Summary
The Cupra Formentor is a mid-sized SUV/crossover, and the first model from the new Spanish performance brand not to be based on an existing SEAT model, unlike the Cupra Ateca and Cupra Leon. The Formentor went on sale in the UK in late 2020, and received a major mid-life update in the summer of 2024.
Size-wize, the Formentor is broadly similar to the other models in the Cupra family, but it sits lower to the ground – roughly halfway between the Leon and the Ateca – and has a sloping coupé-style rear roofline. Being its own distinctive model also helps avoid it looking like a go-faster SEAT.
It costs more than the Ateca and is somewhat less practical, but it offers a more distinctive design and higher-quality interior than the Ateca as well. The Carwow team describes the Formentor as “plenty of fun on the right road”, but if you have your mind set on a new SUV then “there are bigger boots and higher driving positions available” elsewhere.
The Formentor’s performance tends to split reviewer opinion. While many conclude that it does a great job of blending sport and utility, others argue that is isn’t a particularly exciting or rewarding experience, a criticism also leveled against Cupra’s electric Born hatchback.
The 2024 update brought a sharper look at the car’s front end, as well as an upgraded interior, more powerful engines and greater plug-in hybrid battery range.
As of January 2025, the Cupra Formentor holds a New Car Expert Rating of B, with a score of 68%. It gets good grades for its Euro NCAP safety rating and positive media review scores, but its CO2 emissions are only average and running costs are high.
Formentor highlights
- High standard of interior comfort
- Attractive exterior looks
- Roomy and practical
- Impressive tech features and infotainment
- Wide range of models to choose from
Formentor lowlights
- Sporty exterior not really matched under the bonnet
- Influence from cheaper SEAT models remains
- Engine gets noisy above 70mph
- Fiddly dashboard controls
Key specifications
Body style: Medium SUV/crossover
Engines: petrol, plug-in hybrid
Price: From £32,030 on-road
Launched: Winter 2020/21
Last updated: N/A
Replacement due: TBA
Image gallery
Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid VZ First Edition (2024 update)
Score: 8 / 10
“It’s easy to see why the Cupra Formentor has been such a huge hit for the brand, and this round of updates improves the Spanish brand’s small SUV in many key areas. There’s more range from the plug-in hybrid, so now many will genuinely be able to run it solely on electric power, and the infotainment and interior ergonomics are more user-friendly as well.”
Author: Alastair Crooks
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Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Cupra Formentor is a sporty coupe-SUV that has enough talent to mix it with more established, premium rivals.”
Author: Ellis Hyde
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Model reviewed: Cupra Formentor e-Hybrid 2021
Score: 7 / 10
“The Formentor is a great calling card for the Cupra brand – it’s stylish, drives well, comes well-equipped and with plenty of space.”
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Score: 9 / 10
“Fast, stylish inside and out and packed with the latest tech, the Cupra Formentor is an impressive machine that is both more desirable and better value than more established premium rivals.”
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Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol automatic 4Drive VZ Edition
Score: 8 / 10
“The Cupra Formentor 310PS 4Drive VZ Edition is great fun, and a true appetite-whetter. But the make-or-break for Cupra’s future will be the more populist versions: bring them on.”
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Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol automatic
Score: 9 / 10
“Cupra has really done well with the Formentor, as it has utilised tried-and-tested technology and powertrains from the VW Group, but has created a truly unique and interesting car from it. It brings plenty of style and sportiness to this SUV class, while still being practical and easy to live with.”
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Score: 8 / 10
“The Cupra Formentor is a quick and fun-to-drive SUV, but it’s still heavily influenced by cheaper SEAT models”
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Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Cupra Formentor is the first model from SEAT’s off-shoot performance brand. It looks great inside and out and is fun on the right road, but there are bigger boots and higher driving positions available.”
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Model reviewed: VZ2 310PS 4Drive DSG
“The Cupra Formentor would be perfect for Darth Vader or Batman’s off-duty runaround.”
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Model reviewed: 2.0-litre perol automatic VZ2
Score: 8 / 10
“It might not be as fast as Lamborghini’s Urus SUV, but to my eye it looks better and is £120,000 cheaper.”
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Model reviewed: 1.4-litre petrol-electric plug-in hybrid
Score: 7.5 / 10
“The Cupra Formentor is fun yet composed to drive, and looks distinctive and fresh. But it’s comparably expensive and short on space next to more conventional PHEV alternatives.”
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Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol automatic 310 TSI
Score: 8 / 10
“The best take on the performance crossover at its size and price point so far, and with genuine charisma and style to boot.”
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Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“If the Cupra was a person it would be Beyonce. Bored being held back by the less creative members of the group – Volkswagen, SEAT and Skoda – Cupra has untangled itself from its fellow carmakers to become a standalone brand and the Formentor is its first solo attempt.”
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Model reviewed: Range overview
“The interior is typical Volkswagen Group, aside from the leather-clad bucket seats and new 10-inch floating navigation system, the cabin is filled with dark plastics. Cupra is intended to provide a mix of premium and sportiness, and the Formentor’s cabin reflects this.”
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Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8.2 / 10
“Distinctive crossover blurs the lines between sports and utility.”
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Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol automatic
“The Cupra Formentor looks as mean as a Lamborghini Urus and drives like a Porsche Macan – and is way cheaper than both.”
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Model reviewed:
“I drove it back from London one afternoon and even though lockdown restrictions meant traffic was so light I did the journey in just 75 minutes, it felt as if I’d been at the wheel for a week. It was – and this is harsh – boring.” (Jeremy Clarkson)
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Model reviewed: 1.4-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid e-Hybrid VZ2
Score: 8 / 10
“It’s a parts-bin special, that’s undeniable, but this front-drive PHEV Cupra Formentor brings genuine design virtuosity and driver appeal to a part of the market that is usually characterised by its dull but worthy appeal. For company car drivers looking for a 10% benefit-in-kind car that might leave a smile on their faces, look no further.”
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Score: 8 / 10
“Using the Cupra name for a range of go-faster regular SEATs might cause some confusion, but this machine is a credible product all the same. Quick, quite good to drive, spacious and reasonably comfortable, the Cupra Formentor is much more than a parts-bin special.”
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Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Formentor is not exactly a car of many surprises. It’s built on a tried and tested platform. It’s powered by engines that’ve shone in many a decent, recent hot hatchback.”
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Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
Adult protection: 93%
Child protection: 88%
Vulnerable road users: 68%
Safety assist: 80%
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
As of January 2025, the Cupra Formentor has not been assessed by Green NCAP.
If the Formentor is put through the Green NCAP lab testing programme, we will publish the results here.
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
No reliability rating
As of January 2025, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Cupra Formentor to generate a reliability rating.
The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy. As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the Formentor, we’ll publish the score here.
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
| Fuel consumption | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| Petrol models | 36 mpg | D | 31 – 42 mpg | D – E |
| CO₂ output | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| Petrol models | 183 g/km | C | 153 – 209 g/km | B – D |
| Insurance group | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| All models | 25 | B | 17 – 50 | A – F |
| Service and maintenance | Cost | Score |
| Year 1 | £244 | B |
| Year 2 | £602 | B |
| Year 3 | £1,028 | B |
| Year 4 | £1,275 | C |
| Year 5 | £1,664 | B |
| Overall | £4,813 | B |
The Cupra Formentor has a mixed bag of running costs, according to whole-life cost numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.
We currently only have fuel economy data for petrol models, which range from 33 mpg to 45 mpg. This makes the petrol-powered Formentor thirstier than the average car. That said, rivals like the BMW X2 and Audi Q3 have similar fuel consumptions.
Otherwise, the SUV’s insurance premiums are on the cheaper side, and it should be affordable to service and maintain the car over five years of ownership.
Awards
Trophies, prizes and awards that the Cupra Formentor has received
2023
- Carbuyer Awards – Best Hot SUV
2022
- Carbuyer Awards – Best Hot SUV
2021
- Carbuyer Awards – Best Hot SUV
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Cupra Formentor, you might also be interested in these alternatives
Abarth 600e | Alpine A390 | Alfa Romeo Tonale | Audi Q3 Sportback | BMW X2 | Cupra Ateca | Jaguar E-Pace | Mercedes-AMG GLA 35 | Mini Countryman JCW | Volkswagen Tiguan R
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