Review – Cupra Tavascan (2025) – For those who really want something different
Cupra Tavascan
The Tavascan is Cupra’s latest EV. The model sits on Volkswagen Group’s MEB platform and is basically a brother to SUV coupes like the Volkswagen ID.5 and Skoda Enyaq Coupe. These cars share much of the same technology, but in terms of looks, the Tavascan is a completely different world.
Pronounced
Where the ID.5 and Enyaq Coupe look fairly well behaved, the Tavascan is a distinct appearance. This is a car that wants to be seen. Its sharknose front with illuminated, triangular LED signature is nicely aggressive. Even in the dark it stands out, thanks to the illuminated Cupra logo in the nose – a first for the brand. At the rear, the triangle theme also returns in the light units as well as the logo.
At 4.64 meters in length, 1.86 meters in width and 1.60 meters in height, the Tavascan stands firmly on its feet. The wheelbase of 2.77 meters provides plenty of interior space. But it is mainly the shape that stays with you.
The Spine as backbone
Inside, things get really experimental. Cupra is a Spanish brand, and if Salvador Dalí were alive today, he would probably have been immediately snared as an interior designer – that’s how imaginative and daring the design looks. One element draws immediate attention: the “Spine. This plastic “spine” runs like an openwork skeleton from the center console to the dashboard. It has to be your taste, but at least the unusual design shows guts. Cupra does things differently – and that deserves respect.
LED lighting in the door panels and around the Spine adds to the futuristic feel. The materials used – including recycled textiles – feel thoughtful. Copper-colored accents, Cupra’s house color, give it all a warm and sporty feel. The seating position is nice and low; the sports seats offer plenty of support. You really are ín the car. The 15-inch infotainment screen hangs from the dashboard like a floating tablet and works quickly and intuitively.
Range Cupra Tavascan
You can choose from two powertrains. Both use a 77 kWh battery pack, but differ in terms of power. The standard version has an electric motor on the rear axle with 286 hp. The most powerful variant, the VZ, features two motors with a combined 340 hp and all-wheel drive.
According to the WLTP, the rear-wheel-drive version gets up to 570 kilometers. The Tavascan VZ reaches a maximum of 480 kilometers. During our test – in mild spring temperatures – we ended up with about 440 kilometers in the rear-wheel-drive version. A neat practical score.
Fast charging goes at a maximum of 135 kW. From 10 to 80 percent takes about 28 minutes, and in seven minutes you recharge 100 kilometers. Not a record, but certainly acceptable. Handy: you can pre-heat the battery manually, so that even in cold weather you can immediately charge at maximum speed. Charging at an ordinary charging station is possible with 11 kW, good for a full battery in about seven hours.
Ride: tight, fast and surprisingly mature
The Tavascan wouldn’t be a Cupra if it didn’t get around corners a little smoothly. And it does. Yes, it is a hefty – and heavy – SUV, but thanks to its wide tires and low center of gravity, there is plenty of grip. And thus driving pleasure.
The suspension – McPherson front, multilink rear – is firmly tuned, but not uncomfortable. Thanks to an adaptive suspension – Dynamic Chassis Control – you can adjust the damping according to your driving style. You can choose from six driving modes, including Performance and Cupra. In the latter, it feels really lively without being nervous.
The steering is direct and provides good feedback. Thanks to the weight distribution of 49 percent front and 51 percent rear, it stays nicely neutral in fast corners. It doesn’t get as exciting as a gasoline-fueled Seat Cupra of yesteryear, but this is definitely a car with some dynamics.
Practical and comfortable?
Despite its sporty looks and dynamic handling, the Tavascan is primarily a family car. It offers ample space for four adults. Even in the back, taller occupants will find plenty of leg and headroom. The luggage space is decent at 540 liters, although it lacks a frunk – that remains a limitation of the MEB platform. However, there are smart storage compartments and a double cargo floor.
In terms of comfort, it scores well. The seats are excellent, the driving noise is low and the suspension manages to filter out bumps well. Only on bad road surfaces does the sporty tuning sometimes make itself heard a little emphatically. But it is never disturbing.
Conclusion
With the Tavascan, Cupra shows guts. Especially the interior is original and refreshing. At the same time, it delivers enough driving pleasure if that’s what you’re looking for, and comfort for your daily drives. In this respect, the Tavascan feels like the coming of age of the brand.
What will you pay for the Cupra Tavascan? Prices start at 44,990 euros for the entry-level rear-wheel drive version. The Business version we drove starts at 48,990 euros in the price list. Not a bargain, but certainly a car with distinct character.
Also read: Cupra Terramar (2025) Review – Sporty PHEV with solid range