Cupra Tavascan VZ review

Cupra is the sporty arm of Volkswagen’s Spanish brand Seat and is still a relative newcomer in the Australian market, having launched here in July 2022.

Like Skoda and Seat, its vehicles are based on common Volkswagen Group platforms and components that are also shared with the likes of Audi and Porsche.

In a short space of time Cupra has established itself as a particularly dynamic brand with a diversified lineup that now includes the Tavascan, a battery-electric medium SUV based on the Volkswagen Group's MEB (Modular Electric Toolkit) platform.

It’s the same dedicated EV platform that underpins other models including the Volkswagen ID.3, ID.5 and Skoda Enyaq.

As a coupe-style SUV the Tavascan brings an extra a dose of style to a medium SUV segment where Cupra is already particularly well represented with the Terramar ($53,990-$68,200), Formentor ($56,990- $67,990), and Ateca ($51,990-$63,490).

Although the Formentor does offer plug-in hybrid variants, the Tavascan is Cupra's only pure battery electric SUV, joining the Born hatchback as the brand's second battery electric model.

Designed in cosmopolitan Barcelona, the Tavascan is named after a village and a small ski resort located in the Catalan Pyrenees, but it's manufactured in China at Volkswagen's joint-venture Anhui factory.

How much does a Cupra Tavascan VZ cost?

The Tavascan is available in two grades, the entry-level rear-wheel drive Endurance which costs $60,990 (MRLP) and the more highly specified dual motor VZ which costs $74,490 (MRLP).

Interestingly, this price point neatly straddles the Formentor's PHEV variants which are priced at $64,990 and $67,990.

Both Tavascan variants feature a 77kWh battery but the Endurance is a single motor rear-wheel drive model so boast superior range of 534km (WLTP), versus the more powerful dual-motor all-wheel drive VZ which manages a still respectable 499km (WLTP).

What stands out about the Cupra Tavascan VZ's exterior design?

Cupra places a great deal of emphasis on expressive design. The Tavascan certainly achieves its goal of standing out from the crowd.

Its provocative styling is characterised by a striking front-end with bold LED headlamps above an aggressive lower bumper.

The powerful bulged bonnet is suggestive of strong performance and there's dynamic character lines in the side-profile that creates a sense of motion when static.

At the rear, an illuminated logo connects the taillights beneath an integrated spoiler.

Large 21-inch alloy wheels pushed out to the edges create a sporty, planted effect, with attractive copper-coloured wheel finishes alluding to the electric powertrain.

Intricate detailing in the headlamps and taillights add to the Tavascan's sense of occasion as do design touches like illuminated logos front and rear, and welcome light graphics that project the logo onto the ground in darkness.

What is the Cupra Tavascan VZ like inside?

The drama of the exterior design is carried over to the interior and even amped up a bit.

The interior is a riot of vents, scoops, hollows and curves, in combination with stippled texturing of the plastics and distinctive copper highlights.

Multicolour selectable ambient lighting creates additional visual effects on the dash and door trims, and the design is further embellished by attractive copper highlights and trim pieces which create plenty of eye-candy.

Fortunately, it's all quite well executed so avoids being kitsch but you need to be a fan of extroverted design to feel at home inside a Tavascan.

As extravagant as the design is, it's all cohesive, with sound ergonomics and logical placement of switchgear and controls.

An exception is the prominent central spine which looks impressive but isn’t particularly practical, as it interferes with where you might otherwise place a phone, keys or wallet.

There are, however, twin cupholders and a deep lidded console cum armrest, plus additional storage and a wireless phone charger below the flyover.

A smart entry system unlocks and locks the car on approach and departure, accompanied by a snazzy light show.

Once seated, you simply select Drive via a twist-shift column-mounted transmission selector and go, with no need to press a start button.

Ahead of the driver is a small digital display screen, with a larger tablet-style 15-inch central touchscreen infotainment sitting prominently at dash centre.

The larger screen houses various phone and infotainment setting plus vehicle settings including climate control, icons for which are permanently pinned to the base of the screen.

Air temperature and audio volume are operated by touch-sensitive type switches which are imprecise in operation, something that's more noticeable on the steering wheel mounted audio controls where the same switchgear is prone to accidental activation.

The seats are heavily bolstered high-back shell-style buckets which are firm but very supportive. The driving position is good, with plenty of adjustment and mostly good visibility, except for a smallish rear windscreen due to coupe-like roofline.

The sporty flat-bottom steering wheel is leather-trimmed and comes with thumb tabs and a pair of circular buttons on either side of the boss for selecting drive modes.

Rear-seat accommodation is decent, with a flat floor and enough room for a six-footer to sit behind their own driving position.

Although specified as a five-seater, the middle seat doubles as a fold-down armrest and pass-through hatch, so is quite uncomfortable. Rear seat amenities include map pockets, narrow door bins, air-con controls and individual air vents, plus two USB-A ports.

A hands-free electric tailgate opens via a kick motion beneath the rear bumper to reveal a competitive 540-litres of space, with additional storage under the floor for charging cables.

A cargo cover attaches to the liftgate to keep luggage out of sight when parked.

There's no front trunk, however, which is an advantage key rival the Tesla Model Y offers.

What standard features does a Cupra Tavascan VZ have?

The VZ shares with the lower grade Endurance features like a power tailgate with ‘kick’ sensor, smart entry with ‘sit-to-start’ functionality, three-zone climate system with rear control, a 15-inch touchscreen infotainment system, wireless app connectivity, and wireless smartphone charging.

On top of this the VZ also gets as standard features that are bundled into a $4,500 optional Interior Package on the lower grade model.

This includes a 360-degree top view camera, ‘Dark Night’ microfibre power front seats with heating and memory, illuminated scuff plates, ambient interior lighting and a premium 12-speaker Sennheiser audio system.

To this the well-equipped VZ also adds 21-inch Katla alloy wheels with copper finishing, Matrix LED headlights with adaptive high-beam, and a fixed panoramic glass roof with electric sunblind.

For buyers wanting to go further down the customisation path, the VZ can be optioned with an $8,000 Extreme Package which adds Nappa Leather interior, 21-inch Etna alloy wheels, ‘Cup Racing’ bucket front seats with seat ventilation, and high-performance tyres (which reduce WLTP range to 463km).

Absent from the Tavascan's features list but offered by many rivals is a smartphone companion app which enables features like remote activation of the air-conditioning system or viewing the vehicle’s charge level.

The absence of connected service features means there's no Over the Air Updates ability.

Is the Cupra Tavascan VZ good to drive?

Both Tavacan variants get the same 77kWh usable lithium-ion battery pack, also known as an 82kWh gross battery, which can accommodate 11kW AC charging and up to 135kW DC fast charging.

The base Endurance rides on 19-inch alloy wheels and has a single rear-mounted motor that sends its outputs of 210kW/545Nm to the rear wheels and offers a claimed driving range of 534km (WLTP) .

Stepping up to the dual-motor VZ adds all-wheel drive, a bump in power and torque to 250kW and an extra 134Nm of front motor torque, with the rear motor delivering 545Nm.

The extra grunt contributes to a more rapid 5.5 second 0-100km/h sprint time, which is 1.3 seconds faster than the base model. The downside of this extra performance is that the VZ's range drops to 499km (WLTP).

Unlike the Endurance, which is equipped with standard passive dampers, the VZ rides on adaptive dampers with the ability for the driver to select Comfort or Performance settings.

In Comfort mode the suspension does a good job of masking the fact the VZ rides on low profile 21-inch wheels, but in Performance mode the ride is very firm with frequent jarring over sharp lumps and bumps.

The payoff is that the VZ is quicker and more precise in its handling characteristics than the base model.

The front motor adds a bit more weight to the front end so the steering feels a little heavier but it's fast, progressive, and accurate, allowing the driver to place the VZ precisely in corners.

The dual-motor drivetrain delivers instant off-the-mark and rolling acceleration such that, even with its hefty 2,284kg kerb weight, the VZ's drive out of corners is seriously impressive. Indeed, the 255/40R21 rubber struggles to contain the instant torque if you're too eager with the accelerator.

Unfortunately, braking is not as impressive with both variants featuring a disc brake front end but rear drums, which seems oddly out of place on an otherwise modern vehicle. Brake pedal-feel and modulation isn't as progressive or powerful as might be expected for a car with such strong acceleration and cornering abilities.

Both models have five selectable drive modes – Range, Comfort, Performance, Cupra, and Individual – with the VZ gaining an additional Traction mode.

Regenerative braking is controlled by the drive model selection but can also be manually adjusted via the steering wheel paddles and by selecting a B mode switch for maximum regeneration.

What safety features does a Cupra Tavascan VZ have?

The Tavascan hasn't been rated for safety by ANCAP but it does have a five-star Euro NCAP rating.

Both variants feature seven airbags and an up-to-date array of standard safety features including:

• Autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian and cyclist detection
• Travel assist (includes adaptive cruise control
• Lane-centring assist
• Traffic jam assist
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Lane-keep assist.
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Exit assist
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Reversing camera.

Despite its powerful acceleration and high levels of cornering grip the Tavascan’s driver assistance systems are pleasingly non-interventionist.

You know they’re there and from time to time they do step in to assist with overzealous acceleration or cornering, but they’re not constantly in your face (and ears) to the point of being distracting.

How does the Cupra Tavascan VZ compare?

The Tavascan's pricing of $60,990 (MRLP) for the entry level variant is competitive when measured against equivalent rear-wheel drive models from segment best sellers the BYD Sealion 7 ($54,990 MRLP) and Tesla Model Y ($58,990 MRLP).

The value proposition falls away somewhat when you step up to the better-equipped Tavascan VZ, priced at $74,490 (MRLP), which goes head-to-head with the BYD Sealion 7 all-wheel drive Performance ($63,990 MRLP) and Tesla Model Y Long-Range All-Wheel Drive ($68,900 MRLP).

The VZ's claimed range of 499km betters the equivalent BYD's 456km but can't match the impressive 551km of the Model Y Long-Range All-Wheel Drive.

Similarly, as rapid as the VZ feels (and it will dust most ICE cars away from the traffic lights), its 5.5-second 0-100km/h sprint is slower than both the Tesla Model Y (4.3 secs) and the BYD Sealion 7 (4.5 secs).

The Tavascan comes with a competitive five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty for the vehicle and an eight-year 160,000km warranty for the battery. Service intervals are every 24 months or 30,000km with a six-year capped price servicing package available at $1,310 and a 10-year package at $2,190.

Should I buy a Cupra Tavascan VZ?

Whether you like or loathe the way it looks, there's no denying that the Cupra Tavascan stands out from the crowd.

It boasts an interesting design inside and out that will attract buyers wanting an EV that makes a statement.

It backs this up with a high level of standard equipment and a decent level of practicality via its roomy interior and generous boot.

While it's competitively priced the Tavascan VZ is certainly no bargain, and it could be argued this challenger model should be less expensive given the absence of compelling range or performance advantages over its key segment rivals.

For many buyers the base Endurance will be the better choice, not just because it's $15k less expensive than the VZ but also because of its superior range.

But the VZ is the better looking and better-equipped model and its performance comfortably outshines the base car, so it easily wins the heart-over-head debate.

What we liked

✓ Distinctive interior and exterior styling

✓ Strong acceleration

✓ Sporty ride and handling dynamics

✓ Adaptive suspension takes edge off the ride

Room for improvement

✗ Inconsistent brake pedal feel (drum rear brakes)

✗ Interior lacks oddment storage

✗ No full-size spare (emergency tyre repair kit)

✗ No Connected Services or Over the Air Updates