I thought it was just another electric SUV, but the CUPRA Tavascan Endurance exceeded all my expectations

CUPRA was born as the most passionate and challenging branch of SEAT, designed to rescue the spirit of the circuits and bring it to the streets. Its acronym comes from Cup Racing, revealing that its origins date back to the world of competition. This heritage is not just an aesthetic nod, but a development philosophy: a stiffer chassis, suspensions finely tuned, and engines adjusted to provide a lively response to the accelerator.

I kept this in mind during my test of the CUPRA Tavascan, which accompanied me on my journeys for a few days. Being a large electric SUV with a family-oriented vocation and a very high weight, I initially didn't know what to expect, but on paper it seemed "not very CUPRA".

If someone had told me a few years ago that I would be in a CUPRA more concerned about the battery percentage than the engine revolutions, I would have looked at them skeptically. But here we are, the world evolves. Moreover, by electrifying its range, CUPRA does not turn its back on purists but also embraces those who want performance with zero emissions.

You will have performance, don't doubt that. In the Tavascan range, there are two power levels differentiated by the Endurance (210 kW) and VZ (250 kW) versions. The unit I had was the version with less power but perhaps also the most interesting. The first glance at the Tavascan Endurance makes it clear that we are facing a very muscular coupe SUV. That descending roofline, combined with the pronounced shoulders in the wheel arches, resembles a sports car but elevated.

The Matrix LED lighting signature, standard in the VZ level and optional in the Endurance, plays with triangles in the headlights. At the back, a continuous strip connects the 3D design LED taillights. It must be acknowledged that the Spanish brand has put a lot of effort into the lighting, giving it a lot of personality.

Its athletic shapes and the optional 21-inch forged wheels disguise the generous exterior size. It is larger than it seems because the Spanish model measures 4,644 mm in length, 1,861 mm in width, and 1,597 mm in height, rivaling cars like the Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron, the BMW iX2, the Tesla Model Y, the Volkswagen ID.5, or the Nissan Ariya.

Overflowing personality inside and out

Opening the door of the Tavascan is stepping into a cabin with a spectacular design. The first thing that catches your attention is the "spine" of the center console: a sharp layout that evokes the backbone of a predator. A very provocative element but actually quite impractical because it makes it extremely difficult to grab and place things in the storage compartment below or to use the wireless mobile charger.

The steering wheel has a very sporty look with well-defined grip areas, perforated leather, and integrated driving mode buttons. In front of the driver, there is also a 5.3-inch digital instrument cluster that meets the basics, I suppose with the intention of not distracting. Too sparse for my taste.

Everything is concentrated in the 15-inch touchscreen of the CUPRA Connect infotainment system. It has connectivity with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto wirelessly. The interface is colorful and responds quickly to navigation, audio, climate control, and other settings commands. Below the screen, there are touch buttons to adjust the climate control temperature and a backlit slider for the music volume.

The bucket seats standard in Endurance hug the body surprisingly well, providing lateral support and firm cushioning. The fabric design is sensational and the integration of the headrests is a nod to racing. They also have electric adjustments (with memories for the driver) and heating.

How about the back? For a coupe SUV, the rear seats of the Tavascan enjoy good legroom and reasonable width for three to travel occasionally. The sloping roof reduces the sense of height a bit but nothing too noticeable. The outer seats are heated, there are air vents with temperature control, a couple of USB connections, a foldable armrest, and pockets behind the front seats.

As for the trunk, the 540 liters declared are very generous and are great for family use. The loading mouth is wide and the double bottom allows for better space distribution. Additionally, the electric tailgate opens with a foot gesture, very useful when you come loaded with bags. Unlike other electric vehicles, the Tavascan does not have a front trunk.

Sporty DNA in electric format?

Under the body, the Endurance mounts a single rear synchronous permanent magnet motor that delivers 210 kW (286 hp) and 545 Nm of torque. The result is an acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.8 s and a strong push, a good dose of adrenaline despite there being no cylinders under the hood.

Is it just another electric that intimidates with figures but doesn't connect with the driver? Rest assured, in the dynamic aspect, CUPRA never fails. Despite its electric condition, it is fun. I was convinced by the feel of the steering and brakes. I know that many may not be convinced by CUPRA's choice to equip drum brakes in the rear, but I haven't missed more bite or resistance, at least in normal use.

The best part is the DCC Sport adaptive suspension that can fine-tune the stiffness in 15 levels. Thus, it alternates between firmness and comfort with precision depending on the driver's preferences. The differences between the extremes are enormous and can be useful for managing weight transfer in curves. Don't forget that on the scale, the Tavascan Endurance weighs no less than 2,178 kg.

The Martorell manufacturer offers a more performance-oriented variant, the Tavascan VZ with 250 kW (340 hp) and all-wheel drive. Why more? I don't think it adds much considering that the Tavascan Endurance is already satisfactory in every way and the price difference is significant.

Another advantage of the Endurance over the VZ is that the range is superior. Specifically, it achieves 552 km on a single charge, according to the WLTP homologation cycle. Electric consumption is sensitive to driving style, but going at a calm pace I achieved a real average consumption of 15.7 kWh/100 km.

I find this a very frugal result for a car of this size and it allows to exceed 500 km of real range. I insist that this is going smoothly in Eco mode. Choosing a more spirited driving program and/or a lot of highway will inevitably increase energy consumption.

The lithium-ion battery with NMC chemistry delivers 77 kWh net (82 kWh gross). The fast charging system at 135 kW allows you to go from 10% to 80% in just 28 minutes. It is appreciated to have paddles behind the steering wheel to adjust regeneration at various levels, in addition to allowing you to choose a B mode if we want to activate the highest retention.

How much does the Tavascan cost?

The CUPRA Tavascan Endurance is on sale from €44,010, not including any possible discounts that could apply under the Moves Plan. The cheaper Tavascan VZ starts at €53,080, as I said before, it seems to me a too big price jump.

Although some extra packages are expensive, the Endurance has a reasonable price when compared to its main competitors. Especially considering that in a world where cars are increasingly similar to each other, the Tavascan is an electric with character that sets aside gasoline explosions to show a more rational and practical side.

For its size and weight it is not the most extreme CUPRA, but that doesn't mean it is boring. After all, sportiness is the combination of performance and sensations that a car provides, and the Tavascan excels in both. Strong accelerations, precise steering, firm support in curves, stability at high speeds... it maintains the feeling of CUPRA in a more measured way. The energy source changes, but not the driving philosophy.