Cupra uses engines and EV tech from across the Volkswagen Group, often plucked from the higher-end of the performance spectrum. If you're considering an Audi or perhaps an R-badged Volkswagen model, Cupra's alternatives are worth putting on your shortlist.
As Cupra the carmaker began as a spin-off from SEAT, its first cars, the Cupra Leon and the Cupra Ateca, were based on their respective SEAT models. Recent facelifts have helped further distance these models from their SEAT equivalents. All are decent choices but ageing and thus likely to attract discounts.
The Cupra Terramar has just arrived to effectively replace the Cupra Ateca, and is closely related to the latest Audi Q3, so worth looking out for introductory offers.
Cupra's first standalone models include the Cupra Formentor, which has also been recently updated, and the Cupra Born EV, which is Cupra's nicer to drive, better to look at take on the Volkswagen ID.3. The Born regularly attracts 0% APR deals and solid deposit contributions.
The Cupra Tavascan EV is the firm's take on the Volkswagen ID.5, and also features low APR and deposit contributions.
The Cupra Born is the firm's stylish take on the Volkswagen ID.3. Not only does it feature more extrovert design cues, the Born is also better to drive when the mood takes you, but remains comfortable when you're on a long-distance cruise. Cupra is currently offering a £4500 deposit contribution and 0% APR over 36 months on the whole Born range. Buyers also have the choice of a free Ohme EV home charger, a voucher with £500 charging credit or an extra £500 off the price. If you use OVO Energy, you'll also get charging capped at 7p per kWh and get up to 30,000 free miles.
The Cupra Tavascan injects some welcome style into the world of electric family SUVs. It features a decent real-world battery range and a comfortable ride that can still turn on the sportiness when required. If you fancy one, there's a £1750 deposit contribution and low 1% APR available across the Tavascan range. Buyers can also choose either a free Ohme EV home charger, a voucher with £500 charging credit or an extra £500 off the price. If you use OVO Energy, you'll also get charging capped at 7p per kWh and get up to 30,000 free miles.
The Cupra Formentor was the Cupra brand's first standalone model. It offers an interesting take on the small SUV, as its one of the sportiest SUV designs on sale but that does come at a slight cost to practicality. Cupra is currently offering a £4000 deposit contribution across the Formentor petrol and e-hybrid range. If you go for a hybrid model you also get a free home charger or a voucher with £500 charging credit. You can also snap up the Formentor's first two consecutive services for a £99 flat fee.
The Cupra Ateca turns the standard SEAT Ateca into a surprisingly close approximation of a hot hatch. Fun to drive and nicely made, the Cupra Ateca offers a decent balance of performance and practicality, making it a solid choice for keen drivers with a growing family. There's currently £3750 towards you deposit across the Ateca range, and have the option to buy your first two consecutive services for a £99 flat fee.
The Cupra Leon might not look like a high-performance hot hatch, especially if you opt for the estate version. But that's part of its charm, as the Leon is one of the best ways of dispatching twisting country roads stealthily. There are two PCP deals available on both saloon and estate models. Opt for a Cupra Leon V model and you get a £2750 deposit contribution, while Leon VZ models get £3750 towards deposits. Hybrid models also come with a choice of a free home wallbox or £500 charging credit, and all have the option to buy your first two consecutive services for a £99 flat fee.
The Cupra Terramar is the brand's take on the latest Volkswagen Tiguan or Audi Q3. Striking styling inside and out don't compromise space compared with its sibling models, while the Terramar upholds the brand's reputation for cars that are decent to drive. Cupra is currently offering £2000 towards PCP deposits, hybrid models come with a choice of a free home wallbox or £500 charging credit, and all have the option to buy your first two consecutive services for a £99 flat fee.
Carmaker deals change all the time, but Cupra has had a long-term 0% APR offer on its Born EV running for months. This deal has also been offered with a large deposit contribution, and is offered across both the entry level V trims and the top-spec VZ models.
Going for a 0% APR deal is a great option as it means that you are paying no interest for the duration of the loan, while the deposit contribution reduces the amount you have to finance, lowering monthly payments.
Within the wider Volkswagen Group, the Cupra brand has been positioned above SEAT, with cars that offer more performance, more extrovert designs and higher levels of technology. All of these attributes come at a cost, so Cupra models are priced above their equivalent SEAT option, and closer to cars from Audi or higher-spec Volkswagens. It's up to you whether these things are important when choosing whether to sign on the line for a Cupra PCP deal.
Right now, Cupra only offers you the choice of paying cash or signing up for a highly popular PCP, or Personal Contract Purchase, deal. Cupra Solutions PCP means you to pay a deposit, monthly payments then, when your agreement is up, you can choose to give the car back, swap it for a new one, or pay off the remainder to own it outright.
Via Volkswagen Financial Services, Cupra also offers Personal Contract Hire, where you lease the car for an initial payment and monthly fee, but there is no option to own the car at the end of the agreement.
As it's a Volkswagen Group brand, Cupra gets everything from engines, infotainment systems, EV tech and more from the same sources as Audi, Volkswagen, Skoda and SEAT. The Cupra Leon and Ateca are based on SEAT models, with plenty of time elapsed to tease out faults.
Reliability of the electric models like the Born and Tavascan is less well known, but that's the same for most EV manufacturers as they get to grips with new technology.
Just like Audi, Volkswagen, SEAT and Skoda, Cupra is a brand of the Volkswagen Group. Headquartered in Spain, the Cupra name began in the 90s and was used by SEAT motorsport. Cupra is a contraction of the term 'Cup Racing', and was used by the motorsport division before becoming a badge used on the sportiest SEAT models.
Cupra was spun-off into its own brand in 2018, and launched its first non-SEAT based car, the Formentor, in 2020. Cupra has big ambitions, with plans to be all-electric by 2030, and sell its cars in North America, too.
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