CUPRA was still a relatively new name to many UK car buyers in 2021. Originally established as SEAT’s performance division, the brand had become a standalone marque within the Volkswagen Group, with the Formentor becoming its first model designed specifically as a CUPRA rather than being based directly on an existing SEAT model.
The result was something slightly different from the usual family SUV. The Formentor combined a raised driving position with a low, coupe-inspired roofline, sporty styling and a range of powerful petrol and plug-in hybrid engines.
The Cupra Formentor 2021 was aimed at buyers who wanted something more distinctive than a conventional family SUV without giving up everyday practicality.
The Cupra Formentor 2021 was available in the UK with prices starting from £28,270 for the V1 1.5 TSI manual. At the other end of the range was the VZ3 4Drive, priced from £43,550 and powered by a 310PS 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine.
So, with an unfamiliar brand and a completely new model, was the Cupra Formentor 2021 worth taking a chance on?
There was a surprisingly wide choice of engines and trim levels available, ranging from the relatively sensible 1.5-litre TSI through to the performance-focused 310PS VZ.
The range also included 1.4-litre e-HYBRID plug-in hybrid versions, giving buyers the option of combining petrol performance with electric driving for shorter journeys. CUPRA’s original UK engine line-up included 150PS, 190PS, 204PS, 245PS and 310PS outputs.
The V1 was the entry point into the range, starting from £28,270 in September 2021.
It was powered by a 1.5-litre TSI producing 150PS and could be ordered with either a six-speed manual or seven-speed DSG automatic.
Despite being the cheapest version, the V1 was far from poorly equipped. Standard equipment included 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and taillights, a 10-inch navigation system with voice control, wireless Apple CarPlay, a wireless phone charger, digital cockpit, rear parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, Lane Assist and keyless entry and start.
That made the V1 particularly interesting because buyers didn’t have to spend VZ money to get the distinctive CUPRA styling and a generous level of technology.
For most people, the 150PS V1 would probably have been the sensible starting point.
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The V2 started from £30,215 and added a substantial amount of equipment for the extra money.
It came with 19-inch alloy wheels, black Nappa leather bucket seats, heated front seats, an electrically adjustable driver’s seat with memory, a leather dashboard and upgraded interior lighting.
The V2 also gained Park Assist and a rear-view camera.
For buyers who wanted a more premium-feeling cabin without going all the way to a VZ model, the V2 made a strong case for itself.
If outright performance was the priority, the VZ3 was the obvious choice.
The range-topping VZ3 cost £43,550 in September 2021 and used the 2.0-litre TSI engine producing 310PS. Power was sent through a seven-speed DSG automatic transmission and CUPRA’s 4Drive all-wheel-drive system.
Performance was impressive for a family crossover, with 0-62mph taking just 4.9 seconds and top speed limited to 155mph.
The VZ3 also came with 19-inch copper and black alloy wheels and Brembo brakes, while the VZ range introduced features such as Dynamic Chassis Control and CUPRA driving modes.
It was certainly the Cupra Formentor 2021 to choose if you wanted maximum performance, although the price pushed it towards more expensive premium competitors.
The Cupra Formentor 2021 wasn’t just about petrol performance.
The 1.4 e-HYBRID combined a 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine with an electric motor and 13kWh battery. It was available with either 204PS or 245PS, with both versions using a six-speed DSG automatic transmission. CUPRA quoted an electric-only range of around 31 miles when the model was launched.
The 204PS version was aimed more towards buyers looking for a balance between performance and efficiency, while the 245PS version was positioned higher in the range.
For company-car users in particular, the plug-in hybrid could be an interesting alternative because of its lower official CO₂ emissions and associated benefit-in-kind taxation.
The Cupra Formentor 2021 plug-in hybrid was therefore a particularly interesting option for drivers who wanted the styling of a performance crossover while keeping the option of electric-only driving for shorter journeys.
The Formentor was certainly not a conventional family SUV.
At around 4.45 metres long, it sat between traditional family hatchbacks and larger SUVs in terms of footprint. Its 2,680mm wheelbase helped provide useful interior space, while the sloping roofline gave it a much more sporting appearance.
The wide arches, sharp creases and copper detailing helped distinguish it from the Volkswagen Group’s other SUVs.
Inside, CUPRA continued the theme with copper accents, sports seats and ambient lighting. Higher trim levels could be specified with Nappa leather bucket seats, while VZ models gained a more focused interior with the CUPRA sports steering wheel and additional controls.
The design was one of the strongest reasons to consider the Formentor. It didn’t simply look like another family crossover with a sporty body kit.
This distinctive approach helped the Cupra Formentor 2021 stand apart from more conventional SUVs and gave the new brand its own identity.
Although styling was clearly an important part of the Formentor’s appeal, it still had to work as an everyday family car.
The driving position was higher than a conventional hatchback, making getting in and out relatively easy, while the rear seats provided useful passenger space.
The coupe-inspired roofline did compromise some of the traditional SUV practicality, but the Formentor still offered enough space for everyday family use.
The boot capacity was around 450 litres on petrol versions, although the plug-in hybrid models sacrificed some luggage space because of their battery and associated components.
That meant the Formentor wasn’t quite as practical as a conventional estate such as the Škoda Octavia, but it offered a much more distinctive design.
The Cupra Formentor 2021 therefore made the most sense for buyers who wanted a balance between crossover practicality and a more sporting driving experience.
This was where the Formentor really began to justify the CUPRA badge.
The suspension used MacPherson struts at the front and a multi-link setup at the rear, while higher-performance versions could be equipped with Dynamic Chassis Control and different driving modes.
The result was a crossover that felt more agile than its raised driving position might suggest.
Steering was precise and the car remained relatively composed through corners, with only limited body roll considering its size and shape.
The 310PS VZ version was naturally the most entertaining, particularly when combined with 4Drive. Its 4.9-second 0-62mph time put it firmly into hot-hatch territory, while the higher seating position and five-door practicality remained.
For everyday driving, however, the 150PS V1 arguably made more sense. It had enough performance for normal UK roads without the running costs and purchase price associated with the range-topping VZ.
If you’re considering one as a used car, a thorough test drive is particularly important, especially when comparing the different engines and DSG-equipped versions.
The Formentor entered a crowded market, but its unusual positioning helped it stand apart.
The Volkswagen T-Roc was one obvious comparison, particularly with the performance-focused T-Roc R. The Volkswagen T-Roc R offered similar performance credentials but had a more conventional SUV design.
The Audi Q3 was another premium alternative, although the Formentor offered a more distinctive design and a lower starting price.
The Formentor also benefited from being part of the Volkswagen Group, giving it access to familiar engines, transmissions and technology while still offering a very different character.
For buyers who wanted something that stood out from the usual German premium SUVs, that was a major advantage.
The Cupra Formentor 2021 also offered a useful middle ground between mainstream family SUVs and more expensive premium performance models.
The CUPRA Formentor was an ambitious first standalone model for the brand, but it largely succeeded in combining sporty styling with everyday usability.
The V1 offered the strongest value proposition, with 150PS, a generous equipment list and a starting price of £28,270 in September 2021. The V2 added more luxury and technology, while the VZ models transformed the Formentor into a much more serious performance crossover.
At the top of the range, the 310PS VZ3 was genuinely quick, with 4Drive, a seven-speed DSG and Brembo brakes. However, spending more than £43,000 meant the Formentor was entering territory occupied by established premium brands.
The plug-in hybrid versions also gave buyers another route into the range, combining useful electric-only driving capability with petrol performance.
Choosing between the different versions of the Cupra Formentor 2021 ultimately comes down to how much performance, equipment and efficiency you need.
Ultimately, the biggest attraction was that the Formentor didn’t feel like a conventional family SUV. It offered a distinctive design, strong equipment levels and genuinely sporty versions while retaining enough practicality for everyday use.
For a new brand trying to establish itself in the UK, the Cupra Formentor 2021 was a very strong first statement. If you’re looking for a similar used-car buying opportunity, you can browse used cars for sale on MotorHype.
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