Cupra is SEAT’s sportier spin-off brand and the company has mostly built go-faster versions of ordinary SEATs – namely the Leon and Ateca. But the Formentor is the brand’s first purpose-built model; as in, you can’t have the Formentor with a SEAT badge on it at all. It’s essentially a compact SUV to rival the Nissan Qashqai, Volkswagen T-Roc and Ford Puma, but it goes about its task with a motorsport-inspired edge and a semi-premium outlook. It means business.
There’s plenty of room inside the Formentor, despite its coupe-like roofline. Rear headroom is surprisingly good and there’s ample legroom. It isn’t a ballroom back there, but it’s more than spacious enough to carry 4 adults in comfort. In fact, it isn’t much less spacious than more conventional SUVs, including the closely related SEAT Ateca.
Boot space is solid, too. The 450-litre space compares favourably with the Volkswagen T-Roc, although all-wheel-drive versions lose 30 of those litres. Even so, the Formentor is more spacious than family hatchbacks such as the Volkswagen Golf and Ford Focus. There’s plenty of space in there for holiday luggage, kids’ school bags or shopping – all the day-to-day stuff. Just be aware that hybrid versions lose even more boot space, which makes them marginally less convincing options.
The Formentor is offered with a range of turbocharged petrol and plug-in hybrid powertrains that offer varying levels of efficiency. The basic 1.5-litre petrol engine is surprisingly efficient, managing in excess of 40mpg, but the 190-, 245- and 310hp 2.0-litre TSI engines are somewhat thirstier.
That means the economy champion is the eHybrid plug-in with 204hp. Charge it up regularly and keep your journeys short, and you could see something in the region of 200mpg. Cupra also offers a slightly more potent version of the eHybrid with 245hp.
The 204hp eHybrid’s 29g/km emissions and 36-mile electric range put it in the 11% benefit-in-kind tax bracket for 2021/22. Happily, the 245hp plug-in version is only marginally less efficient, making it equally cheap to run despite the increase in power.
Cupra is a relatively new brand, but it has the backing of SEAT and the Volkswagen Group. That means you get great build quality and well-proven mechanical components. Problems are unlikely, but you still get a solid customer warranty for added peace of mind.
The basic Formentor comes with a 450-litre boot, but the all-wheel-drive models cut that to 420 litres. That’s still plenty for normal family life, but the eHybrid versions only have 350 litres of carrying capacity, which makes them a little more restrictive.
The Formentor range climbs from the basic V1 to the slightly more luxurious V2, before moving on to the even sportier VZ2 and VZ3 models. All are well equipped, with plenty of standard gadgets.
Rear parking sensors are standard across the Formentor range. But moving up the range will get you a rear-view camera to make reversing easier.
The Formentor is surprisingly spacious, given the low roofline. The boot is big and there’s plenty of room inside. You can fit 4 adults in comfort, with plenty of head and legroom in the back.
Smart, stylish looks and a solidly built cabin make the Formentor a classy option, but it’s also great to drive. Better still, it comes with a wide range of engine options and there’s plenty of standard equipment. It’s a hidden gem in the compact SUV market.
At Vanarama, you’ll find the best Cupra Formentor lease deals. Get a fantastic price with no hidden fees. You can also enjoy free 30-day returns if you’re not completely satisfied with your new vehicle.
Still unsure? Take a look at our excellent TrustPilot reviews or get in touch with our friendly team of advisors for more information about leasing a Cupra Formentor.
With a Cupra Formentor lease deal, you can find a brand-new car in a few simple steps. Select your model and customise your leasing plan based on your annual mileage, preferred contract length and initial payment.
You’ll enjoy peace of mind with fixed monthly payments. Once your contract is up, just return the car to us - no need to worry about balloon payments or depreciation costs. You can even upgrade if you like!
The Cupra is a fresh face in the crowded compact SUV market. But it’s more than just a pretty face. This is a car with great build quality, bags of technology and strong practicality credentials.
It’s more agile than you might expect and the high-powered petrol engines make it fast. The hybrids, on the other hand, make it exceptionally efficient. See how our car experts rated it in our in-depth Cupra Formentor review.
As part of the Volkswagen Group, Cupra interiors are predictably solid and well built. Like the exterior, the dashboard is angular and modern.
Cupra’s bronze trim can be found dotted around the cabin, while the central touchscreen is the centre of attention. It’s a slick, clear and easy-to-use system with intuitive menus and software that responds quickly to any inputs, with plenty of functions accessible through the buttons on the steering wheel.
For an SUV, the Formentor drives brilliantly. Of course, it can’t compete with low-slung hatchbacks such as the Ford Focus, but it’s better than most of its closest rivals. It doesn’t roll too much when you pitch it into a corner and there’s plenty of grip on offer. The steering is more responsive than most SUVs, so you have a better idea of what the wheels are doing.
The engine range affects the car’s character dramatically, with the 2.0-litre 310hp petrol engine offering impressive performance. While that car dashes to 62mph in less than 5 seconds, the 1.5-litre, 150hp motor takes a more leisurely 8.9 seconds to do the same sprint. The 190hp petrol and the 2 plug-in hybrid options offer a good balance of performance and economy.
The Formentor remains comfortable no matter which version you choose. Around town, it’s refined and quiet, making it a relaxing place to spend the school run or a commute.
Formentor Coupe-SUV 5-Door
The Formentor is only available as a sleek 5-door, 5-seat SUV.
Colours And Interiors
The Formentor is available in 9 different colours with several interior options for those who love to customise. Check out our Formentor colour guide for details on the avaiable options.
Trim levels available: V1, V2, VZ2, VZ3.
As standard, even the basic Formentor V1 comes with 18-inch alloy wheels, a 12-inch touchscreen navigation system and keyless entry. Automatic lights and wipers also feature alongside 3-zone air conditioning, a digital instrument display, and the Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration systems.