Cupra Tavascan
I’m of the opinion that Cupra’s been a standalone brand in the VAG group for long enough now but I’ll explain anyway, just in case. Cupra (Cup Racing) was, for years, the badge Spanish marque Seat stuck on their most performance minded models but in 2018 (yes – that long ago) it broke away and became a brand in its own right, complete with an edgy logo and liberal use of copper colouring.
For a while Cupra did continue to only offer sporty Seat models but then came the Cupra-only Formentor. In 2022 they launched an electric-only car in the shape of the ID.3 based Born, and it was rather good. Fast-forward to today and we’ve got this; the electric-only, sporty SUV called the Tavascan.
Cupra’s never been a brand that you’d call shy and retiring and the Tavascan continues in that vein. The basic shape is very Model Y which does seem to be an increasingly popular silhouette but look closer and there’s far more to it.
Illuminated logo: no thanks, lines and lighting: yes please
I have to admit, I’ve never been a fan of illuminated logos on cars, it screams aftermarket mod to me but at least Cupra is an attractive emblem. The rest of the way lighting is used on the Tavascan is very effective, though, particularly the way they peep out from underneath the bonnet overhang.
There’s creases, lines and vents aplenty; you’ll likely find a new feature every time you look. I’m guessing at least some of these are for cooling/heating/aerodynamic purposes but, quite frankly, I don’t care if they’re just for aesthetics as they all just work.
Larger wheels are a must I’m afraid
What also work are the 21″ ‘Etna‘ alloy wheels this VZ2 spec version come with. Every Tavascan except the entry model V1 has 21″ wheels as standard. The V1 comes with 19″ rims which are probably more comfortable thanks to their increased rubber walls, they’ll add a few miles of range too but for looks alone, it’s got to be the larger wheel.
If you think the Tavascan’s exterior is edgy and appealing then I doubt you’ll be disappointed when you open the door and step inside. It’s fair to say that the Tavascan’s cabin is the antithesis of the modern trend of surgical, Scandi-cool; it’s actually organic in its design. Sit inside and you could be in Lord Voldemort’s boudoir with its zoomorphic shapes, snakeskin textures and multi-coloured mood-lighting.
Some of the practicality is lost due to the non-conventional approach to the Tavascan’s interior design; there’s not as many useful cubby holes, for example. This should be overlooked in my opinion, though, as it’s a breath of fresh air to know exactly which car you’re in without having to see the outside or the badge.
Haptic buttons
One aspect of the Tavascan’s dashboard we could live without are the VAG haptic buttons that are hopefully being fazed out. They keep the dashboard clean but they’re slow to respond and the controls on the steering wheel are too easy to touch with the heel of the driver’s palm when turning.
As with many cars of this shape, the C-pillar is so large it makes rear 3/4 visibility almost none-existent and the driver relies heavily on cameras and sensors to compensate. You’d imagine that due to the roofline and battery-tech under the floor rear headroom would leave a lot to be desired but it’s actually very generous in the Tavascan.
RWD or AWD
The base model Tavascan: V1 has an impressive claimed range of 353 miles and all Tavascans are capable of taking 135kW DC charging where available. Go up the trim levels and the range drops as wheel diameter increases, as does power. The V1 & V2 versions have 284bhp and one electric motor driving the rear wheels, the VZ models have 337bhp and are AWD.
What’s the range?
This VZ2’s range is still a very useable 298 claimed miles and the best bit about it is that it’s actually realistic and doesn’t drop two miles for every mile driven like some electric cars I could mention. The battery is the same 77kWh in whichever version you go for.
With Cupra’s reputation for producing cars at the more spirited end of the driving excitement scale, the Tavascan had to offer something other VAG products on the same platform didn’t. It sits lower than its stablemates and the drive is very RWD in feel, even in this AWD version with the front motor only kicking in when required.
All very civilised
Acceleration is brisk to say the least with 0-62mph taking just 5.5s but it’s been dialled down a bit in the name of comfort and refinement. The power is fed in gradually, not delivered like a sledgehammer to the temple and it all makes for a far more civilised experience.
The regen brakes are also calm in their approach and they harvest power during deceleration without feeling like you’ve been involved in a collision. There is just no getting away from physics, though, and that 2.3 tonnes can become very noticeable if you need to rein things in quickly.
Should I buy a Cupra Tavascan?
If you decide the Tavascan’s your thing the entry level RWD V1 starts at £47,350 but it does lose some visual appeal on the 19″ rims. This VZ2 is £60,845 but the sweet-spot may well be the V2 at £53,845, assuming you don’t need AWD. Whichever Tavascan you go for, it certainly stands out and that interior makes it feel like something special.
By Ben Harrington
The Cupra Tavascan is available now, priced from £47,350. For full details go to: www.cupraofficial.co.uk
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