Cupra Tavascan Australian pricing announced | Image: Supplied

2025 Cupra Tavascan Review: A Tesla Alternative?

By Ben McKimm - Review

Published: 28 Mar 2025

Readtime: 7 min

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Pros	Cons
Base-model RWD model represents great value Top-of-the-class dynamics, even in the entry Large touchscreen infotainment Sennheiser 12-speaker audio system	Charging speeds slow Boot space down on competition Styling is not for everyone Drum brakes in the rear, not great

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Nearly two years after its global reveal, the sharply styled Cupra Tavascan (from AUD$60,990 before on-road costs) has finally landed Downunder, and we’ve had a chance to jump behind the wheel at this electric vehicle’s Australian launch.

The heralded arrival of the Spanish automaker’s latest product couldn’t have come at a better time as its main competitor, the new Tesla Model Y, has just launched. Still, many EV customers are left looking for an alternative due to Elon Musk’s tight-knit relationship with Donald Trump.

Well, Cupra’s new family SUV could be the answer, as the new Tavascan has a highly competitive starting price of $60,990 before on-road costs. This not only aims squarely at the Model Y (from AUD$58,900 plus on-road costs) but also the array of Chinese-owned and made EVs arriving in Australia. To find out what’s what, we headed to the Adelaide Hills to see if this is a true Tesla Model Y alternative or just a half-baked EV that promises the world and delivers an atlas.

Pricing plays an important role in differentiation for Cupra. The cut-throat luxury EV crossover segment is one of the most competitive in the automotive market, and brands such as Kia, Tesla, Polestar and many more fight for a limited audience share.

Playing off this, the Cupra Tavascan will land with two models:

Endurance (single motor) – from AUD$60,990 plus on-road costs
- Endurance with Interior Package (+$4,500)
VZ (dual motor) – from AUD$74,490 plus on-road costs
- VZ with Extreme Package (+$8,000)

The list of standard equipment is generous enough, arriving complete with 19-inch wheels, LED headlights, a power tailgate with a kick sensor, a 15-inch touchscreen infotainment system, wireless app connectivity, wireless smartphone charging, adaptive cruise control and more. Buyers can add an Interior package costing an extra $4,500, which brings in a 360-degree camera, 20-inch wheels, and ‘Dark Night’ microfibre power front seats with heating and memory, plus a 12-speaker Sennheiser audio system.

Step up to the dual-motor Tavascan VZ and you get 21-inch wheels, Matrix LED headlights with adaptive high-beam and a fixed panoramic glass roof into the mix.

If that’s not enough, buyers can further up the ante with the $8,000 Extreme Package (VZ only), which adds performance tyres, Nappa Leather, and racing bucket seats with ventilation, however, the range sees a further dip to 463km.

Two paint options, Tavascan Blue and Basalt Grey, can also be added at an additional cost of $800.

Standard is a 5-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty along with an 8-year, 160,000km high-voltage battery warranty and the option of pre-paid servicing plans.

We spent the day testing the single-motor Endurance model (210kW) and the dual-motor VZ (250kW) back-to-back. While the more expensive (and faster) dual-motor model is quite clearly the more performance-focused of the two, the single-motor Endurance would be our pick of the bunch.

You can take or leave the “Interior Package,” which adds costs, but as far as driving is concerned, the Endurance is simply more fun to drive on twisty roads. Yes, the adaptive suspension found in the VZ does mean the ride control is better managed over bumps and washouts, but it’s not a game-changer in our books. The single-motor model sacrifices nothing but acceleration in the driving department, and the rear-wheel drive layout and the extra range that you gain by not having another electric motor up front is worth considering.

The balance in the RWD Endurance model is very neutral, it doesn’t push through corners like the AWD VZ, and the steering is more direct because of the lighter-weight front end.

We were a little concerned by the braking performance of the Tavascan (rear drum brakes!), but once you push through the excessive amount of regenerative brake force, the calipers bite and pull up the 2,178 kg of unladen weight in an acceptable distance.

We’d like to see faster charging variants offer DC fast charging with the ability to juice up the battery to 80 per cent in under 30 minutes, while 11Kw AC charging is also available.

Both vehicles are underpinned by the MEB electric vehicle architecture that’s used in the Volkswagen ID.4 and Skoda Enyaq. This means the Tavascan’s lithium-ion battery pack is a medium-sized one at 77kWh. Curpa claims 534km WLTP of range for the Endurance and 477km WLTP or range for the VZ but expect around 400km in the real world based on our tests.

Cupra tavascan 4 — 2025 Cupra Tavascan | Image: Supplied

Step inside the Tavascan and you’re welcomed by the largest touchscreen infotainment system ever fitted to any Cupra model. This monster is a Tesla-sized 15.0-inch unit with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and is standard on all models. It’s matched by a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and head-up display, which you won’t find in any Tesla.

We spent most of our time driving, so we didn’t get a chance to fiddle around with the storage bins, climate control, and ambient lighting. However, we did listen to the epic high-fidelity, 12-speaker audio system developed in collaboration with Sennheiser. It’s amongst the best in this segment, but when compared to the 16-speaker sound system (with subwoofer) available exclusively on the Long Range All-Wheel Drive Tesla Model Y, it’s still a touch behind the 8-ball. Nevertheless, it’s an immersive sound experience with 425 watts of power, and it certainly won’t leave you wanting more.

When it comes time to road trip the Tavascan, there’s a 540-litre boot behind the second row, which is considerably less than you’ll find in the Model Y (854 litres). Still, it’s a useful shape and comes with a hands-free opening system.

“The Cupra Tavascan is a statement piece both for our brand and our customers,” said Cupra Australia director Ben Wilks. “It is a statement of intent and commitment from our brand to ensure that making the switch to electric doesn’t have to be boring – owning a medium SUV can be a design piece and mirror the driver appeal of our highly acclaimed petrol performance range.”

“The Tavascan also embodies our unique position in the market – Cupra is neither mass mainstream, nor luxury, we are about authenticity of design and engineering combined with great value. Until now, this combination hasn’t been found in this segment.”

Compared to other EVs in this price range, including the Tesla Model Y, the Cupra Tavascan stands out for its distinctive exterior and interior. Although its performance doesn’t quite match some of the other flagship performance EVs, it relies on its sportier handling set-up to set it apart from rivals.

Ultimately, there’s real value to be found in the entry-level Endurance model, and that would be our pick of the bunch.

If you’re considering a new Tesla Model Y but don’t want to drive around in a rolling red hat, take the new Cupra Tavascan for a test drive.

View the Tavascan at Cupra