Test Drive Report Cupra Tavascan: Tough Statement!
You come late, Amigo, one might want to call out to the Tavascan. In fact, Cupra designers created it back in 2019 as a design study with a wild interior. The study was so well-received that they realized it on an MEB basis – even if it comes somewhat late, as the winds have shifted in many ways and now blow against the Tavascan: Electromobility is currently experiencing a slight dip. Sales are down by 30% compared to 2023, there are no more subsidies, and competition from Asia is growing.
Which brings us to the next problem: At that time, they allegedly only had capacities in the Chinese VW plant Anhui, which is why the Tavascan is produced only there, even though it is not even on the market in Asia. And now that the USA is imposing 100% tariffs on Chinese cars and Europe is considering similar measures, perhaps the planning could have been different, especially since the plants in Dresden, Zwickau, and Emden with their MEB products are far from being fully utilized...
Moreover, although the Tavascan is the youngest in the company's midsize SUV quartet consisting of the Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback, Skoda Enyaq Coupé, and VW ID.5, it fundamentally has to use the same technology, even though Cupra emphasizes that they picked the best parts from the shelf.
The suspension is no surprise - in the most positive sense
This must be said first, to be able to classify it: It drives in a less spectacular manner than it looks. That it can ride great, even comfortably, we expected; that with a 2.76-meter wheelbase at 4.64 meters in length, it offers enough space inside for four or even five larger travelers with luggage, and sure, that as a VZ it has plenty of power and due to the asynchronous motor in the front, it's not exactly frugal: For us, consumption figures hovered between 20.4 and 24.8 kWh/100 km in mixed use (city, country, highway at max. 130 km/h) at temperatures between 20 and 23 degrees – we honestly expected a bit less, especially since the VZ is stated at 16.6 kWh/100 km according to WLTP, which should deliver up to 522 km range. In reality, the 77-kWh battery rather delivers about 380 kilometers plus or minus x, which is also sufficient. At least it should be able to charge DC up to 185 kW, which ideally means going from 20 to 80% in less than 30 minutes, although AC only works with 11 kW...
Its strength: The exterior and especially the interior design!
So the Tavascan can't exactly set any real highlights, but it succeeds all the more in terms of design: The triangular LED daytime running lights in the front along with the illuminated Cupra logo are already a show, as are the LED tail lights. It definitely sets chic accents here, although technically speaking, one must say that Chinese manufacturers dare similar proportions, but perhaps not quite the details.
These continue inside with a dashboard that has a very strong design theme: Like a T-shaped bone, a command bridge grows from the center armrest into the dashboard – a very strong statement, with only Peugeot in the 3008 daring something similarly bold! However, it uses more intelligent surfaces, whereas the pre-series Tavascan was provided with a hard plastic surface resembling a Playmobil dragon... In production, it should look even better with soft lacquer (which hopefully does not peel off – we had that problem in the late 1990s). It would be desirable, as otherwise, the look with the matte, alcantara-like surfaces, the cleanly folded and not just cut-off headliner, and the sports seats, which could use a bit more thigh support, is appealing. Everything is done with quality, even the rear door panels and the parcel shelf, which many today creatively skimp on.
Flowing through pouring rain: "Comfort" feels the most balanced
And so we flow through the Catalonian hinterland in pouring rain, always having enough punch not only on the rear axle to quickly merge somewhere, to close gaps swiftly in Barcelona's city traffic, and enjoy the balanced suspension, which indeed feels the most balanced in "Comfort." In Sport, everything becomes crisper and remains finely balanced, while in "Cupra", or the "Cup-Race-Mode", the Tavascan becomes merely hectic and jittery, while in "Max-Range", it reacts rather sluggishly to the accelerator pedal. The same applies to the brake pedal – it has a very, well, subtly defined pressure point... Here too, Cupra relies on proven elements: MacPherson struts at the front and a well-known multi-link rear axle, which have been specially tuned. The weight distribution is 49:51, making it slightly rear-heavy, which benefits driving pleasure. This is also helped by the well-tuned progressive steering, which in our opinion could be a bit more direct and firmer.
So: You sit well, drive well, have space, and a truly unique interior design. Unfortunately, this also includes the 15" corporate screen with illuminated touch bars and new, larger icons. You get used to it after a while, but ergonomically, it is still not the ultimate revelation. You need or can spend a lot of time in submenus, and in Apple CarPlay, you can only return to the navigation with a single tap if you are controlling the air conditioning, otherwise it always takes two steps back. And of course, for safety reasons, it reactivates all the annoying driver assistants as soon as you get out – but leaves the Tavascan turned on. The customizable widgets are practical: with two extra widget banks, you can also directly access the main functions or important displays of the car.
Well-tuned Sennheiser sound system
The so-called "high-fidelity sound system with twelve speakers," developed by Sennheiser Mobility specifically for the Tavascan, was flawless. The 425-watt system offers clear sound and also features Sennheiser's AMBEO Concerto software: According to Cupra, this can "distill and distribute the fundamental components of music, including various instruments and spatial information, throughout the vehicle." We found it to be minimally bass-heavy in the standard setting, but you can actually achieve a good, non-intrusive surround sound. Especially since Cupra still allows you to tweak all sorts of controls in submenus, which acoustic professionals might appreciate.
Car2X to help avoid accidents
The Car2X system can be helpful in certain situations: It enables the Tavascan to communicate with other vehicles. Road information about emergency vehicles, stranded vehicles, accidents, etc., is shared to prevent critical situations in advance. We did not have such an experience but did encounter an emergency braking out of the blue when we were trying to reverse into a perpendicular parking space. It was wide enough, nothing was in the way, a classic false alarm. Thus, in the end, it still gave us a spectacular driving experience.
The order is expected to be unspectacular because the offering has been simplified as much as possible (which is also related to the logistics from China): There is the Endurance with 210 kW or the VZ with 250 kW dual engine all-wheel drive, along with five colors: Tavascan Blue, White Silver, Atacama Desert, Basalt Grey, and Century Bronze Matte, the latter from the third quarter of 2025! And then you have to decide whether to treat yourself to the Immersive Package, which includes the Sennheiser audio sound system, a 360-degree top view camera, electric and heated front seats made of recycled microfiber, and 20-inch alloy wheels. "Adrenaline" enlarges the wheels to 21 inches with copper inlays and also packs in matrix LED headlights, AR head-up display, sport suspension with DCC technology, and a panoramic sunroof. Our test car did not have the Extreme Package with high-performance tires and ventilated CUP bucket seats in leather.
However, the winter package is absolutely recommended, as it includes a heat pump, heated front and rear seats, and a heated windshield. Unfortunately, all of this is not cheap: Prices start at 56,210 euros. For comparison: A base VW ID.5 with 210 kW starts at 49,485 euros, and we also found 210-kW Audi Q4 e-tron models that started cheaper. The Peugeot E-3008 Allure, which however has only 210 hp, also starts at 48,650 euros, and Tesla's Model Y Max Range starts at 48,990 euros. As mentioned, the Tavascan arrives late: It can be ordered from June 2024, with deliveries beginning in the fall.
What does this mean?
The Tavascan also benefits from Cupra's image and design freedoms, which can be liked or disliked. It drives finely, is finely crafted as well, but unfortunately, it forgives itself from really big technical highlights, which is why it will likely sell mainly on looks: Technically, it is very close to its siblings, but unfortunately significantly more expensive: For "made in China," it is too expensive.
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