By Ian Strachan.
The CUPRA brand is rapidly gaining traction with more and more vehicles bearing the stylish copper CUPRA logo being seen on our roads.
It’s clear that SEAT has chosen go in the same direction with its CUPRA prestige marque as Toyota did with Lexus and Citroen has done with the DS range. CUPRA is now a distinct brand in its own right with its own badging and identity.
It’s a strategy that seems to be paying off . Since its launch as an independent brand in 2018 CUPRA sales have rocketed and its dealer network has expanded rapidly. Vehicles in the CUPRA range display style, verve and performance. I tested the CUPRA Ateca and its no exception.
The Ateca is pitched into the lucrative and growing compact SUV market with keen prices, but the CUPRA version takes it a long way upmarket, and the price reflects this. I test drove the CUPRA Ateca 1.5 Eco TSI version which costs £38,265 on the road.
This Ateca has a range of driving modes which change the car’s dynamic response. This makes for a pleasurable drive and the opportunity to take full advantage of the Ateca’s 150PS 1.5 litre TSI petrol engine, which has willing performance, taking you from 0-60 mph in a shade over nine seconds, linked to a seven-speed automatic gearbox.
The CUPRA Ateca certainly has a quality feel to it inside and out. It feels substantial. The Ateca is also a good looker. My test car came in Graphite Grey with very smart 19 inch machines alloys. It is well-proportioned and rugged without looking too functional. Its looks are helped by shark-like front headlights.
Inside the car in V2 trim leavel – has a lot of class about it. It’s roomy, with attractive black leather bucket seats of a very high quality. The driver’s seat has electric adjustment with memory. The dash is simple and uncluttered, with sensibly placed, easily accessible controls.
Interior space is very good, with plenty of load carrying capacity including 510 litres of boot speace and an electric tailgate with virtual pedal. Split 60/40 folding rear seats increase its load lugging capabilities even more if required.
Fuel consumption in this petrol-powered Ateca is just over 40 miles to the gallon in mixed driving.
As you’d expect you get bags of extras as standard. Electric, folding and heated door mirrors with CUPRA puddle lights, linked smartphone integration with wireless phone charging, satellite navigation and audio controls via a 9.2 inch colour touchscreen, rain-sensing wipers, cruise control, dual-zone climate control, gearshift paddles, hill hold and rear view camera all come as standard.
The CUPRA Ateca 1.5 Eco TSI DSG in V2 trim level comes at £38,265. My test car had metallic paint at £630 and towbar at £810.
It’s difficult to fault this CUPRA. It’s a comfortable, roomy SUV with more than adequate performance which will keep other manufacturers on their toes in this very competitive sector.
