Model update Positive
Sharp looks, decent practicality, good to drive, aff ordable
Negative Dated interior,
specifi cation issues, cheaper and more modern rivals
7/10
Cupra Ateca V1 1.5 TSI Is Cupra’s first model still worth serious consideration?
Martyn Collins
Cupra became a manufacturer, rather than a Seat performance sub-brand in 2018. It burst on to the UK market first with a Cupra-badged version of the Seat Ateca medium SUV, with the same 300hp 2.0- litre turbo engine from the Golf R. Like the Seat, it received a mid-life facelift in 2020, along with more versions. With all the focus it seems on its newer models, such as the Formentor and Born EV, can the latest Cupra Ateca make its mark alongside more modern opposition?
The original Seat Ateca was launched in late 2016. The Cupra version always had a sportier look from launch in 2018, but like the Seat, in the 2020 facelift, it got tougher looking front and rear bumpers, new lights, and new front grill, and wheel designs. There are newer and fresher models in the mid-size SUV class, but the Cupra’s basic design still manages to look contemporary and attractive, thanks to its sharp detailing. Inside, sports seats and the faux carbon fibre, Cupra logo’d, airbag cover aside, we could be driving a standard Seat Ateca. With plenty of soft-touch plastics and Alcantara with copper stitching for the seat trim, quality is good. The interior design, in our opinion, feels its eight years on sale. We like the physical controls for the
ventilation, but the design trend for newer Cupra models is to fit a bigger screen, with the controls hidden in a menu there – which you could argue is tidier. Talking of the Cupra’s infotainment, the standard 9.2in touchscreen fitted here looks and feels small, it’s also difficult to operate and the graphics are hard to read.
Still, the driving position is comfortable – even for the tallest, with plenty of headroom. The one-piece standard sports seats are supportive, with space also good in the rear, although there’s not really room for three. However, there is a practically shaped 485-litre boot. On top of the disappointing infotainment, we also felt there were some odd
Cupra Ateca V1 1.5
TSI 150 PS P11D £35,345 On sale Now Residual value 48% Depreciation £18,370 Fuel £9,735 Service, maintenance and repair £2,155 Cost per mile 50.43p Fuel consumption 41.5mpg CO2 (BIK %) 153g/km (35%) BIK 20/40% a month £206/£412 Luggage capacity 485 litres Engine size/power 1,498cc /150hp
anomalies with the specification of our entry-level V1 test car. For example, 19in alloy wheels, keyless entry and start, plus a heated steering wheel are all welcome. But where are the heated seats to go with the steering wheel?
On top of being in entry-level V1 spec, our Ateca test car was also fitted with the 148hp 1.5 TSi petrol engine mated with seven-speed DSG transmission. At 9.3 seconds, 0-60mph time seems slow when compared to EV models, and there’s no doubt that the acceleration feels fluffy even with the slick DSG automatic gearbox. So, you must work this engine hard for it to perform – where it becomes noticeably louder. There’s also the decent 40+mpg figure to consider, but the plug-in version of the Formentor will be cheaper to run thanks to its lower BIK figure. Also, despite there being a choice of driving mode, these seem to make little difference to the drive. We had the chance to compare both the Cupra and Seat versions of the Ateca back-to-back, and it’s the Cupra’s stiffer, sportier set-up that feels more dynamic. But, even on the modest, standard 19in alloy wheels there’s a harder-edged feel to the ride. Don’t get us wrong, most of the time this Ateca strikes a good ride and handling balance, which works well with the feelsome steering – in fact, we’d go as
far as to say this set-up betters the standard Ateca’s in our opinion.
The Cupra makeover of the Ateca doesn’t hinder the standard car’s practicality, making it feel more special and is competitively priced. But the ST version of our favourite compact SUV the Ford Puma, offers more driving thrills, decent practicality, feels more modern and it’s cheaper. The Formentor should also be given serious consideration against the Ateca, with its more modern interior, comfier ride, and plug-in hybrid option.
Standard equipment: 19in alloy wheels, sports seats, park assist, heated leather-trimmed steering wheel, LED headlights, LED front fog lamps, LED rear light clusters, dual-zone climate control.
Engines: Petrol: 150hp 1.5, 190hp 2.0, 300hp 2.0
Equipment grades: V1, V2, VZ1, VZ2, VZ3, VZN
Transmissions: Seven-speed automatic
What’s new: We try the Cupra Ateca in entry- level 1.5 TSI V1 spec.
www.businesscar.co.uk | March 2024 | 37
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53
