Cupra Ateca VZx 2023 Review
Imagine how much more interesting the Volkswagen Tiguan R would be if it had Latin flair? Hang on a minute…Take one part Volkswagen Tiguan R, add a heaped tablespoon of sportiness and sprinkle with a selection of reputable European aftermarket herbs and spices, such as Brembo and Akrapovic, and you’ve got yourself the Cupra Ateca VZx. Priced from $61,750 plus on-road costs, the small-medium SUV comes to Australia exclusively in top-spec VZx trim with a fiery 221kW turbo-petrol engine. It looks and feels fast and does away with the haughty arrogance of its German relative, the VW Tiguan R, instead providing a spicy Spanish look and feel. Do we like this personality trait? Yes, we do.
How much does the Cupra Ateca VZx cost?
Priced at $61,750 plus on-road costs, the 2023 Cupra Ateca is available only in top-spec VZx trim in Australia because, well, Aussies love a fully-equipped burger with the lot – especially with hot sauce.
And this one is muy picante (fiery), packing a flaming-hot 221kW turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine that is almost identical to the Volkswagen Golf R’s legendary powerplant.
Our test car was fitted with bigger, stronger Brembo brakes ($4050) and an Akrapovic exhaust system ($5950), taking the price to $71,750 plus ORCs.
For that sort of spend, you might otherwise be looking at a fully-loaded mid-spec BMW X2 (from $64,300) or Audi Q3 Sportback (from $66,600), perhaps a Tesla Model Y or even a Genesis GV70, the latter two starting the bidding at around $68,000 before on-road costs are added.
You can also get a Volkswagen Tiguan R from $70,490 plus ORCs, and there’s also the smaller and cheaper Volkswagen T-Roc R (from $60,300) punting a similar engine.
What equipment comes with the Cupra Ateca VZx?
Unlike its Cupra Formentor cousin, which was a runner up in carsales Car of the Year for 2022, the 2023 Cupra Ateca VZx has a more conventional design.
But it’s still a head-turning machine, thanks to copper highlights inside and out, 19-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and tail-lights, animated LED indicators and a sporty body kit replete with roof spoiler and quad exhaust outlets.
Equipment levels are generous, starting with dual-zone automatic climate control, tinted rear windows and heat treatment for the steering wheel and front seats.
Speaking of which, the front pews look and feel great, with soft leather padding and supportive lateral bolsters to keep bodies from shifting about in fast corners.
The dark ‘Petrol Blue’ leather upholstery adds an exotic touch to the cabin, as does the sporty steering wheel, both of which use contrasting copper highlights to great effect.
Only the driver’s seat is power-operated, but other features like smart key entry, twin digital screens for driver’s instrumentation and infotainment, along with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and a wireless phone charger, are nice touches.
The five-seat small-medium SUV features a powered tailgate, while a space-saver spare tyre is located under the boot floor and a tyre pressure monitoring system can alert drivers to leaks.
As well as the abovementioned Brembo brake and Akrapovic exhaust upgrades, options such as a panoramic sunroof ($1800) and premium Dark Camouflage paint ($475) are on the menu, while black, white and grey colours are gratis.
Like all Cupra models, the Ateca comes with a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty and service intervals are pegged at 12 months or 15,000km, whichever occurs first. Cupra has extended its three-year complimentary servicing offer until March 31, 2023, after it was initially set to finish last year.
It’s highly likely Cupra will continue this offer going forward. Meanwhile, owners can pre-pay $1200 to cover the next two services.
Cupra also offers a Genesis-like premium concierge pick-up and drop-off service.
How safe is the Cupra Ateca VZx?
The 2023 Cupra Ateca VZx does not have an ANCAP or Euro NCAP safety rating, although if you consider the SUV’s predecessor, the Seat Ateca, is fundamentally the same vehicle, you could take some comfort from that car’s five-star Euro NCAP rating from 2016.
Equipped with seven airbags, including a driver’s knee airbag, the Ateca misses out on a front-centre airbag found in more modern SUVs, which are designed to stop front occupant head-clashes.
It also misses out on traffic sign recognition (real-time speed limit updates) and a head-up display, but the Spanish scorcher does feature adaptive dampers, auto wipers, auto headlights and auto high beam dipping.
Other driver assist tech on-board includes lane keep assistance, adaptive cruise control and autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with vehicle, pedestrian and cyclist detection.
Rear cross traffic alert is a nice feature that will warn you of approaching cars when reversing out between other parked vehicles, while blind spot monitoring comes in handy on the freeway.
A 360-degree camera system with parking sensors front and rear makes parking a stress-free affair, too.
What technology does the Cupra Ateca VZx feature?
As well as wireless phone charging, the 2023 Cupra Ateca VZx gets wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, so no need to plug it in.
But I would recommend you do for an iPhone, because wireless CarPlay is so laggy it’s almost unusable.
There’s also four USB-C ports for fast-ish device charging (two up front, two in the back), and the digital dashboard is pretty cool, comprising a 10.25-inch digital driver’s display with lots of customisability and a 9.2-inch central touch-screen.
The central screen is pretty small by modern standards, but it’s all rather user-friendly and a nine-speaker Beats sound system with a subwoofer is a welcome inclusion.
What powers the Cupra Ateca VZx?
The Volkswagen Group’s ageing but popular 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine (codenamed EA888) lives under the bonnet of the 2023 Cupra Ateca VZx and pumps out a very respectable 221kW of power at 6500rpm.
Peak torque of 400Nm hits at 2000rpm and is sustained across a fat plateau until 5200rpm, which together with its seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and all-wheel drive layout gives the Ateca plenty of hustle.
There’s a hint of turbo lag from standstill but Cupra reckons it’ll pounce from 0-100km/h in a sizzling 4.9 seconds, making it quicker than its brother from another mother, the 5.1sec Volkswagen Tiguan R.
There’s no denying the Spanish SUV’s pace, and although the engine is getting a little old, the VW Group donk is about as refined as it’s going to get, delivering quiet, smooth propulsion when you’re pootling around and outstanding throttle response and thrust when you mash the loud pedal.
Only thing is, it’s not as loud and emotive as it should be – there are far better-sounding VW Group vehicles out there, such as the fifth-generation late-2000s Volkswagen Golf R32. That thing barked and bayed like a wolf. The Ateca? It yaps more like a Pomeranian puppy, the $6000 Akrapovic exhaust system an expensive waste of time and effort with barely-discernible mid-gear burbles and pops.
If you want to fit a tow bar you’ll be able to haul a reasonably heavy trailer with a 2100kg braked towing capacity, while its 750kg unbraked towing limit means it’ll tolerate a big supercharged jet ski, no drama.
How fuel efficient is the Cupra Ateca VZx?
The 2023 Cupra Ateca VZx not the most inefficient SUV we’ve driven (the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk takes the cake there), but given its performance envelope, figures of 9.7L/100km over a week of driving wasn’t too shabby.
The official fuel consumption claim from Cupra is 7.8L/100km, which could be achievable if driven sedately everywhere.
What is the Cupra Ateca VZx like to drive?
The 2023 Cupra Ateca VZx is a very capable performance SUV, generating impressive grip from its 19-inch Bridgestone Turanza T005 tyres (245/40R19), backed up by nicely sorted suspension that ensures the car exhibits a very flat attitude through corners.
On their stiffest setting, the adaptive dampers ensure the tall-ish vehicle doesn’t wallow through corners, which gives the driver confidence to explore its grip limit – which is remarkably high.
It tips into corners with a delightful eagerness and blasts out of them with the sort of stoicism that would make the battle-hardened dwarves from Lord of the Rings raise their eyebrows in admiration.
The Brembo brakes deliver arresting stopping power for a car that weighs 1655kg (tare), and while the Ateca’s well-weighted steering rack, eager attitude and involving dynamics are appealing, there are other elements that will help seal the deal for some buyers who take a test drive.
Dial the athletic Ateca back to its most relaxed drive mode at the push of a button – where the engine, gearbox, steering and dampers execute their duties more gently – and it becomes a very amenable daily driver.
Ride comfort is pretty good considering its sporty footwear, and while rougher road surfaces will generate a bit of tyre noise and bigger potholes will result in thumping through to the cabin, its chassis is resolved and settled for the most part.
While it might not look quite as racy as some high-performance SUVs, such as its newer, more dynamic Formentor sibling, the Ateca’s upright windows deliver very good visibility, which also makes it a doddle to park in tighter spots.
There’s also front and rear parking sensors, a reversing camera, 360-degree bird’s eye view and an auto parking option, so if you scrape this car while parking you should probably re-sit your driver’s licence.
What is the Cupra Ateca VZx like inside?
Two elements that cop the most punishment in the cockpit of any performance vehicle – seats and steering wheel – are first-rate in the 2023 Cupra Ateca VZx, conspiring to generate a very positive first impression in the roomy cabin.
The form-fitting sports front seats hug your body during enthusiast driving but are also fairly supportive and comfortable on longer drives, and the steering wheel is almost like automotive jewellery with an attention to detail like few other mainstream cars.
As mentioned, you get twin USB-C ports up front, a wireless phone charger and high-resolution dual digital screens. The native sat-nav deserves a shout-out for being ultra-intuitive and the overall look and feel in the cabin is clean and simple.
But glance at the temperature controls and they look like they were fished out of Volkswagen’s parts bin – 15 years ago… Tap some of the exposed plastics and it’s clear that cost-cutting was employed.
The back seats are surprisingly roomy for both headroom and legroom, which makes the Ateca feel more like a mid-size SUV than a small one. Amenity is pretty good too, with twin air vents, twin USB-C ports and a fold-out arm rest with cup holders.
There are also two ISOFIX and three top tether child seat anchorage points.
Open the power-operated tailgate and you’ll find a generous amount of cargo space (485 litres) for an SUV of this size, but this car fitted with Brembo brakes deletes the space-saver spare tyre, leaving you with a less-than-ideal puncture repair kit.
Should I buy a Cupra Ateca VZx?
The 2023 Cupra Ateca VZx is an intriguing proposition and one that will make many buyers very happy.
In some ways it’s almost like the forgotten child in the Cupra range because it doesn’t have the hot hatch cred of the Leon and isn’t as ultra-modern as the Formentor.
Indeed, a handful of dated cabin features blemish an otherwise perfect complexion.
But unlike the latest Avatar movie, there’s not many holes in the Ateca’s plotline. It’s a remarkably versatile SUV that leads a double life as a family hauler (assuming you don’t have an army of kids) and a high-performance fun machine that can really get the adrenaline flowing.
As well as imparting a fresh Spanish scent, it’s cheaper, more accessible and not as smug as a Volkswagen Tiguan R – and just a little bit faster, which is important for the humble bragger in all of us. Muy bien (very good).
2023 Cupra Ateca VZx at a glance:
Price: $61,750 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 221kW/400Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel: 7.8L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 177g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Not tested
- Spicy engine performance and tidy chassis make for an engaging SUV
- Versatile and spacious cabin at odds with its compact exterior
- Blue leather sports seats, gorgeous steering wheel and unique copper highlights
- Optional $6000 Akrapovic exhaust does virtually nothing, which is a shame
- Some interior aspects and materials look and feel cheap and dated
- Spare wheel is deleted when you option the very handy Brembo brakes
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