Fun fact: the Cupra Formentor rides on exactly the same (2680mm, since you asked) wheelbase as the next SUV up in the range, the Terramar. It’s just a bit shorter and lower overall, by 104mm and 64mm respectively.
So they’re a lot closer together than you might think, and that’s by design. The original Formentor was actually a bit longer than the Ateca, the SUV that the Terramar has now replaced.
That proximity is reflected in the pricing, too. The entry-level $65,500 Formentor V you see here is just $5000 less than its Terramar equivalent, and let’s face it: neither are especially budget-oriented. So the choice might well be which one suits or excites you more, rather than which one you can afford.
Formenter has always had an appeal all its own, partly because it’s a bit of a conversation piece. Is it a tall hatch, low SUV or just an all-round genre-bender? It’s hard to put it in a box, and that’s kind of cool.
The Formentor powertrains don’t line up exactly with Terramar model-for-model (the flagship VZ versions of each are very different, for example), but in terms of our V test car they’re very close: both have a 1.5-litre mild-hybrid turbo-petrol engine with 110kW/250Nm, driving the front wheels through a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox.
Is it a tall hatch, low SUV or just an all-round genre-bender? It’s hard to put it in a box, and that’s kind of cool.
The outputs are modest, but we’re continually impressed by how perky the little 1.5-litre is, assisted by the quick-shifting DSG. The sprint to 100km/h takes 9 seconds, but honestly, it feels a lot faster.
If thrift is your priority, Formentor easily beats Terramar of course: it’s 170kg lighter for a start. We averaged 5.9l/100km for the week, which is not far off the official 5.5l/100km, and that included taking full advantage of the Formentor fun-factor.
It's a fun chassis, even without the fancy 15-step DCC adaptive-suspension - which you can order on the Terramar V, but not this Formentor.
It has the edge on agility over the Terramar for the same reason of weight; but it’s also worth noting that this is a significantly facelifted version of a familiar model (at launch the first Formentor was the first-ever standalone Cupra, another fun fact), whereas the Terramar is much more of a new thing. Same platform… just newer.
So while the powertrain and tech should theoretically be identical, we did notice that the Formentor V doesn’t “sail” using the mild hybrid system as much in town driving, and the active safety assists (especially steering) are a bit more fussy than in the Terramar V (full review of that one on the way). Incremental improvement, perhaps; and no massive complaints at the end of the day, because it’s all really well-sorted regardless.
It's quite luxurious, with Cupra’s fancy new interior layout that’s pretty much shared across the range, from Formentor to Terramar to Leon ST.
It's a fun chassis, even without the fancy 15-step DCC adaptive-suspension option - which you can order on the Terramar V, but not this Formentor. We’re okay with that, because this car puts a big smile on your face regardless; it feels really light and nimble.
And quite luxurious, with Cupra’s fancy new interior layout that’s pretty much shared across the range, from Formentor to Terramar to Leon ST.
The upgraded infotainment setup looks colourful and crisp and is a huge improvement on the previous OS, which looked quite posh but had some less-than-intuitive elements.
The Formentor V cabin comes in a sportier basic-black-with-copper than the subtle blue tones/Seaqual of the Terramar, but you could argue that’s on-brand. You can’t do a lot to option up the seating like some other Cupra models, although you can add heating ($1150).
The relatively long wheelbase means Formentor is still a practical car, as long as you’re prepared to work around the diminished rear headroom from that coupe-like roofline. Even the boot is pretty decent: 40 litres than the Terramar, but still serving up just over 500 litres, which is pretty impressive for a compact(ish) SUV thingy.
Start shopping around small-to-medium hatchbacks and SUVs, and the Formentor looks pretty pricey. But then it does stand alone in terms of design, body style and arguably brand. We’d still argue the newer/slightly larger Terramar V represents better value and a slightly more polished powertrain/tech package, but Formentor remains the sportier choice and cut above the mainstream.