Change at the front and the mild hybrid arrives
There Cupra Formentor it is a medium crossover born in 2020. The car has undergone a rather major restyling, which updated the front and rear; inside, the infotainment changes with a larger screen, and there are also mechanical innovations. The Formentor in this test is one 1.5 plug-in hybrid from 272 HP (previously it was a 1.4 with 245 HP) with front-wheel drive (there is also the 204 HP version). The car is also available with petrol engines (1.5, 4-cylinder 150 HP with 6-speed manual gearbox, or 2.0 with 204, 265, 300 or 333 HP, always with DSG dual clutch robotised gearbox) or diesel (2.0 with 150 HP with robotised gearbox). The real news (in addition to the disappearance of the more powerful 390 HP five-cylinder VZ5) is, however, the addition of a 48 volt mild hybrid version, which features a 150 HP 1.5 and a dual-clutch robotic gearbox.
Tribal lit
In front of it grill hexagonal is replaced by a three-part one, with the company logo (a tribal) repositioned higher up, in the bonnet. Also renewed headlights, which now integrate three triangular-shaped light elements and give the front a bold look. Same style for the rear lights, which are joined to the company logo (backlit) in the center of the tailgate by an LED strip. Among the new features, there are also circles 18” or 19” alloy with a new design.
Enlarged screen
The interior remains typical racing stylestarting from the supportive seats (with headrest integrated into the structure of the armchair and rear covering that recalls carbon fibre) and the sports steering wheel with the perforated eco-leather grip and with the power button and the driving mode button placed underneath the two races. Good quality of the plastics, and there are eye-catching contrasting copper-colored stitching also in the frame of the air vents. The infotainment screen now measures 12.9” (previously 12”), has a new software and convenient widgets (icons that simplify moving from one menu to another) which make it intuitive to use. They don’t convince touch keys for regulating the automatic three-zone climate and the radio volume. The glance is remarkable, but they are inconvenient to use while driving.
The fifth passenger is cramped
There Cupra Formentor (which has not changed in size, given that it remains 4.45 meters long) remains quite comfortable, given that four adults (even tall and robust ones) can travel without problems. An eventuality fifth person the center of the sofa takes advantage of the flat seat, but the high tunnel in the floor and the cabinet (complete with vents, touch-sensitive climate controls and two USB sockets) take up space for the feet and knees. The trunk of 345 liters it is also affected by the presence of the traction battery: compared to the exclusively petrol “twins”, it loses 75 liters of capacity.
You can charge at the “fast” charging stations
Under the hood of this Formentor plug-in hybrid there is a 177 HP 1.5 four-cylinder turbo which, together with the 116 HP electric engine, brings the system power at 272 HP (all discharged to the front wheels). The gearbox is a six-speed dual clutch robotised gearbox. The lithium battery has a net capacity of 19.7 kWh (previously it was 12.8 kWh) and promises up to 119 km with zero emissions (before, 59 km). During the test, starting with the “battery” at around 90%, the distance estimated by the on-board computer was 89 km. The accumulator yes recharge both in alternating current (11 kW) in 2 and a half hours, both in direct current at the fast columns. In this way, using a maximum power of 50 kW, it is possible to go from 10 to 80% battery in just under 30 minutes: all these data are very good for a plug-in.
She doesn’t lack verve
The car is always ready thanks to its 272 HP. Just touch the accelerator because the Formentor picks up speed very quickly, and when the four-cylinder fires up to join the current engine it does so very smoothly. The gearbox is also convincing, with precise and punctual shifts that can also be managed by the practical paddles behind the steering wheel. Between the curves, however, the 1,742 kg empty make themselves felt, with a bit of body roll that emerges when you tackle the bends with panache (and some bouncing on bumpy surfaces). The steering, however, is precise and the braking system powerful. When using the sportiest driving mode, the engine roars grows in tone and is “intensified” thanks to the support of a specific system. The final result is rather pleasant, but when traveling on the motorway the “sound” adds to the aerodynamic hiss and rolling noise.
Focus on safety
We can only estimate the price of the test car (about 53,000 euros); the “basic” version of the Formentor with the 1.5 petrol engine with 150 HP is offered at a price of 37,200 euros (2,300 euros less than the “twin” with a mild hybrid system also with 150 HP). The equipment is complete given that semi-autonomous driving is standard on all versions (blind spot monitoring, safe exit warning and automatic braking in reverse are paid for separately with the Intelligent Drive Lite package from 875 euros) and also includes the automatic three-zone “climate”, the keyless opening and starting system, the heated steering wheel and the dynamic rear indicators.
