Cupra Formentor Team Test | Fifth Gear

Seat’s plug-in hybrid performance SUV gets the team test treatment. Will this hot performance SUV get the team excited about hybrid SUV performance or is this a swing and a miss from the Spanish brand? Watch our brand new series, in full, via Discovery+ www.discoveryplus.co.uk/show/...
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[@fifthgearuk]

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[@johngilchrist2852]

I’ll never tire of saying it, it’s just not the same without Tiff.

[@Theferrariguy]

They've literally gone electric, couldn't get any worse 🤣 tiff could've been a good replacement for top gear when it was rebooted

[@thoughtfuldog5424]

I opted for the 310 version, a Golf R on stilts. That’s the version to go for, if you budget stretches. Plenty of power 💪🏼

[@mikewareham4039]

Me too! Plenty of power, actually feels like more than 310 off the line!

[@sehaninemoonbow3167]

Same. I would never buy a hybrid for all the reasons Rory said. He loved the 310 version though 👍

[@gazza2004]

Same, not that I would condone any fast driving... but the 310 version was neck and neck with an S3 and then pulling away at 60, plus a BMW 440i couldn't keep up either. I love the car, its such a beast and I get 34mpg! (25mpg round town)

[@Gabber10K]

oh yeah, same here, got the ABT tuning too (official Cupra warranty one), fcuk this e-hybrid garbage :D

[@johnpottinger7645]

The 310 goes like a rocket. I was a bit disappointed with the review though. Vicki & Rory run down the battery and then Jason and Karun criticize it for being underpowered, which it was bound to be as it's a plug-in hybrid!

[@alandunt7044]

I’ve had this exact car for 6 months and I enjoy it…but I’ll be honest I only got it because it’s cheap on company car tax. I thought the review was poor to be honest, they were moaning about the power in Cupra mode after they’d run the battery down! You have to use both power trains together together to get 245bhp…wakey wakey!!

[@moviemetropolis]

As a Formentor plug in owner, I can say that plug in hybrids are definitely the way to go for those who mainly drive around town with the occasional long journey. On the motorway in hybrid mode I average around 80mpg, in town I use the full EV mode and then charge at my destination. Great car (infotainment system is poor at times though)

[@Theferrariguy]

80mpg is very impressive was thinking about getting a phev myself in a few years

[@johnnyvarga6068]

@@Theferrariguy hybrid will be redundant in a few years

[@Theferrariguy]

@@johnnyvarga6068 I've a feeling they'll be around a little while longer than they're expected to be.

[@jacobschofield9712]

Certainly excited to see the VZ5 version of the Formentor, with the Audi RS3 engine

[@gms03sbd3]

Vz5 with the 5cil from Audi is the way to go. Nise sound, power for days and nice milleage.

[@oliverstemp9132]

We don’t get it in the UK

[@kristisrb]

Not really, ridiculously overpriced.

[@gazza2004]

@@kristisrb Plus they only make them in LHD

[@UBERmorrison]

Nise

[@StevieB759]

Seen there is a 400bhp version been made which has the 5 Pot from the RS3 but unfortunately not available in the UK - import 1 only left hand drive - CUPRA we need this version in the UK like yesterday! Right hand drive! £55-60k not a problem!

[@Has7DCT]

Why they didn't mention the 2.0 TDI version? Is it not available in the UK?

[@paultasker7788]

The problem here as some others have kind of mentioned is that its not really 245bhp. Its 245bhp only if the battery has charge. If it doesn't its more like 150bhp which is what this 1.4tsi usually outputs and then its a bit heavy for that output.

[@stevestevesteve946]

Yeah, if your battery is dead you are lugging around a hybrid powertrain on 150 so no wonder it was gutless. If it was me, I would remap it to 190 and have the DSG box remapped too. At least then if you are on petrol only power, it would be able to pick up some pace. With all that weight, it would probably be the same performance with a hybrid remapped to 190, as it would be for the non-hybrid 150, as that version is lighter.

[@paultasker7788]

@@stevestevesteve946 I've got the 150bhp 1.5 turbo in a golf estate and it feels quick in that but that's the newer engine. Having said that I had the 1.4 turbo 140 in Leon FR ST and was pretty quick too. Not as torquey as the 1.5 at low to medium revs so less effortless but keener to rev out. Add hybrid weight though and it'll struggle a bit.

[@JohnnyCastaway99]

I have an E-hybrid VZ1 245 and even when the battery is fully discharged you always have 245hp when you accelerate hard as the battery retains boost assist. You can also get the petrol engine to recharge the battery to what ever percentage you want in the E-hybrid custom settings so for instance if you're on the motorway in E-hybrid mode you can set a percentage to have the battery charged to so that when you come in to town you can then run solely on electric. In my opinion it's the best of both worlds when used properly annd you understand all the settings.

[@JohnnyCastaway99]

@@stevestevesteve946 This is a classic misconception of the Formentor E-hybrid. I have an E-hybrid VZ1 245 and even when the battery is fully discharged you always have 245hp and 400nm torque when you accelerate hard as the battery retains boost assist.

[@stevestevesteve946]

@@JohnnyCastaway99 Thanks Jason! Did you try the 150 or 190 unit before you bought the hybrid? Would be interested to know what your thoughts on the performance if you did 😀

[@Bluueable]

Happy to see Rory part of this awesome team

[@GMMarlDomingo]

My dream car, i will definitely drive 260kph on Germany Autobahn. I drove already 210kph with my seat leon but im not yet satisfied.. very nice review

[@GillmanStudio]

Being an owner, it has grunt but the box shift is too slow, use the flappy paddles and rev the heck out of it, it goes much better.

[@connorcole3553]

The target market for phevs is mainly those using cars for business purposes due to BIK tax reductions reducing overall cost to the customer, you can’t compare the 300bhp model to the hybrid based on car cost because it simply doesn’t compare. For example through business I can get the model tested for £300/ month with no deposit, the 300bhp is double that

[@resnonverba137]

These Fifth Gear tests/comparisons are all over the place of late. On this test the second driver used all the electric power so it was hardly surprising that the car didn't give its best for the last two drivers. The last comparison I watched pitted incomparable versions of rival cars against each other, thus rendering the test irrelevant.

[@davidwarnes5158]

But this gave you the true reality of the car.

[@resnonverba137]

@@davidwarnes5158 I understand your point, but it doesn't take a genius to know what will happen with no hybrid assistance. That should not be the point of this test and the vehicles tested should be running at their optimum.

[@smokeymotorsport]

Absolutely agree, but that's sort of the issue with the hybrid system - it's a bit like having NOS, it's only any good as long as that power booster lasts, which generally isn't very long. I always wonder how long it takes for the car to recharge itself as well, or will it essentially never charge itself from normal driving? Do I HAVE to plug it in the charge?

[@resnonverba137]

@@smokeymotorsport I spoke with BMW re their 5 Series plug-in hybrid. After some uncertainty from their part they eventually replied that it would not recharge and would simply run using the reduced engine power. Far from ideal in my opinion. Can't say if this car is the same.

[@davidwarnes5158]

@@resnonverba137 100% true, thats what I was trying to say , this test shows the truth, if you drive it fast , it takes the electric , so showing you are limited on just electric power , Yes they could charge it and run in a not normal driving mode and give a false test, 5he car tested is a sport department of vw seat. So it will be driven fast ?

[@wyatt93m]

I've watched some reviews of this car so far and never heard complains like this before about it. Complaining about "lack of power" while they ran out of battery is like complaining about a car shutting down because they ran out of petrol... Makes no freaking sense. That's how hybrids work!

[@deanchilds644]

What colour is this one ?

[@wordreet]

The name sounds like something you'd add to a chemistry experiment. Oh well, at least it has the same 0 to 60 time as my 1994 Cavalier V6.

[@sanjsharma9903]

I have the VZ2 310 version I recommend going for this version plenty of grunt makes sum nice fake noises in Cupra Mode sounds like a V8

[@gazza2004]

Plus the pops, bangs and crackles at around 3400 - 3500rpm 👍

[@gabrielcaramet3238]

I like this thing the VZ5 is the way to go with it

[@m17ttt]

Lack of power? If the battery was completely depleted. (As you said it was) Then maybe it wasn't giving full 'boost' and aiding the 1.4 petrol. I have the same setup in a VAG car and it spins the wheels in 1st 2nd and 3rd.

[@Theferrariguy]

Was thinking about that actually.

[@eaglemihnea]

245 hp from a 1.4 is enough for the PHEV segment. The problem is this costs BMW money and BMW give you a 2-liter turbo with everything. The 300 hp version is the one to have. VZ5 isn't going to sell in the UK so it's out Edit: The review is wrong. They make a Formentor TDI

[@stevestevesteve946]

You don't get 245hp from a 1.4. You get 150ps from the 1.4 TSI and 115ps from the electric motor.

[@eaglemihnea]

@@stevestevesteve946 yes, i know. The output is fine either way. People dont need more. Its just that its badged like a sports model

[@johang7498]

Handsome SUV. But I would never go for plug-in hybrid: a little bit of both and a whole lot of nothing as a consequence.

[@Oldjohn52]

only one letter away from "Tormentor"

[@CT37BN]

Think Seat took some styling cues off an old 2016 Hyundai Tucson.

[@fkkmag8692]

Where is tif?

[@Birmingham_racing]

Thought they only come in 300bhp

[@rc0885]

I’ll talk u thru the HP figures 150,190,245,300,310

[@drone_tours]

Get the one with the 5 cylinder engine and see what happens

[@jamesowen4360]

To get the full power u need to have battery and petrol. If there's no battery left you won't have the full power available

[@jonscot8393]

Where are the 3 door versions?

[@CaptainHoratioPugwash]

Nobody buys 3-door cars so few manufacturers bother now.

[@Domwesi]

Wow... Rory can do pushups...😂😂🤣🤣

[@disarchitected]

I always thought SEAT should have been what Cupra is.

[@petedrake1]

For God sake Fifth gear, bring back Tiff!

[@entity_dragons2013]

I've recently purchased 1.5 v2 model and really like it

[@garyharding394]

Hey, how are you finding it? I also have the same 1.5 v2, any hidden secrets your aware of after having a while now?.. Anybody else find that you can't drive with just side lights on as the auto light mode switch kicks in unless you're stationary, I do love the car at night is pretty epic, just bizarre that there's no lighting for volume or heating at night. Other than that after 2 months I'm pleased with so far👍

[@Andrei-hl2fx]

of course it's sluggish if the battery is drained.. meaning you lost almost 1/2 of your HP....

[@mikadavies660]

Nice looking.... Just need to ditch the silly 1.4 ltr engine.

[@juanpablocorreiaecheverria2857]

I’d say Fifth Gear is dead. But they still have Vicki.

[@dogcowrph]

Why have racing seats if you’re not using a racing harness? It’s the faux exhaust and vents situation all over again. I wish we god cool cars in America.

[@robertsmuggles6871]

Great - I mean we're all running out spending £40,000 on new cars these days. Aren't we !

[@kienfung3045]

Seat For My Mentor

[@shreyasbhaiswar5189]

LOVE FROM INDIA❤️ 🇮🇳

[@Sipu79]

should've hit the 310hp version :)

[@Alexandra-Rex]

He thinks people will use up the battery and never charge it up again? 🙄

[@acptelford1307]

That’s right. I probably will never charge mine. It’s a company car and I don’t pay for fuel. They should make it regenerative charging….

[@acptelford1307]

52 weeks lead time!

[@mysterygti]

Crap, had a VZ2 and returned it after 2 months due to over 30 software issues

[@resnonverba137]

One batch of 30 rectified in one go or 30 individual faults to be resolved individually during your time with the car? Genuinely interested.

[@mysterygti]

@@resnonverba137 36 issues in total, mostly software. Around 5 were resolved.

[@resnonverba137]

@@mysterygti That's a partial answer, but I get the gist. Very disappointing.

[@Gopher31]

So you run down the battery then take it on fast laps and complain of the lack of power?! Next time empty the fuel tank and go for laps…..

[@oliverstemp9132]

Very good car, but PHEVs are a waste of time, go for the petrol. Or choose something fully electric instead

[@anthonydamian6873]

Errr, early in the review, you said the battery ran out. Then later you pan it for not having enough power, yet don't acknowledge the lack of the battery. A really inept review, and as an owner of this particular car, it is one of the primary reasons I bought it; the power, torque, driveability and the ability to change driving modes. But if you want the power/torque, it must be charged. Best of all, it is fun, much more so than other plug ins I drove that are available in Australia.

[@PetrolBeast]

Formentor is by far the best small crossover for someone with a heart pulse❤️

[@CaptainHoratioPugwash]

I would hope that anyone with a heart and a pulse wouldn't buy a small crossover and buy a hatch or small estate instead.

[@melluzi]

@@CaptainHoratioPugwash I initially ordered Cupra Leon 310 but when it turned out that I'd have to wait for more than a year, switched to 310 Formentor. Thanks to adaptive suspension, it's extremely stable on windy roads, still you can go off road without any issues. That was not the case with Leon with its 12 cm clearance and 35 tyre profile.

[@bojankis5999]

Wow ,Victoria looks hotter than ever! 😍

[@lunacave]

You guys have just driven too many Macans it seems? Gee, at this price you just won't be getting a Porsche.

[@madjh8]

And I give this team a 4 out of 10 about this review because it has lot of flaws like someone run ot of juice that battery and they still say that it is underpowered etc etc I has not electric power, so it was not in his full power ... and other things.

[@acptelford1307]

VBH 🤪

[@richardcarter1000]

The petrol car is just better

[@randyledirt1493]

She’s getting on a bit….

[@Alexander_l322]

She can still get those nickers off though 😃

[@mrmawson2438]

😂

[@rasherbasher8203]

Ruined by being hybrid.

[@27jezus]

crap

[@jonesjonz1]

It sucks that something that looks that good gets castrated by such a sh!tty hybrid power plant. 4.0 V8 non turbo should have done fine for this beauty since every German "fast" car has the 4.0 twin turbo. The V8 lump should have been easy to source. Throw in cylinder deactivate while cruising and there you go. A good looking vehicle with a manly powerplant and real exhaust. At least let the motor charge the batteries as it sits now ya bozo's...Pitiful.

[@stewartbrown6869]

Why this boy Rory on tv reviewing cars top gear got rid of 5th gear do same . Trys to be smart know all . Still bad attiude for tv . Last i ever watch him reviews are bad and ruins 5th gear

[@MatthewBayard]

Plug-in hybrid is still silly. Just go all the way and buy an EV!

[@acptelford1307]

Not enough range for someone working around the country

[@MatthewBayard]

@@acptelford1307 how many people work all around the country?

[@acptelford1307]

@@MatthewBayard More than you’re aware of obviously.

[@sharg0]

Not another Stupid Ugly Vehicle - sigh

[@resnonverba137]

I disagree. As this vehicle type go, I'd say this was one of the best-looking.

[@petedrake1]

I agree Rolf, bloody ugly thing. Love how people say they buy an SUV because they are practical, you want practical then buy an estate car that will drive so much better!

[@antop4597]

Why are they overlooking the most basic principle in this video in regard to the car being "gutless"? The fact it's a heavy car to begin with, and then they tried to floor it with 4 fully grown adults in it? of course it will be gutless trying to pull that much weight with 245ps