2026 Cupra Ateca review

You’re looking at the oldest model in Cupra’s Australian lineup, and it won’t be long before you can no longer buy a new one.

The Ateca first entered production in 2016, before the small SUV received a facelift in 2020, but the vehicle you see here is effectively almost a decade old. As with many other Cupra models, the Ateca is a sportier, lightly restyled version of the Seat Ateca, which probably doesn’t mean much to Australian buyers.

If you need an abridged history, the Cupra name emerged in the late 1990s as the performance/motorsport division of Spanish manufacturer Seat. It has since established its own identity under the Volkswagen Group umbrella and was launched in Australia in 2022 as a standalone brand.

It’s been expanded locally with models like the Leon petrol hatch, Born electric hatch, and Formentor crossover, but several new and uniquely Cupra models are on the way.

Most importantly for the Ateca is the Terramar, which launched in Australia earlier this year. While rumours swirled that the small-ish Ateca would be dropped in favour of the mid-size Terramar, CarExpert was assured by a Cupra executive that both models would co-exist and that the Ateca would survive until “at least through until the end of 2025”.

Now, we have confirmation that it will be on run-out until the end of the year, before the torch is passed to the Terramar from 2026. Of course, the Ateca is already an exceedingly uncommon model in Australia, so allow us to paint a quick picture for those unfamiliar.

Built atop Volkswagen’s MQB A1 platform, the Ateca is related to the Audi Q2 and available in Australia in two variants. The first was the Ateca VZx on test here, fitted with a 221kW/400Nm turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and all-wheel drive.

The second is the V, which also has a 2.0-litre turbo-four but with reduced power, and is available at a significantly lower price. Neither has helped the Ateca to set the sales charts alight, as it recorded just 60 deliveries in the first seven months of 2025 – leagues away from Cupra’s top-selling Formentor, which found 945 buyers in the same period.

Does all this make the Ateca too old and too niche for us to recommend?

How much does the Cupra Ateca cost?

The VZx sits at the top of the two-variant Ateca range and costs $63,490 before on-roads.

It’s still cheaper than its replacement, as the Cupra Terramar VZ is priced at $73,490 drive-away. For context, the Terramar range starts with the S at $58,490 drive-away.

There’s also the larger Cupra Formentor VZx, which offers comparable performance to the Ateca VZx, and is priced at $65,790 before on-road costs.

Other small SUV rivals for the Ateca VZx, as defined by VFACTS, include the Volkswagen T-Roc R ($64,290 before on-roads) and the Lexus LBX Morizo RR ($76,490 before on-roads), both of which are fast compact SUVs.

As the Ateca is Cupra’s largest vehicle, it’s also worth mentioning mid-size SUVs like the top-selling Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Edge ($58,360 before on-roads) and Mazda CX-5 G35 Akera Turbo ($55,650 before on-roads), even if they’re vastly different packages.

To see how the Cupra Ateca stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool

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What is the Cupra Ateca like on the inside?

Very much a throwback to previous-gen Volkswagens, which works in its favour.

Aside from the dated look and uninviting grey plastics, the Ateca cabin’s reliance on physical controls is welcome in the context of the German auto group’s now-common touch-sensitive sliders and buttons – excluding Skoda’s Smart Dials, of course.

Yes it looks old and no it’s no longer befitting of a car that will cost more than $64,000 to put in your garage, but functionality is king here. It’s refreshing to see distinct buttons and knobs for climate control, situated below a modest 9.2-inch infotainment display that is integrated neatly into the dash.

These climate controls fall nicely to hand and are easy to use on the move; it shouldn’t take more than a few minutes to get used to where everything is. The only slight hiccup is that the infotainment screen’s shortcuts are quite far from the driver, a byproduct of the car being focussed on left-hand drive markets.

Still, there is little need for the driver to use these shortcuts given the steering wheel buttons, and they make it much easier for the front passenger to control audio or program navigation while the driver focuses on the road.

Screen resolution may not be as sharp as in some rivals, but it’s still responsive and easy to navigate. Wireless connectivity for both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is also supported as standard.

The aforementioned steering wheel controls are all finished in dull black plastic and take the form of either buttons or scroll wheels – all of which are physical. Clear labels make them easy to locate, while a hint of Cupra spice is added via the two large circular buttons below, including an intriguing logo-labelled button.

In fact, the steering wheel looks like the most modern element of the cabin. It’s large in diameter but features a thin rim with sporty sculpting and a squashed bottom, making it not only pleasant to the eye but also comfortable in the hands.

It’s finished in leather, which is perforated at nine and three o’clock. Tying it all together are Cupra’s signature bronze accents, as well as some of the same glossy metallic grey plastic seen elsewhere in the cabin.

The Cupra flavour doesn’t end there, as the VZx also gets ‘Petrol Blue’ upholstery on its seats and door cards. This adds character to the car’s otherwise generic sporty seats, which are firm and heavily bolstered without being too uncomfortable for daily driving.

More sporty flair is found within the 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster. Its graphics are the giveaway, and there are various themes you can scroll between using buttons on the wheel, including ones with a large central tachometer.

Storage up front isn’t a strong suit of the Ateca, but there’s just enough to get you by. There’s a cubby in front of the gear selector housing a wireless phone charger and two USB-C ports, as well as two small cupholders and an average-sized storage box under the padded central armrest.

There are also bottle holders in the door cards, while an electric panoramic sunroof is a $1850 option.

The small rear door opening doesn’t leave much room to climb into the second row, but the latter offers a usable space. There’s just enough head and leg room for fully grown adults to be comfortable, though taller front passengers will cause issues behind them.

The seatback here is also flat, which will make it difficult for passengers to stay planted during spirited driving. That blue leather upholstery can also be quite slippery.

On the floor is a driveline tunnel that badly eats into middle-seat legroom, and so this spot will likely only suit short drives or smaller passengers. There are at least dual air vents and USB-C ports on the back of the centre console, along with a strange storage cubby below.

Other storage options include map pockets, bottle holders in the doors, and a fold-down centre armrest with three cupholders of various sizes.

The Ateca offers a sizeable boot, with its 485 litres of capacity being comparable to the 542L offered by the RAV4. Its load floor is flat and square, while the boot opening lip is at a comfortable height for loading and unloading.

There isn’t a whole lot going on in the cargo area, other than a few cargo hooks and additional cubbies for loose items. If you need more space, the rear seats split 60:40 and fold almost flat to extend the cargo floor, while there’s a central passthrough to fit longer items while keeping the rear outboard seats in use.

Under the floor is an 18-inch temporary spare wheel, which is smaller than the standard wheels but remains preferable to a tyre repair kit.

To see how the Cupra Ateca stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool

What’s under the bonnet?

Powering the Ateca VZx is a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine, which pumps out 221kW of power and 400Nm of torque. Drive is sent to all four wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Our week with the car primarily involved highway commuting, but also some city work and a fair few hard launches using Cupra’s launch control function. Both contributed to our higher-than-claimed fuel economy figure, but driving with a lighter foot would undoubtedly reduce consumption.

To see how the Cupra Ateca stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool

How does the Cupra Ateca drive?

This is where the Ateca, especially in VZx trim, truly sets itself apart from most other mid-size SUVs.

Sure, if you look at the VFACTS sales charts you’ll find the Ateca is classed as a Small SUV, which means the VZx should compete with other fast small SUVs like the Volkswagen T-Roc R and Lexus LBX Morizo RR.

But because the Formentor is also classed as a Small SUV and the Ateca feels larger than a Formentor even though it’s shorter overall, it seems more appropriate to compare the Ateca with other RAV4-sized vehicles – and in that context it offers one of the most complete and engaging hot mid-size SUV packages on sale right now.

The VZx’s outright performance, for a start, is well clear of most of these mid-sizers, except maybe the GWM Haval H6 GT. The Ateca’s turbo-four has no issue getting its power to the ground thanks to its all-wheel drive system, though it does help to be in the right drive mode.

Naturally, power delivery is most docile in normal mode, with throttle response that makes it easy to drive in regular traffic. The direct shift gearbox (DSG) is also generally well behaved and responds well to paddle inputs on the steering wheel.

It’ll shift smoothly and at the right time when driving normally, and while you’ll get some typical dual-clutch hesitation at low speeds, it isn’t unbearable. Flicking the central dial over to Sport mode sharpens throttle response and shortens shift times, extracting more poke from the engine.

This is just a precursor to the Ateca’s full potential though. Turning the dial again will put the car in ‘Cupra’ mode (also available via the driver profile button on the steering wheel), which sharpens everything – including the suspension, which becomes noticeably stiffer.

All that makes the Ateca VZx feel almost like a hot hatch. Its engine can give you a proper shove in the back, and it’s surprisingly light on its feet. You’ll also notice a bit more noise from the exhaust, complete with the occasional pop and burble on deceleration and downshifts. And the sound is even better with the optional Akrapovic exhaust.

We also gave Cupra’s launch control a go, which is activated by pressing the brake and throttle simultaneously in Sport or Cupra mode.

Plant the throttle, jump off the brake, and the Ateca pins you to your seat as it shoots off. It’s brilliant fun in an SUV of this size, and although we didn’t test the brand’s 0-100km/h sprint time claim, 4.9 seconds feels pretty realistic.

As expected, it feels very similar to the T-Roc R with the same engine outputs, and faster than the LBX Morizo RR as well as more refined with one extra cylinder. The Haval H6 GT PHEV is also claimed to be just as quick to 100km/h, but the Ateca feels much more pointy.

Launch control also mitigates turbo lag, as it should, even if there isn’t a whole lot to begin with. All of this bodes well on first impressions, and it gets better when the roads get bendier.

The Dynamic Chassis Control system of the VZx makes the Ateca very agile. Throw it into a turn with haste and you’ll be surprised at how well it sticks over all manner of road surfaces, with nicely weighted and direct steering also contributing to the hot hatch vibe.

This kind of performance is almost unheard of in other non-premium mid-size SUVs, and only a handful of smaller SUVs are on par. You can have some proper fun in the Ateca, thanks to well-managed body roll around turns and a level of composure you don’t often see in cars this size.

Is all this a bit unnecessary? Maybe, but if you wanted a sensible SUV you’d go for something like a RAV4. The Ateca is a car you convince your significant other to let you buy when they want you to get something more family-appropriate – think Subaru Forester STI from 20-something years ago.

The beauty here is that it isn’t a small car, but it feels like one when you’re on the move. That makes it fun to steer, and daily commuting won’t become tiresome beyond the honeymoon period.

It’s safe too, with a full suite of gear that all works as it should without bugging you, with adaptive cruise control and a surround-view monitor being the highlights. Large side windows also ensure good visibility, and we had no issues with head-checks and the like.

When you aren’t driving like a maniac, the Ateca is also comfortable. Its seats are supportive and, though they are on the firmer side, we didn’t find them uncomfortable at all during our week with the car.

The ride in normal mode is also supple without being floaty, even though the car is set up on the firmer side. All this inspires confidence, as does the all-wheel drive system that bites into the road well under acceleration.

If you’re going to the snow or a campsite, there are two drive modes on hand to suit that too. Naturally there’s no low-range gearing or locking differentials, but these will adjust throttle response and power delivery between each wheel according to grip levels.

It all makes for a complete SUV that combines liveability with engaging driving dynamics in a neat, Cupra-shaped package. Of course, the key trade-off is fuel economy, but there are plenty of hybrid SUVs on sale – including from Cupra – that will cover that base if it’s too much of a concern.

To see how the Cupra Ateca stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool

What do you get?

The Cupra Ateca range consists of two grades.

2026 Cupra Ateca V equipment highlights:

• 19-inch alloy wheels in black and silver
• 18-inch temporary spare
• Automatic LED headlights
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Fog lights with cornering lights
• Automatic high-beam
• Hidden exhaust
• Progressive steering
• 9.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
• 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit digital instrument cluster
• Wireless phone charger
• DAB+ digital radio
• Hands-free power tailgate
• Power driver’s seat with memory
• Heated front seats
• Black leather upholstery
• Keyless entry and start
• Dual-zone climate control
• Ambient lighting
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter
• Heated steering wheel
• Illuminated sill plates
• Aluminium pedals
• Heated, power-folding exterior mirrors with memory
• 4 x USB-C outlets (two front, two rear)
• Paddle shifters
• Rear privacy glass
• 8-speaker sound system

Ateca VZx adds:

• 19-inch alloy wheels in black and copper
• Dynamic Chassis Control
• Supersport steering wheel with drive profile, engine-start satellite buttons
• Quad exhaust outlets
• Petrol Blue leather upholstery
• 9-speaker Beats sound system

The following options are available on the Ateca:

• Akrapovic exhaust: $5950 (VZx)
• Brembo brake package (replaces spare with tyre repair kit): $4050 (VZx)
• Tech pack: $2950 (V)
  • Surround-view camera
  • Beats 9-speaker sound system
  • Dynamic Chassis Control
• Electric panoramic sunroof: $1850
• Premium metallic paint: $490

To see how the Cupra Ateca stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool

Is the Cupra Ateca safe?

The Cupra Ateca is currently unrated by either ANCAP or its European counterpart, Euro NCAP.

Standard safety equipment includes:

• 7 airbags
• 2 x ISOFIX
• 3 x top tether points
• Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
  • Pedestrian detection
  • Cyclist detection
• Adaptive cruise control
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Driver fatigue detection
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Front assist
• Lane keep assist
• Park assist
• Reversing camera
• Safe exit warning
• Semi-autonomous parking assist
• Travel Assist

VZx adds:

To see how the Cupra Ateca stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool

How much does the Cupra Ateca cost to run?

The Cupra Ateca is covered by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, and servicing is required every 12 months or 15,000km – whichever comes first.

Service packs of the same durations are available for the new Terramar, but they cost $1490 and $2590 respectively – understandable given that vehicle has more modern powertrains available, including a mild-hybrid. The Formentor’s service costs are the same as the Ateca’s.

To see how the Cupra Ateca stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool

CarExpert’s Take on the Cupra Ateca VZx

The Ateca VZx is a breath of fresh air in a sea of drab SUVs, even if that sentiment contradicts its age.

There may be other European SUVs with performance this hot and handling this sharp, but they’re all more expensive than the sub-$70,000 Ateca. That’s even true for the equivalent Cupra Terramar, which is also pricier, even if it’s a much newer model.

That said, the Ateca’s age doesn’t hold it back. We found its interior easy to live with, with just enough modern tech to keep up with the times, and all the physical buttons, switches, and dials that we’re always yearning for in new cars.

It would be easy to criticise its design as tame, especially by modern Cupra standards, but we find it inoffensive yet aggressive enough not to undermine the car’s performance. It’s the engine and chassis package that keeps you entertained in the Ateca, and those worried about fuel consumption are likely to look elsewhere.

Mainstream hybrid SUVs may be more logical (and more popular) these days, but there isn’t much that can match the Ateca VZx’s sporting potential and still stay sensible on the weekdays at this price.

For those reasons, we thoroughly enjoyed it and would happily pay the price premium over the cheaper Ateca V. That said, the apparent demise of this model could well result in some generous deals in the near future.

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