Test Sitting in the Cupra Terramar: A Tiguan with Temperament

Cupra presents its next unique model, the Terramar, for which there is no corporate counterpart. According to CEO Griffiths, this not only expands the product portfolio (upwards), "but also ensures that our brand 'grows up'." This is how Cupra CEO Wayne Griffiths put it during the presentation of the model at the America's Cup in Barcelona. Briefly on the derivation: The name "Terramar" is a homage to the historic racetrack (Autòdrom de Sitges-Terramar), where the brand was born in 2018.

It is 1,584 millimeters high, 1,863 millimeters wide, and 4,519 millimeters long – with a wheelbase of 2,681 millimeters. This clearly positions it alongside models like the Tiguan. Even under the cover in the Munich Cupra garage, you can see its taut lines on the hood and bumper. Yet, it remains extremely practical: The Terramar offers sliding rear seats and up to 602 liters of trunk volume when loaded up to the height of the rear seat backs – a lot for its class.

Let's take a quick seat, and we are not surprised: The VW Group knows ergonomics, you immediately find your way around and thanks to the adjustable rear bench and upright character, there is still space in the second row even if there are two passengers measuring 1.9 meters in the front. However, this is mid-range – four tall travelers will have to make some compromises. The trunk remains large enough but can be expanded to a generous 602 liters if you move the rear bench all the way forward. The materials are also wild-leather recycled and subtly exotic – this is where the brand differentiates itself significantly. Whether you like it or not – Cupra still leaves that to Seat, VW, and co.

The controls are conveniently arranged, the screen offers a comprehensible menu, and below it, at least some sort of palm rest to ease the touch-sliding. Otherwise, efforts were made to make the Terramar decorous but discreetly conventional inside. The steering wheel, grippy and equipped with typical Cupra buttons and controls at the bottom, fits perfectly!

Drive Options: Plug-in, Mild Hybrid, or traditional combustion. No electric, no diesel

The Terramar is always equipped with a DSG dual-clutch transmission, regardless of the drive variant. The entry-level model is the Mild Hybrid (eTSI), which combines the efficiency of 48V mild hybrid technology with the 1.5-liter gasoline engine producing 110 kW (150 hp). The system uses a 48V starter-generator and a 48V lithium-ion battery, which enables better control of the drivetrain. Efficiency gains are achieved, among other things, by allowing the Terramar to coast with the engine off in certain driving scenarios, recovering energy during braking, and providing electric assistance to the engine.

With the two available 2.0-liter TSI gasoline engines without E-support, the focus is on performance. The first engine, with an output of 150 kW (204 hp), is coupled with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (DSG) and all-wheel drive (4Drive). The second TSI engine offers even more power and is available in the Terramar VZ (for Veloz) version. The engine of the CUPRA Terramar VZ delivers 195 kW (265 hp) and is also paired with a 7-speed DSG transmission and all-wheel drive.

Plug-in is called e-Hybrid here – with up to 100 kilometers of range

There are also two well-known e-HYBRID variants: one with 150 kW (204 hp) and a VZ version with 200 kW (272 hp). The 1.5-liter TSI engine is paired with an electric motor, combined with a 19.7 kWh (net) battery capacity. According to WLTP, you should ideally be able to travel more than 100 kilometers on electric power alone. The battery can be quickly charged while driving with up to 50 kW (DC charging) or at home with an 11-kW wallbox.

Once again, the Spaniards emphasize driving dynamics: The Terramar comes standard ten millimeters lower than its platform siblings (Tiguan and co.) with a sport suspension and progressive steering, including a new adaptive chassis control and sharp Akebono brakes.

Visually, it is not as wild as the Tavascan: It comes across as significantly edgier and forgoes the flying "snake-skin deck" look inside. The connection to its siblings is made through the light signature with three triangles consisting of matrix LEDs. The rear visually extends the rear light bar across with a centrally illuminated Cupra logo between the taillights – the Terramar name is also illuminated. There’s also a rear diffuser.

Interior: Sporty and with a high recycling content

Nonetheless, the interior is designed to be sporty – with a clean, driver-oriented cockpit and bucket seats made from sustainably produced textiles or leather from plant-based tanning. The digital cockpit and the centrally positioned 12.9-inch infotainment system feature a newly designed HMI. Additionally, there's a HiFi audio system from Sennheiser with twelve speakers and up to 390 watts of power. That certainly adds something extra.

There are three interior variants: Deep Ocean, Moon Light, and High Canyon. The deep blue "Deep Ocean" interior combines PVC bucket seats in their central area with a textile made from 100 percent upcycled Seaqual Yarn. This is produced from marine plastics found on beaches, oceans, estuaries, and seas. Sustainability is also part of the dark gray "Moon Light" interior. Here, the seats called Dinamica contain at least 73 percent recycled textiles in their central area, derived from PET plastics and clothing. In the "High Canyon" trim with a dark Bordeaux tone, the bucket seats are covered with leather tanned on a plant basis. All three versions feature the embossed CUPRA logo on the headrest and copper-colored stitching that matches the copper-colored trims of the air vents, door panels, and decorative elements – this way, Cupra continues to create its own ambiance – it might not please everyone, but it is consistent and unique. Additionally, there are smart lights in the dashboard and backlit door panels at the front and rear – and yes, in practice, we have to say it does set the mood!