REVIEW: Sexy + Performance + Practical = Cupra Tavascan

Cupra is back!

After exiting Singapore in 2023 under its previous distributor, Vertex Automobile, Cupra has made its grand return, now under the banner of Volkswagen Group Singapore, with a highly anticipated relaunch in March 2025.

Now, for those of us who fancy something a bit different — not German, British, Chinese, Korean, Japanese or even Italian — but the rarest beast at any multi-storey carpark, Cupra is back to offer you a chance to own these Bacenola-designed beauties, bringing the finest Spanish flair and performance to our shores. So, if you’re tired of blending in and fancy standing out, Cupra’s got just the ticket.

Cupra Born and Cupra Tavascan: The New All-Electric Lineup in Singapore

Step one of the relaunch — Cupra has introduced two electrifying new electric vehicles (EVs) in Singapore:

First up is the Cupra Born, the smaller and more affordable of the two. A compact hatchback based on the Volkswagen ID.3, the Born is designed to deliver an electrifying driving experience. The base variant offers 231hp and 310Nm of torque, while the VZ variant cranks it up to 326hp and 545Nm of torque. This puts the Born squarely in hot hatch territory, but without the hot hatch price tag — though, admittedly, it does come with the hot hatch road tax.

On the other hand, if you need more space and have a bit more cash to spare, the Cupra Tavascan is your pick. It delivers the signature Cupra performance while also providing enough space for the family and all your cargo, making it the perfect choice for those who want performance without sacrificing practicality. The Tavascan produces the same torque figures as the Born, but with 282hp for the Endurance variant and 335hp for the VZ.

In short, the decision between the Born and Tavascan is pretty simple if you’re in the market for a Cupra EV. If your kids aren’t born yet, get the Born. If your kids are born (ironically), get the Tavascan.

Coming Soon

For fans of traditional internal combustion engine Cupras, there’s more to look forward to. In the coming weeks, three new models will be making their way to Singapore: the Leon Hatchback, the Formentor crossover, and the Teramar SUV.

Sexy + Performance + Practical = Cupra Tavascan

Yes, I know it’s been a while since the Cupra Tavascan was launched in March 2025, but I’ve finally had the chance to put the dual-motor VZ trim through its paces over the last couple of days.

In my opinion, the Tavascan is equal parts sexy, sporty and practical. As a car guy with kids (yes, they’re born), the Tavascan comes pretty close to being a perfect package — offering all the thrills I want without sacrificing the family-friendly practicality I need.

It’s also “affordable” — I know, I know, car prices in Singapore are never truly “affordable,” but starting at S$222,900 (as of July 2025), you’re getting a lot of car for your money. And don’t forget, this is probably the only Spanish-designed car you can find.

Now, let’s break down why I think this Tavascan hits all the right marks.

Sexy Exterior

To say that Cupra has put 100% of their effort into the styling would be an understatement. I think they’ve put in 200%. The brilliant minds at Cupra know that the Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV)-coupe EV space is extremely crowded, so they went all in on the styling — both inside and out — to ensure the Tavascan stands head and shoulders above its competitors. Every curve and line feels meticulous, intentional, and well thought out.

By saving time and effort basing the car on the Volkswagen ID.5 GTX platform, Cupra freed up their engineers and designers to focus on the important stuff — like perfecting the styling while sipping sangria.

Starting at the front, the Tavascan features a distinctive boomerang-shaped nose, with the word “Cupra” spelt out proudly displayed just below the bonnet inlet. Personally, that’s my favourite part of the front design. There’s nothing quite like this and it really stands out – but only if you are standing quite near to the car.

Triangles play a key role in Cupra’s design language, and you’ll see them in the triple-triangle headlights and the “scales” indents on the front bumper. Those subtle details really give the Tavascan a dynamic, high-performance feel.

The bronze accents — especially on the illuminated Cupra triangle logo and the lower diffuser — are signature touches that reinforce Cupra’s unique visual identity, making the Tavascan instantly recognisable.

The rear end of the Tavascan is sleek and modern, with a striking Cupra logo seamlessly integrated into the horizontal taillight. This design gives the Tavascan a sporty and futuristic look that stands out on the road.

The triangle motif is also repeated here, with multiple overlapping triangles incorporated into the taillight design. These angular details not only enhance the car’s dynamic aesthetic but also reinforce its high-performance, sharp-edged identity.

Many people I’ve shown the Tavascan to remarked that it looks like it just rolled off the Transformers movie set, with its bold, aggressive design has that futuristic, otherworldly vibe.

But when I show these same people the interior,  they’re convinced this car belongs in Star Trek. With its sleek, high-tech cockpit and ambient lighting, it feels like something Captain Kirk would command.

I particularly love central spine running down the console, which is adorned with triangle-shaped scales.

Bronze trim is also generously applied throughout the cabin, giving the interior a warm, premium feel. Whether it’s the dashboard, the centre console or the steering wheel, the bronze accents create an unmistakable sense of sophistication, subtly reminding you that this isn’t just any EV.

Then there’s the elaborate aircon vent design, which spans the entire width of the dashboard. It’s a bold, modern touch that complements the sleek lines of the car, blending both form and function beautifully.

Moving to the doors, you’ll notice the triangle “star field” design etched into the panels. Yet another element that gave me the “spacey’ vibes.

Just like in Star Trek, where faster-than-light travel is possible, Cupra designers are true masters of light manipulation. While most manufacturers settle for basic light strips to create ambient lighting, Cupra takes it to the next level.

They’ve redefined the way light interacts with the car’s interior, using shapes, shadows, and sculpting to create a dynamic, immersive atmosphere that transforms the cabin, especially at night. It’s not just about lighting — it’s an experience, one that feels futuristic and tailored to every drive.

Honestly, I found myself coming up with errands (or excuses) just to spend more time in the car after dark — there’s something about the atmosphere in that cabin that makes you want to linger and enjoy it as long as possible.

When I’m in the Tavascan at night, it feels like I’m commandeering a high-tech spaceship. The lighting, the sleek design, everything comes together to create that feeling. And of course, the insane acceleration of the VZ only adds to that sensation — it’s like you’re blasting through space, effortlessly cutting through the night. It’s an experience that feels almost otherworldly.

Performance Powerhouse

Speaking about performance, the Tavascan is available in Endurance trim and the VZ trim which offers slightly different performance figures:

Endurance Trim (Single Motor)

• Power: 210 kW (282 bhp)

• Torque: 545 Nm

• Acceleration: 6.8 seconds (0-100 km/h)

• Top Speed: 180 km/h

VZ Trim (Dual Motor)

• Power: 250 kW (335 bhp)

• Torque: 545 Nm

• Acceleration: 5.6 seconds (0-100 km/h)

• Top Speed: 180 km/h

The VZ variant’s additional 40 kW (53 bhp) gives it a noticeable boost in acceleration, cutting the 0-100 km/h time down to 5.6 seconds, compared to the Endurance trim’s 6.8 seconds. Both variants share the same 545 Nm of torque, making them punchy off the line, but the VZ feels more urgent and eager to deliver that power.

Despite its 2,178 kg weight, the VZ handles like a much lighter car, thanks to the immediate steering that makes it incredibly easy to place on the road.

While not the most comfortable, the sporty and firm suspension minimises body roll, ensuring that the Tavascan remains composed even when pushed hard through corners.

Curious how Tavascan feels and sounds like to drive? Check out our Driving POV video.

Practicality

Don’t mistake the Tavascan for an impractical sports car, though. Despite its sporty performance and sharp styling, the Tavascan is very much designed with family-friendly features and creature comfort in mind.

For starters, child seat safety is a priority. The Tavascan comes equipped with ISOFIX attachments for child seats on three different seats, including the front passenger seat — a rare but invaluable feature for families that need to transport little ones in a secure, convenient way.

The boot space is another major win, offering a generous 540 litres, making it more than capable of handling luggage, groceries, or weekend gear.

Inside, rear passengers are treated to ample legroom and surprisingly plenty of headroom as well — especially impressive given the Tavascan’s SUV-coupe design with its sloping roofline. This combination of space and comfort is a rarity in vehicles with a similar aesthetic, making the Tavascan feel unexpectedly roomy in the back.

Creature comfort is abundant in the cabin, too. You’ll find a wireless Qi charger for your devices, and plenty of USB-C charging ports scattered around for everyone to stay powered up. The 15-inch infotainment screen takes centre stage, supporting both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for seamless connectivity. But the real treat is the Sennheiser 15-speaker sound system. It delivers deep bass and fantastic clarity on vocals adding to the sensory experience of the cabin.

Want to see the cabin for yourself? Here’s a 360-degree view. Pinch, zoom and pan to your heart’s content.

Some Snags

No car is perfect, and while the Cupra Tavascan is an impressive package, there are a few areas where Cupra could make improvements to elevate the experience even further.

1. Drum Brakes?

In my opinion, it can be tough for car enthusiasts to accept a performance car that comes fitted with drum brakes. And the Tavascan is fitted with just that on the rear.

The drum brakes might be acceptable for the Volkswagen ID.5 GTX that the Tavascan is based on, but it is, to me, a big no-no on the Tavascan.

Now, it’s important to note that the Tavascan still has more than enough stopping power — there’s no concern about its ability to bring the car to a halt.

2. Battery Range

Now, battery range can depend on many factors, and it is in fact challenging to achieve WLTP-rated ranges in real world driving in Singapore.

However, the Tavascan saps power a little too eagerly. With an infrequent use of Cupra mode (the mode with the strongest acceleration), and driving smoothly and comfortably most of time, I managed to get around 200 km with about 50% of the battery capacity remaining.

This translates to around 400km of total range, which quite some distance from the WLTP-rated range of 521km.

3. Issues with Bubble Tea

I’m a bubble tea addict, and my unofficial test whenever I pick up a car is: can the cupholders fit two bubble teas comfortably?

Well, the Tavascan is the first car that actually gave me some difficulty in this regard. The two cupholders overlap slightly, causing the cups to rub against each other. This makes it tricky to remove one cup without accidentally lifting the other. And if your bubble tea cup is a bit on the fatter side, it might not even fit properly.

On second thought, this isn’t a snag. It is a feature. The Tavascan will encourage to drink less of these unhealthy sugary delights.

4. Thumb Problems

While I appreciate all the quick access buttons on the steering wheel, I found that the leftmost and rightmost buttons are positioned too close to where the fleshy part of our thumbs naturally rest when gripping the wheel.

As a result, I constantly found myself triggering the volume controls on the left and the HUD buttons on the right — all by accident. My passenger was even asking me why the Tavascan kept beeping all the time.

It was actually a driver issue – the fleshy part of my thumb kept activating those buttons. And no, it isn’t because my hand is too meaty. Even with smallish hands, our videographer (pictured below) also faces the same issue.

Closing

In conclusion, the Cupra Tavascan is the perfect car if your kids are born and you’re still craving a fast car with great driving dynamics. It’s the ideal blend of performance and practicality — you get exhilarating speed, sharp handling, and enough space to comfortably fit your little ones with child seats securely in place. Plus, there’s ample room in the back for diapers, strollers, and all the other bits and bobs that come with family life.

And the best part? You still look cool while doing it. It’s the fast, stylish, and spacious ride that makes every journey a little more exciting, whether you’re heading to a school run or a weekend hangout with friends.

What’s to like Head-turning good looks Powerful drivetrain Sporty handling Beautiful interior (especially at night) Value for money

What’s holding it back Drum brakes Limited range despite large battery Small and overlapping cup holder design poses challenges for bubble tea cups Steering wheel buttons set too far to the left and right

Key Figures

Battery Capacity	77 kWh for Endurance, 77 kWh for VZ
Range (WLTP)	568 km for Endurance, 521 km for VZ
Torque	545 Nm for Endurance & VZ
Power	Endurance: 210 kW (282bhp), 0-100km/h in 6.8s VZ: 250 kW (335bhp), 0-100km/h in 5.6s
Boot Space	540 L
Price (with COE)	Endurance: S$ 222,900 (July 2025) VZ: S$ 242,900 (July 2025)

Curious to experience the Cupra Tavascan for yourself? Book your test-drive with Cupra Centre Singapore today.