2026 Cupra Formentor: Quick drive

The Cupra Formentor was the first dedicated model from the Spanish automaker, with production beginning in Europe in late 2020 – but the small crossover SUV didn’t arrive in Australia until mid-2022, when the Volkswagen Group brand was launched locally.

While the Formentor is unique to Cupra – rather than being a sporty version of a SEAT model offered in Spain – the SUV is based on the MQB Evo platform, which has underpinned roughly 25 models from Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda, SEAT, and even Ford, since 2019.

After four years, the small SUV has now received its mid-life update, with some powertrain changes accompanying refreshed looks.

The Formentor gets a new front-end design with triangles in the daytime-running lights and fog lights, which Cupra is calling a ‘shark nose’ – borrowing a term from some iconic BMW models of the 20th century – while the revised rear-end gets more sophisticated tail-lights and an illuminated badge.

Cupra has also introduced the entry-level Formentor S variant to the range, powered by a mild-hybrid 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine – and lowering the price of entry to $53,990 drive-away.

This brings the number of main variants to four, with the S sitting below the Formentor V, the Formentor VZe plug-in hybrid, and the performance Formentor VZx flagship.

As previously announced, the automaker is also offering a limited-edition Formentor VZ5 – powered by the same five-cylinder turbo-petrol engine found in the Audi RS3. The VZ5 is set to arrive in late 2026, and isn’t part of this launch.

We first drove the updated Formentor back in October 2024, but now that the new model has finally arrived here we were given the chance to review the range on Australian roads.

How much does the Cupra Formentor cost?

As mentioned, the Formentor lineup is now cheaper from the outset, with the new S variant available from $49,990 before on-road costs – or $53,990 drive-away.

However, both the Formentor V and VZx have jumped in price – by $5500 and $4200 drive-away respectively – with just the plug-in hybrid VZe retaining its $74,490 drive-away price.

The flagship Formentor VZ5 is available for $94,990 before on-road costs, or $101,990 drive-away, while offering the same powertrain as that found in the $104,800 (plus ORCs) Audi RS3.

Cupra now offers an Extreme Package for both the VZe and VZx – priced from $6500 and $7000 respectively – which adds goodies such as bucket seats with carbon-fibre backs, upgraded brakes from Brembo and Akebono (respectively), and other minor changes outlined further down in this review.

Competing with the plug-in hybrid VZe is the Skoda Kodiaq PHEV Select, which is available from $63,490 plus on-roads, while Volvo offers some smaller electrified SUVs in this price range, too.

Other models in this segment include the BMW X1, Audi Q2, and Mini Countryman – with the all-wheel drive John Cooper Works version priced from $75,490 before on-roads.

To see how the Cupra Formentor lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

What is the Cupra Formentor like on the inside?

Not a lot has changed inside for the 2026 Cupra Formentor, besides backlit climate control sliders and a fixed shortcut bar in the infotainment screen.

As with other vehicles based on the MQB Evo platform, its ergonomics are excellent. There’s a large range of motion for both the driver’s seat and steering wheel, allowing drivers to find their ideal position quickly.

While the Formentor S and V get synthetic suede seat upholstery known as Dinamica, the VZe and VZx score sustainable faux leather – which can also be optioned on the lower grades.

The Extreme Package offers aggressive front bucket seats from Italian company Sabelt – best known for its seats and seatbelts used in rallying – which offer greater lateral support and feature a matte carbon-fibre shell, though they do mean you lose the centre airbag.

Otherwise, a pair of front sports seats is standard across the range, which are very comfortable and look pretty good to boot.

Given I look a bit like Jack Osbourne before he got skinny, and the Sabelt Cup pews seem to be designed for people who look a bit like Jack Osbourne after he got skinny, I personally found the standard sports seats to be more comfortable. Regardless, I’m always a fan of car manufacturers fitting seats from aftermarket brands – particularly if there’s some connection to rallying.

In the freezing temperatures around Canberra and Goulburn during the launch, the powerful seat and steering wheel heating was very much appreciated. Speaking of, drivers can also use a native voice recognition system to do simple tasks, like turning on the seat heating.

The 12.9-inch infotainment touchscreen is about as big as I’d want, and worked well during our test. However, the climate control touch panel below the screen means you can’t easily use it as a ledge to brace your hand over bumps. But I did appreciate the digital instrument cluster, which is bright and legible.

Standard on the VZe and VZx (optional on S and V) is an upgraded 390-Watt, 12-speaker premium sound system from Sennheiser, with an ‘immersion’ mode built in.

I’m also a fan of Sennheiser products, but, again, I found I tended to prefer the standard stereo. Rather than feeling like you are sitting between speakers, the immersion mode directs the audio directly into your brain, while also splitting frequency levels in a way that sounded unnatural to me.

Neither the Sabelt seats nor the Sennheiser sound system were disappointing; they just weren’t for me. I also found myself preferring the Dinamica over the leather of the upper grades.

What was a disappointment was some of the materials used in the cabin. The Formentor looks great in photos, but many of its interior plastics are very cheap and seem out of place.

For example, the flimsy plastic trim bordering the centre air vents has a hard edge on the passenger side, which feels like it hasn’t been integrated into the dash properly. The scratchy plastic surrounding the hazard light switch also looks and feels like it’s of lower quality.

Then there’s the drive selector nubbin, which is thin hollow plastic, and arguably the worst offender, as this is a constant touchpoint. It really detracted from the experience, and made me wonder whether a part from another Volkswagen Group product could be swapped in.

None of these things is a deal-breaker by any means. The thing is, the Cupra actually feels very well-built inside, in terms of how it’s screwed together – which makes the cheaper plastics and sharp edges stand out more. Then there’s the fact that the Formentor is competing with models from premium European brands like BMW, Audi, and Mini.

The doors, dash, and several other cabin surfaces are also upholstered in a cheap stitched vinyl, but it seems relatively hardy and does look good.

It is a cool cabin, with the copper accents and hard angles making it feel very modern and urbane.

And aside from the faux carbon-fibre texture on the airbag pad, I liked the leather-wrapped steering wheel. The size, the switchgear for the cruise and stereo, the paddle-shifters, the large round start/stop and driving mode buttons – it’s all great to use and, together with the alloy pedals, adds to the sporting flavour of the Formentor.

However, we did encounter a couple of rattles from one of our test vehicles, while another had a concerning squeak from the power tailgate. One also seemed to have a rear window with a mind of its own, going all the way down after trying to engage the auto-up feature.

What was a pleasant surprise was the comfort of the second-row seats. Spacious is the wrong word, but there’s plenty enough room where it matters, allowing two average-sized adults to spend some time back there.

It’s a similar story with the boot, which has the ability to swallow several pieces of luggage, despite the heavily sloping coupe-style rear hatch. Though it’s worth mentioning that cargo space is reduced in the Formentor VZe, thanks to its battery.

To see how the Cupra Formentor lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

What’s under the bonnet?

Across the five Formentor variants, buyers have five powertrain options – including a mild-hybrid and a plug-in hybrid.

Kicking off the range is the 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with 48-volt mild-hybrid technology in the Formentor S, which drives the front wheels. This is skewed towards efficiency rather than performance, with combined fuel consumption of 5.5L/100km and a claimed 0-100km time of 9.0 seconds.

That sprint time drops to 6.7 seconds for the Formentor V, which gets the Volkswagen Group’s proven 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine and all-wheel drive.

The front-drive Formentor VZe combines the 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine with plug-in hybrid technology, offering a claimed 114km of electric driving range from its 20kWh battery.

The Formentor VZx also gets the 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four with all-wheel drive, but performance jumps to 245kW and 420Nm – dropping the claimed 0-100km time to less than five seconds.

Meanwhile, the limited-production Formentor VZ5 gets a 2.5-litre turbocharged five-cylinder petrol engine, putting out 287kW and 480Nm.

All models get the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, with the exception of the VZe which gets the six-speed version.

To see how the Cupra Formentor lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

How does the Cupra Formentor drive?

On the road, the Cupra Formentor strikes a nice balance, being small enough to park easily and manoeuvre around tight city streets, but still feeling comfortable on the freeway.

Curiously, we found three different types of tyres fitted to our test cars, from Goodyear, Bridgestone, and Pirelli. A spokesperson told us all three brands are supplied to the factory, and each car is fitted with what is available.

This does make back-to-back testing slightly more difficult, as each tyre has its own characteristics and will perform differently.

What’s more, it’s hard to provide sweeping statements on things like ride and handling, as there’s also a large spread in kerb weights between variants.

Cupra has opted for a somewhat more sporting ride, meaning it’s geared towards flatter handling and sharper steering. But there are exceptions.

The new S variant in the updated Formentor range brings a lower price and a 1.5-litre mild-hybrid powertrain.

This car really feels like it would be best suited to someone who appreciates the styling and practicality of the Formentor, but doesn’t really care much about performance.

Which is a nice way of saying the Formentor S is a bit slow. While our city driving was limited, I found the dual-clutch auto jerky when crawling, and underpowered out on the open road.

We didn’t get a chance to test fuel consumption, but Cupra claims a combined figure of 5.5L/100km, potentially making it the choice for someone wanting improved fuel economy, without looking like they’re driving an egg. However, the powertrain is just, frankly, a bit undercooked for the package.

The cynic in me wonders if the S was introduced to simply offer a cheaper alternative to the previous entry-level variant, following its price increase.

On the road, the Formentor V is a different story than the S. To be sure, the 2.0-litre turbo four isn’t a powerhouse, with 150kW and 320Nm. And though there isn’t a wide gap between it and the 1.5-litre electrified engine of the Formentor S on paper, the V has a far more usable torque band and the added benefit of all-wheel drive.

For the majority of drivers out there – and anyone wanting to add a little seasoning to their commute – the 2.0-litre will provide a good amount of power for day-to-day duties, with a little bit left over for overtaking.

Also, because the Formentor V doesn’t have supercar performance, it means you can work the car a little more. On sweeping country roads, the seven-speed dual-clutch auto made accessing all 150kW much more enjoyable. Unfortunately, we didn’t have the opportunity to test the V in the city, but that extra off-the-line torque made pulling away from a stop seem smoother than with its mild-hybrid sibling.

Once you push past a dead zone on the pedal in the first inch or so, the brakes do a reasonable job of wiping off speed.

Step into the Formentor VZe, and it feels the most different from the lineup.

Driving on battery power in the city means there’s a good amount of torque on tap for getting off the line and to the speed limit. Need more performance? Just squeeze the throttle, and the 1.5-litre engine will hum into life. While not particularly exciting, it adds up to some decent push.

Considering its claimed electric range of more than 100km, the plug-in hybrid becomes a compelling option for those travelling into high-rise offices every day.

However, the VZe felt the most disconnected from its stablemates. It’s the heaviest, at more than 1750kg – 150kg more than the V, and 241kg more than the S – affecting ride, handling, and steering.

The Formentor has a bit of weight dialled into the steering already, but it felt like there was more physical weight on the front axle – no doubt thanks to the electric motor – contributing to heavy steering, without the benefit of tyre feedback.

After navigating some particularly egregious speed humps, it also felt as if the VZe’s adaptive suspension wasn’t particularly well calibrated for its extra weight. At low speeds, the front-end was almost too soft, whereas the rear-end was too stiff – though its characteristics improved markedly once the car was at speed.

Battery regeneration means you barely need to use the brakes, though the pedal didn’t always offer the same kind of consistency found elsewhere in the range.

It probably goes without saying, but by far the most fun was had in the Formentor VZx.

It also won’t shock you to learn that this car feels akin to a Golf R, but in a slightly different body, given the VZx borrows its powertrain directly from Volkswagen’s hot hatch.

The Formentor VZx comes across like it’s charged with adrenaline, thanks to the 245kW/420Nm outputs and that snappy seven-speed DSG transmission. The engine eggs you on a bit, encouraging you to find opportunities to lean on the throttle and send it up the road.

Through corners, the VZx remains flat and composed, but doesn’t rattle your fillings out over harsher surfaces. Combined with that sharp – though somewhat muted – steering, it adds up to a good balance of sporty driving and comfortable cruising.

Really, the headline news here is the torque-vectoring technology, which is taken from the Audi S3 and Volkswagen Golf R. With up to 50 per cent of the engine’s torque being able to be sent to the rear axle, the car can direct any amount of that to either wheel, allowing the vehicle to effectively slingshot itself out of corners at a fair clip.

On a soaked skidpan, driving the outgoing Formentor VZx alongside the updated version showed just how significant the change is with torque vectoring. Whereas the pre-facelift car pushed wide with any aggressive inputs, the new one recognises the understeer and directs power to the right wheels, helping to pivot the car and get it to where the wheels are pointing.

New for 2026 are launch control and drift mode, which have different names so the authorities don’t accuse Cupra of encouraging antisocial behaviour.

While I experienced drift mode at the launch of the latest Golf R last year – successfully transitioning a drift around a small circle of cones into a larger circle – the Formentor VZx proved far more difficult to master.

It seemed whenever I coaxed the car into a bit of sideways action, and after some understeer, the rear-end would eventually kick out and want to come around, prompting me to add throttle and opposite lock – which then killed the power. Apparently, more than a few degrees of steering had the vehicle thinking things are getting too spicy.

The instructor told me to use less oppo, which just resulted in the car spinning out.

As someone who allegedly spent most nights and weekends drifting old BMWs in totally legal environments as a dumb teenager, the Cupra felt more like drifting in a video game – all the elements are there, but it’s like it’s been assembled by someone who’s never done it in real life.

Following the professional motorsport playbook, the driver most certainly wasn’t to blame…

Really though, I don’t think the conditions were ideal for this demonstration. The VZx I was driving was fitted with Goodyear tyres, and there was around an inch of water flowing over the smooth concrete skidpan. More grip would have actually helped show off its drift mode, as it was with the Golf R demo.

In any case, it’s a cool party trick, and I suspect it would work best out on road surfaces after a more realistic amount of rain had come down. This is not a suggestion or an endorsement.

While there were aspects of the Extreme Package that felt a little like overkill, the six-pot Akebono brakes fitted as part of the Extreme Package on the VZx were properly excellent. Sky-high levels of performance, but without any hint of squealing or grabbing that can sometimes accompany big brake kits.

Or maybe I just couldn’t hear them, due to the minimal sound deadening in the cabin of the Formentor.

During my time swapping between variants, I was pretty taken aback at the volume of road noise inside. And not just at highway speeds. I spent 15 minutes trying to find a parking spot in the VZe and, on the smoothest brand-new road you’ve ever seen, there was a fair din at 20km/h. This wasn’t helped by the climate control, which created a bit of noise itself – even on the lowest fan speed.

Maybe the immersion mode of the Sennheiser stereo is required if you intend to drive the car at speeds higher than walking pace.

One real positive is the ADAS, which is relatively unintrusive. If the car thinks something needs your attention, it gives you a gentle reminder – like a polite tap on the shoulder, rather than sounding alarm bells to warn you of the end of the world, as is the case with some other vehicles.

To see how the Cupra Formentor lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

What do you get?

The Cupra Formentor comes pretty well equipped as standard, with some extra niceties as you move up in the range.

Cupra Formentor S equipment highlights:

• 18-inch ‘Sonora’ black & silver alloy wheels
• LED headlights with diamond DRLs
• LED tail-lights with illuminated logo
• Power tailgate with kick sensor
• Keyless entry and start
• Adaptive cruise control
• Drive profile selection
• Sports bucket front seats with black Dinamica seat trim
• Power driver’s seat with memory
• Heated front seats
• Supersport heated steering wheel
• 6-speaker sound system
• 3-zone climate control with rear controls
• 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster
• 12.9-inch infotainment touchscreen
• Satellite navigation
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Adjustable ambient interior lighting
• Auto-dimming interior mirror
• Wireless phone charger
• Driver-assist suite including active cruise and Travel Assist
• 306mm front brake discs, 272mm rear brake discs

Cupra Formentor V adds:

• 19-inch ‘Sandstorm’ black & copper alloy wheels

Cupra Formentor VZe adds:

• 19-inch ‘Arctic’ black and copper alloy wheels
• DCC adaptive suspension
• Upgraded brakes
• Cupra drive profile
• Rear diffuser with copper accents
• Synthetic leather upholstery
• Front passenger power seat with memory
• 12-speaker Sennheiser premium sound system
• Tyre repair kit
• 340mm front brake discs, 310mm rear brake discs

Cupra Formentor VZx adds (over V):

• 19-inch ‘Hailstorm’ black & copper alloy wheels
• DCC adaptive suspension
• Upgraded brakes
• Rear torque-vectoring differential
• Cupra and Drift drive profiles
• Synthetic leather seat upholstery
• Power front passenger seat with memory
• 12-speaker Sennheiser premium sound system
• Quad exhaust outlets with black tips
• Rear diffuser
• 357mm cross-drilled front brake discs, 310mm rear brake discs

Options

Formentor V and S:

• Panoramic sunroof
• Leather & Sound package, with 12-speaker Sennheiser audio system

Formentor VZe and VZx:

• Panoramic sunroof
• Extreme Package, with Matrix LED high-beam, grey leather and Dinamica upholstery, Sabelt Cup front bucket seats with carbon-fibre backs, 4-piston Brembo front brake calipers with 370mm cross-drilled front discs (VZe)/6-piston Akebono front brake calipers with 375mm cross-drilled front discs (VZx), dark gloss grey interior accents

Colours

All grades of the Formentor are available in Glacial White, Magnetic Tech grey, Fiod Blue, Midnight Black, Dark Void lavender, and Graphene Grey exterior paint colours, while the VZe and VZx can be had in Century Bronze matte, Magnetic Tech Matte, and Enceladus Grey Matte – which has a green tint to it.

To see how the Cupra Formentor lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

Is the Cupra Formentor safe?

The independent crash-test authority, ANCAP, has awarded the 2026 Cupra Formentor a five-star safety rating, which expires in December 2031.

However, it’s worth noting the safety rating excludes the Formentor VZ5, and both the Formentor VZe and VZx optioned with the Extreme Package, due to the lack of a centre airbag with the fitment of the Sabelt Cup bucket seats.

Variants that the five-star rating does apply to scored particularly well for Adult Occupant Protection, at 91 per cent.

Standard safety features include:

• 10 airbags (9 with Extreme Package)
• Autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian & cyclist detection, turn assist
• Lane-keep assist
• Blind-spot detection
• Exit warning
• Driver monitoring system
• Tyre pressure warning system
• Park assist
• Traffic sign recognition
• Speed limit assist
• Reversing camera

To see how the Cupra Formentor lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

How much does the Cupra Formentor cost to run?

The Formentor comes with Cupra’s five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, with five years of roadside assistance included.

Service intervals are 12 months or 15,000km (whichever comes first), with Cupra offering three- and five-year fixed-price service packs for the Formentor – though prices are higher for the VZ5.

Those who purchase a five-year service pack also receive Cupra’s complimentary concierge service, which covers pick-ups and/or drop-offs to a nominated address within 10km of a dealer service centre.

To see how the Cupra Formentor lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

CarExpert’s Take on the Cupra Formentor

The 2026 Cupra Formentor is quite a mixed bag, with each variant delivering a different experience. The advantage of that is there’s a Formentor to suit most buyers in this segment.

It might not be immediately obvious, but the Formentor is just a really usable vehicle. For the everyday, owners will find the Cupra a wonderful companion.

Overall, the baseline of the Formentor is good – it takes the proven MQB Evo platform from Volkswagen Group and adds a practical SUV body, a good slather of style, and some real competence on the road. It’s not perfect, though.

Despite looking great, we found some of the interior trims across the Formentor were a little disappointing – but nothing that would stop us from recommending the model. Just minor grievances that we wished they had spent a little more time on.

Then there is the lack of sound deadening in the car, which was probably our greatest complaint during our time with the Formentor. It’s more forgivable with budget-friendly cars, but that isn’t the case here, with the Cupra facing some strong competition from Mini, BMW, and Audi in this segment.

The least impressive was the entry-level Formentor S, which is under-engined for both the car and its sporty intention. Those who aren’t concerned with matters of performance – but want to ensure they look good when pulling up, and value decent fuel economy – might find the S suits their requirements. But, from where we sit, it doesn’t feel like it lives up to the expectations of Cupra’s focus, while also not being particularly smooth at city speeds.

However, keep moving up the range, and you’ll find some real gems.

For those looking for a plug-in hybrid with a glob of hot mustard, the Formentor VZe is worth a look. While the chassis setup raised some question marks, the VZe combines decent performance with a genuinely useful electric range, that aforementioned styling, and all the other positive aspects that come with the Formentor. It does suffer from the extra weight and, though there’s not a wide chasm between the two, don’t expect a VZx with plug-in hybrid benefits.

Really, the biggest flaw of the VZe isn’t so much itself, but its cousin – the Skoda Kodiaq Select PHEV. Though it’s not as powerful, the Skoda is a bit cheaper, offers similar electric range, and has an excellent interior.

The Formentor VZx is an interesting thing. For all intents and purposes, it’s a raised-up Volkswagen Golf R with a nose ring and trendy glasses. It has all the eager and famous performance of the Golf R, while being more usable than the VW and flying a little under the radar.

Torque vectoring is also a huge addition for the VZx. And though the conditions of our test perhaps didn’t help show off those abilities to their full potential, having previously experienced the technology in both the Audi S3 and Golf R, we know just how impressive it can be in the right circumstances.

Which brings me to the Formentor V – the quiet achiever, and the pick of the bunch in our book. It isn’t going to blow anyone away in terms of performance, but the engine sits in that sweet spot, allowing you to work the powerband and play with that crisp transmission without breaking the sound barrier.

It also has the benefit of all-wheel drive, it’s the second cheapest variant in the range, and it feels like it fits the purpose and character of the Formentor perfectly. While the lure of the Sennheiser stereo on the upper grades isn’t enough to pull me away from the V, I also found I preferred the Dinamica suede interior over the leather of the VZe and VZx.

The only real downside of the Formentor V is the price, which has gone up by almost 10 per cent with this updated model.

But take five different drivers and stick them in each variant with the aim of picking a favourite, and you’ll get five different answers. Rather than just being variations on a theme, the Cupra Formentor has several different personalities packed into its lineup, making it one of the more interesting European SUVs on the market today.

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