Cupra Formentor – “Seats strong big banger”

Used car check
Cupra Formentor – “Seats strong big banger”

The Cupra Formentor belongs to the compact class, is decidedly sporty and has only undergone a general vehicle inspection once. He cuts a good figure there – with slight deductions in the environmental chapter.

The Formentor is the first model from the independent Cupra brand under the Seat umbrella. In keeping with the sporty demands of the offshoot, the crisply designed SUV is also available with powerful engines.

“Does the performance affect the chassis?” asks the “Auto Bild TÜV Report 2025” and answers: “A clear no”. As bold as the Formentor appears, it takes the first TÜV check just as solidly. The Spanish sports ace doesn't get away with the general vehicle inspection (HU) without any stains on his clean slate.

Model history

The Formentor started in 2020 as the first series of the Seat offshoot Cupra. The model, which is technically closely related to the VW Tiguan or Seat Ateca but has its own design, was lifted in spring 2024.

The facelift includes a redesigned front section, an illuminated brand logo at the rear and a modernized cockpit with a larger touchscreen inside.

Body and variants

Because the Formentor has a roof that slopes significantly towards the rear, it also qualifies as an SUV coupé. With all that means: a sleeker look, but also less headroom in the rear and a loss in trunk volume.

The top model is the Formentor VZ5, limited to 7,000 units, with a 287 kW/390 hp five-cylinder from the Audi RS3, which ensures that the compact Spaniard accelerates to 100 km/h in 4.2 seconds. Plug-in hybrids were also launched.

Dimensions (according to ADAC)

• 4.45 m to 4.47 m x 1.84 m to 1.85 m x 1.51 m to 1.52 m (L x W x H)
• Trunk volume: 450 l to 1505 l (Plug-in Hybrid: 345 l to 1415 l; VZ5: 410 l to 1465 l)

Strengthen

The “Auto Bild TÜV Report 2025” titles the section on the model with “Seats strong big banger”. In the chassis section, drive shafts, steering systems and joints achieve top results, as do rear lighting and indicators. Brake lines and hoses as well as the braking function also remain inconspicuous.

Weaken

The downer is the drop of oil at Formentor, as the report complains about leaky engines and drives in view of the increased complaint rates. The axle suspension, brake disc wear and front lighting are documented with rates around the average – all but so far no real weaknesses.

Breakdown behavior

The ADAC does not publish any data for the debut year, but there were enough examples on the road in 2021 to be taken into account in the ADAC breakdown statistics. The conclusion: The model is “reliable,” according to the club, which has not noticed any major breakdowns.

engines

• Petrol engine (four and five cylinder, front and all-wheel drive): 110 kW/150 hp to 287 kW/390 hp
• Diesel (four-cylinder, all-wheel drive and front-wheel drive): 110 kW/150 hp
• Plug-in hybrid (four-cylinder and electric motor, front-wheel drive): 150 kW/204 hp to 200 kW/272 hp

Dealer sales value according to the Deutsche Automobil Treuhand (DAT) with statistically expected kilometers – three price examples

• Formentor 1.5 TSI base (10/2020); 110 kW/150 HP (four-cylinder); 54,000 kilometers; 17,918 euros
• Formentor 1.4 e-Hybrid Priority (6/2022) ; 150 kW/204 HP (four-cylinder petrol and electric motor); 32,000 kilometers; 26,705 euros
• Cupra Formentor 2.5 TSI VZ5 4Drive (6/2021); 287 kW/390 HP (five-cylinder); 43,000 kilometers; 35,991 euros