Best SUV You’ve Never Heard Of? (Cupra Ateca 2023 Review) 

I am not disappointed by safe. We are in Australia and unless you take it on the race track regularly, there is no need to worry about the rear end being "playful'. This thing handles like a friggin go kart, it is so planted. The test drive made me pick it over the T-Roc R and SQ2 almost instantly, put a huge smile on my face, and I saved money to boot. I got the black colour, as that was the fastest delivery without sunroof (I am 6ft 4 and want the headroom) and still 3 weeks wait but I am genuinely excited. Unlike the Audi and the VW whose steering lacked feel, this was full of it. It was just so direct and confidence inspiring. I don't know what the Cupra engineers have done but there's some sort of sorcery here for the way this SUV drives. And the ride was absolutely remarkable. Maybe cause I was coming out of mum's RSQ3 which is like a rock, but this handled and rode so much better than her much more expensive car. For any tall drivers interested, you CAN fit in this one with a sunroof without your hair so much as brushing on the roof, I had about an inch to spare, but I want the ability to put the seat higher and THAT'S what you lose with the roof. But if you are happy with driver's seat low, unlike many small cars, yes, you can fit in this car with a sunroof. And the glass covers almost the entire roof, it's HUGE. The interior can't touch the Audi's quality but I guess that's where cost cutting comes in. Still, the seats are incredibly comfy and supportive with fantastic adjustability, although I would have liked a leg rest pull out but again I am very tall. Still, I was comfy. The Audi's B&O radio was indeed markedly better than the Cupra's Beats but it's still not bad at all, so I disagree with the reviewer there, and I blasted it with some ministry of sound, and it shites on the standard t-roc one (I presume the T-Roc paid Beats option is the same). It's what I call a decent to good factory audio system. It was clear and distortion free and that matters a lot to me. Ok not Audi B&O loud and bass from hell but plenty for an old 50yo fart like me who still loves his house and trance music. The transmission was smooth, the VW DSG really is OK these days after 20 years of refinement, and even without the $6,000 exhaust option it still sounded unmuted and fantastic, honest. Lots of pops which sounded great. My advice is save the 6 grand as thieves are going to target the Akrapovic anyway and alarms aren't gonna stop that. I just got the base car as it's so well equipped, and I am not a race driver so do not need $4,000 Brembo brakes. I do a lot of long haul driving and what I wanted was a comfy SUV that I could do those long drives in and also have some real spirited driving when I wanted it to. But yeah mostly I'll be leaving this thing in comfort mode. Still plan to tune the heck out of it when warranty is over though lol. Wanted 1 or 2 friends to be comfy as well but practically no one will be comfy behind me so this is a 1+2 at best for tall drivers. BUT, it has more legroom than both T-Roc and SQ2 so that's another thing to take note of, and a better boot. I mean someone up to say 5 ft 9 could sit behind me, but that's impossible in the other two brands as the front seat leaves barely an inch of legroom in my driving position, whereas in the Ateca it's about 3.5 to 4 inches. My honest and only negatives - the instrument cluster for driver is weirdly angled forward and something I've not seen before. In other words it slopes outwards from top to bottom, the screen itself I mean. I'd have preferred a vertical cluster like every other car. I also would have liked a HUD, and ventilated seats for the hot Aussie summer. No traffic sign recognition was another disappointment, and some padding on the hard plastic center console where the driver's footrest is wouldn't have hurt either as your left leg rests against that. I might try a thin cushion there to be honest. Overall I am very happy with what the car is though. Oh re the TSR, the car has all the tech built in but they haven't updated the software to work with Aussie road signs. The cars are becoming so popular, that's something they should really do. No it's not that important in areas one knows, but for people like me who are driving to strange places I have never been before, all the time, having the speed limit changes on the dashboard is a handy feature and I do like it. Even a basic MG has that, so if they can do it, so can Cupra.

We heard a lot about that fruity exhaust note but never actually got to hear is - a little disappointing

It is great to hear a presenter that can actually pronounce Akrapovic correctly. Well done.👍

Great review as always- love the Ateca as well. Its a good allrounder-love it😀😀.

For info, it is the latest Gen 4 EA888 engine shared with the new golf R and Tiguan R. Just detuned 👍

Feel like a click bait where I spend 10mins on this clip and can’t hear any exhaust test cracking sound.

The audio system is Beats only by name. Panasonic manufactures VAG's third generation infotainment systems. I'm sure there are some engineers from Beats, Canton and Harmon/Kardon who do some 'tuning' of the standard equaliser settings, but that's likely as far as it gets. Anyone else notice the Mk5 Golf dome light? It's funny how VAG use their parts bin to differentiate their brands. The last generation Octavia had the same dated halogen interior lights.

What is the city fuel consumption with normall drive

Your reviews keep getting better and better mate. The humour and personal preference in the script was great.

That interior colour wowzer, just like a 92 vp commodore lol.

How would you compare the ride to a Kona N, which I find very much on the firm side?

That blue leather interior must be specific to the Australian market. From Europe it looks a bit like an American car from the 70s.

I like it. Actually I like it so much I am getting one 😉

You want soft touch stuff around a gearstick......... righto.

what year is this 2004?!

lost count of how much times he said "cool"

Does it have space for baby seats in back seats cos that’s the buyer demographic 😊

So its a Karoq Sportline with a better motor and optional performance bits. I'd rather get the Formentor as has the latest more modern interior and shape, but this has more room if you need it. Still better value than the equivalent VW product though and better seats too.

Been owner of this car for 2 years, best performance for this price. Only issues are too stiff suspension and uncomfy seats :/

Is this the same size as a Tiguan?

Where’s the exhaust sound you keep talking about?

Hiiii I’m Tom baaaaakeeerrrrr

It needs something to break up that sea of black plastic in the interior. I like the blue leather(?) on the doors. It would be nice if they integrated something like that into the dash.

Can we please get Ponch back in his shorts

I think these are nice cars but the bronze everywhere makes is so undesirable imo.. a toy car, a car from a batman film.. etc.

I feel like the copper accents won’t age very well..

$6000 exhaust 😂

Seems like every brand is releasing the same thing in different jackets, sad that no one has any individuality anymore.

Expensive

Cupra means Copper. Hence the bronze colour

Cupra is Latin for copper. So that colour isn't bronze, it's copper.

It's a SKODA.

For that price, the interior is nothing special.

FYI, Cupra is SEAT.

Chasing Cars : stop promoting Cupra as its own brand....it's still a SEAT which is still a puny and unreliable poorly made VW GOLF :).

Ugliest car ever

If I was 30 years younger then I would be as enthusiastic as the new guy. I like him but the Energiser Bunny is a bit much. Old people can't keep up