Who the hell are Cupra and what in God’s name is a Formentor? It’s a fair question. The former is a Spanish performance focused car brand owned by Volkswagen, the latter is its crossover model.
Looking very unlike a traditional bulky SUV, the Formentor sports a low roofline and performance road dynamics. It in fact feels like a giant hot hatch. On the outside at least, it’s nothing short of head turning sexy.
The entry-level Formentor V ($54,990 drive away, as tested) produces 140kW of power and 320Nm of torque from its 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol four-cylinder engine. A seven-speed wet-clutch DSG automatic transmission and all-wheel drive are standard.
So too are adaptive dampers. The V variant comes with 18-inch wheels, metallic paint, full LED headlights, LED tail lights, a rear spoiler, aluminium mirror covers, and gloss black roof rails. The ride quality is good, the steering is nice and light, as well as being very precise.
An aggressive tuning of the suspension ensures too that the Formentor doesn’t feel like anything else you’ll find on the VW or Skoda roster either. Inside, the steering wheel gives a premium feel and also has a number of control switches to keep you focussed ahead.
The copper highlights around the air conditioning vents and on the aforementioned steering wheel, along with similarly coloured stitching, helps give the Cupra a distinct look. Similarly attired exterior badging upfront and on the rear door adds to that.
A 10.25-inch digital instrument display alongside a massive 12-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with satellite navigation, tilted ever so slightly toward the driver gives the interior a really modern feel.
Better still, because there is a lot going on with the infotainment screen, Cupra have cleverly installed a tutorial so that you can learn how to manage all of its controls. Both screens are super high-resolution, and the larger unit is very responsive.
We tested the wireless Android Auto (it does come with Apple CarPlay) and found it quick to load, without any noticeable issues. The small gear lever will take some getting used to but it saves space and works well.
The plastics surrounding the centre console are a little harsh, but the touch points such as the arm rests and the upper door covers feel nice and soft. The rear door cards are plastic too, which may be of benefit if you’re carrying kids with food covered mitts.
The driving position is quite good, and there is heaps of headroom up front for taller passengers. The rear seats can manage two adults with ease. The boot space is a little smaller than average at 420-litres.
The stereo system is from Beats, and the sound is so crisp and clear, even at full volume there is no distortion. Other features include heated folding mirrors, fog lights with cornering function, automatic high-beam and auto headlights.
You’ll also find rain sensing wipers, rear privacy glass, wireless phone charging, two front and rear USB-C ports, cloth seats, tri–zone climate control, paddle shifters, and keyless entry and start.
The interior finishes feel somewhere between a Skoda and an entry-level Audi. Which is a good thing right? When it comes to servicing, you get three years of that for free, and there’s a 5-year unlimited kilometre warranty.
On the safety front you’ll find a front and side assist package, which includes a host of features like blind spot monitoring, collision warnings and autonomous emergency braking, as well as rear cross traffic alert, and pedestrian protection.
The 2022 Cupra Formentor V is available in Nevada White, Magnetic Tech, Midnight Black and Asphalt Blue, Desire Red, Graphene Grey and Dark Camouflage. You can find out more at the Cupra website. Prices are fixed for each vehicle in the range.
If you’re keen on one and need finance, visit CreditOne.
Our test vehicle was provided by Cupra Australia. To find out more about the 2022 Cupra Formentor V, contact your local Cupra Garage.
