Review: CUPRA Formentor

Ollie Barstow
Ollie BarstowAutomotive Correspondent
CUPRA Formentor
CUPRA Formentor

CUPRA Formentor Review: The Vertu VERDICT

“The CUPRA Formentor punches above its weight on many levels, making it a hugely desirable SUV, particularly for those who don't want to lose the style and zest of a sports hatchback or saloon. The Formentor looks great and there is great breadth in the range, whether you're after a decent value plug-in hybrid, or you're sold on the unexpectedly hot VZ5 flagship. In such a crowded marketplace, the Formentor is something of a welcome tonic."

Video Review of the CUPRA Formentor

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CUPRA Formentor: The Key Features

  • The Jaecoo 7 has quickly established itself as a firm favourite since its arrival on these shores and is already among the UK's best-selling cars
  • Prices start at under £30,000* which sees it undercut most of its family SUV rivals
  • Available with the choice of a turbocharged petrol, self-charging hybrid or plug-in hybrid powertrains
  • Rugged, distinctive styling has drawn faithful comparisons with Range Rover
  • Standard kit includes 7 drive modes, head-up display, 540-degree cameras and an enormous 14.8 central touchscreen
  • Jaecoo 7 comes with a standard 7-year/100,000-mile manufacturer warranty
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Who is the CUPRA Formentor Best Suited To?

  • Value-conscious families wanting a multi-functional SUV that can act as a practical family car or a refined commuter when desired
  • Company car drivers eyeing lower tax rates by buying a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) Jaecoo 7
  • Couples seeking a premium feeling daily driver for longer commutes or short urban trips

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CUPRA Formentor Trim Levels & Equipment

CUPRA Formentor Trims

Powertrain Options

Standard Equipment

CUPRA Formentor V1

  • 1.5-litre TSI Petrol
  • 1.5-litre eHybrid PHEV with 25.8kWh Battery

19-inch alloy wheels, automatic wipers, LED headlights, 13.2-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth, Android Auto/Apple CarPlay, 6-speaker audio system, USB-C ports, dual/front/side airbags, air-conditioning, sound insulating glass, keyless entry and start, ADAS safety suite, privacy glass

CUPRA Formentor V2

  • 1.5-litre TSI Petrol
  • 1.5-litre eHybrid PHEV with 25.8kWh Battery

Panoramic sunroof, roof rails, tinted rear windows, silent glass, ambient lighting, synthetic leather seats, heated front seats, power seats, integrated satellite navigation, wireless phone charging, front and rear parking sensors, 540-degree panoramic camera view, adaptive cruise control, remote opening windows

(in addition to Pure)

CUPRA Formentor Tribe

  • 1.5-litre TSI MHEV Petrol
  • 1.5-litre eHybrid PHEV with 25.8kWh Battery

Power passenger seat, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, head-up display, 14.8-inch touchscreen display, 8-speaker sound system, air purification, heated steering wheel, ventilated front seats

(in addition to Deluxe)

CUPRA Formentor VZ2

  • 2.0-litre TSI 265PS MHEV Petrol
  • 2.0-litre TSI 333PS MHEV AWD Petrol
  • 1.5-litre eHybrid PHEV with 25.8kWh Battery

CUPRA Formentor VZ3

  • 2.0-litre TSI 265PS MHEV Petrol
  • 2.0-litre TSI 333PS MHEV AWD Petrol
  • 1.5-litre eHybrid PHEV with 25.8kWh Battery

CUPRA Formentor VZ5

  • 2.5-litre TSI MHEV AWD Petrol

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CUPRA Formentor Technical Specifications

[Scroll left on table for full specifications]

CUPRA Formentor Technical Specifications

1.5-litre TSI MHEV

2.0-litre TSI 265 MHEV

2.0-litre TSI 333 MHEV

2.5-litre TSI MHEV

1.5-litre eHybrid PHEV (25.8kWh)

Type

Sports SUV

Sports SUV

Sports SUV

Sports SUV

Sports SUV

Seats

5 Seats

5 Seats

5 Seats

5 Seats

5 Seats

Trims

V1, V2, Tribe

VZ2, VZ3

VZ2, VZ3

VZ5

V1, V2, Tribe, VZ2, VZ3

Powertrain

Turbocharged Mild-Hybrid Petrol

Turbocharged Mild-Hybrid Petrol

Turbocharged Mild-Hybrid Petrol (AWD)

Turbocharged Mild-Hybrid Petrol (AWD)

PHEV (Plug-In Hybrid)

Power

148bhp

261bhp

328bhp

385bhp

268bhp

0-62mph

9.0secs

6.5secs

4.8secs

4.2secs

7.2secs

Fuel Economy

44.8mpg

36.2mpg

32.1mpg

28.0mpg

176.6mpg

EV Range (WLTP)

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

77-miles

CO2 Emissions

142g/km

177g/km

198g/km

230g/km

35g/km

Boot Space (5 Seats)

450-litres

450-litres

420-litres

420-litres

345-litres

Insurance Group

21E - 22E

30E - 31E

34E - 35E

N/A

26E - 30E

EuroNCAP Safety Rating

5-Stars

5-Stars

5-Stars

5-Stars

5-Stars

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What We Like About the CUPRA Formentor

  • Range Rover styling comparisons give Jaecoo 7 an air of desirability
  • Having a choice between petrol, self-charging hybrid and plug-in hybrid to suit your needs
  • Tremendously good value with premium specification options across all trims
  • Spacious interior to suit young families, including a 580-litre boot on petrol versions
  • One of the UK market's most generous warranties at 7-years/100,000-miles
  • Quality interior features high-end materials and very comfortable with lots of seat adjustment
  • Efficient engines, especially in FHEV and PHEV guise
  • Keep a keen eye out for great value used Jaecoo 7 models entering the market

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Sporty SUVs To Also Consider...

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Audi Q3 Sportback

A recent update has brought the Audi Q3 SUV and its more rakish Q3 Sportback sibling into line with the rest of the Ingolstadt marque's range. Understated - yet attractive - styling on the outside gives way to a classy, well thought-out interior brimming with handy tech, while the driving experience remains as dynamic as you'd expect from Audi.

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BMW X2

The BMW X2 takes all the qualities associated with the Munich marque - involving dynamics, top notch quality and a sublime interior experience - and remixes it into a compact coupe-style SUV that cuts a dash wherever it goes.

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Range Rover Evoque

It's not the newest premium SUV out there but it is testament to the timeless quality of the Range Rover Evoque's design that it still turns heads even after all this time. Successfully distilling all of Range Rover's nous for premium quality into a comparatively compact package, the Evoque remains a status symbol to aspire to.

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* Details correct at the time of publication (September 2026)

Review Published: September 2026

Updated: September 2026