Cupra Ateca

CUPRA ATECA

What is it? That was the most frequently asked question I was asked during my week with the Cupra, as no one actually recognised the Transformer-looking front badge, and even when I said it was a Cupra, I still had blank looks.

Putting it simply, you know how Fiat have Abarth, Citroen have DS and Toyota have Lexus? Well that’s the same with Seat and Cupra, Cupra is a new performance-oriented brand set up last year (2018) whose cars will be based on existing Seat models in the short term, but will eventually offer unique models of its own.

So what’s different then? Cupra haven’t messed around when it comes to performance, they’ve given their Ateca the full-blown 298bhp, 2.0ltr TSi unit from the Golf R with 400Nm torque. Not only that, but it comes with the slick 7-speed DSG transmission, and 4wd!

On the road With almost 300bhp on tap, the 2.0ltr turbo petrol unit manages to propel the Cupra Ateca from 0-60mph in just 4.7sec, and if you’re on a racetrack or autobahn it claims a top speed of 152mph. That performance is very addictive.

Unless you choose the Cupra mode, which stiffens the whole thing up, it’s still a rather nice SUV to drive. Granted, it has lower and stiffer suspension, but it isn’t uncomfortable, unless you take it down a pot-holed strewn side road that is, then hold onto your fillings and for ladies (and some men), wear a sports bra!

As someone who’s used to driving big lumbering 4x4s rather than hot hatches, I have to say that it handles supremely well along twisty roads. Of course, a low slung sports car will be better, but Cupra have done a fine job in my humble opinion.

On a more practical side of things, during a 2 hour trip to Anglesey driving between 50-70mph, the Cupra was averaging 33.5mpg, which I didn’t consider too bad.

Off-road Apart from an access road to a beach, then the beach itself and a rather stunning green-lane in Yorkshire, I didn’t venture too far from the beaten track as I didn’t want to destroy those gorgeous 19” copper painted wheels!

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 Personally this is where I feel it lets itself down - it’s dull. Don’t get me wrong, everything is in the right spot, the dials and infotainment system are easy to read, but I want more, especially from a Cupra. In fact, if it wasn't for the copper-coloured Cupra emblem that sits in the middle of the steering wheel, you think you’d just jumped into a regular Ateca. It didn’t even come equipped with electrical operated seats.

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.

The seating, space and visibility are all topnotch with rear passengers have 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 layout, I really enjoyed the Cupra experience, and once I’d settled into the drivers seat and focussed on the road ahead, it didn’t really matter as it’s such a blast to drive, both in comfort and Cupra mode. If I had the cash, the only thing that would stop me from buying one would be that fact that I can’t take it off

road due to its on-road bias, other than that I have one in a heartbeat.

The Cupra Ateca costs £36,695, which is only £905 more than the Seat Xcellence 2.0ltr 4Drive Ateca with ‘only’ 188bhp, so when you look at it that way it’s positively good value.