2025 CUPRA Formentor VZ Extreme

A car that almost gets everything right, almost.

When it launched in 2020, it wasn’t just another model. It was the moment CUPRA became a brand on its own. No longer a performance badge on SEAT models, but a statement. A design-led, emotion-driven alternative in a market that was starting to feel a bit too rational.

Fast forward to 2024, and the Formentor gets a serious facelift. Sharper design, updated tech, and a new generation of plug-in hybrid powertrains. We spent time with the CUPRA Formentor VZ Extreme, the top-tier PHEV version. And while this car still knows exactly how to win you over at first glance… it doesn’t take long before you start asking questions.

Design: sharper, bolder… but was the original more elegant?

Let’s get this out of the way first. The Formentor is still one of the best-looking SUVs on the road today. CUPRA didn’t mess that up.

The facelift brings a more aggressive front end, with sharper lighting signatures that immediately stand out, especially at night. At the rear, a full-width LED light bar adds presence, while the diffuser gives the car a lower, sportier stance.

And of course, the signature copper accents are still everywhere. Wheels, badges, brake calipers… it’s no longer just design, it’s branding. You instantly know what you’re looking at. There’s even an illuminated CUPRA logo now. Slightly unnecessary? Maybe. But it works. It adds that final layer of theatre that fits the character of the car perfectly.

But here’s the honest take. As sharp and modern as this facelift looks…
we couldn’t help but feel like the previous Formentor had a bit more elegance. This new one is more aggressive, more outspoken, more “in your face”. And while that suits the CUPRA identity, the original design had a certain balance that’s slightly lost here.

Interior: sporty, premium… with a few quirks

Step inside, and the facelift becomes much more noticeable. The new 12.9-inch infotainment screen is faster, sharper, and far more usable than before. One small but important improvement: the illuminated sliders for volume and temperature. Finally, something you can actually use at night without guessing.

Our VZ Extreme came equipped with the optional carbon bucket seats, and honestly… they’re one of the highlights of the car. They look incredible, they feel premium, and surprisingly, they’re comfortable enough for daily use. You sit low, locked in, ready for something sporty to happen.

The steering wheel is exactly what you expect from CUPRA: thick, perfectly shaped, and great to hold. But then… there are the controls. And this is where things get a bit odd. You have three key controls:

• the start button on the steering wheel (right side)

• the CUPRA drive mode button (left side)

• and the traction control button on the centre console

And somehow, during our time with the car, we kept pressing the wrong one. More than once, we hit the traction control instead of the start button. Not a dealbreaker, but it just feels slightly unintuitive in daily use.

Powertrain: strong numbers, mixed execution

On paper, the Formentor VZ Extreme makes perfect sense. You get a 1.5-litre TSI engine paired with an electric motor, producing:

• 272 hp

• 400 Nm of torque

• 0–100 km/h in 7.0 seconds

More than enough for a sporty compact SUV. And the electric side is genuinely impressive. We managed around 80 km of real-world electric range without even trying, which means for most people, daily driving can be almost entirely electric. CUPRA claims up to 119 km WLTP, and under ideal conditions, that seems realistic. So far, so good.

Driving: brilliant chassis… confusing behaviour

Then you hit a twisty road. And suddenly, the Formentor starts to make a lot of sense again. Because the chassis is genuinely impressive. Despite weighing around 1,700 kg, the car hides its weight incredibly well. Body roll is minimal, grip is strong, and the overall balance gives you confidence to push harder than you normally would in a plug-in hybrid SUV.

This is where CUPRA shines. The car feels alive, responsive, engaging. But then… the powertrain steps in again. Even in CUPRA or Performance mode, the car often decides to revert back to electric driving. Even when you’re using the paddles manually. And that’s frustrating. Because:

• you can’t properly downshift when you want to

• the engine doesn’t always engage when expected

• the DSG gearbox feels slow and disconnected

It breaks the rhythm. You’re ready to push, the chassis is ready… but the drivetrain just doesn’t fully follow. And that’s a shame. Because everything else about this car screams performance.

Daily driving: this is where it actually shines

Step away from the sporty expectations, and the story changes completely. Because as a daily driver, the Formentor VZ Extreme is genuinely excellent. It’s:

• comfortable

• efficient

• quiet when driving electric

• and visually still one of the most appealing cars in its class

The transition between electric and petrol is mostly smooth, and for commuting, it’s simply a very pleasant place to be. One thing we noticed though: above 120 km/h, the car almost always switches to the combustion engine, even when it feels unnecessary. Again, a small detail… but it adds to the feeling that the software isn’t perfectly dialled in.

The bigger picture: emotional vs rational

And that brings us to the bigger question. Why would you choose the Formentor VZ Extreme? Because if you look purely at logic, there are alternatives that might be more refined, more efficient, or better calibrated. But the CUPRA doesn’t play that game. It’s about:

• design

• identity

• feeling

It’s a car you choose because you want it, not because it’s the most rational option.

AutoNext Take

The CUPRA Formentor VZ Extreme is a car that almost gets everything right. It looks stunning, drives better than expected, and delivers real-world usability thanks to its strong electric range.

But the powertrain doesn’t always match the ambition of the chassis. And that’s what makes it frustrating. Because this could have been something truly exceptional.

Instead, it’s a fantastic daily driver with a sporty edge that never fully comes alive. Still… every time you park it and walk away, you’ll look back. And that tells you everything you need to know.