Cupra Formentor Review
The Cupra Formentoris a family SUV that doesn’t compromise on performance. It’s a sporty model with its foundations in a platform and engines that have worked well in other vehicles, such as the SEAT Ateca, but which brings more power and pizazz to the party.
The Formentor has a similar place in the market to competitors, such as the VW T-Roc R and the BMW X2 M35i. Its sporty edge makes it stand out in the Cupra Range. With its sloping roofline and sharp creases, the Formentor look is eye-catching and perfect if you aim to drive a car that combines practicality with appearance.
Before you decide on buying or leasing a Cupra Formentor, it helps to know what to expect. Our Cupra Formentor review gives you the information you need about aspects such as design, tech, running costs, safety, and reliability. Having these details allows you to make a more informed purchasing or leasing decision.
Cupra Formentor overview
You can see an overview of Cupra Formentor specs in the table below. We’ll closely examine the details behind these specs throughout the rest of this article.
RRP across the range (OTR)
£31,300 - £48,270
Available trim choices
6
Engine options
6
Fuel types available
Petrol, Plug-in Hybrid
Doors
5
MPG across the range
33-45
Body colour choices
Magnetic Tech Matte, Graphene Grey, Desire Red, Magnetic Tech Grey, Midnight Black, Nevada White, White
The Cupra Formentor – your questions answered
We know you need some insights before making a car leasing decision. So, we’ve compiled some of the most asked questions about the Cupra Formentor and provided the answers below.
Who makes the Cupra Formentor?
The Cupra Formentor is manufactured by SEAT. It’s the first model exclusive to the Spanish manufacturer’s performance-focused Cupra sub-brand. The brand markets the car as a coupé SUV.
Is Cupra Formentor a reliable car?
Some non-engine-related electrical issues have been reported concerning the Cupra Formentor and some glitches with the infotainment system. However, the car is regarded as generally reliable. It also comes with a three-year/60,000-mile warranty as standard.
What is the top-of-the-range Cupra Formentor?
The top-of-the-range Cupra Formentor model is the VZN 2.0-litre TSI DSG-auto, which delivers 310PS of peak power and 400Nm of torque.
Is Cupra Formentor expensive?
The standard V1 petrol version of the Cupra Formentor has a purchase price starting from £31,300, with prices rising to a basic £48,270 for the VZN. If you’re concerned about affording the high purchase cost, leasing a model such as the Cupra Formentor Estate 1.5 TSI 150 V1 5dr DSG could be a good idea for you.
Is the Cupra Formentor big enough?
There’s enough space for five adults in the Cupra Formentor, although the back is more comfortable with two people sitting there. The boot space is 450 litres, which is adequate but is a little smaller than some competitors.
Cupra Formentor design, technology, and running costs
If you’re considering the Cupra Formentor as a car leasing option, you’ll want to know more about the vehicle before you make a final decision. Keep reading to discover the facts about performance, driving experience, running costs, vehicle interior, tech, comfort, and safety.
Performance and driving experience
The suspension of some sporty cars feels too stiff for popping to the shops or doing the school run. With the Formentor, you’ll find that although the suspension is firm, it doesn’t impact comfort levels. In addition, higher-end trims, VZ and VZN, come with Dynamic Chassis Control and four separate driver profiles for additional driving comfort.
Visibility isn’t an issue either. The thick rear pillars do limit over-the-shoulder viewing. However, every Formentor trim includes rear parking sensors, so there’s no stress.
Acceleration and top speed for the Cupra Formentor vary depending on which trim you choose. However, you get a fair amount of power even at the basic end of the range, with an acceleration of 0-62 in 8.9 seconds. The top speed of the vehicle at this trim level is 126.1 to 136.7 mph.
Another positive of the Cupra Formentor driving experience is the good handling on winding country roads. It’s a fun experience. Although we’d say that the Cupra Leonis even more nimble, and it’s worth being prepared for a slightly noisy cabin if you’re driving the Formentor at 70 mph on the motorway.
Running costs
If you’re going to buy a Cupra Formentor, the biggest cost you’ll encounter is the initial purchase outlay. We’ve listed the purchase prices for the various trims in the table below.
Trim
Engine
Cost (from)
V1 (petrol)
1.5 TSI EVO 150PS
1.5 TSI DSG-auto 150PS
£31,3000
V1 (plug-in hybrid)
1.4 e-HYBRID DSG-6 204PS
£39,165
V2 (petrol)
1.5 TSI EVO 150PS
1.5 TSI DSG-auto 150PS
2.0 TSI DSG-auto 4Drive 190PS
£33,425
V2 (plug-in hybrid)
1.4 e-HYBRID DSG-6 204PS
£41,290
VZ2 (petrol)
2.0 TSI DSG-auto 310PS
£39,950
VZ1 (plug-in hybrid)
1.4 e-HYBRID DSG-auto 245PS
£41,820
VZ2 (plug-in hybrid)
1.4 e-HYBRID DSG-auto 245PS
£43,645
VZ3 (petrol)
2.0 TSI DSG-auto 310PS
£47,515
VZN (petrol)
2.0 TSI DSG-auto 310PS
£48,270
If these purchase costs are outside of your budget, you have the option to lease vehicles such as the Cupra Formentor Estate 1.5 TSI 150 V2 5dr.
Of course, the purchase price is only the beginning of the story. There are also several ongoing Cupra Formentor running costs to consider. For example, you can expect to pay around £249 for a first-year service and around £299 for a second-year service.
Fuel expenditure also needs to be considered. In the table below, we’ve provided the fuel efficiency and emissions for the Formentor so you can see how much you’re likely to spend on fuel for the petrol and hybrid plug-in versions.
Economy
CO2 emissions
Petrol
33-45 mpg
143g/km
Plug-in Hybrid
44-47 mpg
33 g/km
If you’re looking for a Cupra Formentor business lease deal, you’ll be better off looking at either of the Formentor hybrid plug-in options, as the BIK is likely to be around a third as much as for petrol versions of the vehicle.
Finally, you’ll need to factor in the cost of insurance. This is the case whether you buy or lease a Formentor, as insurance is your responsibility. You can expect your vehicle to fall in the 24 - 26 insurance groups.
Interior and tech
The Cupra Formentor is an impressive-looking car inside and out. You also get a ton of tech that makes driving enjoyable. Looking inside the vehicle, you’ll find,
Well-finished materials
A chunky steering wheel that’s good to handle
A 12” infotainment screen across all trims that’s responsive and easy to use
Cupra Connect
Apply CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity
A slight irritation is the lack of buttons, as is common across the VW Group. Having to navigate touchscreen menus all the time can be distracting.
Space and comfort
There’s no issue with space in the front of the Cupra Formentor. There’s also plenty of storage in the form of deep door bins, space under the armrest, twin cupholders, and a good-sized glovebox. In the back, there’s enough space for three adults. However, the space is more comfortable with two people, and the central armrest containing two cupholders can be folded down when this is the case.
Looking at comfort levels, you sit lower down than in most SUVs. So, if your preference is for sitting higher up, you may be disappointed. In the lower-level trims, you get sports seats as standard, with bucket seats in the VZ trim.
Going back into the boot, there’s 450 litres of space. This isn’t bad, but realistically, the Formentor is more about performance and the sporty look than it is about practicality. If more boot space is a major concern for you, the Skoda Karoq (588 litres) and the Kia Sportage (591 litres) deliver.
Safety features and reliability
Its safety features are some of the Cupra Formentor’s biggest selling points. The car earned a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating in 2021. Safety and security features you’ll find in the vehicle include,
Adaptive cruise control
Autonomous emergency braking
Pedestrian detection
Lane-keep assist
E-call
Keyless entry
Cupra Formentor pros and cons
To make it easier for you to decide if a Cupra Formentor lease deal or purchase is right for you, we’ve summarised the main pros and cons in the table below.
Pros
Cons
Fun to drive
Boot space is limited
Interior quality and style
Lack of buttons can be frustrating
Good range of engine options
Options for personalisation are limited
Impressive equipment levels
Cabin can be noisy at 70 mph
The verdict
The Formentor isn’t a car that produces many surprises as its built on a platform that’s delivered in the past. However, this model has a better look and more power than its predecessors. It has a sharp coupé SUV appearance and it’s fun to drive, although the cabin gets noisy at higher motorway speeds.
The car isn’t a practical as models such as the Ateca. But it still has a good amount of space inside. It also handles well and has a genuine driving appeal.
If you’re considering leasing a Cupra Formentor, have a look at our special offersand in stock lease deals for inspiration. If you find a deal you like, click the button to enquire and request a personalised quote. You can also call us on 0161 814 9623 or email [email protected] and speak to a member of our team who’ll be happy to help you find a deal that suits your requirements.