2023 Cupra Formentor

There’s an air of familiarity about the Formentor’s cabin, given a lot of it is a mix of VW Golf, Skoda Octavia and Audi A3.

You get the stubby little shift-by-wire selector, the free-standing 12-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit that’s common to some extent across all MQB Evo products, and it’s almost identical to the cabin of the Leon hatchback – itself a very close relative to the three vehicles mentioned above.

While the interior is something of a Frankenstein of parts – Golf shifter and headlight controls, Octavia electric park brake, Audi-esque digital cluster, Audi TT and R8 on/off and drive mode buttons on the steering wheel – it doesn’t feel like a parts bin collaboration. In fact, it comes together quite well and has its own distinct personality.

Cupra’s signature bronze theme is reflected in the cabin, with the brand’s bull-shaped logo proudly stamped on the steering wheel in bronze, while the air vent surrounds and various trim accents also don the Spanish brand’s hero colour. There’s bronze stitching for the seats, steering wheel, doors and dashboard as well.

Each member of the four-strong 2023 Cupra Formentor range comes with its own powertrain.

The Formentor V is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 140kW of power and 320Nm of torque.

It’s mated with a seven-speed wet dual-clutch automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.

The Formentor VZ also uses a seven-speed dual-clutch and a turbocharged 2.0-litre, but its engine produces 180kW and 370Nm and it’s front-wheel drive.

The Formentor VZe mates a turbocharged 1.4-litre four-cylinder engine with an electric motor, for total system outputs of 180kW and 400Nm. It uses a six-speed wet dual-clutch auto.

Power in the Formentor VZx comes from the Volkswagen Group’s ubiquitous ‘EA888’ 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine, mated with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.

In this implementation, the four-cylinder engine generates 228kW (5450-6500rpm) and 400Nm (2000-5450rpm) – aligned with the Audi S3 Sportback and Sedan.

Cupra claims the Formentor VZx will dash from 0-100km/h in 4.9 seconds.

Unlike the bulk of the Volkswagen and Skoda ranges, the Cupra Formentor and its stablemates run the latest powertrain technologies from the Group, meaning all engines are EU6 with petrol particulate filters (PPFs).

The VZx requires 98 RON premium unleaded, and claims to drink 7.7L/100km on the combined cycle. Fuel tank capacity is quoted at 55 litres, and CO2 emissions are rated at 175g/km.

The large touchscreen unit is almost identical to the VW Golf on first impression, though the Cupra/SEAT interface was a little more intuitive in our experience.

Yes, it’s still entirely touch-based and the volume and temperature sliders beneath the displays aren’t backlit, but the array of shortcuts and widgets dotted around the place mean it’s much easier to find what you’re looking for, particularly on the move if you’re in the car by yourself.

The iPhone-like tile icons are always there and allow you to toggle between native system functions and smartphone mirroring quicker and easier, and the Cupra-specific menus and layout are refreshingly different from other VW Group brands – though some sub-menus require a bit of digging to toggle certain settings.

We were expecting a little more from the Beats nine-speaker audio system in the top-spec. It’s fine and offers clear sound, but it’s not quite as deep and bassy compared to some other premium-branded systems on the market.

Behind the second row is a 420-litre luggage area with the rear seats upright. Cupra doesn’t quote a figure for when the seats are folded, but there’s a pretty smooth transition between the boot floor and seatbacks even if it isn’t completely flat.