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Review – Cupra Terramar (2024), sexy alternative to Volkswagen Tiguan

October 11, 2024

Design Cupra Terramar

The Cupra Terramar gets its name from the circuit where the Cupra brand was born in 2018: the Autòdrom de Sitges Terramar. Hence, the international press launch also takes place here, on Cupra’s birthplace. The Terramar stands out nicely. It has a sharknose front, an elongated hood and flat headlight units with three triangular LED light elements. Matrix LED lighting is optional.

Illuminated Cupra logo

At the rear, the diffuser stands out, as does the illuminated Cupra logo. There is something at the door, with such a Terramar. In terms of lighting, the Terramar stands out anyway. It welcomes occupants with special lighting effects from the LED headlights and taillights as well as by projecting the Cupra logo on the ground. It’s all about the experience people.

Sporty interior

And then you have to see the interior. There you notice the “wave,” an element that connects the dashboard and the center console. The interior looks nice and sporty, with a sports steering wheel, nice bucket seats and, of course, the copper-colored trim details typical of Cupra. As for upholstery, there is a choice of Dinamica and Seaqual Yarn, both made from recycled materials.

Cupra Terramar: video review

hefty displays

The interior also has a Virtual Cockpit (10.25 inches/26 cm) and a centrally located touch display  (12.9 inches/33 cm) with illuminated touch sliders. Depending on the version, the model also has a head-up display. Of course, Apple and Android devices can be wirelessly linked (Wireless Full Link). Wirelessly charging your phone is possible with 15 watts and also cooled. Fan of music? Then choose the Sennheiser Soundsystem (390 Watts) with twelve speakers.

Sliding rear seat

Cupra delivers the Terramar in the Netherlands as standard  with 18-inch alloy wheels (19-inch for the VZ version, 20-inch for the America’s Cup version). Thanks to a wheelbase of 2.68 meters, the Terramar  offers space for five occupants. The volume of the luggage compartment can range from 400-602 liters due to the sliding rear seats.  

Cupra Terramar

Cupra Terramar: powertrains

OK, so no 100 percent electric powertrains? That’s right, but plug-in hybrids with a solid electric driving range. The basis of the Terramar is the MQB Evo platform. The offering in the Netherlands consists of a 1.5 TSI turbocharged gasoline engine and an electric motor in two power versions: 150 kW/204 hp and 200 kW/272 hp.

The Terramar VZ Performance (200 kW/272 hp) sprints from 0-100 km/h in 7.3 seconds and reaches a top speed of 215 km/h . A DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission is always standard. Thanks to a 19.7 kWh battery pack, the Terramar can drive on paper up to 120 kilometers fully electric. With a 50 kW fast charger, charging the battery from 10-80% takes 26 minutes. (Home) charging with 11 kW is also possible.  

More choice outside the Netherlands

Outside the Netherlands, the Cupra Terramar is also available as a 2.0l 4Drive with 195 kW (265 hp) and 400 Nm of power. A 1.5l mild-hybrid with 110 kW is also on the menu outside the Netherlands. Given the sky-high BPM in the Netherlands, the importer in our country has chosen to supply only PHEVs. The advantage is then that the cars immediately have rich basic equipment.

Cupra Terramar

Sports suspension

So you always get a sports suspension with multilink rear axle. In combination with Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC – standard on VZ Performance models) with double-valve shock absorbers and driving profile selection, you can influence the character of the car. The stability system ESC can be switched off in the VZ Performance versions. Cupra supplies the Terramar VZ versions (200 kW/272 hp) optionally with an Akebono performance braking system with large, perforated brake discs.  

Driver assistance systems

Of course, the Terramar also has the necessary driving assistance systems. Think Predictive Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Travel Assist, Pre-Crash, Side and Exit Assist, Emergency Assist and Attention and Drowsiness Assist. All can be easily turned off, allowing you to simply focus on driving on the road without setting off alarm bells that make you doubt your own skills as a driver.

How does the Cupra Terramar drive?

The Cupra Terramar – built at the Audi factory in Györ, Hungary – is by far one of the nicest driving SUVs in this segment. It is excellent on the road, provides sufficient feedback and is also nice and smooth. The handling is nice and dynamic, the sport seats are excellent, and the overall build quality also gives a solid impression. If you’re looking for a plug-in hybrid with sporty ambitions, you actually can’t beat the Terramar. No, aside from a higher starting price, there is little to note about the Cupra Terramar. It is an original-looking car that drives surprisingly dynamically. It is the sportier alternative to a Volkswagen Tiguan with a seriously large electric range that actually serves you.

And what does it all cost?

The Cupra Terramar PHEV with 150 kW/204 hp comes as Terramar Essential (starting at €48,990) and Terramar Business (starting at €50,990). These models will be available to order from November. The 200 kW/272 hp VZ Performance and VZ America’s Cup are available for immediate order. The Terramar VZ Performance starts at € 53,990 and the Terramar VZ America’s Cup at € 58,990.

As Terramar VZ Performance, the car features include

As the Terramar VZ America’s Cup (circulation 1,337 worldwide), the car features such extras as

Technical specifications

Cupra Terramar 1.5 eHybrid 200 kW (272 hp) DSG-6

engine

Battery

Performance

Suspension

Steering and brakes

Wheels and tires

Dimensions and capacity

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Cupra Terramar review











Cupra Terramar




















Cupra Terramar