Can Cupra do no wrong? SEAT S.A.’s profits powerhouse is selling so many cars that it even rose to position six in Europe’s largest national market during March. Which means it was not only ahead of Ford but Opel too, data from Germany’s KBA show.
Audi remained safe in fifth in its home country, a long way ahead (17,608 versus 9,617) but Opel was down by 26.1% to 9,581 and Ford by 17.5% to 8,752 compared to March 2024. And all these brands have several new models. Cupra’s year-on-year gain is a remarkable 128.5%.
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Things are in fact even sunnier than what the national registrations number-crunching organisation notes. As BestSellingCarsBlog recently pointed out, the KBA includes Cupra León sales within its number for the SEAT brand. Why? Because each has a model of that name. The recent climb to sixth place is Cupra’s best ranking yet, and follows an advance to position ten in both January and February.
EVs bounce back in Germany (though not Tesla)
Germans have always been quite keen on both SEAT and Cupra cars, while a few pieces of good fortune and planning have really helped things along. EVs are suddenly back in favour, the Born rising by 41.1% to 1,753 sales in March. But it’s the Formentor (4,417), taking fifth place overall, and a new model, the Terramar (2,347), which are mostly to thank for the brand’s stellar month. Imagine that both the VW Polo (2,335) and Mercedes C-Class (2,216) were outsold by this SUV.
The UK is another strong market for Cupra, March deliveries (6,182) rising by 55% and Mini beaten (6,086) though not year-to-date (13,049 compared to 10,032). Market share is now 1.7% and the brand has claimed 20th position versus 22nd in March 2024. Not even Dacia (9,261) or BYD (9,271) could keep up in Q1.
Same MQB Evo platform and factory as Audi Q3
Manufactured by Audi Hungaria on the same production line as its near-twin, the equally new Audi Q3, the Terramar is also off to a strong sales start in most other European markets. Series production of right-hand drive cars lagged build for LHD countries by several months but the ramp-up is now well and truly underway.
Just like the Q3, the Terramar offers several turbocharged four-cylinder engine choices. Similarly, there is no EV option. Buyers who prefer an electric model may instead select either the Born hatchback or the Tavascan, a coupe-SUV.
Ever more Cupra models
Cupras straddle the B/C/D segments, being between 4.2 and 4.6 metres long (4,519 mm for the Terramar), the brand clearly having settled on this as its sweet spot. A larger SUV will likely come by decade-end though, especially if US market entry goes ahead.
The SEAT division calls its PHEV powertrains eHybrid. These are available in the Formentor and León, along with the Terramar. And by the way, if you’re wondering about that name, the new model is named after the Autòdrom de Sitges-Terramar, a former motor racing circuit near Barcelona. While I’m not sure that’s terribly relevant for an SUV, at least this one comes from a genuinely sporty brand.
Standard DCT, six or seven speeds
The car I recently borrowed is the fastest non-electrified variant, equipped with a 195 kW (265 PS) 2.0-litre TSI engine. Drive is to both axles via a seven-speed DCT. In some markets there is also a 150 kW (204 PS) version of this engine with the same transmission and four-wheel drive system.
Base trim, meanwhile, brings with it 1.5-litre mild hybrid power (‘eTSI’), outputs being 110 kW (150 PS) and 250 Nm. Only the front axle is driven, with the standard dual clutch transmission also having seven forward gears.
For the two PHEVs (though not all markets take both), Cupra specifies a 1.5-litre powertrain with 150 kW (204 PS). In top-spec VZ form, combined power and torque are 200 kW (272 PS) and 400 Nm. The DCT has six speeds, while the battery’s capacity is 20 kW net.
Built in Europe but with global parts
Lifting the bonnet of any car doesn’t reveal much nowadays, yet every now and then the usual big plastic shield is absent. Which is the case with the Terramar. Even the turbocharger is in full view, along with a lengthy heat shield and multiple components. So it is that the global nature of sourcing is plain to see here, with Made In Czechia, Made In Slovakia and even Made in China (all in English) stickers easily spotted. Cupra even has one China-built model, the Tavascan – an EV.
Something which continues to intrigue me is the lack of any model badges on Cupras. Often you can find an identifier etched into the side of one tail light (or both, in this case) with C U P R A splashed across the tailgate. And when lifted, this reveals a very generously sized boot. Below it, there’s a curved well for a spare tyre but that was empty in the case of the press tester.
Expensive aura for interior
Carpet in both the luggage bay and cabin is high quality, as are seats fabrics though door cards have some sections of hard surfacing. This is at least relieved by lovely copper-coloured handles and matching lines of metal-look trim. The same signature shade appears on the air vents and as embellishment for the steering wheel. Volume is controlled by the Volkswagen Group’s love it or loathe it touch-sliders, as is cabin temperature.
Space up front is terrific though not too great for those in the back even when using a sliding function. There is not only a substantial transmission hump but the seats themselves are curiously upright and knees can easily rub against hard pieces of plastic trim.
No 112 mph limited top speed here
As for the driver’s view, windows are all a good size with the exception of the back one. Still, at least there is a wash-wipe system, even if it works via an overloaded left stalk. That’s due to PRND being controlled by the right one.
How about performance? That’s excellent, as are the dynamics, zero to 62 mph taking an official 5.9 seconds and V-max being 151 mph. Moreover, challenging roads are a delight thanks to abundant torque and grip is superb. Cupra’s chassis technicians have managed to keep lean to the very minimum and if there is one area available for improvement it would be ride quality.
Does it replace any older model?
Every Cupra has its own distinct look and for me, this new model is as ‘right’ as the Born, my favourite model. In other words, proportions are as spot-on as all the details such as wheel and tyre size, colour coding, lighting design, air dams and side skirts.
The company has hinted that in time, the Terramar will replace the Ateca. I prefer that SUV’s interior but these things are always subjective. Overall, there are no reasons why the new SUV won’t sell well – indeed it already is – and keep pushing this marque ever higher right across Europe.
The new Cupra Terramar costs from GB37,885 (1.5 MHEV in ‘V1’ model grade). The as-tested V2 2.0 TSI 265 (PS) is priced from GBP47,745 before options.
