Cupra Tavascan Review

How much does it cost?

Prices for the Cupra Tavascan start from £47,350 in starter V1 trim, which still gets a high level of standard equipment and the longest range of all Tavascan models. This rises to more feature-rich V2 which starts from £53,845, while the dual-motor range starts at VZ1, which costs from £55,945. The Tavascan range tops out at the £60,845 VZ2.

Though they haven’t been on sale for too long, Tavascans have started showing up on the used market. There are some savings to be found as well, with models on AA Cars available for well under their as-new prices. We found a V2 model with just under 8,000 miles on the clock for £31,999, while V1 models were available for £29,000 with under 5,000 miles on them.

Engine and performance

Overview

The Tavascan is only available as an electric vehicle. It sits on the same MEB platform that you’ll find underneath a variety of Volkswagen Group EVs, including the Volkswagen ID.3, Skoda Enyaq and even the ID.Buzz bus. There’s just one battery size available - 77kWh - but you can have this linked to either single- or dual-motor setups. A range of up to 353 miles is claimed from standard V1 cars, while dual-motor cars see this drop to 320 miles in contrast.

All cars get the same 135kW charging speed which will return a 10 to 80 per cent charge in around half an hour. The Genesis GV60, for instance, can charge at speeds of up to 220kW, which means a 10 to 80 per cent charge could be completed in around 20 minutes.

Out on the road

Cupra has always brought some extra dynamic sparkle to its cars and the Tavascan is no different. It certainly leans on the sportier side of things and reflects what we’ve come to expect from this brand. With the single motor version, you’re still getting more than enough performance, while dual-motor cars bring enough acceleration to scare your average supercar. Despite this, the Tavascan remains a great everyday car thanks to its size and proportions, both of which help to make this car easy to drive and live with.

You get a slightly elevated view of the road ahead, too, but it’s not as tall-feeling as some others in this class.

Ride and handling

The Tavascan doesn’t suffer from lean quite as much as others in this segment, though you certainly feel its weight when you go through a quicker bend or lean on the brakes more. That said, a relatively stiff suspension does mean that the Tavascan corners very pleasantly, though a by-product of this is that this Cupra can feel quite firm around town. Larger potholes and road imperfections do send a shimmy into the cabin.

That said, against other EVs, the Tavascan stands out thanks to its handling. It’s still comfortable and refined when you’re going at motorway speeds too, though.

Interior and features

Interiors

The interior of the Tavascan is very distinctive. It stands apart from other cars through its large, central ‘tunnel’ which blends into a trim piece which runs the width of the dashboard. Because there aren’t any physical buttons - aside from a central hazards switch - the overall effect is of a very smooth and minimalist setup. As in typical Cupra fashion, there are plenty of copper-coloured elements, too, while space for two cupholders is freed up thanks to the switchgear’s placement on the steering column instead of centrally.

There’s a large display which takes pride of place in the middle of the dashboard and you’ll find all key functions accessed here. It’s just a shame that there aren’t more physical buttons, as even adjusting features such as the heating and ventilation are trickier than they need to be.

Boot space and practicality

Given that the Tavascan has a streamlined roofline, you’d expect back-seat comfort to be diminished but, in reality, that’s not the case. There’s a good level of headroom for those in the back, and legroom is pretty good, too. Thanks to its dedicated electric platform, there’s a completely flat floor in the rear of the cabin, too, which means that there’s a good amount of room for your feet. There’s also no transmission tunnel for the middle seat occupant to deal with.

In terms of boot space, there’s a very useful 540 litres to use up in the Tavascan. That sloping roofline means that the load area isn’t quite as easy to access, however, with the restricted opening means that it may be a struggle to get larger and more bulky items inside. It’s still more than large enough for a lot of shopping or some overnight bags, mind you.

Features

The Tavascan looks pretty futuristic on the outside and it’s much the same on the inside. To go with that high-tech look, there’s plenty of equipment as standard, with all cars getting a large 15-inch infotainment system that includes navigation, media and connectivity functions. You also get full smartphone mirroring and a wireless phone charger to help keep your device topped up without the need for cables.

There are plenty of practical features, too, including a reversing camera, predictive cruise control and even intelligent park assist which can position and reverse the car at low speeds without the need for driver intervention.

Trim and colour options

There are four basic trim levels available on the Tavascan - V1, V2, VZ1 and VZ2. Both VZ1 and VZ2 models are only available with the dual-motor setup, so they’re the best choices if you’re after some extra performance from this Cupra.

Standard V1 cars bring 19-inch machined alloy wheels and comfortable bucket seats inside, as well as LED lighting and an electric tailgate with ‘Virtual Pedal’ - simply wave your foot under the rear bumper and the boot will open automatically. It’s a really handy feature if you’ve got your hands full of shopping, for instance.

Step up V2 trim and you’ll get 21-inch machined alloy wheels with copper elements, reflecting the look and feel inside the Tavascan. This grade also brings a panoramic sunroof for a more airy cabin, as well as a Sennheiser audio system. Plus, Matrix LED headlights help to improve nighttime visibility even more than the standard car.

Move up to VZ1 trim and it mirrors the setup that you’ll get with V2, albeit with the addition of the dual-motor configuration.

However, VZ2 grade trades the 21-inch machined alloy wheels for lightweight forged alternatives, while heated and ventilated Cup bucket seats give the Tavascan an even sportier feeling overall.

The colours available for the Tavascan are all quite subdued but futuristic-looking. Things range from the Atacam Desert - a gold-type shade - to the optional Dark Void, which is a purple kind of colourway. All of them do complement the Tavascan’s design, mind you, and contrast the gloss black elements used across this car.

Safety and reliability

As a very modern car, the Tavascan comes equipped with lots of safety equipment as standard. It’s why you’ve got features such as Forward Collision Warning, Emergency Steering Support and Attention and Drowsiness Assist included on all Tavascan models, regardless of specification. Interestingly - and a big plus for larger families - the Tavascan also gets three ISOFIX child seat mounting points, with two at the rear and one on the front seats. It means you can take three children with you safely.

The MEB platform which underpins the Tavascan is one that has been used in many Volkswagen vehicles, which should help it to deliver a high level of reliability. However, existing Cupra models have suffered with issues concerning the infotainment system, so if you’re looking at a used Tavascan, we’d recommend trying out all functions that the screen has to offer in order to make sure everything works as it should.

MPG, emissions and tax

WIth its electric setup, the Tavascan is an emissions-free way of getting from A to B. How cheap it is to run really depends on your charging facilities, however; make use of cheap rates of home electricity and running the Tavascan could cost a fraction of what it would be to run a standard petrol or diesel equivalent. However, if you can only rely on higher-cost public charging then things could quickly get more expensive.

Most Tavascan models will cost £195 per year to tax, though those costing over £40,000 will attract the Expensive Car Supplement. For these models, tax could rise to £620 per year for the first five years after registration, making it a far costlier model to buy.