Cupra Formentor is an SUV for hot hatch fans
In many ways, this is a vehicle for drivers who need a practical family crossover but aren't ready to give up on hot hatch-style performance and driver engagement.
The Formentor is all the better for its recent facelift, including styling changes, interior upgrades and mechanical improvements.
Looks-wise, the somewhat tired-looking big grille from the old model has been ditched in favour of a heavily sculpted shark-like face that has a more contemporary and aggressive appearance. Triangular matrix LEDs further enhance the dynamic and slightly menacing look.
The interior is well laid-out (Image: T&A) The general appearance of the car is a fusion between SUV scale and coupe styling, making for one of the best-looking vehicles in this price bracket.
The rear end gets a new light bar with a central Curpa badge that lights up under braking.
The Formentor can do the family thing quite nicely, with a roomy interior and a decent-sized boot measuring 420-litres. Legroom is plentiful front and back, while the rear seats also get a fold-down armrest with two cup holders, and there are two USB ports available to back-seat passengers.
Behind the wheel, there's plenty to like about the Formentor, especially in VZ1 2.0-litre turbo guise, tested here.
The engine pumps of 333ps distributed through all four wheels, combined with a meaty 420Nm of torque.
It makes for a very grippy, sure footed vehicle – a sensation helped by the fact an electro-hydraulic torque splitter system on the rear axle, sending power to the wheel that needs it most.
The Cupra's paintwork glistens in the evening sunshine (Image: T&A) The steering feels pretty sharp with just enough feedback, while the suspension deals with road imperfections well and is composed over undulating roads. Body lean is also well controlled in corners, belying the vehicle's height.
Cupra feels to have got the spring and damper rates spot on, with ideal weight distribution giving the driver confidence in the car's capabilities.
The sprint from 0-62mph takes just 4.8 seconds, with a smooth-shifting 7-speed DSG box working well.
It all makes for a hugely enjoyable car to drive. The only thing that might make you think twice about the all-out performance of the 333ps version is the running costs, with official fuel economy figures suggesting 30.7-32.5mpg on the combined scale. After spirited stints of driving on one of the more sporty modes, this can drop to below 20mpg, although you have the option of selecting a more relaxed mode for better fuel economy.
The sharp-looking alloys (Image: T&A) The cabin benefits from a revised infotainment system, with a 12.9-inch touchscreen at the centre of a designed dash. The software is now quicker-moving than before, while the graphics are also clearer.
Plenty of soft-touch materials and design flourishes such as copper accents can be found throughout the cabin, giving a feeling of decent quality.
CarPlay and Android Auto come as standard, plus a 425-watt, 12-speaker audio system co-developed with Sennheiser.
The price of just over £48,000 means this is not a cheap car, but it ticks enough boxes to fully justify the price tag.
Cupra Formentor VZ1
ENGINE: 2.0-litre TSI. 333ps
PERFORMANCE: 0-62mph in 4.8 seconds and top speed of 155mph
TRANSMISSION: 7-speed DSG
TORQUE: 420Nm
FUEL ECONOMY: 30.7-32.5
EMISSIONS: 198g/km
PRICE: £48,035
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