Coming soon: New Cupra Tavascan is sporty Tesla Model Y rival

Key details of the Cupra Tavascan

• Sporty SUV is a rival to the Tesla Model Y, Polestar 4, Genesis GV60
• Official range of up to 341 miles with 135kW charging capability
• Goes on sale in 2024 with a price of around £50,000

What is the Cupra Tavascan?

A long time coming, that’s what. The Cupra Tavascan might look as fresh as a daisy but it’s actually been nearly four years since the Spanish brand unveiled it as a concept. But this is - finally - the full production car, due on sale in 2024.

Like the popular Volkswagen ID.3-based Cupra Born, the Cupra Tavascan is twinned with the ID.5. But visual differences are quite clear, with the Cupra offering a more aggressive and sculptured design on the outside and a distinctly different interior, too. 

The Tavascan is a high-riding SUV in concept but has a sporty, coupe-like design, which means it’s long, low and wide. At 4.64m long, 1.88m wide and just under 1.6m tall it’s slightly shorter and taller than the Kia EV6, and very similar in width.

The Tavascan is a rival to the best-selling Tesla Model Y, along with the Ford Mustang Mach-E, Genesis GV60, Audi Q4 e-tron, Nissan Ariya and upcoming Polestar 4 - to name but a few. 

Why should I get excited by the Cupra Tavascan?

Well, this isn’t just a Volkswagen ID.5 in dramatic-looking bodywork. It offers new technology (like a huge new touchscreen and remote-controlled parking) and a more powerful motor option than the VW (more on that shortly).

It looks super-cool too, with a bold full-width LED rear light strip (that even illuminates the badge), wraparound windscreen and bold front-end (designed to mimic a racing driver’s vizor, by the way). You’ll see this next-generation design on all new Cupra models from here on out.  

One of those is the Cupra UrbanRebel, a small EV expected to be based on the 2025 Volkswagen ID.2All. At the other end of the spectrum, enthusiasts will be excited by the prospect of the Cupra Dark Rebel. It might sound like a Marvel superhero but it’s a concept electric sports car that Cupra is busy putting the finishing touches to. 

Sounds exciting. But what’s the interior of the Cupra Tavascan like? 

The Tavascan’s cabin features a similar mix of materials and copper accents as the Born, but with the choice of recycled texture or microfibre upholstery and ‘flecked’ ambient lighting spread across the door panel. 

The dash shape is all-new: a dramatic central ‘spine’ divides the driver and passenger and actually serves as a structural piece of the interior itself, with the option of trimming it in Deep Plum or Dark Ice Metal colours that match the door panels. Groovy.

Above this new dash is the focal point of the cabin: a 15-inch central touchscreen. That’s bigger than any current VW Group touchscreen and borrowed from Volkswagen’s recently revealed ID.7. It’s not just bigger: new software aims to improve ease-of-use and there’s now illuminated touch sliders below the screen for the climate and volume control (something that was missing from the Born).

More familiar is the 5.3-inch digital dial display carried over from the Born, along with the option of ‘augmented reality’ head-up display that projects info onto the windscreen, and uses arrows positioned in front of you to point you down the correct turning. There’s also a twelve speaker Sennheiser sound system to complement your favourite tunes.

Highlights in the vast array of safety kit offered include an Assisted Parking feature, which lets you park the Tavascan from outside the car using your smartphone. Oh, and for the practical-minded, the Tavascan has a large 540-litre boot along with three seats across the back – bigger than many key rivals.

How much range can the Cupra Tavascan get on a charge? 

That depends on which version you buy. Two will be offered to start with, the entry-level car offering the most range at 341 miles from its 77kWh battery. 

That version puts out 282bhp, but if it’s power you really want, you’ll need the all-wheel drive Tavascan VZ. This version gets dual motors for 335bhp, enough for a 0-62mph time of 5.6 seconds.

Interestingly, it’s faster and more powerful than Volkswagen’s sportiest EV: the ID.5 GTX. With this performance comes a slight range decrease to 321 miles. 

Charging speeds are quoted at up to 135kW, which will add 62 miles of range in seven minutes and go from 10-80% in half an hour. 

As an aside, the Cupra Tavascan will suit control freaks thanks to its five drive modes (six with a new Traction mode in the all-wheel drive VZ), plus four regenerative braking levels that are switched through via steering wheel paddles. The Tavascan also gets Dynamic Chassis Control Sport, an adaptive system designed to make it feel sportier to drive without ruining ride comfort.

When will the Cupra Tavascan be available to buy or lease? 

Cupra hasn’t been more specific with the Tavascan’s arrival beyond confirming it will go on sale in 2024. Given it’s been revealed now, we’d expect orders to open right at the start of next year with deliveries commencing in the months after. 

Pricing and specification is still under wraps. We know the Tavascan shares a lot under its skin with the Volkswagen ID.5, and that’s a car priced from over £50,000 in the UK. Expect to see a similar starting point for the Tavascan. 

Can’t wait until the Cupra Tavascan arrives? Why not see what deals are available on the Tesla Model Y or Nissan Ariya on GRIDSERVE Car Leasing?