Review: 2025 CUPRA Formentor VZ1 2.0 TSI
You’ve got to hand it to CUPRA – they know how to turn heads, and the 2025 Formentor looks like it’s been carved out of molten copper and caffeine. It’s low, wide, and aggressive, with more attitude than a teenager told to clean their room. But once you’re done admiring its angular face and chiselled flanks, you might ask – is it just a pretty face, or is there substance beneath the sporty swagger?
I spent a week bombing around in this hot(ish) crossover to find out – on tarmac, gravel, the odd mucky verge, and even had a crack at loading it up with camping tat and one very unwilling muddy dog.
On-Road Ride: Firm but Frisky
It’s quick - bloody quick!
This version of the Formentor is the VZ1 2.0 TSI with a snorty 333PS under the bonnet and four-wheel-drive thrown in for good measure. You get a dual-clutch 7-speed DSG ‘box and the kind of pace that’ll startle a few hot hatches at the lights.
The ride, as you’d expect from something pretending to be both a coupe and a crossover, is on the firm side. Around town, you’ll notice the bumps, especially with the 19” alloys that look mint but seem determined to report every pothole directly to your spine. That said, get it on a fast B-road and it all makes sense – it’s sharp, direct, and really good fun - and I mean, really good fun. It’s like driving a slightly elevated hot hatch with a gym membership.
Motorway miles are a doddle too – it’s refined, quiet and planted at speed. The adaptive suspension (if specced) helps mellow things out on longer runs, and the engine settles down nicely when you’re not using all those available horses.
Off-Road Capability: More Style Than Substance
Let’s not kid ourselves, the Formentor isn’t about to join you on a green lane adventure any time soon. Yes, it has 4Drive (CUPRA’s version of AWD), but it’s mostly there for on-road grip and the odd muddy lane.
The front overhang’s low, the tyres are clearly meant for dry roads, and the ride height – while higher than a Leon is no match for a proper SUV. That said, it handled a soggy field and a rutted track to a campsite without drama, and with a bit of caution, it’ll manage a slightly gnarly lane. But it’s no Smurf.
In short, think of it as “off-road-lite” - it’ll cope with the typical outdoor lifestyle stuff, but don’t expect it to lead the convoy down a green lane.
Interior Spec & Comfort: Classy with a Few Head-Scratchers
Inside, it’s a mixed bag of brilliant and baffling.
Let’s start with the good. The sports seats are cracking – supportive, comfortable and figure-hugging without being daft. The materials feel quality for the most part, with a lovely mix of Alcantara, copper accents (naturally), and a driver-focused cabin that feels sporty without being OTT.
The 12” infotainment screen is crisp, bright, and full of tech – wireless Apple CarPlay, sat nav, ambient lighting, driving modes, and enough menus to get lost in. There’s also a digital cockpit behind the wheel which is clear and customisable. Nice. It has flappy paddles, but they’re a bit too short to be of any use - even with my long fingers!
But here’s where it starts to go a bit sideways. Almost everything – from the fan speed to the heated seats – is controlled via the touchscreen or, worse, those weird slidey touch panels below it. No proper heater dials, which is a crying shame. If you want to tweak the temperature while wearing gloves or driving on a bumpy road, good luck. It’s an ergonomic nightmare and feels unnecessary when knobs and dials do the job far better.
Practicality: Sporty Yet Surprisingly Versatile
Given its sporty silhouette, the Formentor actually scores well on the practicality front. Boot space is a decent 420 litres with the seats up – enough for a couple of weekend bags, the weekly shop, or a well-packed camping stash. Drop the rear seats and you’ve got around 1,500 litres to play with – not bad for something pretending to be a coupe.
Loading up a muddy dog? Possible – but you’ll want a boot liner, because that plush interior doesn’t take kindly to claws and grime. The boot lip is low enough for medium-sized dogs to jump in without issue, but big mutts might need a bit of encouragement (or bribery).
Camping gear and general tat? No problem. The boot’s a good shape, and there are a couple of tie-down points and a ski hatch for longer bits. Just don’t expect the same cubic cavern as you’d get in a boxy SUV like a Dacia Duster or Skoda Karoq.
Fuel Efficiency: Hot Hatch Thirst
Officially, you’re looking at around 32–34mpg WLTP combined. In real life? If you drive like a grown-up, mid-30s is doable. If you drive like this car encourages you to – i.e., booting it out of corners with a big grin – you’ll drop into the mid-20s pretty quickly.
It drinks premium unleaded too, so your wallet might wince more than you do.
Still, for 333PS and all-wheel drive, it’s not terrible. It’s not frugal either, mind, but it’s on par with other fast-ish crossovers like the Audi SQ2 or BMW X2 M35i.
Driving Feel on All Roads and Surfaces
The Formentor VZ1 is a genuinely engaging steer. The steering is sharp, with decent weight and feel, and the all-wheel-drive system puts the power down with real confidence. The DSG is snappy when you want it to be, smooth when you don’t. Stick it in ‘Cupra’ mode and it tightens up everything – the throttle, steering, suspension, and adds some artificial engine noise through the speakers for good measure.
Whether you’re darting down a twisty B-road or just cruising the M62 in eco mode, it feels stable, competent, and refined. Around town, it’s easy to park thanks to the sensors and reversing camera, though the chunky C-pillars do mean visibility out the back isn’t amazing.
Tech Nonsense: Lane Departure and Infotainment Fiddling
Here’s where it loses some valuable points.
Lane-keep assist is very eager and defaults to ‘on’ every time you start the car, like all cars do these days. It’ll nudge the wheel if it thinks you’re drifting, even when you’re clearly not, and it makes narrow country lanes more of a battle than they need to be.
Switching it off is possible – but it’s buried in menus, not a handy button. Same goes for most of the driver aids. One press to turn off the nagging would’ve been nice, CUPRA.
And yes, as already mentioned, climate controls are all touchscreen-based. No rotary dials, no physical buttons – just flat glass and hope. We know it looks sleek, but usability-wise, it’s loathsome.
Final Thoughts: A Fast Family Lifestyle Toy
The 2025 CUPRA Formentor VZ1 2.0 TSI is a bit like wearing walking boots to the pub – it looks like it’s up for a ramble, but it’s mostly here for the show. That’s not a criticism, mind – if you want something stylish, fast, and surprisingly practical that still lets you feel like a bit of a hooligan behind the wheel, this could be the one.
Just be prepared for some touchscreen tantrums and a few muttered swears as you dig through menus to switch off the tech. If CUPRA gave us a few more dials and buttons, it’d be dangerously close to perfection.
Would we take it down a green lane? Nope. Would we park it proudly at the campsite, boot full of camping gear and dog half hanging out the back? Absolutely. Would I buy one? Again, absolutely.
