Cupra Formentor

Review

The Formentor, the first model designed independently by Cupra since its transition from Seat's performance department into a standalone brand, has been one of the cars whose prices, engine options, and trim variations I have followed most closely since the day it hit the market. Its low-slung, broad-shouldered, and aggressive stance, which creates a "Is it a C-SUV or a Hatchback?" confusion on search engines, brought a brand-new breath to the automotive world. Especially with the facelift it underwent in 2024, gaining a "shark nose" design and new triangular Matrix LED headlights, the car looks almost like a concept car on the street. The copper-colored wheels and logos are the unchanging signature luxury of this brand.

Mechanically, it uses the Volkswagen group's MQB Evo platform. The 1.5 TSI 150 horsepower unit, the most preferred in Turkey, is a trouble-free block that has proven itself millions of times by workshop standards. It works so harmoniously with the 7-speed wet-clutch DSG that you don't even feel the gear shifts while it carries this rebellious-looking 1437 kg body to 100 km/h in 8.9 seconds. However, while its design gives the feel of a 310-horsepower monster like the VZ series, the 1.5 TSI unit promises a "showy economy" rather than pure performance. Steering responses are much crisper than its rivals, and the chassis is incredibly rigid. Your communication with the asphbottom on highways or winding roads is closer to a purebred sportsts car than a C-SUV.