Name: Cupra Terramar (2024 onwards) | Expert Rating | The Car Expert
Item: Cupra Terramar
Rating: 74.0

Summary

The Cupra Terramar is a mid-sized SUV that became available to order towards the end of 2024, with both petrol mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid engine options on offer.

Launched as the eventual successor to the Cupra Ateca, the Terramar sits above the smaller Formentor SUV in Cupra’s range, and will be the last ICE-powered car that the sporty SEAT-spinoff brand unveils as it turns its focus to becoming an electric-only marque by 2030.

Built on the same foundations as the Volkswagen Tiguan, Parker’s CJ Hubbard comments that the Terramar isn’t as “well-rounded” as its Volkswagen counterpart, but that the SUV’s “standard equipment levels make the Cupra much better value for money.”

Jordan Katsianis of Auto Express also praises the car’s “distinctive” exterior looks and describes the Cupra as an “excellent family hauler.”

When it comes to performance however, some reviewers were rather underwhelmed. “The handling is better than most SUVs of its stature”, concludes Evo’s Ethan Jupp, but “it’s a car that still could be a SEAT with a Cupra badge, rather than the kind of performance car we still think Cupra is capable of.”

As of September 2025, the Cupra Terramar holds a New Car Expert Rating of A, with a score of 74%. It scores top marks for its safety rating and low CO₂ emissions (helped by the plug-in hybrid version), while its media review scores and Cupra’s new car warranty offering are also good. However, overall running costs are only average.

More Cupra Expert Ratings, new car reviews, news and features

Terramar highlights

Handsome looks and upmarket cabin design
Sharp driving dynamics
Well-equipped as standard

Terramar lowlights

Some family-orientated SUV rivals are cheaper
Rivals offer more boot space
Not as sporty as its looks suggest

Key specifications

Body style: Medium SUV
Engines: petrol, plug-in hybrid
Price: From £37,885 on-road

Launched: Autumn 2024
Last updated: N/A
Replacement due: TBA

Image gallery

Media reviews

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

Featured reviews

“The Cupra Terramar is a good-looking SUV with a sportier edge than alternatives, but the payoff is that it’s less comfortable and practical than it could be.”

Model reviewed: Range overview

Score: 8 / 10

Read full review

Carwow

Tom Wiltshire

“The Cupra Terramar compact SUV delivers sporty looks, decent space and a well-rounded drive.”

Model reviewed: Range overview

Score: 8 / 10

Read full review

Auto Express

Dean Gibson

More reviews

Auto Trader

Score: 9 / 10
“The Cupra Terramar has snazzier styling than the VW Tiguan on which it is based. Available with various levels of hybridisation (including a full plug-in) or performance-oriented petrols it combines practicality with sharp handling, good looks and a longer warranty than its VW cousin.”
Author: Dan Trent
Read review

Business Car

Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid
Score: 8 / 10
“In PHEV form, Cupra’s latest sporty SUV is an interesting option compared with rivals, and adds welcome extra efficiency.”
Author: Martyn Collins
Read review

Car

Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid
Score: 6 / 10
“The Cupra Terramar plug-in hybrid is almost certainly fine for most consumers and the wider market, but it lacks the sparkle and style of halo products such as the Tavascan, Born VZ and the petrol-powered Formentor. And even the petrol version of the Terramar. Cross shoppers elsewhere may well buy into the brand’s exciting performance and challenger-focused ethos – but in this Terramar they’re somewhat diluted.”
Author: Curtis Moldrich
Read review

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Terramar may be the most grown-up Cupra so far, but in 2.0-litre petrol form it has enough character, style and importantly performance to make sense. It’s practical and refined when it needs to be, but on more demanding roads it still feels quick and rewarding.”
Author: Curtis Moldrich
Read review

Carbuyer

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8.2 / 10
“The Cupra Terramar is a mid-size SUV that deftly combines the company’s sporting intent with a very practical, roomy cabin.”
Read review

Evo

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“The Terramar gets the job done and then some. The handling is better than most SUVs of its stature. But viewed in terms of what some had hoped for from an exciting new sporting brand, it’s a car that still could be a Seat with a Cupra badge, rather than the kind of performance car we still think Cupra is capable of.”
Author: Ethan Jupp
Read review

Heycar

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Cupra Terramar is a compelling entrant into the family SUV sector.”
Author: Ivan Aistrop
Read review

Parkers

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“It isn’t quite as well-rounded as the Volkswagen Tiguan, but the Terramar’s standard equipment levels make the Cupra much better value for money, and it certainly has plenty of character.”
Author: CJ Hubbard
Read review

The Telegraph

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“A performance SUV based on a Volkswagen Tiguan might not sound promising – but you’d be surprised at just how much fun it can be.”
Author: Alex Robbins
Read review

Top Gear

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Terramar is more aggressively styled than its competitors, but also thoroughly decent to drive.”
Read review

Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: April 2025
Read the full Euro NCAP review

Adult protection: 89%
Child protection: 87%
Vulnerable road users: 82%
Safety assist: 76%

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

As of September 2025, the Cupra Terramar has not been assessed by Green NCAP.

Running cost rating

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

Fuel consumption	Average	Score
Petrol models	38 mpg	D
Plug-in hybrid models	650 mpg	A

CO₂ output	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	170 g/km	D
Plug-in hybrid models	10 g/km	A

Battery range	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Plug-in hybrid models	70 miles	C

Insurance group	Average	Score	Variation	Score
All models	29	C

Running costs for the Cupra Terramar are a bit of a mixed bag, according to inital data we have for the entire model range.

The petrol models are poor in terms of fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions, while the plug-in hybrid models are inevitably much better (although ignore the official lab figures, as you’re never going to get 650 miles on a gallon of petrol and a full charge of electricity).

Good news on the plug-in hybrid is that it has quite a decent electric range, so most urban driving could potentially be done purely on electric power if you are able to charge the car regularly.

As of September 2025, we don’t have verified servicing and maintenance costs for the first five years, which could affect the overall grade once we have that information. Check back again soon.

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

No reliability rating

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

The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using workshop and extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy, sourced from both official dealerships and independent workshops.

As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the Terramar, we’ll publish the results here.

Warranty rating

New car warranty information for the Cupra Terramar

Overall ratingB69%
Petrol or diesel modelsC57%
Electric or hybrid modelsA83%
New car warranty duration5 years
New car warranty mileage90,000 miles
Battery warranty duration8 years
Battery warranty mileage100,000 miles

Cupra’s new car warranty is better than average, and better than a few rival brands in a similar price bracket as the Terramar.

The duration is five years, with a limit of 90,000 miles. In addition to the standard new car warranty, the Terramar plug-in hybrid version has an eight-year/100,000-mile warranty for the battery components.

Warranty on a used Cupra Terramar

As of September 2025, any used Cupra Terramar will still be covered by its new car warranty. The earliest cars hit UK roads in late 2024, meaning their warranty won’t expire until late 2029 (unless they hit their 90,000-mile limit before then).

If you’re looking to buy a used car that is approaching the end of its warranty period, a used car warranty is usually a worthwhile investment. Check out The Car Expert’s guide to the best used car warranty providers, which will probably be cheaper than a warranty sold by a dealer.

Recalls

Official DVSA safety recalls that have been issued for the Cupra Terramar

As of September 2025, we are not aware of any DVSA vehicle safety recalls affecting the Cupra Terramar. However, this information is updated very regularly so this may have changed.

You can check to see if your car has any outstanding recalls by visiting the DVLA website or contacting your local Cupra dealer.