Cupra Endurance Review: The electric vehicle landscape continues to evolve rapidly, and Cupra’s first standalone electric SUV, the Tavascan Endurance, arrives as a compelling proposition in the increasingly competitive mid-size electric SUV segment. Priced strategically to undercut key rivals while delivering distinctive Spanish flair, this rear-wheel-drive electric coupe-SUV represents a significant step forward for the brand’s electrification strategy.
Performance and Powertrain: Electric Efficiency Meets Sporty Character
Single Motor, Rear-Wheel Drive Configuration
The Tavascan Endurance employs a rear-axle-mounted electric motor producing 210kW of power and 545Nm of torque, sending drive to the rear wheels via a single-speed transmission. This configuration delivers a respectable 0-100km/h sprint time of 6.8 seconds with a top speed of 180km/h, positioning it competitively against family SUV alternatives while maintaining the engaging rear-wheel-drive character that Cupra enthusiasts expect.
Battery Technology and Range
The heart of the Endurance lies in its 82kWh gross/77kWh useable lithium-ion battery pack, nestled within a 400-volt EV-only architecture that Volkswagen Group calls MEB. This substantial battery capacity enables an impressive WLTP-verified range of 534km, making it one of the longer-range options in its price bracket.
Charging Capabilities
Peak DC charge speed reaches 135kW on paper, with Cupra claiming the Tavascan should jump from 10-80 percent in a respectable 28 minutes. For home charging, the Tavascan accepts AC electricity at 11kW, enabling convenient overnight top-ups for daily commuting needs.
Design and Exterior: Bold Spanish Character
Distinctive Coupe-SUV Silhouette
The Tavascan Endurance boasts a properly aggressive coupe-SUV silhouette, dripping with Cupra’s signature attitude, featuring sharp creases, a menacing front grille, and distinctive copper accents. Dimensionally, it measures 4644 mm long, 1861 mm wide (excluding mirrors), and 1597 mm tall, giving it a planted, purposeful look on the road.
Signature Lighting and Styling Elements
The Endurance showcases distinctive triple-triangle LED daytime running lights and illuminated Cupra logos front and back. Full LED lighting, including a distinctive full-width rear light bar, ensures it looks commanding day or night. These design elements help differentiate the Tavascan from its Volkswagen Group siblings while maintaining the rebellious character Cupra is known for.
Interior and Technology: Modern Connectivity
Cabin Design and Materials
Upon entering the Cupra Tavascan, light glows through backlit perforated door panels, with radiance extending across the dashboard, cup holders and passenger reading lights. The interior features a dramatic central spine that divides and defines driver and passenger areas, creating a focused, driver-oriented environment.
Infotainment and Digital Features
The Tavascan Endurance comes standard with a 15-inch centre touchscreen display and separate five-inch digital instrument cluster. Additional convenience features include wireless phone charging and the usual wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability. However, the critical missing features for Australia include no head-up display, no vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionality, and no connected services of any kind.
Driving Experience: Balancing Comfort and Performance
Ride Quality and Handling
The Tavascan Endurance rides on passive dampers and generous sidewall from 235/55 front and 255/55 rear 19-inch Hankook Ion Evo rubber. While it’s a quiet car with barely any tyre roar, the ride is less soothing, with the stiff spring and damper combination, especially at the rear, quickly growing tiring. This setup prioritizes handling dynamics over comfort, staying true to Cupra’s sporting heritage.
Performance Character
The Tavascan offers more fun behind the wheel than your average EV, especially in Endurance specification, though it’s not what you’d label a proper performance SUV. The instant torque delivery characteristic of electric vehicles means you’ll win most traffic light drag races thanks to the Tavascan’s instantaneous electric torque, even if outright performance numbers don’t match some rivals.
Safety and Warranty: Comprehensive Protection
Safety Ratings and Features
The Tavascan doesn’t have an ANCAP safety rating yet, but it received five stars in 2024 Euro NCAP testing. Equipment levels include autonomous emergency braking (AEB), lane-support systems, seven airbags and even a handy vehicle exit warning system.
Warranty Coverage
The Tavascan comes with a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, with five years of roadside assistance and eight years/160,000km coverage for the battery. Service intervals are every 24 months or 30,000km, reflecting the reduced maintenance requirements of electric vehicles.
Pricing and Market Position: Competitive Value
Australian Pricing Strategy
The Tavascan Endurance starts at $60,990 before on-road costs, positioning it strategically against competitors like the Tesla Model Y. At just over $60,000, the base model is cheaper than the related Skoda Enyaq, and not a big jump from a Model Y or EV5.
Optional Equipment
Cupra Australia offers a $4500 Interior Package on the Tavascan Endurance, which includes 20″ Heckla wheels, deep blue Dark Night microfibre seat trim, enhanced ambient lighting, power and memory front seats, Sennheiser premium audio, 360 camera and more.
Competition Analysis: Standing Out in a Crowded Field
The Endurance faces stiff competition from established players including the Tesla Model Y, BYD Sealion 7, and upcoming models from other European manufacturers. EV rivals have performance covered – the Tesla Model Y Performance, BYD Sealion 7 Performance, and Smart #3 Brabus all hit 100km/h from a standstill in less than 4.5 seconds. However, the Tavascan’s distinctive styling and competitive pricing help it carve out its own niche.
| Specification | Cupra Tavascan Endurance |
|---|---|
| Starting Price | $60,990 (before on-road costs) |
| Motor Power | 210kW |
| Torque | 545Nm |
| Battery Capacity | 77kWh (useable) |
| Range (WLTP) | 534km |
| 0-100km/h | 6.8 seconds |
| Top Speed | 180km/h |
| DC Charging | 135kW peak |
| Drive Configuration | Rear-wheel drive |
| Warranty | 5 years/unlimited km |
Conclusion
With the new Tavascan, Cupra has moved past simply winning the hearts of potential buyers. In addition to sexy styling and punchy performance, the Tavascan is also a massively practical electric SUV with a big boot and room for five adults. While the ride quality may not suit all buyers, and some tech features are missing compared to rivals, the Endurance offers a compelling combination of distinctive design, solid range, and competitive pricing that should appeal to buyers seeking something different in the electric SUV space.
The Tavascan Endurance represents Cupra’s successful transition from a performance-focused brand to a comprehensive electric vehicle manufacturer, proving that Spanish flair and German engineering can create something genuinely appealing in the increasingly homogeneous EV landscape.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the real-world range of the Cupra Tavascan Endurance? A: While WLTP claims 534km, real-world range is typically around 485km depending on driving conditions and weather.
Q: How long does it take to charge the Tavascan Endurance? A: DC fast charging from 10-80% takes approximately 28 minutes, while home charging with 11kW AC takes 7-8 hours for a full charge.
Q: Is the Endurance available with all-wheel drive? A: No, the Endurance is rear-wheel drive only. All-wheel drive is available in the more expensive VZ variant.