Read Caroline’s Cupra Tavascan review for everything you need to know about buying Cupra’s new electric SUV in Ireland.
Cupra is growing its presence in Ireland with the arrival of new models like the Terramar and Tavascan. Building on the success of the Born electric hatchback, the new Tavascan follows suit this time as a very fashionable coupé-like SUV.
The Tavascan is definitely a style setter but does it have the space and pace to match?
Let’s take a closer look.
Design
Cupra is known for its bold and daring designs. The Tavascan continues the vibe with swoopy but aggressive styling. It’s something of an SUV-coupé, with a sloping roofline that drops neatly into the tail. At the front, it gets the new face of the Cupra brand. Now more distinct than ever with three-triangle signature in the LED headlights and a Cupra badge that lights up. At the back, the Cupra logo also lights up and blends into a full width light bar. It’s a handsome car with great presence.
There are four colours to choose from: White Silver, Tavascan Blue, Atacama Desert and Basalt Grey. Endurance 4 models come as standard with 19-inch alloy wheels, but there are 20- and even 21-inch designs available.
Cupra Tavascan Interior
The Tavascan gets an avant-garde cabin to match its dramatic looks. In the centre, a giant Y-shaped spine separates you from your passenger and adds distinction to this model in the Cupra line-up. The elevated ride height gives a good view out of the road ahead. The steering wheel has paddles to adjust regenerative braking and also two satellite buttons: one to toggle between drive modes and one to go directly to the most performance-oriented Cupra mode.
There’s also a slim digital driver display directly in front of you. All versions come as standard with the 15-inch touchscreen running new software for the brand. There’s a strong reliance on touch control but its large size and customisable shortcuts make it relatively easy to navigate.
Standard features include wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, wireless smartphone charging pad, parking camera, tri-zone climate control and heated steering wheel.
Going up the trim levels adds features like heated front seats with power adjustment and memory, 360 camera, Sennheiser stereo and a panoramic glass roof.
Practicality
Built on the Volkswagen Group’s MEB platform for electric vehicles, the Tavascan is impressively spacious inside – particularly for rear seat passengers. The flat floor means that legroom is anything but cramped. Worth noting that if you want a rear armrest with load through feature, you need to opt for the Endurance 6 version.
The boot is also a generous size at 540 litres, with a handy hatchback style opening. But again if you want the two-position boot floor feature, you’ll need to go up to the Endurance 6.
Good news is there’s a powered tailgate as standard with a motion sensor for easy opening when your hands are full.
Battery and range
The Tavascan goes on sale with a 77kWh lithium-ion battery (usable capacity) with up to 569 kilometres (WLTP) for the Endurance 4 model on test. That’s the best for range as the bigger wheels on the higher levels impact range.
A heat pump is optional for €1,721 as part of a pack that also adds heated front seats and heated windscreen to the Endurance 4.
Driving the Tavascan
Power outputs vary. The Endurance models have a healthy 286hp, while the more high-performance VZ models have 340hp. The Endurance models are rear wheel drive, while the VZ ones are four wheel drive.
The Tavascan is only Cupra’s second all-electric model after the Born. It has a natural sporty character, a sharp handler through bends, with precise, progressive steering that makes it more direct and easy to place on the road. It’s nippy to drive, with 0-100km/h in just 6.8 seconds. It’s easy to adjust the drive modes (Range, Comfort, Performance, CUPRA and Individual) from the buttons on the steering wheel.
However, the ride is a little firm over bumpy, uneven surfaces on the standard suspension and there is road noise at high speeds. Higher versions of the Tavascan include Dynamic Chassis Control for better ride quality, if you are willing to pay more for it. But aside from the road making itself known underneath you, it’s a very stable and upmarket companion for the road.
Cupra quotes consumption as low as 15.1kWh per 100 kilometres for the Endurance 4 I tested. In real world driving in a warm May I averaged 15.4kWh, which is very good.
There are paddles to adjust the regenerative braking behind the steering wheel and a B mode can also be selected from the gear selector stalk.
Charging
There’s up to 11kW AC charging possible and up to 135kW DC for a 10-80% charge in as little as 28 minutes.
Cupra Tavascan Price
The Tavascan is on sale from €44,365 for the Endurance 4, from €54,765 for the Endurance 6 and from €61,575 for the Endurance 7.
The VZ models start from €70,210 and come with more power and four wheel drive.
Verdict
The Tavascan is a really stylish and interesting new addition to the growing Cupra range in Ireland. The design and coupé-SUV style should elevate it in the hearts and minds of buyers seeking something a little more interesting than the Born hatchback, but with much the same qualities otherwise. The range is excellent, as is the efficiency. The ride quality on the standard suspension is worth noting as it’s not the most cosseting. But otherwise this a practical yet fun to drive SUV with style and substance to it.
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Written by Caroline Kidd
Founder and Editor of Changing Lanes, Juror for Irish Car of the Year
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