I don’t find out about you, however I’m not a large fan of coupe-style crossover SUVs.
However sheesh, after a number of hours behind the wheel of the Cupra Tavascan in Spain not too long ago, I’ve to say… I’m a bit taken by it.
Not solely is that this electrical SUV a design to behold from the surface, it’s wonderful inside, extra spacious than you’d suppose, and is shaping as much as be extra value-packed and lower-priced than a good few of its foremost opponents.
I may also inform you that it has its personal character by way of the drive expertise, as I discovered throughout a number of spirited stints within the top-spec dual-motor variant.
Learn on to seek out out extra.
How does the Cupra Tavascan examine?
View an in depth breakdown of the Cupra Tavascan in opposition to equally sized automobiles.
Cupra
Tavascan
How a lot does the Cupra Tavascan price?
The Spanish model hasn’t confirmed actual Australian pricing for the Tavascan, however you possibly can count on the 2 variations to be priced as follows.
| Mannequin | Value earlier than on-road prices |
|---|---|
| Cupra Tavascan Endurance RWD | Anticipated below $70,000 |
| Cupra Tavascan VZ AWD | Anticipated round $80,000 |
When you’re considering, “wait a second, so the Cupra might be cheaper than the Skoda Enyaq?”, you’d be proper. It’s additionally shaping as much as be extra sharply priced than many established gamers, together with the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, and Subaru Solterra.
That is largely due to sourcing for this automobile – it’ll be produced by Volkswagen Anhui in China. The Enyaq alternatively is made within the Czech Republic, which provides to the prices concerned and results in a better value – though Australia will get a relatively whole lot on pricing for that automobile.
To see how the Cupra Tavascan stacks up in opposition to it rivals, use our comparability software.
What’s the Cupra Tavascan like on the within?
It’s, frankly, attractive. Higher than that, it feels particular inside, and that’s sufficient to set it other than many different EVs available on the market.
However that’s a Cupra trait, proper? The model is about design, aesthetics, finishes, trims, lighting, and darkness. Critically, in case you haven’t sat in a Cupra, do your self a favour – the model has its inside recreation heading in the right direction.
Nonetheless, comply with me on this tangent. Whoever designed or accredited the outside door handles ought to have a very good take into consideration what they’ve carried out, as a result of they’re horrible.
They’ve bought a sensor that’s purported to set off them to open, however in case you’re not used to the handles you’re going to flick it open and it’ll snap again loudly, or worse, you’ll get the sting of your finger pinched when it springs again, as I did. Ouch.
When you’re inside, the VZ with the Darkish Evening inside theme is outstanding to behold, with a wonderful mixture of finishes and emotions to the supplies used.
There’s a large blade-like component that runs the width of the sprint, gill-like finishes on the doorways, and a backbone centre piece that divides the cabin between the motive force’s zone and the passenger space.
The latter provides a large storage trench beneath, with a wi-fi charger and a spot in your keys or pockets.
On the centre tunnel there are open cupholders between the seats, and a centre console bin that’s a helpful measurement. So it’s each type and operate.
Sitting proud on the prime of the dashboard is a 12.9-inch touchscreen that takes some acclimation as a result of there are a number of menus upon menus – nevertheless it’s undoubtedly higher than the sooner examples of software program design from Cupra.
Certainly there are some helpful shortcuts you possibly can arrange within the house bar part on the prime of the display, plus there’s a set local weather space on the backside.
That’s the place you possibly can faucet to show in your seat heating or alter the fan pace. Nonetheless, it’s worthwhile to enter one other menu to vary the rear local weather settings, air circulation and steering wheel heating. Just under the display there are sliding haptic interfaces for the temperature, and a central slider to regulate the amount.
I had my iPhone linked to wi-fi Apple CarPlay and it labored with out trouble. There’s additionally wi-fi Android Auto connectivity, plus an array of USB-C cost ports.
We’ll dwell extra on the display in our Australian overview, however there are good charging choices so you possibly can set a timer for the EV to fill its battery up as soon as plugged in, and there are heaps of different menus out there.
The most important annoyance within the cabin for me is the inclusion of haptic steering wheel controls, that are simple to bump – particularly in case you’re driving with intent.
Talking of steering wheel controls, there’s a drive mode selector button on the tiller, in addition to a devoted Cupra button to rapidly entry essentially the most assertive drive mode.
One other haptic management that doesn’t make sense to me is that as a substitute of getting 4 window switches for the motive force to function, there are solely two, and a haptic button to modify between the entrance and rear home windows. Why? Looks as if simplicity for complexity’s sake!
When you’re questioning, the automobile will begin up whenever you sit on the seat and put your foot on the brake, and switch off whenever you hop out. That may be annoying, as a result of the seat sensor is fairly delicate to motion.
Sitting behind my very own 182cm driving place, I had inches of leg-room and toe-room, and even a good quantity of head-room – a shock for a coupe-style SUV, particularly one with a panoramic glass roof.
There’s additionally first rate width to the again seat, with sufficient house for 3 throughout. In case you have little ones there’s a set of ISOFIX little one seat anchors within the window seats, and three top-tether factors.
Facilities embrace directional air vents, heated outboard seats, rear local weather controls, ambient lighting, map pockets on the seatbacks, bottle holders within the doorways, in addition to a flip-down armrest with cupholders and a ski-port.
Boot house is commendable at 540 litres, and there’s an adjustable ground part that can be utilized to partition away a hidey gap in your charging cables.
It additionally has a pair of procuring bag hooks, storage trenches on the perimeters, and a light-weight.
No spare wheel, although. As an alternative you get a tyre restore package. Different omissions embrace a entrance trunk and a rear wiper.
| Dimensions | Cupra Tavascan |
|---|---|
| Size | 4644mm |
| Width | 1861mm |
| Top | 1597mm |
| Wheelbase | 2766mm |
| Cargo capability | 540 litres |
To see how the Cupra Tavascan stacks up in opposition to it rivals, use our comparability software.
What’s below the bonnet?
Cupra has confirmed specs for the brand new Tavascan line-up, and like its sibling mannequin from Skoda there might be two completely different variations on supply – one with rear-wheel drive; and a range-topper with dual-motor all-wheel drive.
| Specs | Tavascan Endurance | Tavascan VZ |
|---|---|---|
| Drivetrain | Single-motor rear-wheel drive | Twin-motor all-wheel drive |
| Battery | 77kWh lithium-ion | 77kWh lithium-ion |
| Energy | 210kW | 250kW |
| Torque | 545Nm | 545Nm |
| Pushed wheels | RWD | AWD |
| Weight (EU-spec) | 2178kg | 2273kg |
| 0-100km/h (claimed) | 6.8 seconds | 5.5 seconds |
| Energy consumption (claimed) | TBD | TBD |
| Energy consumption (as examined) | N/A | 25.6kWh/100km |
| Claimed vary (WLTP) | 534km | 499km |
| Max AC cost fee | 11kW | 11kW |
| Max DC cost fee | 135kW | 135kW |
Additional specs together with weights, towing capability are but to be made out there for Australian fashions.
The power consumption figures for our market are additionally to be confirmed, though knowledge on-line suggests a determine starting from 16.5-18.1kWh per 100km for the flagship VZ.
On take a look at, I noticed a considerably increased 25.6kWh per 100km over a number of hundred kilometres of various driving, together with an extended stint of mountain move testing – to not point out various completely different drivers behind the wheel.
To see how the Cupra Tavascan stacks up in opposition to it rivals, use our comparability software.
How does the Cupra Tavascan drive?
As you’d count on, the VZ dual-motor all-wheel drive mannequin is impressively quick.
The 0-100km/h time mightn’t be as blistering as some rivals on the market, however in apply it flings you on the horizon with shocking ease, particularly contemplating the heft of the factor.
The Tavascan VZ weighs as much as 2273kg, in accordance with the model, and you may really feel that in corners, nevertheless it does have a extra dynamic character than most of the different EVs on this section. A good bit of that may also be attributed to the drive mode choice system.
There are a number of completely different modes to select from – together with the aforementioned Cupra mode – which mainly turns it from a silent and comparatively easy commuter SUV right into a dramatic one with a special temperament.
There’s a pure development to the steering, that means much less of that tremendous darty on-centre fakery that you simply get in another EVs on the market, with extra of an intrinsic responsiveness to the motive force’s palms.
It’s a correctly sporty electrical SUV – to the purpose that in case you’re cross-shopping it in opposition to a Toyota or Subaru electrical SUV, it’s on one other degree.
The braking might be the least pleasing component throughout tougher driving, with the regen system interrupting issues a bit. The pedal simply doesn’t have the identical degree of belief that I would really like for an SUV of this measurement.
However in ‘B’ mode (selectable utilizing the column shifter), the response and progressive nature of the regenerative braking system is gorgeous in city driving.
Along with B mode there are three completely different regenerative braking ranges to select from, by utilizing the paddle shifters on the steering wheel.
One other nice a part of the drive is the experience consolation and physique management. The VZ comes with Adaptive Chassis Management, so the dampers are adjustable to make it extra comfortable if you want, or extra centered in really feel.
Whereas there isn’t any escaping the bodily measurement of the automobile, nor the actual fact it has 21-inch wheels and low-profile Hankook Ion Evo SUV tyres that really feel sharp bumps, it was very snug in slower pace visitors snarls, and a mixture of different street conditions.
What do you get?
Two variants of the Cupra Tavascan might be provided at launch.
Tavascan Endurance highlights:
- 19-inch black and silver ‘Vulcano’ alloy wheels
- Illuminated Cupra logos entrance and rear
- Palms-free energy tailgate
- Tri-zone local weather management with rear management
- 15-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Paddle shifters for regenerative braking adjustment
- Black material upholstery
Elective Inside Package deal provides:
- 20-inch ‘Heckla’ alloy wheels
- Encompass-view digital camera
- Energy-adjustable, heated entrance seats with reminiscence
- Sennheiser sound system
- Darkish Evening deep blue inside
- Microfibre upholstery
- Ambient lighting
Tavascan VZ provides:
- 21-inch black and copper ‘Katla’ alloy wheels
- Dynamic Chassis Management (DCC) adaptive suspension
- ‘Cascading’ Matrix LED headlights
- Mounted sunroof with energy solar blind
If you want, there’s the Excessive Package deal for the VZ, which provides ventilated Cup Racing entrance bucket seats completed in Enceladus Gray leather-based, in addition to stickier efficiency tyres.
Geared up as such, you pay a value by way of driving vary, which drops to 463km (down from 499km).
Is the Cupra Tavascan secure?
There is no such thing as a Euro NCAP or ANCAP security ranking for the Tavascan but, and full specification particulars for the protection suite to be provided regionally are nonetheless to be confirmed – however as commonplace the “full suite” of lively know-how might be provided, in accordance with the model.
Anticipated commonplace security gear:
- Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
- Pedestrian, bicycle owner detection
- Junction and head-on detection
- Lane hold help
- Adaptive cruise management incl. pace limiter
- Site visitors jam help (braking, accelerating and steering help)
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Protected exit help
- Energetic bonnet
- Driver fatigue monitoring system
- Site visitors signal recognition
- Clever park help (semi-autonomous parking)
- Linked providers with emergency calling (TBC for Australia)
The bottom mannequin comes with a reversing digital camera, whereas the non-obligatory pack provides a surround-view 360-degree digital camera – commonplace on VZ. There are twin entrance, entrance aspect, entrance centre, and full-length curtain airbags.
How a lot does the Cupra Tavascan price to run?
There’s a five-year/unlimited-kilometre guarantee for all Cupra fashions in Australia, and you may count on the Tavascan could have that very same degree of canopy.
Battery guarantee will span eight years/160,000km, and it’ll assure a 70 per cent state of well being by the top of that interval.
There might be a pay as you go servicing possibility for patrons, seemingly with three- and five-year phrases. Pricing hasn’t been finalised but. You get 5 years roadside help with a brand new Cupra in Australia, too.
To see how the Cupra Tavascan stacks up in opposition to it rivals, use our comparability software.
CarExpert’s Tackle the Cupra Tavascan
Fashionable and particular feeling – that sums up what I felt in regards to the Cupra Tavascan after a brief stint driving it in Spain forward of its native debut.
Keep tuned, as a result of this might be a very spectacular supply within the Australian EV market, the place it’s because of arrive earlier than the top of 2024.
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