CUPRA Ateca is it the best performance SUV in 2019?
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- čas přidán 27. 07. 2019
- CUPRA is a name you might be familiar with, but not as a brand in its own right. It used to be merely a badge adorning fast SEATs. Now it's been launched as a stand-alone marque and its first product is this mid-sized SUV, the CUPRA Ateca. With 300PS from a 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine, it packs a decent punch.
Background
Launching an all-new brand is hard. Ex-Fiat boss Luca de Meo knows that. Back in 2011, he tried to do it with the Abarth nameplate. In 2018, the same man, now working for the Spanish arm of the Volkswagen Group, tried again with a fresh SEAT-related marque: CUPRA. We're promised a bespoke CUPRA model in the near future, but for the time being, there's only this one, a hot 300PS 4WD version of the compact Ateca mid-sized SUV. It's sold only through selected SEAT dealerships, albeit by dedicated staff. And of course it's the priciest and most powerful Ateca you can buy.
Driving Experience
In terms of the engineering behind this car, there's nothing we haven't seen before in a Volkswagen Group model, but the CUPRA engineers credit themselves with bringing all the various ingredients together in a form never previously seen in one of the Wolfsburg conglomerate's SUVs. The elements in question include a 300PS 2.0-litre TSI turbo petrol engine borrowed from the VW Golf R, a seven-speed DSG gearbox, a Haldex four-wheel drive system and stiff, strong modular MQB architecture. Dynamic Chassis Control adaptive dampers are also standard-fit and there are six driving settings, including a choice of 'Comfort', 'Sport' or max-attack 'CUPRA' driving modes.
This car sits 10mm closer to the road than an ordinary Ateca and uses retuned springs and dampers along with big 19-inch wheels, so the ride quality will inevitably be firmer than that of a standard Ateca model but of course body control and corner turn-in will be of a different order too. It's satisfyingly rapid, rest to 62mph occupying 5.2s en route to 153mph flat out.
Design and Build
We like the performance styling; dialled up a bit over an ordinary Ateca, with big 19-inch rims filling the extended arches. But not too 'Max Power'. The same is true inside, where CUPRA Ateca buyers enjoy part-leather sports seats, Alcantara on the doors, textured mouldings and leather on the steering wheel. It's not quite enough to disguise the many cheaper plastic mouldings that betray this car's humbler origins, though the designers have done their best, liberally using high-gloss black trim and chrome embellishment. There's plenty of technical sophistication too, with a smart centre-dash display and a fully-digital instrument cluster.
The Ateca is one of the smallest mid-sized SUVs you can buy, so you shouldn't expect too much in terms of rear seat space. Actually, a couple of adults can be accommodated quite comfortably, though there are no seat sliding or seat back-reclining features to make occupants a little more comfortable. Out back, because this is a four-wheel-drive Ateca, it has a slightly shallower boot than some of its range stablemates, but one that's still a reasonable size at 485-litres. The boot is accessed by a standard powered tailgate (one of those you can activate by waving your foot beneath the bumper) and will easily swallow a couple of big cases and a pushchair.
Market and Model
CUPRA Ateca pricing starts from £35,900 - or around double the cost of the humblest, most feebly-powered standard-model Ateca. Yes. And you can spend more. Go for the optional 'Performance Pack', which adds bigger Brembo brakes and bucket seats, and you'll be paying a fraction under £40,000. Both variants get the expected high levels of infotainment and connectivity, the 8-inch centre-dash touchscreen offering the latest generation of the SEAT 'Full Link' package which includes 'Apple CarPlay' and 'AndroidAuto' smartphone-mirroring. The system will also read out new text, Twitter and Facebook messages and let you dictate a reply. It's even got the capability to let you set up your own screen gestures to shortcut to your most popular commands.
Plus there's a range of clever remote features accessible through a downloadable SEAT DriveApp. Other standard kit includes keyless entry and start, a wireless charger, a GSM signal booster for your 'phone, a 360-degree top view camera system, navigation and automated 'park assist' to steer you into space: all this comes as standard. Plus there's a fully digital instrument cluster - the brand calls it a 'Digital Cockpit' - which allows the driver to view all information that might be relevant, from classic analogue dials such as a speedometer and rev counter to full-colour maps and navigation.
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After watching many reviews of Cupra Ateca I must say your review is the most comprehensive and detailed among others. Hats Off to You. Looking forward to your Formentor review.
After more than a year of driving my Cupra Ateca I realized that "Offroad" mode is the softest DCC setting among all and that RPM does not fall below 2,000, having 4 by 4 setting all the time.
What was also a discovery that with each Drive setting when pushing gear lever towards the driver, the enginge changes its setting quickly - in Comfort mode it turns on Sport mode, in Sport/Cupra mode it turns on Comfort mode - great for quick manouvering and taking over.
This is the best car review I have ever seen 👍👍👍👌👌👌
Hats Off to You!!
traffic jam assist is on board of this car - you switch ACC and it goes until a full stop - you can find this feature in "comfort assistant (plus)"... maybe not available in the UK? You can find the ECO dive mode setting only in INDIVIDUAL DCC setting, where you choose engine setup "ECO", though you don't buy this car to drive in ECO mode. Brembo brakes - they're worth it, their performance is stunning, it's not just styling ;). Gestures feature for infotainment - I didn't know that and actually want this, I'll try this for sure. Your comparison with Macaan in terms of performance is spot on, plus, it's the same company and you can find Audi logos here and there on parts below the hood, on brakes etc. so why pay the premium? the logo remark - symbols are for symbol minded people ;) regardless of the detail remarks, great review, good job!
Your reviews are always the best I find - thank you!
Glad you like them! Make sure to subscribe for more in-depth vehicle reviews - bit.ly/319ZKoT
One of the best reviews on this car. Thanks.
Thanks for watching, Shawn!
Beautiful SUV💫✨
Perfect job ..thank you very much
Thanks Khan 👍
As a tall person that has driven hatches, and now owns an Ateca, I can say there is more room in the Ateca (width and length, especially height). It even shows in this video...
How tall are you?
@@supposedly6991 190 cm.
@@madant7777 Same
Completely agree with you mate. I'm 6ft 2inches and my Mrs is 5ft 9inches and we both love the vehicle.
I’m 6ft 7 and have tons of headroom even in the rear
I’ve just bought one and can recommend it highly.
Great to hear you're enjoying your new Ateca, Hugo 👍
Isn't it great how it doesn't look that big from the outside, but inside its like a different class car :)
Congrats! I have the Q2 and want to replace with this one. How is the understeer? How is the ride? How is the interior noise level? Q2 has bad understeer and in anything other than "auto suspension mode", passengers typically get motion sickness.
@@shawngall7846 no understeer that I’ve noticed. The ride is firm in the same way these cars tend to be. Not uncomfortable. However interior noise is noticeable. My main gripe is the very poor stereo. The beats speakers are very poor and not up to German standards. It’s great fun to drive even if it’s slightly rough round the edges. If my wife hadn’t insisted on the high drive position I’d have gone for a Golf R.
I own the Limited Edition... The best sports Suv on the road but i hate the cheap plastics of the doors... They look like those of a work van.
This car is amazing and has its own persona and style
Great to hear, Dave! If you're interested in the Ateca, one of our Vehicle Experts can get you behind the wheel of this car. Fill-in this quick form and we'll get in touch: bit.ly/39YHCml
Would like to see a Diesel 300 Bhp Cupra Ateca
You have been busy ! Another detailed insight...do these take long to write and film ?
We do spend quite some time gathering information and filming, editing the video takes just as long too!
I have never heard the Ateca name pronounced that way?
@Foto4Max It *would* be _"the right way"_ if this Presenter was Spanish... but he isn't! So your sarcasm aimed at Jez Stokes is grossly unfounded. As for your ridiculous claim that you _"always"_ here English Presenters referring to this vehicle as a Cupra _"Attacker"_ Really? Because I've heard several English Presenters pronouncing the name of this vehicle. In fact quite possibly, *every* English Presenter that ever *has* done so on screen and/or radio, and I don't recall *any* of them *ever* pronouncing it as a _"Cupra Attacker"._ Are you on medication Foto4Max? Or is it simply that you have an undiagnosed hearing problem?👎🤨
Have a launch spec. Missing bum warmers etc
I get 30mph even on good runs no matter what the mode so it lives in individual (everything in cupra bar steering and suspension )
Is the Cupra Ateca available in the United States?
Nope
Oscar Madison no,you don’t need it in the us
You may buy one in Mexico soon :D
Same as golf R estate, you cannot fit tow bar to these two vehicles in Uk. So annoyed as I wanted to do just that to tow my little caravan around to festivals in summer wot a bummer.🇬🇧
Yes u can
I own a cupra ateca run it on super unleaded i use tesco super unleaded 99 ron helps the engine perform better
What wicked caaar
This car is not yet well-known in Asia. Although the car design is very good.
I doubt anyone who buys this is interested in eco mode, similar to drivers of the Golf R.
Come on. 40 mins and no mention of how this VW group model compares to others like Audi Q2/Q3 or VW Tiguan/T-ROC.
Thank you for the feedback, Shawn. We have reviews of the Audi Q3 (czcams.com/video/YqmzWPsBdSw/video.html) and VW T-Roc (czcams.com/video/Go723PAwWXM/video.html) if you'd like to watch those 👍
@@OsvUkVehicleSupply Thanks, I do like the review, this car is a direct competitor of the Q2 and T-Roc and shares DNA. Most reviews of this car constantly compare to hot hatches, thank you for not doing that....too much.
No fingerprint reader?
More like Spanish Skoda to VW group.
Slightly disappointing review - despite its length, it only touches on some important questions. eg In the UK seats only seem to be available in manual form, ie with primitive lumbar support and no separate seat cushion tilt function, How much does this compromise seating comfort?
And the tyres seem to be 40 profile on 19" rims. Given that the Ateca was designed for gentler suspension set-ups then just how badly is the ride comfort compromised? Obviously it makes a difference as to whether the dampers are in Comfort/Sport/Cupra mode but an informed opinion of all three would be good.
More generally, walkaround reviews and specification rundowns are ten a penny on youTube. What is more difficult to find is informed commentary on driving impressions, comfort etc. This should be a longer and more considered part of your reviews - detailed specs I can find anywhere.
Thanks for the feedback Al 👍 will take on board for future reviews
Will anyone ever pronounce it properly? Do reviewers even bother to research the brands they review? It's not ATT-e-ka it's A-TEKK-A
*Is this Presenter really as short in stature as he appears to be? Especially when he's sitting in the back seat. But even standing by the Ateca, he still only looks about 5ft 2ins tall? Sorry not to be more constructive, but I thought this (albeit in-depth) review, was never going to end. Exactly the same information was repeated three, four and even five times in some cases. I'm all for in-depth reviews on CZcams, for viewers who may seriously be considering buying a particular vehicle, but there's no justification in keep repeating the same info, over and over again!*
To test the Seat Ateca CUPRA and not show what it sounds like is very, very bad. Please don't test sports cars anymore.
The reviewer needs a pope Mobil with a Zimmer frame to get in and out with that’s how bad his reviews are.
My eyes glazed over when he spewed out a series of acronyms that were meant to describe the technical attributes of this car as it attempts to be all things to all men. Yet another so-called SUV attempting to push every man's excrement uphill while destined for obsolescence oblivion.
Welcome to live, technology moves forward and uses acronyms.