Cupra Formentor review

The Formentor range is mildly confusing, starting out with the V1 entry model followed by the V2 and V3 (so far so good), then the VZ1, VZ2 and VZ3 (strange extra letter there, but fine).

Essentially the V1, V2 and V3 models are the less sporty ones, with pricing kicking off at £34,150 for the entry-level V1 with the 148bhp 1.5-litre petrol engine and a manual gearbox. The auto and mild-hybrid combo adds just over £2,000 to the purchase price, while the 201bhp plug-in hybrid steps the entry price right up to £41,510. Those are your only engine options with V1, V2 and V3 trims.

The entry-level VZ1 is the 261bhp version of the 2.0-litre turbo petrol at £41,830. Next up is the 268bhp plug-in hybrid at £44,845, before the fastest four-wheel drive 328bhp 2.0-litre turbo at £46,385. Again, those are the only engine options across the VZ1, VZ2 and VZ3 trims.

The Formentor price list tops out at a hefty £52,425 for the VZ3 and the spiciest 328bhp engine set-up.

What are the different specs like? 

The entry V1 car doesn't feel too miserable, with its 18in alloys, LED lights, auto wipers, wireless Apple CarPlay and phone charging, front and rear parking sensors and adaptive cruise control. The V2 nets you sporty heated front seats, an electric tailgate, 19in alloy wheels and a rear parking camera. The V3 also comes with 19in wheels but they’re painted black and livened up with copper accents, plus there’s park assist, a top view camera, leather seats and a few more active safety systems.

To match the more powerful powertrains, the VZ1 offers a sportier chassis set-up over the V1, V2 and V3, with standard sports suspension and dynamic chassis control. There’s also a different set of 19in alloys, power steering that weights up the faster you go, Matrix LED lights and heated front seats trimmed in a recycled vegan microfibre that Cupra calls dinamica. Oh, and a rear parking camera.

The VZ2 gets different wheels (still 19in), leather seats, that top view camera, park assist and the extra active safety bits seen on the V3. And finally, standard equipment on the VZ3 includes all of the above plus black/copper 19in wheels, a Sennheiser sound system (optional everywhere else except on V1 trim), excellent bucket seats with carbon fibre backs and fabric trim, extra airbags and performance brakes and calipers (Brembo for the PHEVs, Akebono for the petrols). 

Which one should I go for? 

We'd be tempted to keep the base car cheap and raid some of the options list – the Formentor would certainly benefit in the comfort department from the smaller wheels, even if that was to the detriment of the looks.

Although to be fair, if you've bought into Cupra's schporty marketing then you'll probably prefer to go for at least the VZ1 with its 19in alloys and sharper suspension. Plus, if you want the performance to match the looks then you should probably pick the full-fat 328bhp 2.0-litre petrol engine rather than a PHEV.

Although, if you're on a company car hunt then the PHEVs are the only ones worth considering thanks to their 10g/km CO2 emissions and attractive BIK rates.

If you really do want a performance family car with Volkswagen underpinnings though, why not go back to the source material and have a look at that eminently capable Golf R Estate?