Performance & drive
What it’s like to drive, and how quiet it is
Engine, 0-60mph and gearbox
The Cupra Formentor has a wide range of engine options to suit most buyers. If you're after something that's quick enough and not too expensive to run, we'd recommend the entry-level 148bhp 1.5 TSI 150 petrol engine. You don’t have to work it hard to make decent progress and it’ll beat the entry-level 1.8-litre Toyota C-HR to 62mph. If that’s not quite fast enough, the 187bhp 2.0 TSI 190 4Drive introduces four-wheel drive and will cover 0-62mph in 8.9secs.
As you might expect, the TSI 245 is quicker still, but the fastest Formentor is the 2.0 TSI 310 4Drive, which is very recommendable as a sports SUV. It feels as quick as the BMW X2 M35i once the engine is on song from around 2000rpm and romps away to its 6500rpm red line, hitting 0-62mph in just 4.9sec.
If you opt for VZ2 trim or above, you’ll get adjustable dampers as standard, which have three simple modes to tailor the ride quality. In Comfort mode, it's a bit firmer than the best-riding SUVs, such as the Skoda Karoq and XC40, but nowhere near as brusque as the jittery BMW X2.
Even in the stiffest Cupra mode, the Formentor remains adequately comfortable, giving you improved agility and handling without rattling your brain around.
Handling
The Formentor doesn’t feel lithe in the corners like a hot hatch, but for an SUV, it’s very handy. It steers more sweetly than the Toyota C-HR, with better weighting and accuracy. There's even a little feel from the road surface, so you can sense the grip that's available.
