Cupra Tavascan Review 2025: Price, specs & boot space

Looking for an electric SUV that stands out, with a bold design and a tech-filled interior? Then the Tavascan could be what you’re after. It’s spacious and comfortable with a good mix of range and performance.

However, if maximum practicality is your goal then alternatives like the Skoda Enyaq Coupe or the Tesla Model Y might be better suited. The Tavascan’s heavy weight and an inconsistency in the braking response may also be factors if driving engagement is a top priority.

So far, we’ve tried the less powerful version of the Tavascan, with rear-wheel drive and a 286PS electric motor. For most people, this will be all you’ll need – it feels quick for a family SUV and will offer the best range of the two.

The AWD VZ model, with 340PS, will certainly up the excitement when you put your foot down, but at the cost of efficiency and… well, cost. It’ll be more money to buy and run, and it’s heavier too, which will surely affect the handling.

Given the balance of performance, efficiency, and price, the RWD model in V2 trim is likely the best all-rounder unless you have an unquenchable hankering for acceleration, or need AWD.

The Tavascan competes with the Volkswagen ID.5, the Audi Q4 Sportback E-Tron and the Skoda Enyaq Coupe, all of which share the same mechanical underpinnings (the MEB platform for all you engineering fans). Other key rivals include the Tesla Model Y, the Kia EV6, the Ford Mustang Mach-E and the Volvo EC40. For those looking at more premium alternatives, the BMW iX2 and the Lexus RZ will give you a more high-end experience… at a higher cost.

The cabin materials in the Cupra Tavascan feel of high quality, with soft-touch surfaces and premium finishes throughout. The central divider, while visually distinctive, does reduce cabin storage space somewhat, although we’ll need to spend longer living with the car to determine just how annoying that is. Is it as premium feeling as an Audi Q4 Sportback E-Tron? No, but not much is, and the Cupra makes up for it in pizzazz.

A large 15-inch touchscreen sits atop the Tavascan’s dashboard. The display is sharp and responsive and runs Cupra’s generally easy-to-navigate software, as well as wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on all models. It’s hassle-free.

A built-in navigation system with real-time traffic updates is included too. Generally, we’d suggest that using Google Maps, Waze or similar will be more effective, but the Cupra system can also do predictive route planning based on charging locations, which could be useful on longer journeys. We haven’t yet spent enough time with the car to properly try this out, but will update this review when we have.

Higher trims get an upgraded 12-speaker Sennheiser sound system, but even the standard audio setup is pretty decent. There are two USB-C charging ports in the front and two in the back, as well as a wireless charging pad in the centre console.

While generally, the tech setup is impressive, there are some weak points, most notably in the reliance on touch-sensitive controls. While the absence of traditional buttons lends a clean, modern look to the cabin, it’s harder to prod for functions on the move using the touchscreen. Even the steering wheel buttons are touch-sensitive and we found that they were too easy to activate accidentally just by brushing them when steering.

The Tavascan gives you 540 litres of boot space, which is pretty good for this kind of car and more than enough for most daily needs, whether it's carrying luggage, shopping bags, or sports kit. The boot has a wide opening and a low loading lip, which makes it easy to load and unload bulky items. A height-adjustable boot floor allows for additional flexibility (move it down for extra space, or up to level off the loading lip), and there’s a ski hatch for carrying longer items without needing to fold down the rear seats.

One downside is the absence of a front boot (frunk), a feature offered by some rivals, such as the Tesla Model Y. While this means less total storage space, the underfloor compartment in the rear boot does at least give you extra room for charging cables and smaller essentials.

Rear passenger space is generous, with plenty of legroom even for taller occupants. However, the sloping roofline does slightly compromise headroom, particularly for those over six feet tall. The rear bench is comfortable, and the flat floor improves middle-seat comfort, making it a viable option for carrying three passengers in the back.

In terms of cabin storage, the centre console features a deep storage bin under the armrest, and there are large door pockets that can hold water bottles and other essentials. There’s a pair of cup holders in the centre console, while rear passengers also get cup holders integrated into the fold-down armrest. The glove box is spacious enough for smaller items. Again, while the central dashboard spine boosts the cabin’s futuristic look, it does limit some of the storage potential typically available in EVs with open lower-console designs.

The Cupra Tavascan comes with two powertrain choices, both with a 77kWh battery pack. The rear-wheel-drive model produces 286PS, which gives it a 0-62mph time of 6.8 seconds. It offers the best range at up to 355 miles when fitted with smaller 19-inch wheels.

The all-wheel-drive version increases power to 340PS by adding a second motor at the front, delivering a 0-62mph time of 5.5 seconds. It has slightly reduced range, offering up to 326 miles.

The Tavascan supports DC fast charging at up to 135kW, meaning a 10-80% charge takes around 28 minutes, while AC charging is available at up to 11kW.

You'll get the best battery range from the less powerful version of the Tavascan – up to 355 miles, Cupra says. The more powerful, heavier VZ versions will manage up to 326 miles, which is still pretty good compared to the opposition.

Road and wind noise are well suppressed, making the Tavascan a very decent choice for long journeys. The large wheels on higher trims can introduce some road noise, but overall, it’s one of the quieter electric SUVs at motorway speeds

The Tavascan earned a full five-star rating from independent safety organisation Euro NCAP, with high scores for both adult and child occupant protection. Standard safety features include adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking.

Higher trims get predictive adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree parking camera.

As the Tavascan is a new model, long-term reliability data isn’t yet available. However, it shares its MEB platform and electric powertrains with the Volkswagen ID.5, Skoda Enyaq Coupé, and Audi Q4 e-tron, which have shown solid reliability in early ownership.

Cupra as a brand ranked mid-table in recent reliability surveys, ahead of Volkswagen but slightly behind brands like Kia and Hyundai. One concern with MEB-based EVs has been occasional software glitches, but Cupra has improved its over-the-air update system to resolve issues more efficiently without needing to visit a dealer.

The Tavascan comes with a five-year/90,000-mile warranty, while the battery is covered for eight years/100,000 miles, ensuring it retains at least 70% of its original capacity.

Insurance groups for the Cupra Tavascan range from 34E to 39E, which could make it slightly more expensive to insure than some rivals.

As a fully electric vehicle, the Cupra Tavascan is, at the time of writing, exempt from Vehicle Excise Duty (VED), commonly known as road tax. However, from April 2025, the UK government plans to introduce car tax for EVs. Under the proposed rules, the Tavascan will be taxed at the standard rate, which is currently £190 per year but could go up. 

As all Tavascan models are priced above £40,000, they will also be subject to the luxury car tax surcharge, currently £390 per year, for five years after the first year of registration. This means that under the current rates, owners of new Tavascans registered after April 2025 will pay £580 per year in VED between years 2-6, after which the rate will drop to £190 annually.

The Cupra Tavascan is available in four trims – V1, V2, VZ1 and VZ2. However, the difference between V and VZ trims is primarily the powertrain – V trims are the RWD model, and VZs are the AWD version.

The V1 model rides on 19-inch alloy wheels and has bucket seats upholstered in cloth. Full LED headlights and a seven-speaker sound system are standard, as is a rear-view camera plus adaptive cruise control.

The Tavascan V2 has big 21-inch wheels and the seats are upholstered in “dark night” microfibre fabric. They’re heated and electrically adjustable. The headlights are matrix LED units that let you keep high beam on while keeping oncoming traffic in shadow, and there’s also a top-view camera system, an augmented reality head-up display that projects driving information onto the windscreen and a panoramic sunroof. You also get the upgraded Sennheiser sound system.

The VZ1 trim is essentially the same as the V2, but with the more powerful powertrain, while the top-spec VZ2 model has different alloy wheels, leather upholstery and upgraded front bucket seats.