Cupra Terramar 2025 Review - International

When it arrives early in 2025, the Cupra Terramar will be priced closely to the sportier-still Formentor with pricing kicking off at around $55,000 plus on-roads.

Positioned as it is, the Terramar mid-size SUV will similarly priced to the inbound 2025 Audi Q3, while commanding a premium over more mainstream mid-size SUVs like the Toyota RAV4 that kicks off at just under $40K… for now.

In reality, the price gap will be a little closer as Cupra will offer all three powertrains in one well-equipped equipment grade, with few option boxes left to tick.

As well as being too early for detailed pricing, Cupra Australia has yet to lock down full specification for the 2025 Cupra Terramar.

However, V, VZ, VZe hybrid and VZx top-spec premium model grades are likely, mirroring the Formentor range currently available in Australia.

We expect the base engine to be offered in the firm's V specification only, with the 200kW hybrid and 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol to come in the higher-grade VZ specification.

All models will come with a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster that sits ahead of the driver and combines with a large 12.9-inch infotainment touchscreen that takes pride of place in the centre of the dash and runs the VW Group's latest software. Climate control shortcuts live at the bottom of the reconfigured screen with illuminated touch-sensitive shortcuts below that.

A wireless phone charger is located in the centre console, while all models come with the firm's Cupra ‘sports’ steering wheel that includes both a drive mode selector and an engine start button.

The cheapest Terramar V will ride on 19-inch alloy wheels, while the faster hybrid and turbo-petrol VZ models will sport a set of larger 20-inch rims.

Expect matrix LED headlamps to be reserved for the top-spec VZx models, as well as large 20-inch alloy wheels, plus a powerful 12-speaker sound system.

Options should include leather and Dinamica (synthetic suede) sport bucket seats, with the faux leather and Seaqual (recycled) fabric seats tipped to be standard issue.

In Europe, the two VZ models get the option of adaptive dampers and a six-piston Akebono big brake package that upsizes the front discs from 340mm to impressive 375mm items.

The Cupra Terramar will be protected by a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty.

The 2025 Cupra Terramar has yet to undergo either Euro NCAP or local ANCAP crash testing but we would be amazed if it didn't receive the full five-stars for protection because anything less would send shockwaves through the Volkswagen Group.

It helps that the Cupra was developed alongside the next-generation 2025 Audi Q3 and should share that car's latest driver assistance systems (ADAS), including the latest autonomous emergency braking (AEB) that features both pedestrian and cyclist detection.

As well as adaptive cruise, the Terramar also gets a park assist, a reverse camera, driver fatigue detection and both side and exit assist.

Should the worst happen, seven airbags can deploy, including a front central airbag, dual front, front side and a driver’s knee airbag, plus a head-protecting curtain airbag.

Cupra is also making much of its Matrix LED Ultra headlamps that use clever new lighting tech to boost safety at night, allowing the high beams to stay one without dazzling oncoming vehicles.

The 2025 Cupra Terramar features the Volkswagen Group's latest infotainment system that is now being rolled out on both Volkswagen Group combustion and all-electric models.

The latest tech is all operated via a landscape-mounted 12.9-inch touch-screen and is combined with a 10.5-inch configurable digital instrument cluster that is supported by a head-up display.

As you would expect, there's wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, built-in GPS satellite navigation and the availability of a powerful 12-speaker 390-watt Sennheiser sound system.

There's also a 15W cooled wireless smartphone and device charger.

When the 2025 Cupra Terramar arrives in early 2025, the eventual line-up will include three powertrains.

At the bottom run of the ladder will be the Terramar V that comes with a new turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder mild-hybrid that musters 110kW and 250Nm of torque.

All versions will come with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission that, in the case of the front-drive Terramar V, sees the mid-size SUV accelerate from 0-100km/h in 9.3 seconds and top out at 205km/h.

Boosting efficiency, the VW Group’s entry-level engine uses mild-hybrid tech in the form of a 48-volt starter-generator and a 48-volt lithium-ion battery that allows engine-off coasting and for energy to be recovered under braking.

Next up will be the Terramar VZ we drove, sporting the same turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol that powers the latest Mark 8.5 VW Golf GTI.

The tried-and-tested engine produces 195kW and 400Nm and drives all four wheels, resulting in a very brisk 0-100km/h dash of just 5.9 seconds and a top speed of 243km/h.

In some markets a lower-powered 150kW version of that engine will be offered but Australia only gets the full-fat version.

At the top of the tree is the new flagship plug-in hybrid version that blends a 1.5-litre turbo four-cylinder with a 19.7kWh battery and a six-speed dual-clutch auto that squeezes an 85kW e-motor within its transmission casing.

Combined, total output is 200kW and 400Nm of torque, matching the 2.0-litre turbo for torque and beating it for power – but it’s front-drive only. Physics has not been kind to the plug-in hybrid Terramar either, an extra 150kg weight penalty (mostly introduced by the battery) means the 0-100km/h acceleration figure drops to 7.3 seconds with a 215km/h top speed.

The 2025 Cupra Terramar VZ we drove averages around 8.4L/100km, which isn't bad for a 2.0-litre turbo with plenty of verve.

Fairing a little better at the pumps is the mild-hybrid base engine 1.5-litre turbo that powers the Terramar V that can return 6.1L/100km but the best of the bunch is the plug-in hybrid version of the Cupra SUV. This model is claimed to be capable of sipping fuel at a rate of just 0.5L/100km while pumping out low levels of CO2 – as little as nine grams of kilometre.

More relevant for most and the chief reason you'd buy the PHEV is its very respectable pure-electric range, with the electrified Terramar capable of covering a WLTP-verified range of between 112-121km on a single charge.

That means Monday to Friday most Australian owners who drive to work would be able to complete their commute without using a single drop of fuel.

When it comes to charging the PHEV can be fast DC charged up to 50kW taking 26 minutes, while an 11kW AC top-up at a wallbox is 2.5 hours for a full 0-100 per cent charge.

The 2025 Cupra Terramar fulfills its sporty brief by offering a sharper, more engaging take on the Volkswagen Tiguan's drive.

Better still, even with its aggressive looks the Terramar still has a soft side. When it comes to the ride comfort it can be quite deft, which makes it perfect for those with families who are migrating from a hot hatch, or something sportier.

Despite carrying some excess baggage (the 2.0-litre turbo version weighs 1750kg) we think Aussie buyers will prefer the added traction the combustion-powered AWD version offers over both the front-wheel drive base and hybrid versions, such is the fuss-free way the Cupra can deploy its power and torque in a hurry.

We also came away impressed with the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission that blended the usual lightning-quick shifts with smoothness at low speeds that comes closest yet to matching a more traditional torque-converter automatic transmission.

It's worth mentioning that our drive happened in early pre-production vehicles just after the vehicle’s reveal. And on ultra-smooth Spanish roads at that, so we'll reserve judgement until we've sampled the Terramar on our familiar (read: bumpier) blacktop.

But the big takeaway from the international launch is this: when the Cupra Terramar arrives in Australia it will offer an engaging drive to match its looks and decent levels of ride comfort.

Put simply, your family won't hate you for choosing this sporty Spaniard.

The 2025 Cupra Terramar cabin impresses.

As well as having the crisp, clear and large infotainment, digital instrument cluster and head-up displays, you never forget you're driving one of the Spanish brand's products. Not least because of the rose gold highlights everywhere you look, present on the air vent levers, cupholder surrounds and door trim to name but a few.

We also like the inadvertent boomerang centre console and the mix of materials that are far less predictable than brushed aluminium or fake carbon-fibre that are often favoured by other brands.

Sealing the deal is a big 602 litre boot and generous levels of space in the front; it’s easy to find a comfortable driving position. There's also a large central storage cubby and large door bins.

Switch to the rear seats and despite there being decent head and shoulder room, legroom is a bit tight, particularly compared to rivals.

However, we appreciate how easy and intuitive the in-car technology is to use and the presence of physical buttons on the steering wheel instead of the horrible capacitive buttons that plagued other VW products and were too easy to trigger when wheel twirling.

The 2025 Cupra Terramar has a lot to offer even in an increasingly crowded mid-size SUV marketplace.

For some, its looks might be a just a little too polarising, while others might lament paying what could be German premium SUV money for a Cupra.

As for the brand's sign-off to the combustion engine, we think Cupra has missed a trick by not slotting in the Audi-sourced turbocharged five-cylinder under its snout, especially since the Euro-only 287kW Formentor VZ5 is not available to Australians.

As good as the 2.0-litre turbo is, it's not the fitting send-off we'd hope for from the high-performance Spanish brand.

But we think its blend of overtly sporty looks, an engagingly capable drive and a sophisticated line-up of engines – including a PHEV that could bring significant savings to running costs – are all meaningful positives.

2025 Cupra Terramar VZ at a glance:
Price: $55,000 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Q3 2025
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol
Output: 195kW/4000Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel: 8.4L/100km (WLTP)
CO2: 191g/km (WLTP)
Safety rating: Not tested

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