Cupra Terramar Review – The Family SUV for People Who Still Enjoy Driving
The new Cupra Terramar sits in a strange position.
On paper, it’s another mid-size SUV entering one of the busiest markets in the UK. In reality, it feels like Cupra trying to prove family cars don’t have to be boring.
And after spending some proper time looking over the Terramar, I think they’ve done a pretty decent job of it.
First Impressions – It Actually Has Some Personality
Most SUVs today seem designed by committee. Safe shapes. Safe interiors. Safe driving dynamics.
The Terramar doesn’t really play that game.
It’s still recognisably part of the Volkswagen Group underneath, sharing plenty with cars like the Tiguan and Audi Q3, but Cupra has managed to give it far more attitude than its relatives.
The front end is sharp and aggressive, the lighting signature looks properly modern and the copper accents somehow avoid looking tacky. It stands out without crossing into “trying too hard” territory.
It’s probably one of the better-looking SUVs in this segment right now.
What’s It Like to Drive?
This is where the Terramar starts making sense.
The version most people are likely to go with is the 1.5 eTSI mild hybrid, and while nobody’s calling it a performance SUV, it’s got enough punch for everyday driving. Nippy not quick sums it up. The DSG gearbox is smooth most of the time, motorway cruising is quiet and refined, and there’s enough mid-range shove to make overtakes stress-free.
Most importantly, it doesn’t drive like a sofa. Far from it in fact!
Cupra has clearly worked hard on the chassis because the Terramar feels more composed than many rivals. There’s less body roll than you’d expect and the steering has enough weight to stop it feeling disconnected.
The ride is definitely on the firmer side, particularly in sportier settings, but personally I’d take that over the floaty handling you get from some SUVs. Leave it in Comfort mode and it settles down nicely for daily driving anyway.
It feels like a car designed by people who still enjoy driving rather than simply transporting themselves from A to B.
Interior – Stylish but Not Perfect
Inside, the Terramar continues the sporty theme.
The seats are excellent, supportive, comfortable and genuinely good on longer journeys. Material quality is good and solid throughout. The cabin feels more premium than some rivals in the same price bracket.
The only thing that still frustrates me is the obsession with touchscreen controls. Like many modern VW Group products, basic climate settings are buried in menus and the haptic sliders still aren’t as intuitive as proper buttons.
That said, the overall cabin design feels modern and driver-focused, and there’s enough storage space and practicality for real family use.
Rear seat space is decent, the boot is generous and it easily handles the usual mix of shopping bags, luggage, dogs, pushchairs or weekend gear. I have a young family and this car would suit that family mission perfectly.
Real World Practicality
This is probably where the Terramar surprises most.
It looks sporty, but it still works as a genuine family SUV. The boot opening is wide, rear seats fold practically and there’s enough room for camping gear, dogs or long motorway trips without playing luggage Tetris every time you pack the car.
It’s also easy to drive around town despite its size. Visibility is mostly good, parking cameras help massively and the adaptive cruise control makes motorway driving effortless.
Is It Perfect?
No.
Some owners have already reported the odd software glitch and overly sensitive driver assistance systems, which unfortunately feels quite common with modern tech-heavy cars.
And if you go for the more powerful front-wheel-drive hybrid models, there can be a bit too much torque going through the front wheels when pushed hard.
But for most drivers using this as a daily family car, those things probably won’t be dealbreakers.
Leasing the Cupra Terramar
If you’re looking at leasing a Terramar, it’s worth checking out First Flexi Lease in Exeter who kindly supplied this model for test drive.
They’re offering some very competitive deals on the model and the process is refreshingly straightforward from start to finish. Give them a call if you’re interested in taking a lease on a Terramar or indeed many other cars and vans they offer.
Final Verdict
The Cupra Terramar feels like one of the most complete cars Cupra has built so far.
It’s practical enough for everyday family life, efficient enough to keep running costs sensible and still engaging enough to remind you driving can actually be enjoyable.
In a market flooded with forgettable SUVs, that alone makes it worth a look.
— That Honest Car Guy
