Cupra Terramar 1.5 eTSI Review: SUV That Still Knows How To Entertain

Besides looking modern, detailed, stylish and eye-catching, there is something rather unforgettable about the way the Cupra Terramar goes about its business. In a market increasingly obsessed with electrification, touchscreen gimmickry and enough driver assistance systems to practically babysit you on the MCE, the Terramar still remembers that driving should feel… well, enjoyable.

And that matters. Especially in Singapore, where paying six figures for a car only to feel emotionally detached from it would probably qualify as self-inflicted heartbreak.

Technically Speaking

This front-wheel drive comes with a 1.5-litre turbocharged mild-hybrid drivetrain producing 150 bhp and 250 Nm of torque. On paper, the numbers do not exactly scream “hot hatch”; a 0-100km/h timing of 9.3 seconds also feels respectable rather than riotous.

But the Terramar’s trick lies elsewhere. With a power-to-weight ratio hovering around the 96 hp-per-tonne mark, it delivers its performance in a manner that feels surprisingly eager, especially once you start threading it through a decent stretch of road.

The mild-hybrid system deserves some credit too. Around town, it smoothens the stop-start process while lending the drivetrain an extra layer of refinement. More importantly, it helps efficiency without constantly reminding you it is trying to save the planet.

Which is good, because this is the sort of car that encourages you to drive with a slightly heavier right foot.

Despite that, after half a week of enthusiastic driving, the Terramar still returned 11.7km/L. Frankly, that is quite respectable considering the way it was being driven; behave like a responsible adult, and you will almost certainly see far better figures. Oh, on a full tank, the onboard computer was confidently showing over 700 km of range.

Think about that for a moment. For many Singaporean drivers, that potentially means visiting the petrol station perhaps once every one and a half weeks. Maybe longer, if your daily mileage revolves around school runs, office commutes and the occasional supper mission.

And if you are still not entirely convinced about joining the EV movement - especially if regular road trips up North remain part of your lifestyle - the Terramar makes a compelling argument for itself. No charging apps. No need to plan charging stops in Yong Peng, Ayer Keroh or Seremban. No wondering whether the charger is working. Just fuel up and go, go, go.

Driving It

The best part, however, is the way this thing handles itself.

Yes, it is an SUV. Yes, you sit higher than in a hatchback. And yes, you can feel the body moving about when attacking corners enthusiastically. But somehow, just somehow, none of it feels discouraging. Instead, the Terramar manages to shrink around you in a manner that makes it genuinely enjoyable to hustle down twisty roads.

There is a harmony to the way the steering, chassis and suspension communicate with one another. You feel connected to the car; in sync with it. Like it actually wants you to participate in the driving process instead of merely supervising it.

Good job, Cupra.

The standard paddle shifters are another welcome touch. They genuinely add to the experience, particularly in Cupra mode where manually holding gears helps the Terramar feel noticeably more alert off the line. Because left to its own devices, the 7-speed DSG ‘box can occasionally hesitate slightly when moving off from traffic lights. Nothing alarming, but enough to notice in Singapore’s typical stop-go traffic.

The Inside Story

Inside, the Terramar strikes a commendable balance between sporty theatre and everyday usability. At 4,519 mm long, it occupies that sweet spot where it feels compact enough for Singapore’s tighter carparks, while still offering enough cabin space for some family duties.

Rear accommodation is decent for a compact SUV, though taller passengers may still wish for a touch more knee room during longer journeys. The boot, however, is genuinely useful - with 508-litres of cargo space, it easily swallows the usual airport luggage, grocery hauls and random DIY furniture impulses. Practicality has clearly not been forgotten here.

Build quality also impresses. There is enough soft-touch material around the cabin to remind you this is trying to play in premium territory, while the overall design feels properly driver-focused. The cockpit wraps around you nicely, and the sports seats help reinforce the sensation that this is still very much a driver’s car.

One gripe though: The air-conditioning controls. Why must everything live inside the touchscreen nowadays? Why?

A set of proper physical buttons would have made daily usability so much better, especially when adjusting the temperature while navigating traffic. Sometimes, progress really does overcomplicate simple things…

In A Nutshell

Still, the bigger challenge facing the Terramar may not actually be the car itself. It is the badge.

Cupra remains relatively unfamiliar to the average Singaporean buyer, which is unfortunate because the Terramar is genuinely one of those increasingly rare modern cars that still manages to make driving feel special. Sensational, if I may.

It does come with quite the list of driving assistance, like Intelligent Park Assist, a top view camera, pre-crash system, blind-spot monitoring system, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance and traffic jam assist to name a few - not too shabby even when compared to the Chinese EVs of this size.

But then comes the asking price - S$230k (with COE). In Singapore’s current taxation and COE climate, consumers naturally begin questioning whether they are willing to spend that sort of money on a European brand still building its reputation locally. That hesitation is understandable; hardly the car’s fault though. More a reflection of the realities of owning cars here.

Which is a pity really - because beneath the unfamiliar badge lies a genuinely charming SUV that still remembers how to make you smile behind the wheel.

Photos by Azfar Hashim (@azfar.talks)

---

Car you sell, Carousell. Get the highest quote for your car in just 24 hours, with assistance on paperwork too!