mReview: CUPRA Formentor 190 - Less Power, More Fun?

• CUPRA, SEAT’s performance sub-brand, makes some truly fantastic driving cars. Razor sharp handling paired oodles of torque to boot, they perfectly marry driving prowess with daily practicality.
• Down On Power, But Not On Fun
• Less Power And Greater Sense Of Occasion?
• In-Car Experience
• Can You Drive It Hard?
• The Interior Experience
• Is This The CUPRA For You?

CUPRA, SEAT’s performance sub-brand, makes some truly fantastic driving cars. Razor sharp handling paired oodles of torque to boot, they perfectly marry driving prowess with daily practicality.

Though we are really doing the brand a disservice by summing up the CUPRA experience in this way. There’s more to these cars than just space and power – with no legacy to worry about, CUPRA could tailor an interior experience that nicely scratches that design-itch, blending just the right amount of ‘coolness’ and ‘atas-ness’.

If the CUPRA experience is a nuanced balance of all the above-mentioned elements, just what would happen if a spanner was thrown in the works? Would the resultant equation be thrown askew, and the car in question, therefore, be any less ‘CUPRA’?

Down On Power, But Not On Fun

It’s a tough question to answer. The Formentor 190 serves as the defacto ‘base’ model (it’s a misnomer really, as the car is practically equipped with most of the quirks and features as you’d find any other CUPRA variant), and presents the lowest barrier of entry into owning up a hotted-up SEAT.

Less Power And Greater Sense Of Occasion?

The car comes equipped with the glorious EA888 engine that we’ve spent a lot of time with. In all other guises, there’s a decent amount of low-end grunt, with little turbo lag, and a strong finish up top.

And in a really strange way, the drop in horsepower actually helps enhance the user experience of the car.

In-Car Experience

Unlike in other pacier VAG cars, the state of tune means the car does have some turbo lag. You’ll need to build a decent amount of revs to actually spool the turbocharger up enough to create usable boost, which actually adds to the visceral enjoyment of this car.

Where the drop in power really pays dividends though, is when it comes time to fill up. Throughout the time we have with the car, we spent a lot of time either pushing the car decently hard, or being stuck in bad traffic jams across our expressway network. Even so, the car returned a respectable 11km/l!

Can You Drive It Hard?

It has the same basic chassis as a lot of the hotted up VAG hatchbacks, so the same characteristics have been preserved. All the cornering capabilities of the car have been preserved, though you do find yourself driving this differently to the other MQB-Evo CUPRAs.

But there’s something that is more enjoyable about its less frenzied pace though. When coupled with the 190’s smaller rims, the ride, as a result of the taller side walls, means the car is more compliant over bumps, and is easier to live with generally.

The Interior Experience

Quality is still top-notch, despite it being the lowest priced avenue into CUPRA ownership. The cabin has an overall interior design that is virtually identical to other cars in their catalogue. You also get very similar materials and switchgear too.

As a compact crossover, space is good too. You’d really struggle to find a seating position that would induce discomfort even on longer drives. The car also comes equipped with the same semi-buckets that you’d find on the CUPRA cars with 300+bhp, though it does feel a tad overkill considering the 190’s power output.

Still, it is a nice touch, despite being a little lower down on the overall VAG food chain.

Is This The CUPRA For You?

If you’ve always been a fan of the CUPRA aesthetic, but is a staunch believer in buying the right-powered cars for our local use, the Formentor 190 is a very compelling buy. It has all the hallmarks of what made CUPRA models good in the first place, but at a more palatable price tag and with generally lower running costs.

Specs

Performance:

Measurements:

Features:

Photo Credit: ACube Creative (@weareacube)

Download the Motorist App now. Designed by drivers for drivers, this all-in-one app lets you receive the latest traffic updates, gives you access to live traffic cameras, and helps you manage LTA and vehicle matters.

Did you know we have a Motorist Telegram Channel? Created exclusively for drivers and car owners in Singapore, you can get instant info about our latest promotions, articles, tips & hacks, or simply chat with the Motorist Team and fellow drivers.

Keyword: mReview: CUPRA Formentor 190 - Less Power, More Fun?