CUPRA ATECA

What is it?

It’s a question I was asked a lot during our week together. It wasn’t necessarily the shape that confused onlookers, but the Transformer-style badge. Even when I told ‘em it was a Cupra, they were still non-the-wiser.

A few years ago, Cupra was based on existing Seat models: Leon, Leon estate and the Ateca. Then back in 2018 Cupra split apart from Seat to become its own brand producing some exciting, performance-oriented vehicles.

Regular readers may remember that I reviewed the Cupra Ateca a few years ago, just a few issues in, but last year the Ateca had a facelift, so I figured I’d better book one in and take a closer look.

To be honest, when it comes to updates there isn’t much to report. Thankfully the mechanicals stay pretty much the same, which I’m happy about, the facelift mainly gives it a cleaner look, with new bumpers, LED lights and a more modern infotainment.

On the road

So what makes the Cupra version different to the SEAT Ateca, then?

Cupra haven’t messed around when it comes to performance, they’ve given their Ateca the full-blown 298bhp, 400Nm torque, turbocharged 2.0ltr TSi lump from the Golf R. It also comes with the slick 7-speed DSG transmission, and 4wd. To cope with the extra power, they’ve beefed-up the chassis and adaptive damping is standard.

What does all of that mean when on the road?

Addictive power and handling, that’s what!

Turn the dial to Sport and you can literally feel it chomping at the bit - you get the sense that it wants to propel you to licence-losing speeds in a heartbeat - which it can do, far too easily.

With almost 300bhp on tap, the 2.0ltr turbo petrol unit manages to propel the Cupra Ateca from 0-60mph in just 4.9sec, and if you’re on a racetrack or autobahn it claims a top speed of 152mph.

It’s quick then, but what’s it like bumbling around town or taking the sprogs to school?

Select ‘Comfort’ mode and it behaves like any other Ateca, though on certain road surfaces you can tell its wearing 19” rims. Unless you choose the Cupra mode, which stiffens the whole thing up, it is still rather nice to drive. Granted, it has lower and stiffer suspension, but it isn’t uncomfortable, unless you take it down a potholed strewn side road that is.

Being in the middle of lockdown I couldn’t take it on any long trips, but the last time I had the pleasure of testing one, a couple of years ago, during a 2 hour trip to Anglesey, driving between 50-70mph, it averaged 33.5mpg, which I didn’t feel was too bad. On a bunch load of local trips - in Sport and Cupra mode, it was averaging 25mpg - which is pretty good, considering!

Off-road

With those aforementioned expensive 19” machined Copper-coloured alloy rims, I really didn’t fancy taking it too far off the beaten track, but going off past experience with a SEAT version, I have no doubt it’ll still be remarkably capable. With that in mind, the Cupra retains the ‘Off-Road’ as well as ‘Snow’ modes like its SEAT sibling, but it really isn’t designed for the rough stuff.

Interior

t a few moans out of the way first. Despite the Cupra seats, copper-coloured Cupra emblem that sits in the middle of the steering wheel, and a few other copper bits of trim, you wouldn’t tell it apart from its sibling. Then, the paddle shifts are a bit too small for me the reach with ease.

Other than that, everything is in the right spot, the dials and infotainment system are easy to read and navigate, and the adjustable ambient lighting is a nice touch.

Speaking of the infotainment system, the 8” touchscreen is easy enough to get your head around and comes with loads of gadgets as standard, including a wireless phone charger with signal booster, sat-nav, a DAB radio, AppleCarPlay and Android along with smartphone mirroring.

As standard you get a 9.2” digital cockpit and configurable dashboard, a Top View camera that gives you a birds-eye view so you can get into even the tightest spot, adaptive cruise control and other such safety features.

Seating, space and visibility are all top-notch with rear passengers having decent leg room too. There’s plenty of space in the back to chuck 2 tents, 2 deckchairs, a camping table and 3 boxes of cooking and camping paraphernalia, with the seats down of course.

Conclusion

Despite my moans about its uninspiring dash, I really enjoyed the Cupra experience, and once I’d settled into the driver's seat and focussed on the road ahead, none of it really mattered as it’s such a blast to drive, both in comfort and Cupra mode.