Macfivenews

A sleek, green SUV parked on a road with a grassy background and bare trees.

CUPRA Terramar TRIBE EDITION

By Bill McCarthy

Making a model stand out from the crowd is perhaps what automotive manufacturers constantly strive to achieve. In the world of the ubiquitous SUV, that’s a task and a half – but with the CUPRA Terramar’s paintwork options, the brand has given it a certain X factor. Well, it did for me anyway.

Standard versions cement the brand’s reputation as the sporty arm of the VW Group. Not cheap, though – premium matt choices can add more than £1,000 to the price tag. The Terramar has arrived to challenge the established order of the mid-size SUV segment. This particular model – the TRIBE EDITION – with its Manganese Green Matte paint and aggressive styling, delivers a stylish SUV alternative.

How does it look

The “TRIBE” designation isn’t just a trim level; it’s the brand’s marketing strategy to build a sense of belonging among its drivers. You know, a tribe. The matt green paint shifts subtly under different light. Not everyone likes matt paint – it’s a divisive choice – but this one adds a certain subtle quality. 20-inch alloy wheels in matt black with green-tinted accents complete the look. The trade-off is that matt finishes are trickier to clean and maintain, and repair work is best left to a specialist and can be expensive. It’s a brave choice.

Otherwise, the profile is striking – with flowing lines from the shark-nose front to the tapered rear, where the sporty CUPRA badge is prominent around the rear light clusters.

Front view of a green car parked on a gravel surface surrounded by trees in a natural setting on a cloudy day.

A sleek, green SUV parked on a road, showcasing modern design and stylish black and gold wheels, with trees and grass in the background.

Stylish interior

For this model, you have to love green, because the colour dominates inside, with unique sporty green bucket seats which are heated and electrically adjustable with driver memory. They feature green stitching and detailing. Rear space is adequate rather than generous, with the sloping profile lowering headroom slightly.

The brain of the car is an intuitive central touchscreen that controls major functions like infotainment, connectivity and various apps.

Also standard is a heated leather sports steering wheel, three-zone climate control, and the Sennheiser audio system with 10 speakers.

Safety is comprehensive with the brand’s Intelligent Drive pack featuring a head-up display, Top View 360-degree camera, and Intelligent Park Assist and a host of safety measures.

Performance, economy and practicality

Under the bonnet lies a 2.0-litre TSI engine producing 204 PS and 250 Nm of torque, sent to all four wheels via the 4Drive system and a 7-speed DSG automatic. It’s a powerful unit that propels the Terramar to 62 mph in 8.3 seconds and a top speed of 127 mph. However, it does feel refined, and if you like a growl, it features an artificial “soundscape” through the interior speakers in sportier modes.

The WLTP fuel economy of 35.3–37.2 mpg seems reasonable, though 172 g/km CO₂ emissions are a reminder of its sporting nature. In real-world driving, I only got around 32 mpg at best – so don’t expect to match official figures unless you’re very gentle with your right foot.

Sporty but still practical, it has a maximum 540-litre boot, and the sliding rear bench adds flexibility. It passed the weekly tip run with flying colours with the rear seats down – a proper test of any family SUV.

Ride and handling

The 4Drive system adds genuine traction and confidence in bad weather, and delivers extra stability. I was impressed with the handling around tight Shropshire country roads and hills, feeling limpet-like with nicely weighted steering that responded well. This was borne out on challenging B-roads, where the car felt well balanced with the drive always in control. The ride errs on the firm side, which keeps body roll in check through corners but can make rougher road surfaces feel more pronounced, although it will hardly rattle your fillings.

Bear in mind

There is a more powerful version, with a firecracker 265 hp version of the Volkswagen Golf R engine – good for 0–62 mph in just 5.9 seconds. That’s if you are less worried about economy, because these petrol models like a drink.

There’s also the UK’s “expensive car” tax supplement. Cars with a list price over £40,000 face a significant road tax surcharge in years two to five, and only the entry-level 1.5-litre mild-hybrid sneaks under at around £38,015. This version didn’t,, so you’ll be paying the higher rate.

The Verdict

This SUV delivers strong performance, distinctive looks, real practicality and a rewarding drive. It’s pricey and thirsty, but around Shropshire’s lanes, it felt every bit the driver’s SUV – with traffic-stopping looks. And in this case, you need to love green.

Factfile

Model: CUPRA Terramar TRIBE EDITION 2.0 TSI 204 PS 4Drive
Price: £48,350 (£49,455)
Mechanical: 204 PS, 2.0-litre turbo petrol, driving all four wheels via a 7-speed DSG automatic transmission
Max speed: 127 mph
0 to 62 mph: 8.3 sec
Combined mpg: 37.2 mpg (WLTP)
Insurance group: 30E
CO₂ emissions: 172 g/km
BIK rating: 37%
Warranty: 5 yrs/90,000 miles

Audi A3 Saloon 150 TSI Sportline

By Bill McCarthy

Marketing history proves that premium status can be bought or engineered. A well-known lager trading itself as reassuringly expensive, weaponised high pricing to signal quality, while Audi’s iconic “Vorsprung durch Technik” delivered a message of technical innovation.

Both cemented luxury reputations, showing consumers will pay more for emotional prestige or German engineering. While the lager ad then fell away, the Audi motto is still strong in the world of touchscreens, EVs and AI.

The A3 stands out as an aspirational premium brand that, while expensive, does not cost a fortune, unless you pack in the pricey extras. This compact saloon offers the iconic four-ring badging, premium quality, practicality and excellent fuel economy. A newer version is imminent, but this model retains strong appeal for those seeking understated luxury and fine engineering.

Exterior styling

It is a smart, sleek vehicle sporting the signature four rings and trapezoidal LED headlights flanking a wider, slimmer grille. Finished in optional Ascari Blue metallic, the colour highlights sharp creases and muscular haunches. It also features 18-inch ‘5-twin-spoke’ alloy wheels. S line specification adds aluminium window trims, body-coloured mirrors, while privacy glass adds sophistication.

Interior quality and technology

The sport seats are wrapped in Twin Leather with an embossed ‘S’ logo, finished in black with grey stitching. They come heated with 4-way lumbar support as standard, alongside aluminium trim, illuminated ‘S’ door sills, a black cloth headliner, and ambient lighting.

In place of the old Virtual Cockpit is a touchscreen and a digital display for the driver. If you go for the Technology Pack at £1,395, it throws in a bigger 10.1-inch navigation screen, Audi Connect for three years, plus wireless charging with a handy illuminated phone box.

The SONOS 3D system is top-notch and comes as standard, and you can grab extra apps through the onboard store. Better still, ‘Functions on Demand’ means you can add new features later on, even after you’ve driven it home.

Practicality

Interior space is generous with good legroom, though rear seats are slightly cramped. Boot space is adequate for daily needs, offering 425 litres, and the split-folding rear seats extend capacity when required. The Storage Pack (£180) adds useful cubbies, while rear USB charging ports keep passengers connected.

On the road performance

On the road, the fun begins. The 1.5-litre mild hybrid four-cylinder TFSI may read modestly on paper, but with 150 PS and 250 Nm of torque through the slick seven-speed S tronic gearbox, it punches above its weight. The 0–62 mph sprint takes 8.1 seconds – not scorching, but enough to keep things interesting as it slips seamlessly through the cogs.

In Sport mode, throttle response sharpens, the standard sports suspension firms, and the engine emits a gratifying snarl. That suspension is firm enough and claimed to be compliant enough to avoid jarring – though in practice it does jar, so standard mode is more comfortable for everyday driving. Sport mode proved essential, however, carving through the twisting lanes of the Derbyshire Peaks.

The car feels agile and composed, dispatching hairpins with ease. Steering is sharp, well-weighted and precise, allowing exact placement corner after corner. Grip is on hand when needed most. On the motorway, it’s a refined cruiser, though tyre noise is noticeable. Overtaking is simple, with 250 Nm of torque delivering instant response. The powertrain offers effortless flexibility around town and on open roads.

Safety is comprehensively covered as standard with full airbags, adaptive cruise control, Audi pre sense front, traffic sign recognition, hill-hold assist, lane departure warning with emergency assist, and intersection assist. Park Assist with parking aid Plus and a rear view camera make manoeuvring effortless.

Economy and emissions

Economy is excellent. WLTP combined fuel consumption is 52.5 mpg, with CO2 emissions of just 122 g/km. With some aggressive driving, I didn’t reach that figure, with around 47mpg showing. The 50-litre fuel tank provides generous range, making this a practical choice for commuting and longer journeys.

Verdict

The A3 Saloon offers a typical Audi blend of style, quality, performance and efficiency. The petrol engine is smooth and refined, the interior is generally top notch, and the saloon body style offers a traditional alternative to the sportback. At £38,130 (including options), it represents strong value, and with decent levels of standard equipment and attractive extras packs, this A3 proves that good things really can come in small packages.

Factfile

Audi A3 Saloon 150 TSI Sportline

Price: £38,130 (as tested)
Engine: 1,498cc turbo petrol, 150PS, driving front wheels via a 7-speed S tronic automatic transmission
Max Speed: 144 mph
0-62 mph: 8.1 seconds
Combined MPG: 52.5
CO2 Emissions: 122 g/km
Insurance group: 23 (est)
Warranty: 3 years/60,000 miles

On the road

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Eyecatching matt green style meets AWD muscle