2025 Cupra Tavascan review

Coupe-style SUVs are the automotive equivalent of Vegemite – you either love them or hate them, with little room for indifference.

But I really challenge you to hate the new Cupra Tavascan, because it looks absolutely scintillating in the flesh.

With a low stance, sleek roofline and curves in all the right places, the Tavascan makes the most of its platform and comes across as a classy performance vehicle. Well, from most angles anyway.

That’s a far cry from the blobby styling seen across the modern mainstream electric SUV segments.

Cupra’s eye for design carries over into the cabin of the Tavascan, which debuts a skeletal cockpit structure decked out in weird and wonderful materials.

The unrivalled visual appeal of the Tavascan is all well and good, but for mid-sized SUV buyers, style is nothing without substance.

And the Tavascan is the largest model in the Cupra stable, so it has to perform as both an enthusiast EV and family hauler.

Then there’s the growing list of rivals. Cupra has priced the Tavascan to take on the world’s best-selling electric vehicle – the Tesla Model Y – as well as a host of electric SUVs from all corners of the globe.

Is it up to the task? Or is the beauty of the Tavascan only skin-deep? We got behind the wheel in Adelaide to find out.

How much does the Cupra Tavascan cost?

The Cupra Tavascan significantly undercuts the related Skoda Enyaq, which starts from $69,990 before on-road costs with the same single-motor RWD drivetrain. The facelifted Tesla Model Y RWD Launch Series is priced from $63,400 plus on-roads.

To see how the Cupra Tavascan lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

What is the Cupra Tavascan like on the inside?

You certainly can’t accuse Cupra of following the pack when it comes to interior design.

The inside of the Tavascan makes a serious statement regardless of trim level, with attention grabbing highlights including a unique selection of materials, floating central spine, and a copper blade that spans the full width of the dash.

Indeed, Cupra’s attention to detail helps to separate the Tavascan from a growing pool of homogenous electric SUVs in the Australian market, and first impressions matter in the showroom.

Three different versions of the interior are available at launch – the base Endurance comes with black cloth upholstery and Cupra’s trademark copper accents, while the optional Interior Pack ($4500) brings blue suede upholstery and trim. The flagship Tavascan VZ gets the Interior Pack as standard, and brings the $8000 Extreme Pack into play, which turns up the dial with grey Nappa leather upholstery and racy front bucket seats.

Being different isn’t always advantageous, though. The striking centre spine of the Tavascan is tinny and cheap to the touch, and the wetsuit material found on the dash, door cards and centre console isn’t particularly premium in feel either.

Conversely, all the interior panels are firmly screwed together and there are no signs of build quality issues.

Unfortunately, we didn’t get the chance to sample the Extreme Pack during our test, as it isn’t due to be available in Australia until July.

However, both versions of the regular seat are perfectly suited to the character of the Tavascan. In typical Cupra fashion, the front chairs offer plenty of side bolstering to hold you in place during enthusiastic driving, while also remaining plush and supportive over long journeys.

The leather and suede clad items are nicer on the eye and have a luxury feel, but I didn’t find them to be any more comfortable than the base cloth seat. With that said, the upgrade is necessary if you want mod cons like seat heating and power adjustment.

It’s a little frustrating that such simple luxuries are hidden in option packages, but at least the Endurance doesn’t miss out on the best infotainment technology.

All variants in the Tavascan range feature the same 15-inch central touchscreen, and the system is vastly improved over previous iterations.

Not only it is bigger than previous-generation Cupra screens, but it also presents with enhanced graphics and a more user-friendly layout.

The numerous apps are all labelled clearly, and basic features are complemented by less common inclusions like a detailed charging app and Cupra’s AI assistant. Local market versions of the Tavascan miss out on native navigation, although most buyers will default to smartphone mirroring anyway.

Climate control functions are permanently pinned to the base of the screen, while several handy shortcuts are also fixed to the top of the display. Both make this new system far easier to navigate.

Dreaded haptic sliders remain for air temperature and audio volume, although they don’t ruin the experience. The same can’t be said for the haptic controls on the steering wheel, which were often triggered accidentally in the process of steering the Tavascan with hands at the nine and three o’clock positions.

An unwanted increase in audio volume was one of the outcomes, while the other was a reminder on the driver’s display that the head-up display wasn’t available. That’s because Australian versions of the Tavascan don’t get the augmented reality HUD found in other markets – a big miss on the tech front.

Connected services isn’t available either. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard in Australia, as is a wireless smartphone charger.

Behind the steering wheel sits a 5.3-inch digital instrument display, which looks a little out of place in a pseudo-premium electric SUV. With that being said, size doesn’t always matter, and the small display presents all the critical information you need in a clear way.

It’d be remiss of me to not mention the new 12-speaker Sennheiser sound system, which now serves as the premium upgrade over the standard system. It’s a huge improvement over the old Beats offering, with customisable immersion settings and crystal clear sound quality.

In terms of connectivity, the Tavascan houses a pair of USB-C outlets under the centre stack and a 12V socket in the centre console, in addition to the aforementioned wireless charging pad.

The cabin has been designed to maximise storage where possible, demonstrated by the inclusion of an expansive tray under the centre spine. Further, the centre console is one of the deepest I’ve ever come across, stretching down to the length of your elbow.

Stock standard door bins and a small glovebox undermine the innovation on display, but overall Cupra has done well in this regard.

Given the large physical footprint of the Tavascan, it’s no surprise that the second row is also quite generous compared to smaller SUVs in the Cupra range.

At 6’1″, I was able to sit comfortably behind my own driving position with my knees just grazing the soft seat backs.

And the middle seat isn’t a write-off for adult passengers, as the floor is completely flat in the absence of a transmission hump.

Headroom isn’t as much of an issue as you might expect in a coupe SUV, either, although adults topping six-four may struggle to sit upright. Despite the ample space, it’s a little claustrophobic down back. The headliner is finished in black and the windows are narrow due to the Tavanscan’s sloping roofline.

Storage is at a bit of a premium, too. You get shallow, narrow door bins, equally shallow map pockets and a small nook near the window switches. Cupholders of various sizes are built into the centre armrest.

Other amenities include dual air vents with climate control, optional outboard seat heating, and a pair of USB-C outlets.

The boot measures 540L – more than you get in the Kia EV5, Hyundai Ioniq 5, and BYD Sealion 7, but less roomy than the Tesla Model Y.

All Tavascan variants come equipped with a powered tailgate that opens high, revealing a square boot aperture that extends forward over the top of the car. There’s no real load lip, and charging equipment is hidden away under the boot floor.

If you need more space, the rear bench folds flat (60/40 split) with a moderate incline. Top tether and ISOFIX points are in strong supply, making the Tavascan a child-friendly option, while a ski port and 12V power socket fall under the ‘nice to have’ banner.

To see how the Cupra Tavascan lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

What’s under the bonnet?

Two drivetrain variants will be available in Australia, each drawing upon a 77kWh lithium-ion battery pack. The VZ with Extreme Package sees claimed range drop to 463 kilometres due to the performance tyres that come with the 21-inch wheels.

To see how the Cupra Tavascan lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

How does the Cupra Tavascan drive?

The Tavascan offers more fun behind the wheel than your average EV, especially in Endurance specification, but it’s not what you’d label a proper performance SUV.

Neither variant is particularly rapid in a straight line, as suggested by claimed 0-100km/h sprint times of 6.8 seconds and 5.5 seconds, respectively.

Don’t get me wrong, you’ll win most traffic light drag races thanks to the Tavascan’s instantaneous electric torque, but don’t expect to rule the highway.

EV rivals have it covered in this regard – the Tesla Model Y Performance, BYD Sealion 7 Performance, and Smart #3 Brabus all hit 100km/h from a standstill in less than 4.5 seconds.

The performance gap between the Tavascan Endurance and VZ is noticeable, and the all-wheel drive layout of the flagship gives it a significant traction advantage.

The VZ is a more thrilling drive around town as a result, and it’s a whole lot more comfortable. That’s because the VZ rides on adaptive dampers which offer flexibility that the Endurance can’t hope to match with its passive suspension setup.

It makes a huge difference.

The Endurance is choppy on less-than-perfect road surfaces, with discernible rear axle thump and head tossing tendencies over bumps. On the other hand, the VZ settles right down in its softest ‘Comfort’ setting, providing a more cosseting experience despite the fitment of large 21-inch alloy wheels.

With that being said, switching to ‘Performance’ mode reintroduces the compromised ride felt in the Endurance.    

All in all, the adaptive dampers are worth having, it’s just a shame you can’t pay a small premium to have them on a base model.

The two Tavascan variants don’t just differ on ride comfort, as the pair are also poles apart in the handling department.

While you’d probably assume that the better-equipped, dearer VZ is the better driver’s car, that’s not the case. The lighter, rear-wheel drive Endurance is actually my pick.

Rolling around the hills outside Adelaide, the entry-level Tavascan showed itself to be a tail-happy little rascal, with a low dynamic ceiling that allows you to flirt with its limits at road legal speeds.

A flick of the light yet progressive steering wheel and the Endurance will rotate around the rear axle and produce tyre squeal if you’re not careful, which is a hoot but not appropriate in most driving situations.

It’s lighter on its feet than the VZ, and more willing to turn in without the weight of an electric motor over the front axle. However, it’s much more challenging to hustle on a twisty road.

After all, the Endurance still weighs in excess of 2.2 tonnes, and even the best engineers can’t defy physics. The Tavascan is also limited by the fitment of all-purpose Hankook iON evo tyres, which don’t offer the same level of mechanical grip as a dedicated performance tyre.

Uprated rubber forms part of the $8000 Extreme Pack, available as an upgrade for the VZ from mid-year.

Speaking of the VZ, all-wheel drive and wider tyres give the VZ a huge advantage over the Endurance in outright performance, but it’s not as fun to steer.

The addition of a second electric motor weighs down the front end, and while the flagship is much more stable through corners, it’s also prone to understeer.

The VZ is a better point and shoot street racer, but out of town it just isn’t as engaging as its looser, less capable understudy.

Aside from superior straight-line speed, the VZ does boast an advantage in the noise department. Neither version features an artificial replacement for engine noise, but at least you get some whine from the front motor in top-spec examples.

Representatives for Cupra Australia have told CarExpert that the brand is working on a synthetic sound experience for future electric models.

All Tavascans feature the same long brake pedal, which takes a bit of getting used to. Alternatively, you can cycle through three levels of regenerative braking, none of which is too lazy or abrupt.

If you’re more interested in a peaceful commute than carving up country roads, you can’t really go wrong with either version of the Tavascan.

Both are excellent in regards to road and wind noise suppression, while the drive motors operate in relative silence. The Tavascan is a quiet and mature thing to drive in urban environments – perfect for city slickers.

Acceleration is smooth and linear at low speeds, and braking aside the Tavascan has a flat learning curve.

Travel Assist is standard across the range, enabling semi-autonomous driving during long stints on the highway.

And, as Cupra was keen to point out, the advanced driver assist systems in the Tavascan are calibrated in such a way that you’re never harassed by a litany of annoying beeps and bongs. That’s certainly worth something when you spend a lot of time behind the wheel, and it distinguishes the Tavascan from less refined competitors.

While the safety suite is certainly sophisticated, I was disappointed to learn that there’s no surround-view camera as standard, and the reversing camera is grainy in resolution. It’s a real bummer, as outward visibility is limited by the Tavascan’s sleek coupe design.

Nevertheless, it’s manoeuvrable enough to navigate multi-level carparks and city laneways without too much hassle.

From an efficiency standpoint, both Tavascan variants compare favourably to other vehicles in the segment. Don’t read too much into the real world consumption figures listed above, as we drove the two versions in differing conditions.

To see how the Cupra Tavascan lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

What do you get?

The Tavascan is available in two core trim levels in Australia.

2025 Cupra Tavascan Endurance equipment highlights:

• 19-inch Vulcano alloy wheels
• Hands-free power tailgate
• Steering wheel with satellite buttons
• Paddle shift regen control
• Heated steering wheel
• Tri-zone climate control
• Soul Black cloth/leather upholstery
• 5.3-inch digital instrument cluster
• 15-inch infotainment touchscreen
• Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
• Wireless smartphone charger
• Keyless entry with Sit to Start
• Selectable drive modes

Tavascan VZ adds:

• 21-inch Katla alloy wheels – copper
• Matrix LED headlights
• Fixed panoramic sunroof
• Adaptive dampers
• Interior Package equipment (see below)

Both the Endurance and VZ are available with an option package each.

Interior Package: $4500 (Endurance)

• 20-inch Heckla alloy wheels
• Dark Night microfibre interior
• 12-way power-adjustable front seats
• Heated front seats
• Surround-view camera
• 12-speaker Sennheiser premium sound system
• Ambient interior lighting
• Illuminated scuff plates

Extreme Package: $8000 (VZ)

• 21-inch Etna forged alloy wheels
• Performance tyres (463km WLTP range)
• Nappa leather upholstery – Enceladus Grey
• Cup Racing front bucking seats
• Ventilated front seats

To see how the Cupra Tavascan lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

Is the Cupra Tavascan safe?

The Cupra Tavascan doesn’t have an ANCAP safety rating yet, but it received five stars in 2024 Euro NCAP testing.

Standard safety equipment includes:

• 7 airbags
• Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
  • Pedestrian, cyclist detection
  • Turn Assist
• Auto high-beam
• Adaptive cruise control
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Lane-keep assist
• Parking sensors – front, rear
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Reversing camera
• Travel Assist
  • Adaptive cruise control
  • Lane-centring assist
  • Traffic jam assist

To see how the Cupra Tavascan lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

How much does the Cupra Tavascan cost to run?

The Tavascan comes with the same servicing schedule as the Skoda Enyaq, and scores longer intervals than the Born (12 months or 15,000km).

To see how the Cupra Tavascan lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

CarExpert’s Take on the Cupra Tavascan

With the new Tavascan, Cupra has moved past simply winning the hearts of potential buyers.

In addition to sexy styling and punchy performance, the Tavascan is also a massively practical electric SUV with a big boot and room for five adults. The infotainment tech is a massive improvement over Cupra models of yesterday.

And in Endurance form, you don’t have to make excuses for how much it costs – at just over $60,000, the base model is cheaper than the related Skoda Enyaq, and not a big jump from a Model Y or EV5.

Better yet, it comes with ten years of affordable, capped-price servicing. Hearts and minds, then.

Yes, the Endurance is a bit lacking in the specification department, but that’s easily fixed by adding the Interior Pack for $4500. That’s how I’d have my Tavascan.

For $65,000, it’s an SUV that ticks a lot of boxes , although it looks sharper than it drives. While the grip, power, and comfort deficiencies of the entry-level Tavascan detract from the driving experience, it’s still more rewarding to steer than floaty, doughy alternatives.

The VZ is a viable option for those seeking outright performance and a more comfortable ride… it’s a bit expensive though.

Dropping down to the Endurance comes at the cost of some daily liveability, but if you can forgive the firm ride, it’s worth saving some a wad of cash for a version that’s more fun and engaging on the road.

Interested in buying a Cupra Tavascan? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here

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