Makes an impression: The purple Tavascan attracts a lot of attention.Timo Gilgen
A long-distance drive shows: The Cupra Tavascan VZ drives confidently, thinks ahead - and sounds better than many competitors. But not everything runs smoothly in the digital everyday life. Where does it shine, where does Cupra need to improve?
While the colleague is still in bed, his motorhome along with the author of these lines is already at the charging station. Landsberg am Lech, 9 o'clock in the morning. 99 percent battery charge is reached, the onboard computer shows a remaining range of 375 kilometres. Ahead of us are 635 kilometres, to Lower Saxony's second largest city, Braunschweig - across the country, with two planned charging stops and an open view of everything the Cupra Tavascan VZ has to offer in terms of assistance, infotainment and everyday comfort. After almost seven hours it is clear: this car is not just for show. It also has substance.
The Tavascan stands there like a picture. Broad shoulders, crouched stance, glowing Cupra logos front and rear. The design looks like it fell out of a Marvel storyboard - and that's exactly why it makes an impression. Especially at night, the Tavascan skilfully stages itself with its triangular light signatures. Inside, a huge 15-inch display dominates, flanked by a copper-coloured shimmering bar that extends into the doors. It looks high-quality, but is made of hard plastic. Never mind - the look works.
Assistance systems: Stable, confident, subtle
All relevant driving data at a glance.Timo Gilgen
The Travel Assist can be activated with a simple press of a button on the left of the steering wheel - and impresses immediately. Lane keeping and distance control work precisely and smoothly, even at our average speed of around 120 km/h. The vehicle drives as if guided by a digital thread. Only occasionally does the system remind you to please put your hands back on the steering wheel - which strictly speaking would not be necessary. The Cupra is so stable on the road.
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Particularly pleasant: The interplay of distance control and gentle braking behaviour. When a vehicle cuts in, the Tavascan decelerates without abrupt interventions. This builds trust. The only issue is that restarting on country roads after turning vehicles sometimes takes a few seconds too long - the sensors could be a bit faster here.
Consumption and long-distance balance: Practice instead of prospectus
At the end of the journey, the display shows 652 kilometres, 6 hours 41 minutes of driving time and a consumption of 18.4 kWh/100 km - with an average speed of 99 km/h. The official WLTP value of 17.1 kWh is slightly exceeded in everyday life, which is completely within the range given full load phases, outside temperatures around 16 degrees, and a brisk motorway average. The pre-calculated range is just under 400 km - realistic and plannable.
Charging was done twice, each with a DC peak of 141 kW. The first stop was made earlier than planned because the colleague's caffeine deficiency affected the mood in the interior. The Tavascan was not bothered by this. It took exactly 17 minutes to get coffee and recharge before continuing. The system quickly recognised our change of plan and adjusted the route. We manually deleted one of the two additional suggested stops. Again, there was no grumbling or complications. We continued comfortably at 120 km/h on the A7 heading north.
With Phil Collins singing, we’re on our way to Lower Saxony.Timo Gilgen
Admittedly, we also had almost ideal conditions. The outside temperature reached around 20 degrees on this day. Yet the often-made comparison to the feeling of sailing when driving an electric vehicle felt fitting on this day. We reached charging stop two with eight percent remaining battery capacity. The Cupra was docked for 26 minutes and with exactly 80 percent we drove on, refreshed, towards southeast Lower Saxony.
Infotainment: Quick, well-thought-out - and with a goosebump factor
The central infotainment system is among the best currently available on an MEB basis. Menu navigation, speed, clarity - all at a high level. The switch between Apple CarPlay and the native Cupra apps works seamlessly. Those who want to use navigation, music, and vehicle control simultaneously will quickly find their way around.
A real highlight is the optional Sennheiser sound system. Rarely has an E-SUV of this class sounded so voluminous, precise, and room-filling. The sound tuning is so well done that the digital world inside feels acoustically like a high-end lounge - a goosebump moment, both with quiet tracks and podcasts as well as with rich basses or guitar solos.
Route guidance: good, but not perfect
After around 80 kilometres, we switched from Google Maps to Cupra's own navigation system. The transition is intuitive, and the operation seems well thought out. Particularly positive: you can define a desired remaining battery level until the next charging station. This creates a buffer and avoids the much-cited range anxiety.
We're keeping an eye on the charging process.Timo Gilgen
Less successful: there is no filtering option for charging providers. Those who travel only with certain charging cards will also receive suggestions for unsuitable stations. In times of growing provider diversity, personalisation is urgently needed here.
Driving modes and everyday usability: Sport with limitations
Various modes such as "Range", "Comfort", "Performance" or "Cupra" can be selected via the "Drive" button. The characteristics change noticeably - especially in terms of responsiveness and recuperation. However, the latter is not freely adjustable but is linked to the modes. Those who prefer defined one-pedal feelings must not activate an assistant, as only then do the plus and minus paddles behind the steering wheel function as recuperation levers.
Problematic in everyday life: in Range mode, the speed is limited to 130 km/h. Anyone who wants to overtake briefly must first change the mode - this is unnecessarily complicated and takes time. Otherwise, the driving behaviour is agile, well-tuned, and comfortable even when driving sportily - the Cupra shows that MEB models can also differentiate themselves dynamically from each other.
Conclusion: The Tavascan wants everything - and can do a lot
The Cupra Tavascan VZ is more than a fashionable offshoot based on VW. It has character, technical competence - and enough everyday practicality to master long distances with confidence. The assistance systems are well-tuned, and the infotainment is among the digital top class in the group. In addition, at least in our test vehicle, there is a magnificent sound system and a design that polarises.
Only in areas such as charging filters, the freely configurable recuperation, and the range mode logic is there room for improvement. Overall, however, it remains a vehicle that noticeably sets itself apart from its platform siblings - and delivers exactly what the Cupra brand promises.
