2025 Cupra Terramar VZ Review

Cupra ramps up its efforts in the important hunting ground of the mid-size SUV, the Terramar its new offering here. It has premium aspirations, and a price tag to match. Is it worthy?

Cupra has had a renewal of late, ushering in fresh models like the Terramar you see here, upgrading others, rejigging the local line-up and aiming higher with newfound premium aspirations.

But what’s the Terramar you ask? It’s dubbed a ‘highly emotional SUV’ but don’t worry, it didn’t break down in tears while we had it. Terramar, which replaces the old Ateca (sort of), is a more family-friendly SUV than the smaller Formentor, and a model therefore with broader appeal. It also casts a wider net with its four-pronged line-up.

To recap, the Terramar range kicks off with the V at $70,500 while coming later in the year is the V 4Drive ($81,900) and a V e-Hybrid ($87,900). You’re looking here at the range-topping, $91,900 VZ. The V is a front-driver with 110kW/250Nm 1.5T mild hybrid. The 4Drive sounds better with its 150kW/320Nm 2.0 turbo and all-wheel drive. Not sure how many will be interested in the e-Hybrid, while we expect more will gravitate towards the high-end sports model. The VZ’s 2.0T pops off with 195kW and 400Nm of torque that flows to all wheels via a seven-speed twin clutch.  

Back in 2022 the Ateca VZ model went for $66,900. Many prices have risen across the board, but Cupra is now shooting for the premium end of the market, hence the elevated price tags. And that also means they come in for a more thorough inspection; are they worth the extra asked?

Looks good

Cupra reckons the Terramar has ‘an intimidating design’ but don’t feel threatened, it’s not a meanie. It’s a unique look in the scheme of generic mid-sized SUVs, front on especially, with a sleek profile too. There are lighting theatrics front and rear. The Cosmos Blue hue suits it as well. At least when clean; the wintry weather and road grime make it hard to keep looking flash. And were the bumpers an exact colour match? They seemed to be a bit darker in certain light to our eyes.

The interior sure is interesting with its sculptured shapes and surface treatments. There’s more illuminated drama inside too, enough to detract from some of the harder plastics below. The seats are lined in suede-like trim, and look racy but aren’t too restrictive. There’s good adjustment too, and while there’s no seat ventilation in this top grade model, they are heated, so too the steering wheel. This now houses the drive mode button and the starter as well. 

The layout of the 12.9-inch touchscreen is still a little funky but certainly more intuitive this time around, and the voice assistant has improved too. Optional sat nav seems tight for a $90k car, but the $1300 add on also gains you a head-up display. At least wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay come standard. Nice to have things like the volume and temperature control being illuminated at night now. Cupra likes their interior lighting with a strip along the bottom of the windscreen that is also used to alert the driver to potential danger. It blinks when the forward collision warning thinks you are going to crash into that parked car on the side of the road. Other safety warnings include a discrete over-speed ding, and while the lane keeping function does an okay job, both can be quickly extinguished via steering wheel buttons. The driver monitor is well versed, telling you off only when it’s really necessary. While the active cruise works smoothly, it leaves too much room to the car in front on its closest setting. 

In-cabin storage is okay, but not all the receptacles are lined. With the gear selector on the column, you get better cupholders and the phone charger keeps your device secure and out of sight. 

As a conveyance, the rear seat space you’d call adequate and a better fit for a family of four as the middle perch is tight. Boot space is okay too, the hold being well shaped. There’s a variable boot floor, a spare underneath and it’s easy enough to fold the rear seats flat, though remote levers would make it easier still.

Go alright? 

Cupra’s tend to go well, and this does too, relative to others on the VW Group’s MQB evo platform. Cupra sits its Terramar on a sporting suspension set-up with unique spring and damper characteristics and a slightly lowered ride height. Also aiding its sporting endeavours are camber tweaks and a revised control arm up front to help sharpen the steering performance. There’s also a new generation of the Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) for the VZ, the adaptive dampers now with twin-valve shockers. While there’s no sports diff out back, some electronic wizardary helps the variable AWD system deploy the ponies in a manner that sees it round up bends rather sweetly. 

Prodding the Terramar’s drive mode button moves it on from the Comfort default to Performance mode, while those looking for max attack can access Cupra. You can also delve into the Individual mode to mix and match settings. Here you can adjust the stiffness of the dampers even further, though the middling Performance setting is the sweet spot; it offers just the right amount of body control and bump compliance. The Progressive Steering adjusts the assistance on the go, weighting up just so at speed to aid your turning. The Terrarmar obliges by diligently following commands, and resists the urge to understeer well. It’s locked and stable, even on cold, wet road surfaces when giving it a bit of jandal. 

The four pot serves up good torque in the midrange, and revs to 6500rpm when pressed. The sound is generated, and mildly interesting without offending. Its powertrain works better in Cupra mode, the response improved. The brakes do their job well too. While it’s all very polished and competent, it does lack that certain flair we usually expect from a Cupra. The 1800kg kerb weight doesn’t imbue it with a lively character, and it’s not as quick or as dashing as its little brother, Formentor.    

Back in Comfort mode and plying suburban streets, the torque is made easily and processed soundly by the twin-clutch. The ride is friendly enough too, though road noise is a constant, even at 50km/h. The steering weight and turning circle are cordial for city life too, as is the surround view camera. Trip data suggested long term fuel consumption of 10.4L/100km over the past 3500km, while in our hands, it was registering 12.4. The factory figure is 8.1L/100km. 

Worthy of the premium tag? 

The Terramar VZ is a polished package but that price dulls some of our enthusiasm for it. With more prestigious brands lifting prices ever higher, it has allowed room for Cupra to creep up as well, giving it an opportunity in the market. Those looking for more of that dynamic Cupra character are best advised to stick with the Formentor VZ, though it’s not all that much cheaper.  

Cupra Terramar VZ
$91,900  /  8.1L/100km  /  194g/km
0-100 km/h 5.9s
Speedo error  97 at an indicated 100km/h
Ambient cabin noise  75.8dB@100km/h
Engine  1984cc / IL4 / T / DI
Max power  195kW@5000-6500rpm
Max torque  400Nm@1650-43500rpm
Drivetrain  7-speed twin-clutch / on-demand AWD
Front suspension  Mac strut / swaybar
Rear suspension  Multilink / swaybar
Turning circle  11.4m (2.1 turns)
Front brakes  Ventilated discs
Rear brakes  Discs
Stability systems  ABS, ESP, TV
Safety  AEB, ACC, BSM, LDW, RCTA, ALK, AHB
Tyre size  f/r-255/45R20
Wheelbase  2681mm
L/W/H  4519 / 1863 / 1584mm
Track f-1590mm  r-1580mm
Fuel capacity  60L
Luggage capacity  508-1510L
Tow rating  750kg (2200kg braked)
Service intervals  12 months / 15,000km
Scheduled servicing  3yrs / 45,000km
Warranty  5yrs / 100,000km
ANCAP rating  not yet rated
Weight (claimed)  1815kg