For those that don’t already know, Cupra is the high-performance arm of Spanish car manufacturer SEAT. In 2018, Cupra was spun off to become its own sub-brand, with all future models from the marque wearing Cupra’s arrow-shaped emblem.

The company’s first standalone model was the Formentor, a car that put the Cupra brand firmly on the map. It has been on sale for quite a number of years but was facelifted in 2024. As I had yet to drive it since then, I have just spent a week behind the wheel of the plug-in hybrid version, the eHybrid. And I must say I have thoroughly enjoyed myself.

There are two variants of the eHybrid model, the only difference being the power output. The top model boasts a heady 272bhp, whereas my test car had to make do with just 204bhp. The on-paper figures don’t show a lot of difference in performance, and I never felt short-changed. The car feels quicker than the 0-62mph time of 7.9 seconds would suggest, and the dual-clutch gearbox shifts smoothly.

Cupra quotes up to 77 miles of electric-only running and driving in hybrid mode; you find the car always defaults to electric-only running wherever possible. The only indication the engine has fired up is the rev counter bursting into life. And when you have depleted the battery as I did on a short trip away with no time to charge, the trip computer still recorded mid-40s mpg from the engine running solo.

Should you wish to make the most of the battery, which you will, the Formentor has DC rapid charge functionality. This should top up the battery from 10 to 80% in under half an hour. Most owners will doubtless charge at home, a full top-up taking a couple of hours or so. A BIK rate of 7% will doubtless appeal to the company car user as will the low emissions of just 35g/km CO2.

Step inside the Formentor and you will find wonderfully supportive and sculptured sports seats up front. They held me securely in place when pressing on, and a couple of long drives found me ache-free at the journey's end. Space in the rear is fine, with room for two adults, three at a push, and the boot is a good size at 345 litres, losing a bit of space over the regular model due to the siting of the battery.

The infotainment system has received a much-needed makeover and now boasts a larger 12.9-inch screen. The menus are easier to understand, and it is now one of the more intuitive systems fitted to a car. It’s also relatively simple to turn off some of the annoying ADAS systems, which is always appreciated. Physical climate control buttons are noticeable by their absence, which is a shame. Cabin temperature changing is still a fiddly affair.

My test car had the optional Sennheiser sound system, a £605 option, and I can’t fault the clarity. It’s easy to pair your phone either with a cable or wirelessly, and I enjoyed some of my favourite tunes through the ten-speaker setup.

So, what is the Cupra Formentor like to drive? I subjected it to most of my favourite local test routes, and on a late-night drive cross-country from Scotch Corner into the Dales, it most definitely came alive. Empty, yet familiar roads, sport mode engaged, steering wheel paddles working overtime shifting briskly up and down the gearbox, I was in my element.

The ride is firm, but never uncomfortable; the setup is paying dividends when you are pressing on. The car corners are relatively flat, and the steering is both precise and accurate, with plenty of feel. It’s genuinely good fun to hoon around in, much more so than I would have imagined. It is a car you would take out for an evening blast, the car having completed far more mundane tasks during the day.

In conclusion, the Formentor eHybrid is a compact family SUV that offers genuine driving pleasure alongside plug-in hybrid efficiency.

Its distinctive styling is another big plus, daring to be different from the norm. It is a car I can recommend without hesitation.

Fast Facts
Cupra Formentor V2 eHybrid
Price £45,190 (£47,010 as tested)
Graphene Grey
204PS & 250Nm
0-62mph in 7.9 seconds
Top speed 130mph
Electric only range up to 77 miles
Emissions 35g/km CO2
BIK 7%
Insurance group 26E