Cupra Formentor

The Cupra Formentor represents a concept that is rapidly disappearing from the electrification of the automotive world. With over 300 horsepower, unashamedly aggressive styling and a price tag of less than €50,000, it seems to be a vanishing tradition.

The Cupra, made famous by Seat, is now a brand all its own. The Formentor is only available with a petrol engine. Electricity is not involved in the first Formentor models, and in the context of the electric boom in the car world, this seems strange at first – is there really not even a light hybrid available?

Zero to 60 in less than five seconds. Photo by Antti Järveläinen.

The exterior could even be described as mean

In terms of colour, the Cupra’s copper and grey combination works perfectly. The copper details on the Cupra’s badge and rims, combined with the two-tone bodywork and sharp styling, communicate exactly what a 310-horsepower sporty SUV should communicate.

The fierce looks will clearly turn heads and the four exhaust tips are hard to miss. The interior is dominated by copper detailing, as on the exterior, and the steering wheel features the familiar sports car driving mode controls and starter button.

Doubled double exhaust pipes. Photo by Antti Järveläinen.

The Cupra driving mode is heard and felt

The Formentor is currently only available with a two-litre four-cylinder petrol engine. With 310 hp and 400 Nm of torque, the two-litre unit moves the car lightly with four-wheel drive, even in slightly thicker snow.

The gearbox is a seven-speed dsg automatic, which works well with the engine. The Formentor goes from zero to 60 in 4.9 seconds.

The Formentor’s driving feel has been given a truly tactile and sporty feel. During the test drive, the weather varied from light frosts to slush and a few days were spent driving on almost dry roads.

The car is four-wheel drive. Photo by Antti Järveläinen.

In a variety of conditions, the Formentor impressed with its determination and at its best, when the grip is there, the Formentor delivers an emotionally sporty ride and you don’t immediately notice the lack of power.

The driving modes have a significant impact, at least on the sound environment. Of the five driving modes, there is a huge difference between Comfort and Cupra in terms of cabin sound. In Cupra mode, the partially boosted engine noise in the cabin is initially pleasant to listen to, but in the longer term the quieter soundscape offered by Comfort feels nice and quiet and a nice change.

This is a car that lets the driver enjoy himself. Photo by Antti Järveläinen.

The Cupra mode does offer some real exhaust note, which at its best is heard as a manly low gear change and a thump in the pipes. In addition to the soundscape, changing the driving mode has a clear effect on the four-wheel drive, steering, engine and stability control. The throttle becomes pleasantly sensitive in Cupra mode.

Fuel consumption remains at a tolerable level, given the specifications. Average consumption in the city ranged between 10 and 12 litres and on the motorway it was at best around 8 litres per 100 km.

The trip allowance could be longer. Photo by Antti Järveläinen.

You can’t have everything

In many ways, the Formentor seems too good to be true. In terms of price-performance ratio, the Formentor offers horsepower and feel-good driveability at a delicious price. There’s nothing to complain about in terms of looks either.

There’s always somewhere to cut back and streamline production, but in the case of the Formentor, the skimping seems to have hit the dashboard’s media display and functions. In terms of resolution, the screen is inferior to many cheaper car models, and the software has clearly been compromised in terms of user-friendliness. In addition, the front seats are lacking extendable thigh supports, which could clearly be used.

Copper dominates the Cupra logo. Photo by Antti Järveläinen.

However, the criticisms of Formentor are minor. With its power and reasonable price tag, this sporty SUV with space for five people is a very welcome alternative in an electrifying world.

Rising fuel prices and eco-speak from every corner of the globe won’t rain on the Formentor’s parade, but they won’t take away from the fun it offers in return for the money.