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Expert Rating

Cupra Ateca

(2018 - present)

Expert Rating

New car score:

55
%
E

Used car score:

58
%
D

Expert Rating report card

Media Rating:

60
%
D

Safety Rating:

53
%
D

Eco Rating:

54
%
C

Reliability Rating:

-

Running Costs:

46
%
D

How are our Expert Rating scores calculated?

Expert Rating

New car score:

55
%
E

Used car score:

58
%
D

Expert Rating report card

Media Rating:

60
%
D

Safety Rating:

53
%
D

Eco Rating:

54
%
C

Reliability Rating:

-

Running Costs:

46
%
D

Summary


The Cupra Ateca is a performance version of the regular SEAT Ateca, and the first car to be branded as a stand-alone Cupra model. It is still sold and serviced from selected SEAT dealerships, but the performance is far superior to the regular SEAT versions.

Fundamentally, this is still a SEAT Ateca underneath, so size and interior layout are identical – as are the safety systems and overall Euro NCAP safety rating. Sales, servicing and warranty matters are also handled through the SEAT dealer network. Future Cupra models are expected to diverge more visibly from the SEAT range, although it may be a while before stand-alone Cupra dealerships start popping up.

The Cupra Ateca has received generally good reviews from performance-oriented motoring sources, which have praised its impressive performance for the money and for its rather unique proposition in the marketplace. The main criticisms are its almost unknown brand name and rather uninvolving driving experience compared to similarly-priced hot hatches.

A facelifted model was announced in summer 2020, in line with an update to the sister SEAT model. This included some minor styling tweaks and upgrades, and the revised Cupra Ateca arrived in the UK at the end of the year.

As of January 2025, the Cupra Ateca holds a New Car Expert Rating of E with a score of 55%. It scores poorly in most areas, which reflects its age – now basically an eight-year-old car in its original SEAT form. With no replacement due from SEAT, and the new Cupra Formentor and Terramar models now part of the Cupra family, there appears to be little future for the Ateca once production of this model ends.

Key specifications


Body style: Medium SUV/crossover
Engines: petrol
Price: From £42,725 on-road

Launched: Summer 2018
Last updated: Autumn 2020
Replacement due: TBA


Media reviews


Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

The Car Expert

+

Auto Express

+

Auto Trader

+

Car

+

Car Keys

+

Carbuyer

+

Carwow

+

Daily Mirror

+

Eurekar

+

Evo

+

Heycar

+

Honest John

+

Motoring Research

+

Parkers

+

The Sun

+

The Telegraph

+

Top Gear

+

Safety rating


Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: June 2016
Date expired: January 2023
Read the full Euro NCAP review

Adult protection: 93%
Child protection: 84%
Vulnerable road users: 71%
Safety assist: 60%

Notes on safety rating

The Cupra Ateca’s safety rating is based on the original SEAT version, which was tested by Euro NCAP back in 2016 and awarded a five-star rating. However, this rating expired in January 2023 and is no longer valid as the car no longer meets the standards required for such a rating. This is normal practice, as Euro NCAP reviews its ratings on most cars annually with most ratings expiring after about six or seven years.

Although the rating has now expired, the score is still useful if you are comparing a used Ateca to vehicles of similar age – whose ratings will have probably also expired.

Eco rating


Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

As of January 2025, the Cupra Ateca has not been assessed by Green NCAP.

Reliability rating


Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

No reliability rating

As of January 2025, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Cupra Ateca to generate a reliability rating.

The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy. As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the Ateca, we’ll publish the score here.

Running cost rating


Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

Fuel consumptionAverageScoreVariationScore
Petrol models36 mpgD31 – 42 mpgD – E
CO₂ outputAverageScoreVariationScore
Petrol models183 g/kmC153 – 209 g/kmB – D
Insurance groupAverageScoreVariationScore
All models31C30 – 32C – C
Service and maintenanceCostScore
Year 1£244B
Year 2£602B
Year 3£1,028B
Year 4£1,275C
Year 5£1,664B
Overall£4,813B

There’s mixed data on running costs for the Cupra Ateca. The most significant news is that fuel consumption from the 2.0-litre petrol engine is poor, meaning you’ll be a regular visitor to your local service station.

Insurance costs should be about average, while servicing costs over the first five years are better than average.

Awards


Trophies, prizes and awards that the Cupra Ateca has received

2023

  • Carbuyer Awards – Best Used Hot SUV

2019

  • Scottish Car of the Year Awards – Sports Car of the Year

Similar cars


If you’re looking at the Cupra Ateca, you might also be interested in these alternatives

Audi Q3 | BMW X1 | Cupra FormentorJaguar E-Pace | Mercedes-Benz GLA | Range Rover EvoqueSEAT Ateca | Volkswagen Tiguan | Volvo XC40

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The Cupra Ateca has received generally good media reviews, which have praised its impressive performance and unique proposition in the marketplace.Cupra Ateca