Cupra Tavascan Review

The Cupra Tavascan has a very clear brief. It's meant to bring more drama to the electric SUV market, and in that respect, it succeeds immediately. The styling is bold, the proportions are sleeker than most conventional family SUVs, and the overall design has far more presence than the average EV crossover.

That would not matter much if the Cupra Tavascan felt ordinary underneath, but it does a good job of backing the styling up. The line-up is built around a 77kWh battery, with rear-wheel-drive 286PS versions at the core of the range and four-wheel-drive 340PS VZ models higher up. That means even the regular cars feel quick enough for effortless daily driving, while the VZ versions add a more serious turn of pace.

Range is one of the Cupra Tavascan’s strongest points. Officially, the rear-wheel-drive V1 can manage up to 353 miles, with the V2 just behind on 338 miles. The VZ1 manages up to 320 miles, and the range-topping VZ2 up to 298 miles. That's enough to make the Cupra Tavascan feel easy to live with in the real world rather than simply attractive on paper.

There's also a practical side to it. The cabin is spacious enough for family use, there's plenty of room in the back, and the 540-litre boot is stronger than the coupé-like styling might lead you to expect. The trade-off is that some of the controls still lean too heavily on touch inputs, and the design won't be to every taste.

The bigger point is that the Cupra Tavascan feels more cohesive than some style-led EVs. It's dramatic to look at, but it's not all show. It has the range, comfort and day-to-day usability to make the image feel credible.

So far, we’ve tried the less powerful version of the Tavascan, with rear-wheel drive and a 286PS electric motor. For most people, this will be all you’ll need – it feels quick for a family SUV and will offer the best range of the two.

The AWD VZ model, with 340PS, will certainly up the excitement when you put your foot down, but at the cost of efficiency and… well, cost. It’ll be more money to buy and run, and it’s heavier too, which will surely affect the handling.

Given the balance of performance, efficiency, and price, the RWD model in V2 trim is likely the best all-rounder unless you have an unquenchable hankering for acceleration or need AWD. Compared to the entry-level V1 trim, the V2 adds some worthwhile luxuries, including heated front seats, a panoramic sunroof, matrix LED headlights, Sennheiser audio and an augmented-reality head-up display.

The current Cupra Tavascan range starts at £47,350 for the V1 trim. The V2 starts at £53,845 and the VZ1 at £55,945. The top-spec model is the VZ2, which starts at £60,845. 

That means the Cupra Tavascan is clearly positioned as a more premium-feeling electric SUV rather than a mainstream value option. The V1 is the version that makes the strongest value case, while the higher trims ask you to pay heavily for extra equipment, more performance and added visual drama.

The most obvious alternatives are the Volkswagen ID.5, the Ford Capri, the Tesla Model Y, the Renault Scenic E-Tech, the Skoda Enyaq and the Audi Q4 E-tron. The ID.5 is the closest match underneath, as it shares many components with the Cupra Tavascan, but the VW makes a much more conservative case for itself. The Ford Capri is another natural rival if you want a sleek electric SUV with family-friendly space - again, it’s very similar under the skin. The Tesla Model Y is the default choice if range, charging network access and outright practicality matter most. The Renault Scenic E-Tech is the more rational alternative if you want something easier to use and less visually dramatic.

The Skoda Enyaq is the better fit if space, comfort and straightforward usability matter more than styling flair, while the Q4 E-tron appeals if you want something with a more premium badge and a calmer overall feel. We don’t want to sound like a broken record, but just like the ID.5 and Capri, both the Enyaq and Q4 e-tron share many of the same tech underneath. 

The Cupra Tavascan sits neatly among those cars because it feels more distinctive than the Volkswagen ID.5 and Skoda Enyaq, less clinical than the Tesla Model Y and more style-led than the Renault Scenic E-Tech.

The Tavascan gives you 540 litres of boot space, which is pretty good for this kind of car and more than enough for most daily needs, whether it's carrying luggage, shopping bags, or sports kit. The boot has a wide opening and a low loading lip, which makes it easy to load and unload bulky items. A height-adjustable boot floor allows for additional flexibility (move it down for extra space, or up to level off the loading lip), and there’s a ski hatch for carrying longer items without needing to fold down the rear seats.

That boot capacity also places the Cupra Tavascan quite well against the cars buyers are most likely to compare it with. It's fractionally smaller than the Renault Scenic E-Tech’s 545 litres, but still ahead of alternatives like the Audi Q4 E-tron and comfortably ahead of the Ford Capri. The Skoda Enyaq remains the bigger benchmark if outright luggage space is your priority at 585 litres, but the Cupra Tavascan still sits near the top of the class for a more design-led electric SUV.

One downside is the absence of a front boot (frunk), a feature offered by some rivals, such as the Tesla Model Y. While this means less total storage space, the underfloor compartment in the rear boot does at least give you extra room for charging cables and smaller essentials.

Rear passenger space is generous, with plenty of legroom even for taller occupants. However, the sloping roofline does slightly compromise headroom, particularly for those over six feet tall. The rear bench is comfortable, and the flat floor improves middle-seat comfort, making it a viable option for carrying three passengers in the back.

In terms of cabin storage, the centre console features a deep storage bin under the armrest, and there are large door pockets that can hold water bottles and other essentials. There’s a pair of cup holders in the centre console, while rear passengers also get cup holders integrated into the fold-down armrest. The glove box is spacious enough for smaller items. Again, while the central dashboard spine boosts the cabin’s futuristic look, it does limit some of the storage potential typically available in EVs with open lower-console designs.

The Cupra Tavascan is 4,644mm long, 1,861mm wide excluding mirrors and 1,597mm high. That puts it firmly in the middle of the family-electric-SUV class. It's large enough to offer real cabin and boot space, but not so big that it feels unwieldy on UK roads.

The Cupra Tavascan has one of the more dramatic infotainment setups in this class. The focal point is a 15-inch central touchscreen, paired with a 5.3-inch digital driver display, and it gives the cabin a much more striking feel than most mainstream family EVs. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included, while Cupra Connect brings online services and the charging and route-planning functions buyers now expect.

The Tavascan also gets a voice assistant, which can handle functions such as navigation, climate control and media, and newer versions of the system support ChatGPT-backed voice functionality. In practice, that gives the Tavascan a little more conversational flexibility than some rival systems when you want to search for something or ask broader questions.

Where the Tavascan still falls short is in the way you interact with some of these functions. Like several cars on closely related underpinnings, it still leans too heavily on touch inputs in places where physical switches would be simpler, especially on the move. Even so, the overall technology package is strong, and higher trims add worthwhile upgrades such as Sennheiser audio, matrix LED lights, an augmented-reality head-up display and a top-view camera.

The Cupra Tavascan uses a mix of materials that leans heavily on visual contrast and distinctive trim details. Across the cabin, you’ll find a combination of soft-touch upper surfaces, harder moulded plastics lower down, metallic-look accents and gloss black finishes, all wrapped into the Tavascan’s more dramatic dashboard design.

Seat materials vary depending on trim and specification, with cloth-style and microfibre-type upholstery on some versions, while higher-spec cars bring sportier bucket-style seats and more prominent contrast stitching. The sculpted seat designs and the copper-toned detailing that Cupra uses around the cabin do a lot to give the interior a more distinctive identity than a more conventional family SUV.

What stands out most is the way the materials are layered rather than the use of any one standout finish. The Tavascan mixes textured trim, dark panels and brighter accent details to create a cabin that feels design-led and deliberately different, even if some of the lower cabin surfaces are more hard-wearing and practical in their material choice.

The Cupra Tavascan line-up is built around a 77kWh battery. In V1 and V2 trim, it drives the rear wheels with 286PS and can cover 0 to 62mph in 6.8 seconds. Official range is up to 353 miles for the V1 and up to 338 miles for the V2.

The VZ1 and VZ2 switch to all-wheel drive and 340PS, which cuts the 0 to 62mph time to 5.5 seconds. The trade-off is range. VZ1 manages up to 320 miles officially, while VZ2 drops to 298 miles because of its larger wheels and added equipment.

The rear-wheel-drive cars make the strongest case if efficiency and value matter most, while the VZ versions lean harder into performance and visual impact. However, that will change later in 2026 when a new entry-level Tavascan is due to arrive. With 190PS and a 58kWh battery, it’ll offer a range of around 270 miles and represent a more affordable way into Tavascan ownership.

Since its inception, Cupra has set out to position itself as a sporty brand, with thrills to be found behind the wheel. Consequently, the Tavascan is one of the sportier electric SUVs to drive, with well-weighted steering and a confident stance.

Only the V1 trim does without the adaptive suspension – it’s standard on V2, VZ2 and VZ2 cars, helping balance comfort and handling.

The rear-wheel drive model is around 100kg lighter than the all-wheel drive variant, although it still tips the scales at around 2.2 tonnes. That said, it feels pretty agile considering its heft. While we haven’t tried it yet, we suspect the AWD will feel quicker in a straight line thanks to its extra motor and more power, but may be less sharp through the corners because of its extra weight.

It offers a smooth ride, absorbing most road imperfections well, particularly in Comfort mode, while Sport mode firms things up for a more responsive feel. Despite its size, the Tavascan maintains composure on winding roads, although it’s not quite as engaging as maybe you’d expect for a Cupra. It’s certainly not bad, but it lacks a certain level of sharpness that, in fairness, wouldn't normally be expected of a family SUV anyway.

While Cupra has done an excellent job tuning the chassis to contain body roll, it can’t quite match the agility of lighter performance SUVs like the Kia EV6 or Ford Mustang Mach-E. The weight is most noticeable in tighter corners, where the front-end push can be felt despite the well-calibrated electronic stability systems.

Around town, the Cupra Tavascan is easy enough to manoeuvre given its size, and the smooth EV power delivery suits it well. On the motorway, it settles down to become a comfortable long-distance car, and the range is strong enough for regular longer trips. 

Road and wind noise are well suppressed, making the Tavascan a very decent choice for long journeys. The large wheels on higher trims can introduce some road noise, but overall, it’s one of the quieter electric SUVs at motorway speeds

Independent safety organisation Euro NCAP gave the Cupra Tavascan a maximum five-star rating, highlighting its lane support system, intelligent adaptive cruise control and effective autonomous emergency braking. The Tavascan was also named one of Euro NCAP’s Best in Class cars for 2024, which is a useful sign that its safety package is strong by current standards.

The current car also comes with a solid spread of safety and driver-assistance kit. Standard equipment includes Travel Assist, Emergency Assist, predictive adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, exit warning and assist, attention and drowsiness assist, rollover assist, forward collision warning, side assist and intelligent park assist. Higher trims add features such as a top-view camera, but even the core safety package is strong enough to make the Tavascan feel reassuringly well equipped.

All versions use 11kW AC charging and support up to 135kW DC charging. Officially, the Cupra Tavascan can charge from 10% to 80% in 28 minutes on a suitable rapid charger. On an 11kW AC charger, a full charge takes around eight hours.

In real-world terms, that means the Cupra Tavascan should be easy enough to keep topped up overnight at home and quick enough to recharge on longer motorway trips. The actual cost will depend on your electricity tariff and where you charge, but home charging will usually be much cheaper than relying on public rapid charging.

The Cupra Tavascan comes with a five-year, 90,000-mile manufacturer warranty in the UK. The high-voltage battery is covered for eight years or 100,000 miles, with repair or replacement if capacity drops below 70% within that period, subject to conditions.

There's also a three-year paint warranty, a 12-year body protection warranty and one year of roadside assistance. That’s a stronger warranty package than several mainstream rivals offer, which helps the Cupra Tavascan make more sense as a longer-term ownership prospect.

The Cupra Tavascan spans insurance groups 34 to 39. Rear-wheel-drive V1 cars sit at the lower end of the spread, V2 and VZ1 move further up, and the VZ2 sits right at the top.

That is a relatively high spread for a family EV, but it fits the Cupra Tavascan’s pricing, performance and positioning. It's worth checking the exact group of the version you want before committing, especially if you are weighing up a core rear-wheel-drive model against one of the higher-spec VZ cars.

For most Cupra Tavascan models registered under the current system, the standard annual VED (Vehicle Excise Duty, or road tax) rate is £200 after the first year. That's the figure most buyers will care about as an ongoing running cost.

Pricier versions with a list price above £50,000 will also attract the expensive car supplement for five years from the second tax payment. That means £640 a year in total VED during that period, so it's worth checking the final list price if you are looking at higher trims.