Cupra Tavascan 2025 Review - International

Full pricing for the 2025 Cupra Tavascan has yet to be released but the Spanish VW-owned brand has already indicated that the sporty SUV coupe will be offered in two distinct flavours – Endurance and VZ, which it set to be priced just above the Formentor VZx ($65,790 plus on-road pricing).

At that money that makes it considerably more than the $55,900 (plus ORCs) it costs for the Tesla Model Y RWD and a five-figure hike over new rivals like the advanced XPeng G6 that sets new standards for fast-charging.

Luckily, we've been told both models will fall below the Luxury Car Tax threshold, even the range-topping VZ will quality for the Federal Government Electric Car Discount.

Taking the sting out of the tail is the Endurance that includes a 15-inch infotainment system, regenerative braking paddles, 19-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, illuminated rear?Cupra?lettering, a gesture-opening tailgate, three-zone climate control and sports seats.

What's missing is heated seats that we think are vital for an EV. They're added by an optional 'Interior Pack' that will, for an undisclosed price, add larger 20-inch alloy wheels, a 360-surround camera, power adjust memory seats, a premium Sennheiser sound system, ambient lighting and a 'Dark Night' blue interior.

Choose the quickest VZ and you get larger-still 21-inch black and copper alloy wheels, matrix LED headlamps and a fixed panoramic roof with a powered blind.

Ramping up the sportiness further, Cupra will also offer customers an Extreme Pack that adds ventilated leather Cup Racing bucket seats and stickier more track-focused tyres for those who want to indulge in zero-emission track days.

If you buy into the Tavascan's striking looks, sculptured bonnet, triangular headlamps, rakish profile and sheer presence you'll also buy into sportiness that's been reflected within.

Cupra once again hasn't tried to mimic the German perception of premium and we think many will find that refreshing with a large spline providing a bridge from dash to the centre console. Said passenger/driver divider looks cool but can get in the way of the wireless phone charger.

Space is decent too, with plenty of head and legroom in the rear, even for the tall, while the large 540 litre boot is nothing to be sniffed out. Shame there's no small frunk to stow cables - but there is some space beneath the boot floor.

When it comes to tech, almost all the functions of the Tavascan are controlled via its large 15-inch touchscreen which is both intuitive and fast to react and runs VW's latest-gen software. We still wish there were separate physical controls for things like the climate control but there are illuminated haptic sliders to raise or lower the cabin temperature.

Another gripe is the haptic steering wheel controls that can all too easily be triggered.

The Cupra Tavascan has yet to be crashed by either Euro NCAP or ANCAP but when it does, we expect nothing less than it receiving the full five stars for protection.

All versions come with front, side and curtain airbags, autonomous emergency braking that can detect pedestrians and cyclists, an active pop-up bonnet to reduce injuries, driver attention warning, exit warning, rear cross traffic warning, adaptive cruise control with lane-centering, blind-spot monitoring and an augmented head-up display to ensure the driver keeps their focus on the road.

In Australia there will be the choice of two powertrains – a rear-wheel drive single-motor that drives the Endurance version and produces 210kW and 545Nm. Against the clock it takes 6.8 seconds to accelerate from 0-100km/h and the all-wheel drive dual-motor set-up the VZ boasts.

Combining an 80kW front motor with the second 210kW e-motor and the Cupra Tavascan produces 250kW and 545Nm of torque, which is enough for a 0-100km/h sprint of 5.5 seconds. Both cars top out at 180km/h.

There's just one battery offered the VW Group's 82kWh (77kWh useable) that provides a 534km range for the Endurance, while allowing the Tavascan VZ to cover up to 499km on the WLTP test cycle before it needs a top-up.

Even if the looks of the 2025 Cupra Tavascan aren't to your taste, it's hard not to love the way it drives. Cupra says its engineers honed both the steering and suspension as well as refining the powertrain and it doesn't take long for its dynamic brilliance to shine.

The steering for example has been sharpened up and is now quicker with more meaningful weight, compared to the VW ID.5, while the ride-handling balance really feels a cut above other SUVs based on the Volkswagen's MEB platform.

Better still, it's comfortable when you're driving quickly, even on the largest 21-inch wheels. Behind the wheel the Tavascan feels engaging and fun over an entertaining road.

It's among the very best to drive in its EV class.

A less impressive aspect of the 2025 Cupra Tavascan are its brakes – a common complaint of VW Group vehicles on the MEB platform. We have no complaint over their effectiveness – although we still think it should have rear discs instead of cost-cutting drums – but feel they don't do a good enough job of blending real braking with regenerative braking (when the car uses the motors to claw back energy to charge the battery).

This means they can be too sharp at low speed and miss out on offering the feel you need for smooth driving.

Another gripe is charging. For now, the 77kWh battery can only be topped up at a lowly rate of 135kW. That's below the claimed 170-210kW rate claimed for the Tesla Model Y, although both car-maker's claim a 30min charge time for a 10-80 per cent recharge, with Cupra claiming its low rate is offset by a higher average charge speed.

That could be a bigger problem in the near future as Tesla is about to be upgrade the Model Y with a big facelift next year that will no doubt improve the time it takes to top it up. New rivals like the XPeng G6 offer charging rates of between 215-280kW and can shave up to a third off the time spent hanging around charging stations with recharges of less than 20 minutes.

Finally, it's also worth noting the equivalent Tesla Model Y is also significantly quicker to accelerate (5.0s 0-100km/h) and if you're going to charge a $10,000 premium over the best-selling electric SUV we think you should really throw in basics like heated seats.

It's hard not to fall for the 2025 Cupra Tavascan as an offbeat alternative to a predictable Tesla, from its divisive love it or hate it styling to the fine ride-handling balance offered that most Model Y drivers will envy. The Tavascan is easily the best all-electric mid-size SUV offered by the VW Group this side of the six-figure Audio Q6 e-tron. Where it's let down is with the price charged. Other more advanced, better-equipped battery-powered SUVs available at a far lower price of admission.

2025 Cupra Tavascan VZ at a glance:
Price: $70,000 (estimated, plus on-road costs)
Available: December 2024
Powertrain: Asynchronous electric motor (front), permanent magnet synchronous motor (rear)
Output: 250kW/545Nm
Transmission: Single-speed reduction gear
Battery: 77kWh (useable) lithium-ion
Range: 499km (WLTP)
Energy consumption: 16.8kWh/100km (WLTP)
Safety rating: Not tested

For everything you auto know about EVs, listen to carsales' Watts Under the Bonnet: the electric car podcast

Join the conversation at our Facebook page
Or email us at editor@carsales.com.au