Cupra Terramar review

The base spec with 1.5-litre mild hybrid power and seven-speed DSG is the only Terramar to come in at under £40,000. Prices start at £38,995 for that powertrain in the entry-level V1 trim.

Standard kit includes 18in wheels, LED lights, both of the large interior screens, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, three-zone climate control, a heated steering wheel, adaptive cruise control and a rear parking camera. 

Other engine options with that V1 trim include the 201bhp 2.0-litre petrol (£43,460) and the 201bhp PHEV (£44,535).  

And higher up the range?

The step up to V2 trim for those engines costs an extra £2,660 and adds 19in wheels, extra ambient lighting inside and heated front seats. You also get a useful head-up display and a top view camera for extra accurate parking. Or you can let the car park itself if you trust the additional Intelligent Park Assist function with route memory. 

The range then steps up into the sportier VZ trims, which unlocks the more powerful engine options. So prices here start at £47,855 for the 261bhp 2.0-litre. Then you've got the 268bhp PHEV at £47,410. VZ1 trim brings fancier 19in wheels, Matrix LED headlights and that 15-stage adaptive suspension. Top spec VZ2 will set you back a few thousand more again and means 20in wheels and excellent leather seats.

What’s the best spec?

We’d be tempted by the more potent 261bhp 2.0-litre turbo four cylinder petrol, which takes you up to one of the sportier trims and better suspension.

If you get cheap night rate electricity, or you’re a company car buyer, the decent electric range and performance means the e-Hybrid plug-ins will be a very cheap car to energise for commuting and local journeys. And a huge tax break too, at 11g/km CO2, meaning a BIK rate of just six per cent.

Unusually for a PHEV it also accepts 50kW DC rapid charging, so you might just do it on a journey break, further improving your real world CO2. But not your running costs, as DC-supplied electricity has a nasty habit of being as expensive per mile as petrol is.