Final Cupra TavascanV2 Blog

Not sure anyone reads these but find the process quite cathartic.

This will be the final blog on the Tavascan V2 - we are stuck with it for 3 more years but are talking to the lease company about when is the best time to give back and get hit with the lowest settlement.

All in all our experience with the Cupra TV2 has been a poor one, not in terms of owning a Cupra, or the brand, or any potential customer service issues - more of a day to day realisation we don't like core elements about the car. We took a chance on a new model car and didn't test drive it with the proviso of trying something new in terms of a new car platform and also a new manufacturer in Cupra.

My wife is the main driver of the car and really doesn't like it - for the first time in ages, she actually agreed with me that it was a mistake and she should have gone with what I was suggesting when we were shopping around. I get hammered on the Tavascan forum - mainly because I have an opinion and want to share with others if they are considering one. Some people are really happy with theirs and I am pleased that they are , there are some elements of the car I like, but find myself cursing sometimes where the systems over nanny (this is a part of new car ownership we are stuck with).

The car looks great and people comment on how it looks. I love cleaning cars but still find myself taking it to the car wash rather than hand washing it (maybe that's due to our colour combo -basalt grey), there's loads of gloss black that's hard to keep clean.

The issues we feel we have:

Its a wide car - or at least feels it. My wife lacks confidence in parking it due to its size and the "assistant" sensors go so overly mad, that we find ourselves ignoring them as its going mental but there is nothing near. When it tries to protect you from a crash (and doesnt need to) its like you have been in one - Its happened twice to me when reversing onto an empty drive and given me near whiplash both times - and is terrifying like you have hit a brick wall. The sensors go so mental when trying to park so we now ignore them - has damaged her confidence in parking. Never tried the self park function and wouldn't trust it. As for autonomous driving if it cant read the speed signs that our other cars can - then wouldnt trust this either.

Tech glitches - doors not unlocking - especially the rear - lots of occasions where we stop to collect passengers and they are locked out in the rain as we flail around trying to use the horrendous door controls, and end up having to open the driver door to get access (its a thing and on the forums). Ghost speed readings, bongs and bings.

Brakes- my wife doesn't hate them as much as me, but with what is supposed to be a premium sporty SUV it doesn't inspire me with confidence when I drive. Read the professional reviews its mentioned. The forum members hate me when I bring it up but they are spongey and sometimes I have to slam the peddle. I know there is a transition between regen and real braking - I have driven several other EV's and not had this - I don't want to get used to rubbish brakes and yes I drive in B mode. If the VZ (with extra umpph) has the same feel then that must be the most terrifying car to drive on the planet.

Interior - wow when we bought it , it looked so different from anything else. In reality the Spine is plasticky and creaky, blocks and wastes storage space beneath it. Lighting is gimmicky and novelty wears of quickly. Heads up display blurry and distracting. The seats are comfortable but every time I get in it it , I look down and the bronze pattern on the seat looks like I have been eating a Greggs sausage roll and dropped crumbs everywhere. Haptic buttons on the wheel - take your pick on which one you will hit by accident.

Exterior - looks good - get flashed a lot as other drivers think we have full beam on. The stupid little light "dance" that happens when you unlock the really pees me off now (should have spend the time and money working on the brakes)- what's the point. Puddle lights are 2000's corsa tech. Opening boot from foot swipe works 25% of the time. Door locking and unlocking :-(.

Range/charge has crept up from a very poor 240 starting point in cold weather to around 300 but seeing real world low values on Miles per kilowatt hour.

I have ordered what we should have probably ordered in the first place and a new BMW i4 is coming in two weeks time as a replacement for my car. When the Mrs test drove it she agreed and said I was right and she should have gone for that -First time ever ;-).

Last blog on this - will be something on the i4 when I get it. If you are looking at the Cupra Tavascan, please please test drive it first. This has put us off another Cupra, and personally me the VW platforms as well if they are the same, to the credit of the Cupra the VW's look like the dowdy cousin, but I'm assuming the VW doesn't have these brakes and tech issues?? A few people have agreed with our experience and have cancelled or chosen another brand. If you have one and love it then I am genuinely pleased for you - you have great looking car.

The kids have nick named it the Poopra Tavascant. Adios Amigo's.