Sporty Meets Sensible - Who Wins?

ACCELERATION – QUICKER THAN QUOTED

‍Cupra claims 0–100 km/h in 5.9 seconds. We managed 5.76 seconds with two people onboard, easily beating their claim. Sure, it's not as punchy as the smaller Formentor VZ, but this mid-sized SUV still delivers a dose of excitement. The feeling of acceleration can moderately pin you back in the seat if you position the revs just before peak torque from the turbo kicks in, although hardcore performance enthusiasts might find it slightly subdued. It's still faster than a Kodiaq RS and any of the entry level Tiguans, so bragging rights for this segment and price point are there for the taking.

DRIVING DYNAMICS – SPORTY, WITH A HEALTHY DASH OF SENSIBLE

‍Gunning it in the Terramar can be good fun. It conducts itself surprisingly well in corners where the grip and poise remain impressive for its size. The steering, artificially weighted in Cupra mode, lacks outright feel but does deliver confident and accurate inputs. Pushing the Terramar harder reveals its sensible side: it's very quiet until you pop it into Cupra mode, which then pipes in artificial sounding engine noise, and there's no "S+" mode like the Formentor VZ has. That said, Comfort mode is the Terramar’s party trick here, delivering effortless city cruising with an accelerator tuned for minimal input and maximum smoothness. It's the ideal blend for those wanting an SUV that's civilised but still able to deliver fun on demand.

Overall, this design punches well above its weight. If you're looking for a family car that genuinely excites visually, you've found it.

STYLING – LIKE A BIGGER FORMENTOR, AND THAT'S A WINNER

‍Visually, the Terramar is essentially a grown-up Formentor - and that's fantastic news. From the sharp front end to the distinctive rear light bar, the Terramar oozes Cupra charisma, although it's let down slightly at the rear without any exhaust tips to speak of. Overall, this design punches well above its weight. If you're looking for a family car that genuinely excites visually, you've found it.

INTERIOR – DELIBERATE DETAILS

‍Inside, the Terramar borrows heavily again from the Formentor, but it doesn't fully carry through the smaller, sportier details. The dash design is slightly at odds with Cupra’s usual aesthetic, notably the rounded vents contrasting sharply against Formentor's angular ones. Copper elements, a Cupra hallmark, is evident in welcome touches across the steering wheel, seats, and trim. However, the copper stiching from the Formentor is sorely missed on the upper dash. On the upside, the steering wheel is still a winner and the seats are too. The column-mounted gear shifter is intuitive (it's better than a tiny little shift peg) and frees up valuable cabin space, while the Sennheiser sound system delivers excellent bass and clarity - at least from the front seats.

These minor changes from the Formentor are clearly deliberate. It would be cheaper and easier to pull these across exactly as they were - so it's here we feel that sensible side being merchandised once again.

PRACTICALITY – READY FOR FAMILY LIFE*

‍While the Terramar promises more practicality than its smaller sibling, the Formentor, the actual difference isn’t massive. Yes, there's noticeably more space in the rear seats and boot, but if you’re expecting cavernous dimensions, you'll need to adjust.

*For the sake of example, our full-sized baby stroller had to be placed in the boot sideways, unable to fit lengthways or upright.

Still, it comfortably handles family life without issue, justifying its sensible credentials.

VERDICT – THE GOLDILOCKS ZONE

‍Cupra’s Terramar VZ nails the tricky balance of sporty charm and sensible practicality. It might lean more towards comfort and grown-up refinement than raw thrills, but it’s precisely what many SUV buyers in this segment secretly want - a practical daily driver that still makes you smile on the rare occasion you hit that Cupra mode. If you're after an SUV with a healthy portion of personality, it's a compelling choice - and our pick over the Tiguan and Kodiaq (unless you need the Kodaiq's extra room and 7 seats).