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Cupra Ateca 2022 review: England Drive

TThe Cupra Ateca will soon land in Australia along with two other models to kick off the launch of the Spanish VW brand.

Awareness is going to be the name of the game, which is why I found myself in the Ateca SUV on a recent holiday trip to the UK.

Our British press car is the VZ3, which has almost the same specifications as the single Ateca ‘VZx’ variant offered here.

Priced at $65,990 driveaway ($60,990 RRP), the Cupra Ateca costs a little more than Volkswagen’s close relative, the T-Roc R due later this year for $59,300 before on-road costs.

EDITOR’S NOTE: The photos in this story are a mix of Jez’s own shots, and a selection of press shots of the latest Limited Edition models offered in the UK.
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The two share the production of the 2.0 liter ‘EA888’ four-cylinder turbo 221kW and 400Nmplus a seven-speed automatic clutch and all-wheel drive.

The Ateca has the most conservative form in the Cupra lineup, with Copper alloy wheels doing a tough yard to create some visual excitement.

And of the two Cupra SUVs on offer, the Ateca is the only one based on a model sold by parent Cupra brand Seat (which those with long memories will probably remember when it was sold here in the 1980s).

Formentor is exclusive to Cupra and is estimated to be the brand’s most popular model.

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Both vehicles are small SUVs, with the Formentor stretching a little over 4.4 meters and the Ateca just under 4386mm.

There’s no mistaking Volkswagen’s influence within the Ateca. Like the Skoda, however, the Cupra carries some distinguishing elements.

Copper continues as a signature, being used for the Cupra logo on the steering wheel, buttons around the steering wheel, rev-counter redline sector, and stitching for the leather-covered interior (but also the mats).

That includes the standout ‘Gasoline Blue’ seat.

There’s no mistaking Volkswagen’s influence within the Ateca. Like the Skoda, however, the Cupra carries some distinguishing elements.

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As usual at this price point, the quality of the plastic diminishes as you lower your gaze, with the softest materials reserved for the taller parts of the interior. Switchgear tactility is uneven – with weaker areas including the heating vent dial and paddleshift lever.

A full-size digital display driver is standard and, like the VW and Skoda versions, one of the best examples of this technology thanks to its highly customizable settings – which includes the ability to display full-width navigation maps.

Infotainment is provided via a cleverly presented central 9.2-inch touchscreen, which also features a customizable layout – in this case for the main menu.

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The Beats audio system is standard to the delight of many ears.

If you’re a parent, don’t be fooled by the Ateca’s ‘little SUV’ status; good packaging has ensured this works convincingly as a family car for up to five people.

In addition to useful storage options at the front and rear, the rear seats offer ample head and legroom, while knee room is excellent for adults of average height.

The back seat cushion may be a bit short, though at least it tilts up to help better support under the thighs. Forward vision is not helped by the thick front headrest.

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There’s dedicated climate control for the rear, too, while practicality is characterized by a door pocket bottle holder, seat back pockets, drop-down armrests with cup holders, and a contemporary USB-C port.

Opening the auto-operated tailgate reveals other family bonuses: big boot, 485 liters which can swallow a family of four’s vacation suitcase. (See photo for proof!)

Standard adaptive dampers give the driver the option to stiffen or soften the suspension. There’s still fundamental firmness to a vehicle that rolls over on 19-inch wheels, and Comfort mode is more effective at bringing flexibility to the ride than compliance. Sharp bumps are usually felt.

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There’s still fundamental firmness to a vehicle that rolls over on 19-inch wheels, and Comfort mode is more effective at bringing flexibility to the ride than compliance.

We’ll have to wait to test the Ateca on Australian roads to be sure, but our feeling is that the Cupra won’t generally be as smooth as the Kodiaq RS – Skoda’s seven-seater performance SUV.

The Ateca’s lighter weight makes it a more agile SUV in corners, although as with the Skoda, not all drivers will find the engagement entirely appealing.

There are many handles from Pirelli P Zero 245/40R19 . tires and there is precise response from the steering wheel, with the sporty Cupra mode delivering the desired weight gain for higher speeds while the lightweight Comfort mode creates a sense of ease to maneuver at low speeds.

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Brembo brakes are convincingly strong, though this reminder will be a $4,050 option in Australia.

Tire noise, based on our experience on similar British roads we’ve tried, is likely to be noticeable on normally rough Australian asphalt.

The four cylinders of the EA888 that power the Ateca are not without pause, though on the contrary give this machine the smoothness and flexibility typical of this engine. It’s mated with fun seven speed dual clutch gearbox that shifts effectively regardless of the level of aggression that is prompting.

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Push hard and Cupra says the Ateca will go from 0-100km/h in 4.9 seconds.

That’s a decent change of pace, even if this SUV – heavier than your average hot-hatch – doesn’t always feel that fast from behind the wheel.

There’s an option to use sport mode to improve throttle response, which also stiffens the damping; This tester’s preference was to mostly use the Individual setting and set the drivetrain to Sport while keeping the suspension in Comfort.

While the Ateca sounds far from boring under full acceleration, some performance SUV buyers may want to consider Akrapovic exhaust system option $5950.

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With affordable performance-focused SUVs still relatively rare, the Cupra Ateca makes an interesting entry into the market despite the fact that it’s a new brand vying for keen driver attention.

If not the SUV with the sharpest ride, the Ateca offers a blend of speed and practicality that is still tempting. We’ll find out how well the full package performs on Australian roads in just a matter of weeks.


#Cupra #Ateca #review #England #Drive

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