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Pros: stylish design, spacious interior, plenty of tech
Cons: not thrilling to drive, isn’t class-leading in any area
Cupra Tavascan Design
The Cupra Tavascan is a mid-size electric SUV that’s cut from the same cloth as its Skoda Enyaq Coupe and Volkswagen ID.5 relations. Occupying a popular segment in the market that also includes cars such as the Kia EV6 and Toyota bZ4X, Cupra sets itself apart with a striking design that taps into the brand’s sporting DNA.
A distinctive lighting signature comprises triangular headlight elements and an illuminated logo on the bonnet. Much of the front bumper is shaped to reflect a performance theme and is finished in a high-gloss black that is continued through the wheel arches, sills and rear diffuser.
There are a variety of alloy wheel designs available, many featuring copper-coloured accents, a signature of the brand. These range in size from 19 to 21 inches in diameter. The triangular lighting motif is repeated at the back of the Tavascan, with a full-width light bar that includes the Cupra logo.
Cupra Tavascan Interior
Climbing into the front seat of the Tavascan reveals a striking look and layout to the dashboard, which has a wing-like design that flows into a central spine meeting the centre console. Behind the flat-bottomed multifunction steering wheel is compact digital instrumentation supported by a large colour head-up display using augmented reality technology. Cupra also fits a 15-inch touchscreen as standard which can wirelessly run Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
One of the most impressive aspects of the Tavascan’s interior is the detail in its design, such as a copper accent spanning the dashboard. Very thin air vents go almost unnoticed in the fascia and throughout the cabin there are plenty of nice touches, such as a fish-scale pattern on the spine of the centre console and suede-like material on many of the main touchpoints. The seats also warrant a mention, as they look good and come with a choice of sustainable upholstery materials with up to 90 per cent recycled polyester or a microfibre with 50 per cent recycled content.
There is a good amount of legroom and headroom for those seated in the rear, despite the presence of a large sunroof and built-in blind. Boot volume measures in at a respectable 540 litres, and folding the rear seats down is possible should you require more space.
Cupra Tavascan Performance & Drive
There are two versions of the Tavascan available: the Endurance and VZ. Both use the same 77kWh lithium-ion battery. It provides a WLTP driving range of up to 568 kilometres in the Endurance and 522 kilometres in the VZ. When it comes to charging, the Cupra gets 11kW AC capability and has a peak DC rate of 135kW. Cupra says that while the Tavascan doesn’t have the highest DC charge rate compared to some of its competitors, the Tavascan can maintain a high charging level for longer, resulting in a 10 to 80 per cent charge taking only 28 minutes. A heat pump will be optionally available to enhance its efficiency.
The Endurance model uses a single motor that drives the rear wheels with an output of up to 285hp. For the higher-performance Tavascan VZ, the power output climbs to 340hp thanks to the addition of another electric motor on the front axle. Each of the Tavascan models generates up to 545Nm of torque, but the VZ’s front motor can send 134Nm to the front wheels when rear traction diminishes.
Off the line, the Tavascan VZ feels especially fast when put into its Cupra mode, which dials up the sensitivity of the accelerator pedal noticeably. Surprisingly, for a car with such performance flavour, no artificial engine sounds are pumped into the cabin. Aside from some moderate tyre noise due to the larger diameter wheels, the Tavascan VZ is a quiet car in which to travel.
Cupra fits adaptive dampers as standard and slightly lowers the ride height in comparison to the Volkswagen ID.5 GTX and Skoda Enyaq Coupe RS to add to the dynamic feel. Despite its height and mass, the Tavascan remains impressively flat through bends with little to no body lean. Its handling is keen, though we wish there were more feedback through the steering wheel. Nevertheless, with a multilink suspension setup on the rear, the Tavascan VZ can confidently carve its way through bends.
When you’re done wringing the performance from the dual motors, a quick switch to Comfort mode changes the Cupra into a more civilised and sedate machine that makes light work of commuter traffic, ably assisted by the latest version of Connected Travel Assist that has the capability of using additional information obtained from the cloud to improve the car’s positioning in the centre of the lane and offer assisted lane changing on the motorway.
Cupra Tavascan Pricing
Prices for the Cupra Tavascan have yet to be announced, and it is still several months before the first cars begin arriving in dealerships. Additional option packs will be available to order that group together popular extras.
Carzone Verdict
The Cupra Tavascan is a very welcome addition to the Spanish brand’s range of cars, which is among the freshest on the market following other recent updates. Its emphasis on design does make it stand out that bit more, though even the sportier VZ model doesn’t provide the driving thrills the badge on the rear might suggest. Still, if you’re looking for a modern electric SUV that balances sharp looks and everyday practicality, this could be it.