Cupra Terramar VZ review: full Cup

David Linklater
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Is the fastest Terramar also the most logical one? We think so.

Specifications

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Base price
$91,899
Body type
sport utility vehicle
Boot Capacity
508
Fuel Consumption (l/100km)
8.1
Maximum power kW
195
Maximum torque Nm
400
Towing (Tonnes)
2.2
Pros
  • Unique character in crowded segment
  • Quick and fun to drive
  • Lots of luxury
Cons
  • Hesistant transmission in traffic-crawl
  • Artifical noise in sportier drive modes
  • $90k-plus for mainstream medium-SUV raises eyebrows

Not entirely sure where Cupra’s flagship Terramar model, the VZ, fits into the SUV scheme of things? Understandable. But that might be exactly what Cupra intends.

Cupra Terramar VZ.
CUPRA TERRAMAR VZ: POWERTRAIN 2.0-litre turbo-petrol 4-cylinder engine, 7-speed automated dual-clutch transmission (DSG), AWD OUTPUT 195kW/265Nm EFFICIENCY 8.1l/100km (WLTP) SIZE 4519mm long, 1815kg PRICE $91,900.

There’s nothing exactly like the Terramar VZ on the market. Which might sound like an odd thing to say, because in essence it’s a mid-sized family SUV, so automatically a member of the most popular new-vehicle segment in New Zealand. 

But it makes no apology for aspiring to a properly sporting combustion-engine character, which you don’t really get from a Toyota RAV4, Nissan X-Trail or even the Mazda CX-5

The VZ’s 2.0-litre turbo engine makes 190kW and it’ll romp to 100km/h in 5.9 seconds, with lots of traction from the AWD system. To match that specification and sportier attitude in a similar-sized petrol-engined SUV, you’d need to look to the likes of an Audi Q5, BMW X3 or Mercedes-Benz GLC.

Cupra Terramar VZ.
You can have copper wheels on any Terramar, but this 20-inch rim is unique to VZ.

The Terramar VZ is expensive for a mainstream SUV, at $91,900; but it looks affordable next to the $110k-plus premium clique mentioned above. Even the Spanish Cupra brand straddles these two worlds; it belongs more in the mainstream than anywhere, but there’s also a slightly special aura around it.

Know what you’re about to say: there is in fact a rival SUV that’s pretty much exactly the same as the Terramar VZ on paper, and that’s the Volkswagen Tiguan R-Line AWD. Same engine, same platform.

Cupra Terramar VZ.
Larger and a lot more upmarket than the Ateca it replaces.

But even then, they’re not quite the same. The Tiguan is the tricked-up flagship of a model range that prides itself on being an everyperson proposition; it’s been built up from base. While there are indeed cheaper and less powerful Terramar variants, the vibe is that it starts with this VZ in all its glory and the talent trickles down. 

That’s certainly the heritage of the model: back when Cupra was the performance sub-brand of Seat, the Terramar’s predecessor (Ateca) only came in powered-up form if you wanted the one with the Cupra badge.

Cupra Terramar VZ.
Illuminated Cupra badge marks out the brand's new-gen modes.

The good news is that if you’re not interested in pontificating about the Terramar VZ’s place in the medium-SUV cannon (sorry about that), you can just enjoy driving it. It’s exceptionally well-sorted for a vehicle of this kind, but always knows that it’s a vehicle of this kind: performance and handling are strong, but the range of talents remains suitably broad.

It’s quick. But not crazy quick, and even in the most aggressive drive modes the throttle remains progressive and the gearchanges from the dual-clutch 7-speed firm but fairly gentle.

Cupra Terramar VZ.
It's quick, but not crazy-quick. Speed with... dignity.

The biggest downside to this transmission technology is an unsettled takeoff when you’re trawling through city traffic: the DSG still tends to “shunt” a little when you’re on and off the throttle at very low speeds.

Mixing Terramar’s speed with an accessible dynamic character is quite deliberate on Cupra’s part, which you realise if you’ve driven its boisterous little brother, the Formenter VZ: similar engine and technology package, but much more power and much more aggression from the powertrain.

Cupra Terramar VZ.
Steering feature features Cupra's signature one-hit straight-to-sporty drive-mode button.

VZ comes fully loaded in Terramar-context, including a comprehensive drive-mode menu that serves up five settings: Comfort, Performance, Cupra, Individual and Off-Road. They are linked not only to steering and powertrain but also suspension in the VZ’s case, because it comes with dynamic chassis control (DCC) adaptive dampers as standard.

You can cycle through them with the signature-Cupra button on the steering wheel (a long press gets you straight to Cupra mode if you’re in a hurry to go fast), although Individual is a bit more tricky - up to four taps on the infotainment screen if you’re keen to play with suspension settings. But there’s a lot in there, with a scroll bar that lets you choose between 15 different levels of firmness, broadening the responses at either end.

Cupra Terramar VZ.
Infotainment a big improvement on previous Cupras: more colourful, but also easier to navigate.

There are distinct differences between the drive modes, but this car can happily function on a backroad even in Cupra mode without driving you crazy. Click the DCC beyond that to the very firmest settings… and it’s still not terrible.

This is a quick, polished and very capable car on the road, no matter what combination of settings you choose. The main thing that undermines it is the terrible “enhanced” engine sound that’s piped into the cabin in the sportier settings; fake noise is not necessary Cupra, not when you’ve made such a genuine attempt to create a family SUV that’s fun to drive.

Cupra Terramar VZ.
Bucket sports seats with Dinamica upholstery standard on VZ.

The luxury is there too, although it must be said that the VZ doesn’t look dramatically different outside or inside to lesser Terramar models.

Unique to the VZ are bucket sports seats with suede-like Dinamica upholstery (power adjustable and heated) and a grunty Immersive By Sennheiser 12-speaker sound system.

Stunning Cosmos Blue is a new hue.

Fancy lights are very much a Cupra thing and the full HD package is still an option even for the VZ, at $2000; you’d kind of have to, which pushes the price to $93,900.

But for the most part, if you’re looking for a pseudo-mainstream medium SUV with sporting smarts that looks and feels a bit special… it’s all here.

How much is the Cupra Terramar VZ?

The VZ is the flagship of the Terramar line and costs $91,900.

What are the key statistics for the Cupra Terramar VZ?

The 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine makes 195kW/265Nm and drives through a 7-speed DSG; it’s AWD.

Is the Cupra Terramar VZ efficient?

It’s the gruntiest of the Terramar range so also the thirstiest, with a WLTP figure of 8.1l/100km. You’ll struggle to get there, although we recorded results in the 9l-bracket during day-to-driving.

Is the Cupra Terramar VZ good to drive?

The VZ does a great job of infusing driver-pleasing performance and handling into a package that still provides plenty of comfort and refinement when required.

Is the Cupra Terramar VZ practical?

Despite the sporty attitude and blingy bits, at heart the Terramar is a medium SUV that's closely related to the VW Tiguan. It provides spacious family transport and a decent 508l boot; although the VZ’s cargo area is slightly smaller than the V models and lacks their variable cargo-floor.

What do we like about the Cupra Terramar VZ?

It looks striking in a sea of same-again family SUVs, it’s quick and capable in corners, but still really luxurious and refined.

What don’t we like about the Cupra Terramar VZ?

High price against mainstream rivals, the fake engine noise in Cupra mode, and the copper cabin bling is in danger of being OTT to some eyes.

What kind of person would the Cupra Terramar VZ suit?

Somebody can afford to spend a bit more on their family SUV, and appreciates a polished performance and handling package.