What we like:

Impressive dynamics for a crossover; all-round quality and well-judged chassis setup.  

What we dislike:

Highly integrated user interface may be too much for some.  

The vast empire of the Volkswagen Group is well-known, as is its propensity to share all manner of platforms and parts among its brands.

So when Cupra developed the Formentor from the ground up, that got me interested. It holds promise that it won’t just be another generic product of the Group.

Named after cape Formentor on the Spanish island of Mallorca famous for its parties and holiday homes, the car evokes images of youthfulness and zest. Its slinky, segment-defying looks are enough for it to stand out, yet appeal to the growing hoard of buyers keen to get into a high-riding vehicle.

Of course, being a Cupra, it isn’t just any vanilla SUV. Cues like its 19-inch diamond-cut wheels and quad exhausts give clues to its potency.

It’s a techy, sporty atmosphere inside, with huge 12-inch and 10.2-inch displays dominating proceedings. The standard fit 340W Beats audio system is a joy to listen to, with low NVH levels also contributing to the premium experience.

The touch sensitive controls for temperature and volume control just below the centre screen aren’t for everybody, but wrap-around ambient lighting integrated with blind spot warning signals is a strong talking point.

Quality is extremely high everywhere, and with cars delivered to customers, they will get single-piece sports seats in cool Petrol Blue. It feels fully loaded - as it should for a range-topper.

The Formentor 310 (meaning 310 hp) is the most powerful version you can buy if you exclude the ultra-cool 5-cylinder VZ5 variant. More importantly, you get 400 Nm from 2000 rpm all the way to 5450 rpm.

It’s perfectly happy to potter around town slowly, but can also transform into a powerhouse if you wring it out. It’s not clinical in its approach either as there are some pops and bangs rewarded to you if you time your shifts right. With 4Drive, there’s plenty of grip for the power too and while it feels neutral most of the time, there’s a tip-toe agility that is hugely impressive for this type of vehicle. The dual-clutch gearbox is also rapid upshifting or downshifting, a real weapon to use.

What’s perhaps most deserving of praise though is the car’s blend of comfort and sport. A Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) slider allows precise fine tuning of the damping, and the breadth of choice available ensures even the most demanding of passengers, or drivers, will be satiated. In its softest setting you’d never imagine it being a sporty car at all, and the stiffest setting gives impressive body control.

Cupra is becoming comfortable in its own skin and the Formentor is a first taste of that. It’s a confident, utterly capable machine that is easily hanging around with the top of the Volkswagen Group tree.

Credits: Text by James Wong; Photos by Clifford Chow