Tag Archives: SUV

CUPRA, Motor reviews, Motoring, SUV

Blend of style and performance

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Cupra Formentor

By Bill McCarthy

Cupra, the  sporty arm of the SEAT brand, which is itself a sporty arm of the VW Group offers a stylish alternative in its segments with striking looks, upmarket interiors and practicality in spades. Steadily growing sales figures for the brand are a testament to how it has been received.

The Formentor has been a success story, the brand’s best seller and the latest, revamped version is even better with upgrades to appearance, equipment and software.

Sleek design

The Formentor cuts a striking figure with its aggressive, low-slung stance, sleek silhouette, and a new shark-nose front end flanked by triangular LED light clusters. At the rear, a full-width LED light bar and twin exhaust pipes reinforce its sporty character, while standard 18-inch alloy wheels complete the dynamic look. It’s a head-turner—a crossover with SUV presence and hatchback versatility.

Premium, hi-tech interior

Inside there is an upmarket feel with solid build quality, and signature copper and aluminium accents. The cabin blends sportiness with sophistication, featuring ambient lighting, black sports seats with copper coloured stitching, and a heated multifunction steering wheel (though the heating function seemed to have a mind of its own and proved frustratingly inconsistent). Space at the front generous, with ample head and legroom, creating an airy, comfortable environment.

Even this entry-level model comes well-equipped, centred around a 12.9-inch touchscreen running Cupra’s bespoke CONNECT system. It handles navigation, infotainment, and smartphone connectivity, though the customisable widgets and touch-sensitive sliders for climate and volume can be fiddly on the move. 

A configurable Digital Cockpit behind the steering wheel keeps key driving data in clear view, while the DSG gear selector and secondary controls are neatly arranged on the central console.

Not cheap at £35,000 for this model, but a host of standard equipment, dual-zone climate control, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, traffic sign recognition, and other driver aids—making it a well-rounded package.

Sporty but sensible

Powered by a 1.5-litre eTSI mild-hybrid engine paired with a 7-speed DSG automatic, the Formentor delivers real punchy performance and impressive efficiency. It’s no fire-breathing hot hatch, but the 0-60mph sprint in nine seconds is more than adequate for daily driving, and real-world fuel economy hovers around 45mpg—close to the official WLTP 45.6mpg claim.

The engine is refined and responsive at low-to-mid speeds, though it can feel strained when overtaking on the motorway. Most impressive is the handling, with precise, well-weighted steering and an electronic locking differential providing excellent cornering stability, making it a joy on twisty roads. However, the firm suspension, while great for body control, can feel harsh over rough surfaces, sending jolts through the cabin. On smooth tarmac however, it is a comfortable ride.

Practicality & safety

With 450 litres of boot space (expandable via folding rear seats), the Formentor is as practical as it is stylish. Safety tech is comprehensive, including:

  • Predictive adaptive cruise control
  • Forward collision warning with automatic braking
  • Driver alert system
  • Lane-keeping assist
  • A full suite of airbags

Verdict

The Cupra Formentor isn’t cheap, but it offers a clever blend of head-turning design, sporty dynamics, and everyday usability. Its engaging drive, strong economy, and premium feel explain why it’s resonating with buyers.

Factfile
  • CUPRA Formentor V1 1.5 e-TSI DSG Price: £36,175
  • Mechanical: 150bhp, 1498cc petrol turbo engine driving front wheels via seven-speed automatic transmission
  • Max speed: 127mph
  • 0-60: 9 seconds
  • Economy: 45.6mpg
  • CO2 emissions: 133g/km
  • Insurance group: 21E
  • BiK rating: 31%
  • Warranty: 5yrs/90,000 miles

Motoring, SUV/4X4

A 7-seat SUV with off-road excellence

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KGM Rexton K50

By Bill McCarthy

It’s all change for a brand that has been around for nearly 70 years and is an SUV and four-wheel drive specialist, known for its rugged durability and off-road prowess.

For Korean brand SsangYong, yes SsangYong, now read KGM, a much more user friendly name – like BMW or BYD.

It has recently launched the mid-sized SUV Actyon, a first under the new KGM name, but others like the huge Rexton have been rebranded.

It looks the part, a huge seven-seat road presence. At more than two tonnes, it is not going to be the sharpest handler on the road, more of a well-specified workhorse with its seating capacity, off-road capability and the ability to tow a huge 3.5 tonnes.

It offers excellent value, starting at £39,500. For that price, you get a comprehensive package, with even this top-of-the-line model being highly competitive compared to its rivals. It offers a decent, if not class leading, interior with powered leather-style seats, illuminated scuff plates and ambient lighting.

The vehicle has a smart grille sporting the KGM logo, sleek LED headlights, and eye-catching alloy wheels with integrated roof bars. Trim levels start with the base model K20 featuring 18-inch alloy wheels, a 12.3-inch digital console, dual-zone climate control, and an eight-inch smartphone-compatible touchscreen.

The K40 adds TomTom navigation, a power tailgate, privacy glass, a smart key system, and selectable four-wheel drive. This K50 includes mood lighting, stainless steel finishes, a 3D surround view camera, and premium Nappa leather. It also has 20-inch alloy wheels, a sunroof, driver seat memory, a wireless charger, roll-up sunshades, and air conditioning for all three rows. 

It is a practical seven-seater vehicle, though the last two seats are best for children or short trips. Folding them down creates a van-like space with ample storage.

With both rear rows folded down, there is 1,806 litres of boot space available, 872 litres with the second row upright, and 240 litres with all seats occupied. The double-folding second-row seats also make it easy to access the third row.

 It has a commanding driving position from an electrically adjustable driver’s seat, and while the layout might not look cutting edge, all controls are intuitive and handily placed. Dominant on this model is the 12 inch central screen, part of the new floating infotainment system which operates major functions and delivers important real-time information, including safety warnings

A 2.2-litre 202 PS turbo diesel engine provides ample power for various driving conditions. Although there is a noticeable clatter at startup, this sound fades once the vehicle is in motion.

For such a large vehicle, acceleration is decent, with the eight-speed automatic transmission allowing the vehicle to reach 60 mph in just under 11 seconds.

It primarily operates in two-wheel-drive mode, but if off-road conditions arise, the driver can easily switch to either high or low gear four-wheel drive. In this mode, the engine’s torque is evenly distributed to both the front and rear wheels.

Handling is wallowy on corners and the suspension can feel unsettled on poor roads, but otherwise, it is comfortable for passengers and is a decent motorway cruiser.

 Economy is so-so for the type of vehicle at around 33mpg, but this is a heavy seven-seater with four-wheel drive, ideal for the school run, taxi, or running a small business with a vehicle that needs stowage capacity.

Safety features are comprehensive and include nine airbags, autonomous emergency braking, safety distance warning, lane departure warning and trailer sway control.

With a starting price of  £40k-ish, against its competitors, it offers value for money and proven technology. It also looks good. Just remember the name.

Factfile

KMG Rexton K50

Price: £46,370 

Mechanical: 163ps, 2157cc, 4-cylinder, turbocharged diesel engine with eight-speed automatic transmission

Max speed: 114mph

0-62mph: 10.7 seconds

Combined MPG: 33

Insurance group: 39

C02 emissions: 227g/km

Warranty: 5yrs/100,000 miles