Name: Cupra Formentor (2020 – present) | Expert Rating | The Car Expert
Item: Cupra Formentor
Rating: 71.0

Summary

The Cupra Formentor is a mid-sized SUV/crossover, and the first model from the new Spanish performance brand not to be based on an existing SEAT model, unlike the Cupra Ateca and Cupra Leon. The Formentor went on sale in the UK in late 2020, and received a major mid-life update in the summer of 2024.

Size-wize, the Formentor is broadly similar to the other models in the Cupra family, but it sits lower to the ground – roughly halfway between the Leon and the Ateca – and has a sloping coupé-style rear roofline. Being its own distinctive model also helps avoid it looking like a go-faster SEAT.

It costs more than the Ateca and is somewhat less practical, but it offers a more distinctive design and higher-quality interior than the Ateca as well. The Carwow team describes the Formentor as “plenty of fun on the right road”, but if you have your mind set on a new SUV then “there are bigger boots and higher driving positions available” elsewhere.

The Formentor’s performance tends to split reviewer opinion. While many conclude that it does a great job of blending sport and utility, others argue that isn’t a particularly exciting or rewarding experience, a criticism also leveled against Cupra’s electric Born hatchback.

The 2024 update brought a sharper look at the car’s front end, as well as an upgraded interior, more powerful engines and greater plug-in hybrid battery range.

As of January 2026, the Cupra Formentor holds a New Car Expert Rating of A, with a score of 71%. It scores top marks for its five-star safety rating, while its media review scores and new car warranty coverage are also good. However, its CO₂ emissions and overall running costs are poor.

More Cupra Expert Ratings, new car reviews, news and features

Formentor highlights

High standard of interior comfort
Attractive exterior looks
Roomy and practical
Impressive tech features and infotainment
Wide range of models to choose from

Formentor lowlights

Sporty exterior not really matched under the bonnet
Influence from cheaper SEAT models remains
Engine gets noisy above 70mph
Fiddly dashboard controls

Key specifications

Body style: Medium SUV/crossover
Engines: petrol, plug-in hybrid
Price: From £35,295 on-road

Launched: Winter 2020/21
Last updated: Autumn 2025
Replacement due: TBA

Image gallery

Media reviews

Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

Auto Express

Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid VZ First Edition (2024 update)
Score: 8 / 10
“It’s easy to see why the Cupra Formentor has been such a huge hit for the brand, and this round of updates improves the Spanish brand’s small SUV in many key areas. There’s more range from the plug-in hybrid, so now many will genuinely be able to run it solely on electric power, and the infotainment and interior ergonomics are more user-friendly as well.”
Author: Alastair Crooks
Read review

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Cupra Formentor is a sporty coupe-SUV that has enough talent to mix it with more established, premium rivals.”
Author: Ellis Hyde
Read review

Model reviewed: Cupra Formentor e-Hybrid 2021
Score: 7 / 10
“The Formentor is a great calling card for the Cupra brand – it’s stylish, drives well, comes well-equipped and with plenty of space.”
Read review

Auto Trader

Score: 9 / 10
“Fast, stylish inside and out and packed with the latest tech, the Cupra Formentor is an impressive machine that is both more desirable and better value than more established premium rivals.”
Read review

Car

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol automatic 4Drive VZ Edition
Score: 8 / 10
“The Cupra Formentor 310PS 4Drive VZ Edition is great fun, and a true appetite-whetter. But the make-or-break for Cupra’s future will be the more populist versions: bring them on.”
Read review

Car Keys

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol automatic
Score: 9 / 10
“Cupra has really done well with the Formentor, as it has utilised tried-and-tested technology and powertrains from the VW Group, but has created a truly unique and interesting car from it. It brings plenty of style and sportiness to this SUV class, while still being practical and easy to live with.”
Read review

Carbuyer

Score: 8 / 10
“The Cupra Formentor is a quick and fun-to-drive SUV, but it’s still heavily influenced by cheaper SEAT models”
Read review

Carwow

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Cupra Formentor is the first model from SEAT’s off-shoot performance brand. It looks great inside and out and is fun on the right road, but there are bigger boots and higher driving positions available.”
Read review

Daily Mail

Model reviewed: VZ2 310PS 4Drive DSG
“The Cupra Formentor would be perfect for Darth Vader or Batman’s off-duty runaround.”
Read review

Daily Mirror

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre perol automatic VZ2
Score: 8 / 10
“It might not be as fast as Lamborghini’s Urus SUV, but to my eye it looks better and is £120,000 cheaper.”
Read review

Electrifying.com

Model reviewed: 1.4-litre petrol-electric plug-in hybrid
Score: 7.5 / 10
“The Cupra Formentor is fun yet composed to drive, and looks distinctive and fresh. But it’s comparably expensive and short on space next to more conventional PHEV alternatives.”
Read review

Evo

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol automatic 310 TSI
Score: 8 / 10
“The best take on the performance crossover at its size and price point so far, and with genuine charisma and style to boot.”
Read review

Heycar

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“If the Cupra was a person it would be Beyonce. Bored being held back by the less creative members of the group – Volkswagen, SEAT and Skoda – Cupra has untangled itself from its fellow carmakers to become a standalone brand and the Formentor is its first solo attempt.”
Read review

Honest John

Model reviewed: Range overview
“The interior is typical Volkswagen Group, aside from the leather-clad bucket seats and new 10-inch floating navigation system, the cabin is filled with dark plastics. Cupra is intended to provide a mix of premium and sportiness, and the Formentor’s cabin reflects this.”
Read review

Parkers

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8.2 / 10
“Distinctive crossover blurs the lines between sports and utility.”
Read review

The Sun

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol automatic
“The Cupra Formentor looks as mean as a Lamborghini Urus and drives like a Porsche Macan – and is way cheaper than both.”
Read review

The Sunday Times

Model reviewed:
“I drove it back from London one afternoon and even though lockdown restrictions meant traffic was so light I did the journey in just 75 minutes, it felt as if I’d been at the wheel for a week. It was – and this is harsh – boring.” (Jeremy Clarkson)
Read review

The Telegraph

Model reviewed: 1.4-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid e-Hybrid VZ2
Score: 8 / 10
“It’s a parts-bin special, that’s undeniable, but this front-drive PHEV Cupra Formentor brings genuine design virtuosity and driver appeal to a part of the market that is usually characterised by its dull but worthy appeal. For company car drivers looking for a 10% benefit-in-kind car that might leave a smile on their faces, look no further.”
Read review

Score: 8 / 10
“Using the Cupra name for a range of go-faster regular SEATs might cause some confusion, but this machine is a credible product all the same. Quick, quite good to drive, spacious and reasonably comfortable, the Cupra Formentor is much more than a parts-bin special.”
Read review

Top Gear

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Formentor is not exactly a car of many surprises. It’s built on a tried and tested platform. It’s powered by engines that’ve shone in many a decent, recent hot hatchback.”
Read review

Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: November 2025
Read the full Euro NCAP review

Adult protection: 91%
Child protection: 86%
Vulnerable road users: 79%
Safety assist: 77%

Note on safety rating

The Cupra Formentor was originally assessed by Euro NCAP back in March 2021 and awarded a five-star safety rating. Euro NCAP reassessed the updated Formentor in November 2025, confirming its five-star score for another six years.

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

As of January 2026, the Cupra Formentor has not been assessed by Green NCAP.

If the Formentor is put through the Green NCAP lab testing programme, we will publish the results here.

Running cost rating

Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

Fuel consumption	Average	Score
Petrol models	36 mpg	D

CO₂ output	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	183 g/km	D

Insurance group	Average	Score	Variation	Score
All models	25	B

Service and maintenance	Cost	Score
Year 1	£244	C
Year 2	£602	C
Year 3	£1,028	C
Year 4	£1,275	C
Year 5	£1,664	C
Overall	£4,813	C

The Cupra Formentor has a mixed bag of running costs, according to whole-life cost numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.

We currently only have fuel economy data for petrol models, which range from 33 mpg to 45 mpg. This makes the petrol-powered Formentor thirstier than the average car. That said, rivals like the BMW X2 and Audi Q3 have similar fuel consumptions.

Otherwise, the SUV’s insurance premiums are on the cheaper side, and it should be affordable to service and maintain the car over five years of ownership.

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

No reliability rating

As of January 2026, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Cupra Formentor to generate a reliability rating.

The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy. As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the Formentor, we’ll publish the score here.

Warranty rating

New car warranty information for the Cupra Formentor

Overall ratingB63%
Petrol or diesel modelsC51%
Electric or hybrid modelsB78%
New car warranty duration5 years
New car warranty mileage90,000 miles
Battery warranty duration8 years
Battery warranty mileage100,000 miles

Cupra’s new car warranty is better than average, and better than other Volkswagen Group brands like Audi, SEAT, Skoda and VW itself.

The duration is five years, with a limit of 90,000 miles. In addition to the standard new car warranty, the Formentor plug-in hybrid version has an eight-year/100,000-mile warranty for the battery components.

Warranty on a used Cupra Formentor

If you are buying an ‘Approved Used’ Cupra Formentor from an official Cupra dealership, you will get a minimum 12-month warranty included.
If you are buying a used Cupra Formentor from an independent dealership, any warranty offered will vary and will probably be managed by a third-party warranty company.
If you are buying a used Cupra Formentor from a private seller, there are no warranty protections beyond any remaining portion of the original new car warranty.

If you’re looking to buy any used car that is approaching the end of its warranty period, a used car warranty is usually a worthwhile investment. Check out The Car Expert’s guide to the best used car warranty providers, which will probably be cheaper than a warranty sold by a dealer.

Recalls

Official DVSA safety recalls that have been issued for the Cupra Formentor

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

Date: January 2024
Recall number: R/2024/026
Model types: All
Build dates: 10/2020 to 03/2022
Number of vehicles affected: 2,499
Defect: On certain vehicles with electromechanical brake servo and DSG (Direct Shift Gearbox) of a limited production period, there is a possibility that a heat protection mat was incorrectly fitted. In individual cases, the brake fluid reservoir can melt and cause a brake fluid leak into the engine compartment.
Remedy: A check of the installation of the heat protection mat on affected vehicles will be conducted. If necessary, the correct heat shield condition will be restored and an additional heat shield installed.

Date: October 2023
Recall number: R/2023/294
Model types: All
Build dates: 07/2023
Number of vehicles affected: 43
Defect: In certain vehicles within a range of specified VINs, it has been detected that an engine support that did not receive the correct heat treatment may have been fitted.
Remedy: The fitted engine support must be inspected and, if found to be affected, the engine support must be replaced.

Date: July 2023
Recall number: R/2023/199
Model types: All
Build dates: 03/2023 to 04/2023
Number of vehicles affected: 379
Defect: Certain vehicles may be fitted with a wheel support containing cavities in the material.
Remedy: Inspect the rear left wheel support and, if necessary, replace the knuckle.

Date: February 2023
Recall number: R/2023/047
Model types: All
Build dates: 11/2022
Number of vehicles affected: 2
Defect: There is a possibility that impact sensors for rear airbags have been installed that do not correspond to the documented parts.
Remedy: Inspect the vehicle and if necessary replace the impact sensors.

Date: June 2022
Recall number: R/2022/185
Model types: All
Build dates: 11/2020 to 06/2021
Number of vehicles affected: 10,145
Defect: There is a possibility that the wiring harness of the airbag control unit was caught by the clutch pedal during installation.
Remedy: The correct position of the airbag control unit wiring harness must be checked and, if required, secured in the correct position. Repair any existing damage as necessary.

Date: April 2022
Recall number: R/2022/088
Model types: All
Build dates: 12/2020 to 10/2021
Number of vehicles affected: 2,347
Defect: In some vehicles, the fuse in the high-voltage system has been produced in part with an insufficient amount of extinguishing sand.
Remedy: An insulating mat must be placed above the switching unit for the high-voltage battery in all affected vehicles.

Date: March 2022
Recall number: R/2022/076
Model types: All
Build dates: 10/2020 to 02/2022
Number of vehicles affected: 2,309
Defect: In some vehicles within the range of specified VINs, it is possible that they have engine design covers installed that could detach from their fixing depending on use (very sporty driving or poor road conditions) and the operating time.
Remedy: The engine design cover must be removed on all affected vehicles.

Date: September 2021
Recall number: R/2021/322
Model types: All
Build dates: 11/2020
Number of vehicles affected: 1
Defect: The bolted connection of the pull rod between the electromechanical brake servo and brake pedal may come loose, resulting in a loss of all service braking ability.
Remedy: Vehicles are not to be driven and the bolted connection of the input rod between the electromechanical brake servo and brake pedal must be checked and, if necessary, retightened.

Date: August 2021
Recall number: R/2021/324
Model types: All
Build dates: 09/2020 to 08/2021
Number of vehicles affected: 346
Defect: The front seat belts may not be properly anchored due to a manufacturing error.
Remedy: Check the front seat belts in all the affected vehicles and replace, if necessary.

Date: December 2020
Recall number: R/2021/009
Model types: All
Build dates: 10/2020
Number of vehicles affected: 55
Defect: The Front Assist is not configured correctly.
Remedy: The Front Assist assistants must be activated in all affected vehicles.

As of September 2024 (our most recent data point), there have been ten DVSA vehicle safety recalls on the Cupra Formentor to address different issues. However, recall information is updated regularly, so this may have changed.

Not all vehicles are affected by recalls. You can check to see if your car is included in any of the above recalls by visiting the DVLA website or contacting your local Cupra dealer.

If your car is affected by a recall, the vehicle must be repaired and you should not be charged for any work required. If you are buying a used Cupra, you should insist that any outstanding recall work is completed before you take delivery of the vehicle.