Cupra Terramar Review. CUPRA Terramar V2 1.5 eTSi DSG-auto AFV 150 7-speed automatic

The Cupra Terramar compact SUV is a sporty, luxurious vehicle that looks fantastic and is terrific to drive. Jeremy Webb was fortunate to drive one around the delightful Dorset countryside, but sadly for him, he had to hand it back. Drive one and you will face the dilemma of returning the keys.

I have told you before of my love of Cupra vehicles, and after a week of reviewing the Terramar, this obsession has been solidified. The Cupra Terramar is a small SUV, or as most Writers call it, Compact, which matches its category. It is sporty and allows the owner plenty of utility in an adaptable vehicle that is luxurious inside and easy to drive.

We drove the 1.5 eTSi, which produces 148bhp and has a smooth power delivery. You can choose between three driving modes: Comfort, Race, and Cupra. All three alter the suspension to suit your driving style and handle all but the harshest surfaces.

The Cupra Terramar range all use the twin-clutch automatic gearbox, with the petrol models featuring a seven-speed transmission and the e-Hybrid with a six-speed unit. Shifting is concise; if you like to drive manuals, like me, you can use the steering wheel paddles.

Generally, the all-round vision is good, the driving position is decent, and the Cupra Terramar has plenty of driving aids. The car is easy to manoeuvre in town and tackles the twisties well when you leave the urban environment. On longer journeys, all occupants will love the ride comfort, the luxurious seating, and the interior, with plenty on offer from the infotainment system.

You will be interested in the fuel economy, especially when on longer trips. The 1.5 eTSI mild-hybrid in V1 guise claims fuel economy of 46.3mpg, with the V2 trim claiming 46mpg. However hard we pushed the Cupra Terramar along, the fuel gauge barely moved, which is always a lovely sight.

The cabin has a driver-focused layout, plenty of copper detailing, and sporty features. The whole interior looks fantastic. The driver gets a digital dashboard with four display modes providing all the essential information. The infotainment touchscreen is 12.9 inches for the driver and occupants, with most physical buttons available to the driver on the steering wheel. On one spoke of the steering wheel, you find the Start/Stop button, and the drive control column is to the upper right of the wheel.

The interior LED lighting hugs the windscreen's base and is also on the doors. You can select a range of colours and luminosity. Lighting in all four door trims adds to the luxury feel. The Terramar has four USB-C sockets: two up front and two in the rear, and you get a wireless charging pad.

The Cupra Terramar has sporty front seats with wide wings, which feel like they embrace you, keeping you secure and comfortable. There’s a good range of adjustment to get comfortable at the wheel, while the view out is fine, although the rear headrests slightly hem in the view through the rear window.

There is a good amount of storage in the front, with two large cup-holders and a wireless charging tray just beneath the central air vents. The central armrest bin is deep for plenty of bits and pieces, and you get storage in the doors, which goes back a long way.

There is plenty of space in the rear for three people to sit without bumping into each other, and they can stretch their legs under the seats in front. The rear doors have space for bottles but lack the size of the front ones. Also in the rear are two sets of Isofix mounts, and you get a third on the front passenger seat.

The Cupra Terramar's boot is 540 litres, but it can be increased to 630 litres by pushing the rear bench forward.

The Cupra Terramar heavily features safety and driver aids, including active cruise control, travel assistance, and blind spot monitoring. It also has Lane-keeping Assist, Speed-sign recognition, traction and stability control, and seven airbags throughout the interior.

Isaac, our Staff Writer, said this about the Cupra Terramar.

The 2025 Cupra Terramar is an SUV with a luxury exterior. Rivalling the Porsche Cayennes’ exterior for half the price. Now you might not get the 0-60 time of some of its rivals with the 1.5 TSI delivering 148 hp and a 0-60 time of 9 seconds, but it gives you a car that feels faster than its specs. One of the factors in this is that the Cupra front wheel drive system does a great job of not delivering more power to one wheel than another. You can put your foot down and not fight the steering wheel as it maintains a straight line, not pulling you to one side.

The car also has built-in exhaust noise, a feature I didn’t think I’d enjoy as much as I did. However, it sounds fabulous and gives the feeling of being in a faster car. Yes, the exhaust from the outside is pretty measly, but I'm having a great time inside. The last key feature of the car’s impressive performance is the stiffness of the steering wheel.

The Cupra Terramar was one of the best vehicles I’ve driven regarding feedback, meaning you can push corners and feel in control at all times.

The Cupra Terramar is a glorious car to drive, be in, and look at. It is a sporty five-seat family SUV that offers both practicality and performance. It is comfortable, handles well, and provides a good balance for the driver and occupants.

RRP

£37,605 – £50,105

Cupra has a five-year, 90,000-mile warranty that is attractive to potential buyers. The Cupra Terramar services are annual or every 10,000 miles, whichever comes first.