2024 Cupra Formentor VZx review (video)

Numerous new car makers are hitting the scene with varying ambitions. But there is one with just one clear ambition; to exhilarate. Cupra only makes cars with performance as its overarching philosophy. One of them is the Cupra Formentor medium-sized, coupe-style SUV. It impresses with the practicalities of an SUV but the soul of a performance coupe.

For those not yet familiar with the brand, Cupra is a subsidiary of Spanish car maker SEAT, whose parent company is Volkswagen Group. All Cupras share the same platforms and engines as other nameplates from Volkswagen Group, but some components and hardware are exclusive to Cupra.

Aussie buyers can choose from three Formentor models; the V, which gets a 140kW 2.0L turbo engine and all-wheel drive; the VZe that uses a 180kW 1.4L hybrid with front-wheel drive; or the top performing VZx, as tested, that tears out 228kW/400Nm to all fours.

2024 Cupra Formentor VZx: Specifications

Engine: 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder
Output: 228kW@5450-6500rpm / 400Nm@2000-5450rpm
Gearbox: Seven-speed dual-clutch auto
Drive type: All-wheel drive
Wheels: F & R: 19×8.0, 245/40
ANCAP: Five stars
Tare weight: 1647kg
Power-to-weight: 7.22:1 (kg:kW)
Official consumption: 7.7L/100km
Our consumption: 9.7L/100km
Fuel tank/Fuel type: 55L/98 RON

Power efficiency: 29.61kW:L/100km
0-60km/h: 2.38 seconds*
0-100km/h: 4.90 seconds*
60-110km/h: 3.37 seconds*
1/4 mile: 13.23 seconds at 173.4km/h*
Max acceleration: 1.019g*
100-0km/h braking: 37.97m in 3.01 seconds*
Max deceleration: -1.162g*
Decibel at idle (/sport mode): 48/52*
Peak decibel at 60-100km/h: 88*
Starting price: $70,790

*Figures as tested by Driving Enthusiast on the day. Manufacturers’ claims may be different

2024 Cupra Formentor VZx: How much does it cost?

Retailing from $70,790 (excluding on-road costs), the bill for the Formentor VZx makes sense as it goes against the likes of the Audi Q4 and Q5, BMW X3 and X4, Genesis GV70, Lexus NX, Porsche Macan, and Volvo XC60. All of which are more (some a lot more) expensive when their fastest engines are chosen.

It also reaps performance credentials comparable to that of a Ford Mustang, MINI John Cooper Works variants, Volkswagen Golf R, Honda Civic Type R, Audi S3, Mercedes-Benz’s AMG M260 engine, or BMW’s M135i engine. So, we think you’re getting a good value-for-performance package here.

In terms of ongoing costs, all Cupras come with the industry average five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty and five years of free road-side assistance. Servicing is required every 12 months or 15,000km, and it comes with a free pick-up and drop off concierge service when carried out at a Cupra service centre.

You can pre-purchase a three-year service plan for $990 or a five-year plan for $1990. Interestingly, this is cheaper than head company Volkswagen’s own servicing. Even cheaper than a rudimentary Polo small hatch.

2024 Cupra Formentor VZx: Interior & packaging

Interior design is superb. It presents with a theme that is unique to Cupra. Varied colour schemes and materials with copper-coloured highlights, rich craftsmanship, and full of modern tech. Carbon fibre look surfaces, diverse textures, and dark bushed chrome panels break it up into a strikingly racy-looking space.

Also designed with performance in mind, there are front bucketed leather seats, a dotted leather wrapped steering wheel, ‘satellite’ buttons on the steering wheel to start/stop the engine and change driving modes quickly, and stimulating wrap-around mood lighting at night.

Strong tech prominence is also present, thanks to a vivid and easy to navigate 12-inch infotainment touch-screen and a clear 10.25-inch fully digital cockpit. We appreciate the ability to customise their layouts, and offer display info other cars do not usually display. All that gear is accompanied by both wired and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, four USB-C ports (two in each row), a wireless phone charger, digital radio, voice control, sat-nav, and a high-end Beats-branded sound system with nine speakers, a subwoofer, and a 340-Watt amplifier.

One dislike we have is the air-con controls are built into the centre touch-screen. Having physical buttons to change settings is quicker while driving. There are dedicated climate temperature up/down buttons under the screen, but in a blatant misnomer, they do not have a backlight for night-time use. Since they are touch sensitive rather than mechanical buttons, you cannot feel for them in the dark, either.

In regards to comfort and practical use, the Formentor’s interior is biased towards a sporty environment. Bucketed front seats secure you in for those athletic moments. Yet, space is very liveable in both the front and rear – aided by plenty of legroom, lots of storage crevices, and rear air vents. There are bigger medium SUVs on the market, but not many with the VZx’s performance and coupe-inspired sporty design.

That coupe-style slant at the rear also impacts on boot space compared with conventional SUVs, if boot space is of high importance to you. With 420 litres on offer, or 1475 litres with the 60:40 split/fold rear seats down, there are no complaints from us, but you might struggle to fit taller or bulky items in.

Standing back and you can appreciate the sporty intent that emanates from the VZx’s exterior design. In line with the distinct Cupra design language, there are sharply chiselled contours, jagged and vivid LED lighting, contrasting black areas, illuminated scuff plates, quad exhaust outlets, and intense black and copper coloured alloy wheels.

We love how Cupra gives you almost everything upfront in the Formentor VZx. The only suitably optional extras are a $4250 Brembo brake package, a panoramic glass sunroof, premium or matte paint, and a $6300 Akrapovic exhaust system (as tested).

Unlike the many other premium brands that the Formentor competes against, everything else comes standard in the price. Standouts are side door exit warning, automated steering parking assistance, tri-zone climate control, a heated steering wheel, heated front seats, a 360-degree view camera, dynamic indicator taillights, keyless entry and start, and a handsfree powered tailgate.

2024 Cupra Formentor VZx: Powertrain & handling

Now let’s talk power. Unique to the rest of the range, the VZx scores a 2.0-litre turbo engine, similar to the one that’s used in many other applications under the Volkswagen umbrella. In the Cupra it whips out 228kW of power and 400Nm of torque.

On the tarmac, this translates to an official 0-100km/h sprint time of just 4.9 seconds. That is some lethal acceleration. Our tests resulted in a time of exactly that, 4.90 seconds according to Vbox timing. It is pretty much as quick as a VW Golf R.

Unleashing the power is a sweet role to play. The four-wheel drive system gives it the traction it needs to anchor all that power to the road. Full torque output kicks in low in the rev range, at 2000rpm, and continues through a wide band. This gives it a confident feel, like it never needs to be revved. But if you do dig your toes in, the engine feels joyed to play ball. It screams into a strong top end. The propelling exhilaration on offer should have competitors nervous, especially when you compare prices.

Excitement is strengthened with the use of a seven-speed wet dual-clutch automatic gearbox, which has improved considerably from older generation Volkswagen DSG gearboxes. Gear changes are now decisive, smooth, and fast. There is less hesitancy on take-off under light acceleration, which helps during precarious parking movements. An electronic differential lock is also included for hardcore conditions and demands.

We love the smooth notes created by the Akrapovic exhaust system. A sporty, low note that is obvious, but not intolerable. But it is a steep spend, at $6300.

Performance engines like this one do come at a cost in fuel use. The official average with the VZx is 7.7L/100km, which is not back at all considering it does 0-100 in 4.9 seconds. But our week gave an elevated average of 9.7L/100km It also requires 98 RON petrol.

To keep up with all that power, the Formentor has an athletic suspension setup. Active electronic dampers and dynamic chassis control are both standard offerings across the range. This means it handles like a low-to-the-ground sports hatch with rigid dynamics for fast and committed cornering.

But the ride is not super stiff. It is comfortable to use on a daily basis. The dampers work brilliantly to adjust to varying driving environments and drive modes the driver has selected. You can also toggle between pre-set stiffness profiles. Bumps will have you bounce in your seat a tad more than your basic Kia Sportage, but adaptive settings means it works well to take out any sharpness, while maintaining composure.

Enhancing the overall spirited driving experience is the precise, agile steering. The wheel responds with minimal movement, contributing to a lively, enthusiastic feel. It’s an electronic setup, like pretty much all cars these days, adjusting its sensitivity according to speed, providing a more stable and centred feel on the highway and a lighter feel in carparks.

2024 Cupra Formentor VZx: Key attractions/reasons to buy

• Truly exhilarating and liveable performance: The powertrain delivers thrilling performance levels that are nearly incomparable when you consider the price.
• Active electronic dampers standard across the range: It just means the vehicle offers dual personalities; it’s comfortable enough for a sporty SUV but it can tie down like a hardcore hot hatch when you need.
• Striking design inside and out: The Formentor VZx stands out from the crowd with a distinct presentation that emanates its sporty intent.
• Pricing: The Formentor sits in a market that is guilty of making you pay for costly extras that should really be included as standard. Not here. Although, hardcore items like Brembo brakes and an Akrapovic exhaust are available.

2024 Cupra Formentor VZx: Key considerations before you buy

• New model on the way: A new Formentor is due soon, which means this will be outdated – you might be able to find a bargain run-out deal.
• Not enough dedicated dash buttons: Air-con controls are integrated into the touch-screen, making it a more distracting task to adjust settings on the fly. The temp up/down buttons are also not backlit for use a night time.
• Coupe-like SUV design trade-off: If boot space is an important requirement for you, the Formentor offers one of the smaller boot sizes in this specific class. Design trumps absolute practicality here.

2024 Cupra Formentor VZx: Video