2025 Cupra Tavascan fast-tracked for Australia

Cupra Australia has confirmed the all-new 2025 Cupra Tavascan will arrive Down Under in December – about three months sooner than previously expected.

Speaking with media during the unveiling of a left-hand drive version of the all-new mid-size electric SUV in Sydney this week, local officials from the Spanish auto brand said that sourcing the new Tesla Model Y rival from China instead of Europe was key to bringing forward its Australian release.

“We are bringing forward the release of this car and it’s thanks to the high-tech production hub in China that we are able to source this car and also deliver it in almost the same time as our colleagues in Europe,” said Cupra Australia managing director Ben Wilks.

“Deliveries are scheduled to start from December this year.”

The Cupra Tavascan will initially be available in Australia in two grades.

Expected to kick off at around $69,000 plus on-road costs, the entry-level rear-wheel drive Tavascan Endurance will come with a 77kWh battery that powers a single 210kW/545Nm electric motor and offers a claimed range of 534km.

Cupra Australia’s second EV after the Born hatch will therefore be more expensive than rivals like the BYD Atto3 (priced from $44,499 plus ORCs), the Model Y ($55,900), the upcoming Kia EV5 (about $60,000), Toyota bZ4X ($66,000) and Hyundai IONIQ 5 ($67,500).

But the Tavascan should undercut mid-size luxury electric SUVs like the upcoming Polestar 4 ($81,500) and the BMW iX3 and Mercedes-Benz EQB, which are both priced from $89,100 plus ORCs.

Further up the food chain, Cupra will offer a sportier VZ dual-motor all-wheel drive version of the Tavascan locally.

Using the same 77kWh battery but extending drive to all four wheels, the VZ offers combined outputs of 250kW/545Nm, claimed 0-100km/h acceleration in 5.5sec and a range of 499km, for a price that’s expected to be closer to $80,000.

The Cupra Tavascan will offer a maximum DC fast-charging rate of 135kW in Australia, which Cupra claims can deliver a 10-80 per cent battery charge in “less than 30 minutes”, or 100km of range in just seven minutes.

Both variants will also offer 11kW AC charging capability.

Cupra Australia is yet to announce exact pricing and specifications but, as we’ve detailed previously, headline equipment for the Tavascan Endurance sold in Europe comprises Matrix LED headlights, sports bucket seats, recycled cloth upholstery, a 15-inch infotainment system, Connected Travel Assist and tri-zone climate control.

The VZ flagship adds adaptive dampers, aero wheels and dark-chrome exterior trim, among other extras.

Confirmation of the Tavascan’s earlier local arrival comes as Cupra Australia doubles down on its servicing and franchise network locally.

Currently, Cupra Australia has 12 points of sale and 14 points of service, but by the end of 2025 it says it will expand that to at least 20 sales outlets.

The progressive rollout of more Cupra retailers will co-incide with the launch of several new Cupra models following the Tavascan next year.

They will include the Born VZ (in the first quarter of 2025), the updated Leon hatch and Formentor crossover (second quarter), the Formentor Sportstourer wagon (third quarter) and the smaller Terramar electric SUV in the third quarter.

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