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I received more requests about Cupra Formentor that it's not even funny, and most of the requests were from myself, so I had to talk about the first pure-blood Cupra. 

Aaaand we're off, with the Cupra Formentor, the very first standalone Cupra. It happened in 2018, when VW announces that Seat will create its own luxury/sport division and it will be called Cupra. Which was not necessarily a groundbreaking move, because Seat used the Cupra badging anyway for their sportiest editions, even the diesel ones. Just as Mercedes uses AMG for sports editions, BMW for M and Citroen for DS, which by the way also created its own identity by going standadlone DS.

So we have the Cupra editions, but we also have some exclusive models for the Cupra, and the Cupra Formentor was the first victim, followed by the Bjork and the Tavascan, and from the SEAT family, the ones that received the Cupra treatment are the Leon and the Leon's slightly taller cousin, that is, the Ateca. So yes, the car is called Cupra Formentor and you will have to explain to people what brand of car it is and that it is not just a cheap Chinese car assembled in the parking lot of the Bullring.

On the other hand, Cupra Formentor, this slightly taller Leon because it's not exactly a Leon on stilts because it has a ground clearance only 1-2 cm higher than Leon, is not a cheap cashgrab. Neither cashgrab nor cheap, because at the time I got drunk and fired this article, the Cupra Formentor costs 3-4000 grand more than the equivalent Leon and Leon is not a cheap hatchback from the start. In fact, if you don't look at money, the Cupra Formentor can easily reach the 70,000 pound area, because in the top equipment that starts at 55,000 pounds and you have to pay extra for the electrically operated trunk with a foot sensor and you have to pay in addition, for wireless phone charging space and I don't know about you, but it seems to me that this money should already be included.

And then why buy a Cupra Formentor?

Cupra Formentor is worth considering only in 2 scenarios. The first scenario is the one in which the Cupra Formentor is a SEAT unplugged, but it starts at 50,000 pounds and is really worth all the money, and the second scenario is in the middle of the road.

• So we start with the bells and whistles. Sure, it costs 50 grand and more, but it gets the glorious 2.5 Turbo straight-5 from Audi, used intensively on Audi TT and Audi RS3. It's a more aggressive Golf R, which seems taller, a bit cheaper and sportier. In fact, that's pretty much the whole idea of ​​the Cupra, except that you can't really present yourself on the market with a single model that starts at 50,000 pounds. 


• So at the opposite pole is the Cupra Formentor 1.5 TSI, which starts at just 30 grand and is located somewhere in the middle of the cross-over craze. It costs about the same as the Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, Toyota C-HR, Skoda Karoq, Peugeot 3008, Ford Kuga and whatever else was launched this week. And for that you get a 1.5 turbo and an almost aggressive looking crossover and these can be all the arguments you need. Or is it? This is a tough crowd afterall, and a car sector as crowded as a indian train.

Cupra Formentor Engines

Petrol

• 1.5 TSI EA211 of 150 horsepower – As I said, the Cupra Formentor deserves its rather steep price point either in the basic configuration or in the bells and whistles edition. Sure, this 1.5 TSI chuggs oil and there are issues with the DSG automatic gearbox because it jumps out of place like I jump out of bed when Total Drama Island starts, but a manual 1.5 TSI is just another cross-over on the market. At least it has the looks going on for it.


• 2.0 TSI EA888 of 190 and 310 horsepower – Honestly? If you want a Formentor sport but you really don't have that much money to spare and you want to have all the tiles on your house, get a Leon. It comes with the same engines, but is cheaper and lower and sportier. And there the 2.0 TSI has several versions of power and including the Cupra treatment, it's just that much better a choice.


• 2.5 TSI EA855 of 390 horsepower - Yes, it's that 2.5 in 5 cylinders in line used on the Audi RS3 and the Audi TTRS and which somehow ended up on the Cupra Formentor. And here it deserves its money, because the equivalent Golf R only hasI meanto deal with the 2.0 TSI mentioned before and be surprised, but the price difference is not really that big. But coming back to the engine, the 2.5 TSI is also famous for the excessive consumption of alcohol which seriously damages the boredom... this, the excessive consumption of oil, so nothing new in the VW backyard. Next to that, you must add the air flow meter, the turbo and the coilpacks on the issues list. But when you have 400 horsepower pack, does it really matter? Will a coilpack really stop you?

Diesel

2.0 TDI EA189 of 150 horsepower - And they had to offer a diesel because in Europe people are addicted to diesel just like Vinnie Jones was addicted to maiming his victims, so they came with the standard 150 horsepower 2.0 TDI on offer. Which today is a decent engine in terms of reliability as long as you don't buy it to drive around town with it, but buy a Cupra Formentor diesel is like being a professional bodybuilder and using your muscles only for farming or carrying parcels . It's like having a bottle of whiskey, but inside it's actually Fosters.

Hybrid

1.4 TSI EA211 Hybrid of 204 and 245 horsepower – The old 1.4 TSI that we are used to in the VW group and which does a decent job. The only real issue with it is that we don't have mechanics and you won't really find parts for the hybrid, but that's a general rule for hybrids.

Cupra Formentor Reliability Issues

• The multimedia system works when and if it wants to, because it is a modern VW product. In addition to this, I must also mention the complementary issues on the electrical side.


• Collision Assist is more sensitive than Cam Pritchett, and Front Assist resigns if it senses a breeze. It would be a shame if it were placed in the boot of the car.


• It's a modern VW product, so I have to talk about the complementary issues related to the DSG box. From the Mechatronic to the clutches, to the fact that there are moments when it jumps out, just like I jump out of bed in the morning. With swearing and noises.


• The boot is unimpressive and realistically only has space for a CD with Trailer Park Boys - Countdown to liquor day, especially if you have a hybrid Cupra Formentor. 

Cupra Formentor Verdict

The Cupra Formentor is definitely a Seat that the Spaniards created without feeling the VW leash around their neck and it was a success for the Cupra brand. When was the last time you saw a new Leon? What about a Cupra Formentor? Exactly. Even if you have to explain what that Cupra is, Formentor is one of the cross-overs that looks more aggressive and many people buy it for its looks and because it's a VW, but also taken as a decent car. I repeat, it is worth it either in the basic configuration or the VZ25 with 390 horsepower. The middle team does not convince me.

Which engines do I recommend? Either the 1.5 TSI with 150 horsepower and a manual gearbox, or the 2.5 TSI with 390 horsepower. That much. Yes, there is also a 2.0 TDI with 150 horsepower, but a Leon makes much more sense with this engine.