sorted suspension means the Cupra sits flat through corners, with minimal leaning or pitching when asked to change direction. Nicely weighted, accurate steering helps to instil extra confidence when the going gets twisty and the Cupra doesn’t get flustered by mid-corner bumps or corrugations. The engine-transmission combination is impressive. The seven-speed dual-clutch transmission delivers quick, decisive changes and manages to keep the 2.0-litre turbo on the boil for maximum thrust out of corners. A seven-second 0-100km/h sprint shows this is an SUV with a distinctly sporty bent. It’s a little thirsty compared with the competition, though, and requires premium unleaded.

The Formentor is one of the better driving SUVs on the market.

ALTERNATIVES

Mazda CX-5 GT SP, from about $54,800 drive-away. Getting long in the tooth but remains a quality alternative. Engine is thirstier and has less grunt.

Skoda Karoq Sportline, $52,490 drive-away. Significantly cheaper and shares an engine with the Formentor. Classy cabin, nice to drive.

Honda Z-RV e: HEV LX, from $54,900 drive-away. Smaller car but well equipped, with high quality cabin and efficient, refined hybrid set-up.

CUPRA FORMENTOR V

PRICE $56,490

ENGINE 2.0-litre turbo petrol, 140kW/320Nm

WARRANTY/SERVICING Five years/unlimited km, $1990 for five years

SAFETY Eight airbags, auto emergency braking, lane-departure and blind-spot assist, rear cross-traffic alert, radar cruise, fatigue detection

THIRST 7.0L/100km

SPARE Space saver

LUGGAGE 420 litres

VERDICT

Three and a half stars

Relatively expensive but fun to drive, with excellent safety and a quality cabin that has more character than most.

Originally published as Cupra Formentor review: great to drive but not cheap