Driving a Spanish newcomer today – The Cupra Tavascan, the maker’s second electric model behind its small Born hatchback. Cupra, part of the Volkswagen Group, and having a better year in Australia with sales up 40 percent on the same time last year. The Tavascan a sporty striking five-seat coupe style SUV is built in China as part of a joint venture between the Volkswagen Group and local car maker JAC. However, it retains its Spanish roots, a rather distinctive medium-sized SUV with impressive styling and a unique dash layout.

The Tavascan comes in two models, the rear drive 210kW Endurance and the sportier 250kW all-wheel drive VZ. I drove the VZ which features dual electric motors with a combined output of 250km, a 77kWhour battery and a quoted driving range of 499kms. Visually impressive it sits on large 21-inch alloy wheels with copper accents - the copper accents extend to various parts of the trim and interior which has become a hallmark feature of the Spanish brand. The VZ model gains a full electronic adaptive suspension, six drive modes, a full suite of active safety elements and an interior design that is inspiring and at the same time very practical.

Nice coupe accentuated styling with Cupra’s signature copper highlights.

At $79,990 drive-away this is a performance skewed SUV well equipped with Matrix LED headlights, a fixed glass sunroof, power heated front seats, leather trim, and a 12-speaker Sennheiser sound system. The interior is a highlight with a central V-design central spine that extends rearwards – rather practical and different it is highlighted with Cupra’s signature copper inlays. Underneath this central flyover there is excellent storage and wireless phone charging - the overall layout with large central touchscreen together with a small instrument binnacle in front of the driver works well apart from the lack of knobs for air conditioning and radio – a frustration like so many EVs and the ability to only use the touchscreen safely when stationary.

While Cupra always highlight wheels, body and trim with copper highlights that is very distinctive I
find the makers colour palette rather sombre and lacking vibrance and only one or two colours appeal . As a driver not so, this all-wheel drive VZ is a spritely performer with a 0 to 100km/h time of 5.5 seconds and with a ride/handling package that makes it a very nimble and confidence inspiring, aided by an adaptive suspension and all-wheel drive and with steering weight and feel nicely balanced with the cars selected drive modes.

A somewhat different interior design with centre spine with great storage under although the touch screen needs dials for air-con and radio to make for safer selection.
Brake feel however is another story - with too much pedal push back and inconsistency in feel and response. I know of no other car at this price point that retains rear drums, and the brakes are simply not confidence inspiring under heavy use. It’s a pity as the Cupra Tavascan VZ SUV is one that invites spirited driving and it performs superbly in all other areas and has a real point of difference in a highly competitive mid-size SUV segment.

Warranty: five-years/unlimited km with battery warranty, eight years/160,000kms.

Service intervals: 24 months or 30,000km. whichever comes first. $1310 for the first six years.