Cupra Ateca review

There are three trims available in the Ateca line-up: VZ1, VZ2 and VZ3. They all get the same 296bhp, 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine, four-wheel drive and an eight-speed DSG auto transmission. The price starts at £42,725 for the VZ1, £45,680 for the middle trim and £48,530 for the range-topping VZ3 model. 

What are the trims like? 

The VZ1 is the entry trim, but don’t let that fool you into thinking you’re getting some sort of poverty-spec model. The car comes with 19in alloys, twin exhaust pipes, digital instrument panel and sports seats up front, as well as a rear view parking camera. You also get ambient interior lighting, cruise control, auto lights and wipers, wireless phone charging, dual zone climate and keyless entry. Phew.

The VZ2 swaps the 19in alloys for different 19in alloys (sportier ones, presumably), heated front seats (these bucket seats come in black leather rather than Alcantara), adaptive cruise control and electric tailgate, while the VZ3 nabs you 19in alloys (but in fetching copper), a sportier steering wheel and performance brakes.

Tell me some numbers. Practical ones.

The three trim levels are in insurance groups 30, 31 and 32 respectively, so there’s not going to be too much difference in premiums. Each version is rated at 29.7mpg WLTP and 202g/km CO2 emissions, placing them in the 37 per cent BIK company-car tax bracket and a hefty first year VED rate of £1,565 because of the double whammy of sizeable emissions and a list price over £40k.

White is the only free colour, it’ll cost you £600 for metallic white (or grey), or £895 for ‘premium metallic’ in black, or what Cupra calls ‘dark camouflage’. Let’s say green-ish.

Which one should I go for? 

Equipment levels are the only differences in the Ateca range – we would probably keep it simple, save the cash and go for the VZ1 because it already comes fairly fully loaded.