Likes
- Stunning design inside and out.
- Thanks to depreciation, offers so much car for the money on the used market.
- Very well equipped.
- Wonderful driving experience.
Used Cupra Formentor review
Dislikes
- Depreciation can be extreme.
- Limited dealer and support network.
- Concerning list of common issues.
- Infotainment and electronic gremlins well documented.
Stuff you should know
The Cupra Formentor is a bit of an interesting one in the Australian market. First launched here in mid-2022, it was Cupra’s debut model and the one the brand really wanted to plant its flag with. For context, Cupra itself started life as the performance arm of SEAT in Spain, and while SEAT is still quite big in Europe, it’s Cupra that Volkswagen Group chose to bring to Australia. So what you’ve got with the Formentor is essentially a sporty, coupe-styled SUV that’s designed to take on everything from hot hatchbacks to premium compact crossovers.
In terms of engines, the Australian range kicked off with the Formentor V, powered by a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder making 140 kW (187 hp) and 320 Nm (236 lb.ft), driving all four wheels via a seven-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic. A step up was the VZ, also with a 2.0-litre turbo, but this one tuned to 180 kW (241 hp) and 370 Nm (273 lb.ft). The hero model at launch, though, was the VZx, again using the 2.0-litre turbo but here with 228 kW (306 hp) and 400 Nm (295 lb.ft), sending power to all four wheels and really putting it in Golf R territory. Later on, Cupra expanded the range with the VZe, a plug-in hybrid combining a 1.4-litre turbo four-cylinder with an electric motor for a combined 180 kW (241 hp) and 400 Nm (295 lb.ft).
Transmission choice is fairly simple across the board: every Formentor in Australia runs a version of Volkswagen’s seven-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic, no manuals offered here. It’s a quick-shifting, clever gearbox, but as with any DSG, it can be a bit hesitant at low speeds and doesn’t necessarily love stop-start urban traffic. The VZe PHEV also runs a six-speed version of the DSG, paired specifically to the hybrid drivetrain.
Trim levels are structured around those engines, and Cupra kept things fairly generous with equipment to help the brand stand out in a crowded market. Even the entry-level V came with 18-inch alloys, LED headlights, a big 12-inch infotainment display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a full suite of active safety features. The VZ brought in bigger wheels, sportier styling, and extra driver assists, while the VZx topped it all off with 19-inch wheels, quad exhaust tips, adaptive suspension, a more aggressive body kit, and a heated leather interior with power adjustment. The plug-in VZe mirrored the spec of the mid-tier VZ, but with the hybrid drivetrain. A minor update in late 2023 saw tweaks to trim finishes, some added interior tech, and subtle improvements in efficiency, but nothing too radical.
Where the Formentor sits in the market is an interesting one. Cupra positions itself as a kind of halfway house between mainstream and premium – so while the Formentor isn’t priced to go after BMW X2s and Audi Q3s directly, it’s meant to feel more special than a Hyundai Kona N or a Mazda CX-30 Turbo. On the used market, however, things get a bit tricky. These cars suffer from heavy depreciation, partly because Cupra is still such a new and relatively unknown badge in Australia, and also because resale confidence just isn’t there yet. For a savvy buyer, that means some pretty appealing second-hand deals, but it’s worth weighing up the longer-term risks.
And those risks are worth mentioning. While Cupra is under the Volkswagen umbrella, their reputation for build quality and reliability in Australia hasn’t yet proven itself. In fact, many owners and workshops have noted that quality control can be a bit patchy, with electrical gremlins, infotainment glitches, DSG quirks, and squeaks and rattles being more common than you’d expect in this segment. With age, mis-use, or poor maintenance, issues with turbochargers, oil consumption, and hybrid battery health (for the VZe) may also crop up. Parts, maintenance, and servicing are also on the pricier side, and the support network in Australia is limited – Cupra only has a handful of dealerships, mostly in capital cities, so regional buyers may find servicing a bit of a hassle.
So, for a prospective used buyer, the Formentor represents a stylish and quite unique option in the small-to-medium performance SUV segment. It offers strong engines, plenty of kit, and distinctive looks, but at the cost of higher running expenses, potential reliability niggles, and steep depreciation. If you’re considering one, make sure you’re fully across what goes wrong with them (and we’ll cover that in detail below), and weigh up whether the badge cachet and driving experience offset some of those ownership headaches.
Exterior:
Underneath the Formentor’s gorgeous, sharp-edged bodywork can lurk a whole range of headaches, particularly when it comes to anything powered by electricity deciding it’s had enough and chucking a tantrum.
Owners have reported rear-view cameras packing it in and needing full replacement, while that beautiful LED rear light bar across the tailgate sometimes just refuses to light up at all.
The puddle lights and the logo projectors under the mirrors aren’t immune either, they can distort, flicker, or just give up altogether, and fog lights on some cars have failed in as little as two or three years. Less common but still worth mentioning are complaints about power windows and mirror mechanisms going on the fritz.
Then there’s the sunroof. If you’ve read our reviews of other Volkswagen Group cars, you’ll know their sunroofs can be a proper pain point, and the Formentor is no different. These are actually one of the most commonly reported exterior issues, with loads of owners complaining about them rattling. Sometimes this can be sorted with a simple adjustment, but other times it points to something far nastier that can require a full sunroof cassette replacement — and you better pray that doesn’t happen outside of warranty. Some owners have found their sunroof refusing to open or close, often in hot weather when you’re most likely to want to use it. Others have experienced the roof opening itself randomly, even while the car’s locked and parked. The electronics don’t get off lightly either, with modules failing, switches becoming unresponsive, and in some cases the sunroof panel itself throwing intermittent faults. Add in owners reporting problems with the cabin’s reading lights, the Bluetooth microphone, the voice command system, and even the SOS emergency button, and it paints a picture of fragile electricals. To top it off, if the drainage channels clog or a tube is dislodged during cleaning, water can leak into the cabin and make everything worse. Plenty of owners advise avoiding Formentors with a sunroof entirely if you can.
And if you don’t speak Italian, “Brembo” basically translates to “stops brilliantly, but costs a fortune.” On the high-spec VZx models fitted with the optional Brembo package, replacement OEM pads and rotors can set you back anywhere between $3,500 and $4,000, and that’s before labour. The bigger worry is how quickly they can wear — some owners have needed full replacements in as little as 10,000 km. Do that over 100,000 km, and you could easily spend $40,000 on brakes alone. The good news is, loads of owners recommend ditching the OEM setup when it’s time to replace them and going with aftermarket alternatives. Brands like DBA come
Exterior:
Underneath the Formentor’s gorgeous, sharp-edged bodywork can lurk a whole range of headaches, particularly when it comes to anything powered by electricity deciding it’s had enough and chucking a tantrum.
Owners have reported rear-view cameras packing it in and needing full replacement, while that beautiful LED rear light bar across the tailgate sometimes just refuses to light up at all.
The puddle lights and the logo projectors under the mirrors aren’t immune either, they can distort, flicker, or just give up altogether, and fog lights on some cars have failed in as little as two or three years. Less common but still worth mentioning are complaints about power windows and mirror mechanisms going on the fritz.
Then there’s the sunroof. If you’ve read our reviews of other Volkswagen Group cars, you’ll know their sunroofs can be a proper pain point, and the Formentor is no different. These are actually one of the most commonly reported exterior issues, with loads of owners complaining about them rattling. Sometimes this can be sorted with a simple adjustment, but other times it points to something far nastier that can require a full sunroof cassette replacement — and you better pray that doesn’t happen outside of warranty. Some owners have found their sunroof refusing to open or close, often in hot weather when you’re most likely to want to use it. Others have experienced the roof opening itself randomly, even while the car’s locked and parked. The electronics don’t get off lightly either, with modules failing, switches becoming unresponsive, and in some cases the sunroof panel itself throwing intermittent faults. Add in owners reporting problems with the cabin’s reading lights, the Bluetooth microphone, the voice command system, and even the SOS emergency button, and it paints a picture of fragile electricals. To top it off, if the drainage channels clog or a tube is dislodged during cleaning, water can leak into the cabin and make everything worse. Plenty of owners advise avoiding Formentors with a sunroof entirely if you can.
And if you don’t speak Italian, “Brembo” basically translates to “stops brilliantly, but costs a fortune.” On the high-spec VZx models fitted with the optional Brembo package, replacement OEM pads and rotors can set you back anywhere between $3,500 and $4,000, and that’s before labour. The bigger worry is how quickly they can wear — some owners have needed full replacements in as little as 10,000 km. Do that over 100,000 km, and you could easily spend $40,000 on brakes alone. The good news is, loads of owners recommend ditching the OEM setup when it’s time to replace them and going with aftermarket alternatives. Brands like DBA come highly recommended for lasting longer, performing just as well, and costing far less. Thankfully, only the VZx with Brembos is affected here, and even then they weren’t always standard, so the regular brakes are still strong performers and much cheaper to maintain — but still, aftermarket is the smart move.
It’s a similar story with the suspension. Some owners have reported bushes wearing out in as little as 20,000 km, and if the adaptive dampers follow the same pattern as other Volkswagen adaptive setups, you might be looking at replacements sooner than you’d expect. Again, doing some homework on aftermarket solutions could save you a small fortune over OEM parts. Even something as simple as the windscreen wipers has been a frustration, with many owners complaining of noisy, juddering blades that wear out quickly, and of course, replacement cost can be ridiculous for something so basic.
Interior:
Step inside the Formentor and it’s immediately clear this is a stylish and fairly premium space for its segment, but it’s not without its dramas. One of the most consistent complaints is noise — rattles, squeaks, and creaks coming from everywhere: the dashboard, the door cards, the speaker mounts, the grab handles, and yes, that bloody sunroof again. Owners say you can fix one rattle only for another to appear somewhere else, and many have given up and just cranked the stereo to drown it all out.
The problem there is that the stereo itself often gets criticised, even with the upgraded Beats system. It lacks clarity, distorts easily, and doesn’t feel like the high-end setup it pretends to be. A few owners have fixed this by fitting a DSP amplifier or upgrading speakers, which can massively improve sound quality. Some also recommend adding extra sound deadening while you’re at it.
The seats, while fabulous to look at and supportive when new, also come with a few asterisks. There are loads of reports of the side bolsters on the entry side collapsing after as little as 5,000 km. If you’re nimble enough to hop over them every time you get in, you might avoid this, but most owners aren’t that disciplined. Yes, they’re generally replaced under warranty, but they often collapse again unless you’re very careful.
The leather hasn’t escaped criticism either, with many examples showing excessive wear far too early. The foam padding underneath can shift or slip, making the seats uncomfortable and ruining the look of the upholstery, and the leather itself can become loose and start gathering, even in well-looked-after cars. Oh, and if you’re on the “copious dimensions” side of the spectrum, these seats can feel properly snug.
Day-to-day usability also leaves a bit to be desired. The cup holders look fancy but don’t actually hold cups properly, the wireless phone charger overheats or fails to charge altogether, and basic controls are needlessly fiddly.
The climate control system has no physical buttons, and worse still, the touch sliders aren’t backlit, so at night you have to take your eyes off the road just to change the temperature. Even the soft-touch interior light and sunroof controls can be completely unresponsive. The Volkswagen Group seems to have admitted fault here, because plenty of their newer models are bringing back proper buttons, but in the Formentor, you’re stuck with this frustrating setup.
And while you might think voice control would save you, it’s about as reliable as a toddler — sometimes ignoring you completely, other times randomly triggering when you’re just having a chat in the cabin. But all of that pales in comparison to the infotainment system itself, which is arguably the biggest interior headache. It’s been known to freeze, crash, reboot itself, randomly mute, and disconnect CarPlay, Android Auto, or Bluetooth constantly. When it mutes itself, you also lose your parking sensor beeps, which can get expensive very quickly in a tight carpark. A restart or factory reset will sometimes fix it, but more often than not, you’ll need a software update, which means a trip to the dealership. Fine if you live in Sydney or Melbourne, but with Cupra’s dealership network being so thin on the ground in regional Australia, this can be a real pain.
Some owners have needed multiple trips to finally get their infotainment issues sorted, and if this happens out of warranty, you’re up for the cost. Even when working, it’s not exactly intuitive — you get used to it, but compared to BMW iDrive, Genesis’ system, or Mercedes MBUX, it feels clunky. Honestly, it’s closer to and early Toyota or Lexus in terms of usability, and that’s not a compliment.
Mechanically:
The Formentor’s range of engines is largely carried over from Volkswagen and SEAT, which means some are better than others. Starting with the 1.5 TSI and the plug-in hybrid, these use the EA211 engine — and thankfully, this is a much-improved design compared to its infamous 1.4-litre twin-charged predecessor.
Gone is the fragile supercharger/turbo combo, replaced with a simple single turbo setup that’s far more reliable. That said, the water pump and thermostat arrangement is still a bit of a weak point and prone to leaking, but repairs are easier and cheaper than with the bigger 2.0-litre.
It runs a conventional dry timing belt rather than a wet one, which is a relief, and while the PCV valve on the rocker cover can fail, it’s a simple fix.
Some owners have also reported wastegate rattle, but there are aftermarket clips that solve this cheaply, and while actuators can fail, aftermarket replacements exist too.
The 2.0 TSI, found in the V, VZ, and VZx, is both the most common and the most problematic.
By far the biggest headache is the water pump and thermostat module, which has a habit of failing early — sometimes as soon as 60,000 km. Many owners just treat replacement as part of the regular servicing schedule, much like you would with a timing belt.
These engines are also known for PCV issues and, if poorly serviced, timing chain complications.
Like many VW and Audi engines, the abundance of fragile plastics in the engine bay is another worry — coolant flanges, pump housings, and connectors are all known to get brittle with age and heat. In other words, if you’re buying a used Formentor, expect the water pump to go, budget for PCV repairs, and make sure the timing chain has been looked after.
Exterior:
Underneath the Formentor’s gorgeous, sharp-edged bodywork can lurk a whole range of headaches, particularly when it comes to anything powered by electricity deciding it’s had enough and chucking a tantrum.
Owners have reported rear-view cameras packing it in and needing full replacement, while that beautiful LED rear light bar across the tailgate sometimes just refuses to light up at all.
The puddle lights and the logo projectors under the mirrors aren’t immune either, they can distort, flicker, or just give up altogether, and fog lights on some cars have failed in as little as two or three years. Less common but still worth mentioning are complaints about power windows and mirror mechanisms going on the fritz.
Then there’s the sunroof. If you’ve read our reviews of other Volkswagen Group cars, you’ll know their sunroofs can be a proper pain point, and the Formentor is no different. These are actually one of the most commonly reported exterior issues, with loads of owners complaining about them rattling. Sometimes this can be sorted with a simple adjustment, but other times it points to something far nastier that can require a full sunroof cassette replacement — and you better pray that doesn’t happen outside of warranty. Some owners have found their sunroof refusing to open or close, often in hot weather when you’re most likely to want to use it. Others have experienced the roof opening itself randomly, even while the car’s locked and parked. The electronics don’t get off lightly either, with modules failing, switches becoming unresponsive, and in some cases the sunroof panel itself throwing intermittent faults. Add in owners reporting problems with the cabin’s reading lights, the Bluetooth microphone, the voice command system, and even the SOS emergency button, and it paints a picture of fragile electricals. To top it off, if the drainage channels clog or a tube is dislodged during cleaning, water can leak into the cabin and make everything worse. Plenty of owners advise avoiding Formentors with a sunroof entirely if you can.
And if you don’t speak Italian, “Brembo” basically translates to “stops brilliantly, but costs a fortune.” On the high-spec VZx models fitted with the optional Brembo package, replacement OEM pads and rotors can set you back anywhere between $3,500 and $4,000, and that’s before labour. The bigger worry is how quickly they can wear — some owners have needed full replacements in as little as 10,000 km. Do that over 100,000 km, and you could easily spend $40,000 on brakes alone. The good news is, loads of owners recommend ditching the OEM setup when it’s time to replace them and going with aftermarket alternatives. Brands like DBA come highly recommended for lasting longer, performing just as well, and costing far less. Thankfully, only the VZx with Brembos is affected here, and even then they weren’t always standard, so the regular brakes are still strong performers and much cheaper to maintain — but still, aftermarket is the smart move.
It’s a similar story with the suspension. Some owners have reported bushes wearing out in as little as 20,000 km, and if the adaptive dampers follow the same pattern as other Volkswagen adaptive setups, you might be looking at replacements sooner than you’d expect. Again, doing some homework on aftermarket solutions could save you a small fortune over OEM parts. Even something as simple as the windscreen wipers has been a frustration, with many owners complaining of noisy, juddering blades that wear out quickly, and of course, replacement cost can be ridiculous for something so basic.
Interior:
Step inside the Formentor and it’s immediately clear this is a stylish and fairly premium space for its segment, but it’s not without its dramas. One of the most consistent complaints is noise — rattles, squeaks, and creaks coming from everywhere: the dashboard, the door cards, the speaker mounts, the grab handles, and yes, that bloody sunroof again. Owners say you can fix one rattle only for another to appear somewhere else, and many have given up and just cranked the stereo to drown it all out.
The problem there is that the stereo itself often gets criticised, even with the upgraded Beats system. It lacks clarity, distorts easily, and doesn’t feel like the high-end setup it pretends to be. A few owners have fixed this by fitting a DSP amplifier or upgrading speakers, which can massively improve sound quality. Some also recommend adding extra sound deadening while you’re at it.
The seats, while fabulous to look at and supportive when new, also come with a few asterisks. There are loads of reports of the side bolsters on the entry side collapsing after as little as 5,000 km. If you’re nimble enough to hop over them every time you get in, you might avoid this, but most owners aren’t that disciplined. Yes, they’re generally replaced under warranty, but they often collapse again unless you’re very careful.
The leather hasn’t escaped criticism either, with many examples showing excessive wear far too early. The foam padding underneath can shift or slip, making the seats uncomfortable and ruining the look of the upholstery, and the leather itself can become loose and start gathering, even in well-looked-after cars. Oh, and if you’re on the “copious dimensions” side of the spectrum, these seats can feel properly snug.
Day-to-day usability also leaves a bit to be desired. The cup holders look fancy but don’t actually hold cups properly, the wireless phone charger overheats or fails to charge altogether, and basic controls are needlessly fiddly.
The climate control system has no physical buttons, and worse still, the touch sliders aren’t backlit, so at night you have to take your eyes off the road just to change the temperature. Even the soft-touch interior light and sunroof controls can be completely unresponsive. The Volkswagen Group seems to have admitted fault here, because plenty of their newer models are bringing back proper buttons, but in the Formentor, you’re stuck with this frustrating setup.
And while you might think voice control would save you, it’s about as reliable as a toddler — sometimes ignoring you completely, other times randomly triggering when you’re just having a chat in the cabin. But all of that pales in comparison to the infotainment system itself, which is arguably the biggest interior headache. It’s been known to freeze, crash, reboot itself, randomly mute, and disconnect CarPlay, Android Auto, or Bluetooth constantly. When it mutes itself, you also lose your parking sensor beeps, which can get expensive very quickly in a tight carpark. A restart or factory reset will sometimes fix it, but more often than not, you’ll need a software update, which means a trip to the dealership. Fine if you live in Sydney or Melbourne, but with Cupra’s dealership network being so thin on the ground in regional Australia, this can be a real pain.
Some owners have needed multiple trips to finally get their infotainment issues sorted, and if this happens out of warranty, you’re up for the cost. Even when working, it’s not exactly intuitive — you get used to it, but compared to BMW iDrive, Genesis’ system, or Mercedes MBUX, it feels clunky. Honestly, it’s closer to and early Toyota or Lexus in terms of usability, and that’s not a compliment.
Mechanically:
The Formentor’s range of engines is largely carried over from Volkswagen and SEAT, which means some are better than others. Starting with the 1.5 TSI and the plug-in hybrid, these use the EA211 engine — and thankfully, this is a much-improved design compared to its infamous 1.4-litre twin-charged predecessor.
Gone is the fragile supercharger/turbo combo, replaced with a simple single turbo setup that’s far more reliable. That said, the water pump and thermostat arrangement is still a bit of a weak point and prone to leaking, but repairs are easier and cheaper than with the bigger 2.0-litre.
It runs a conventional dry timing belt rather than a wet one, which is a relief, and while the PCV valve on the rocker cover can fail, it’s a simple fix.
Some owners have also reported wastegate rattle, but there are aftermarket clips that solve this cheaply, and while actuators can fail, aftermarket replacements exist too.
The 2.0 TSI, found in the V, VZ, and VZx, is both the most common and the most problematic.
By far the biggest headache is the water pump and thermostat module, which has a habit of failing early — sometimes as soon as 60,000 km. Many owners just treat replacement as part of the regular servicing schedule, much like you would with a timing belt.
These engines are also known for PCV issues and, if poorly serviced, timing chain complications.
Like many VW and Audi engines, the abundance of fragile plastics in the engine bay is another worry — coolant flanges, pump housings, and connectors are all known to get brittle with age and heat. In other words, if you’re buying a used Formentor, expect the water pump to go, budget for PCV repairs, and make sure the timing chain has been looked after.
There are very few used cars on the market that deliver as much bang for your buck as the Cupra Formentor, and not just when it comes to sheer performance. It’s a package that combines sharp looks, a stylish and well-equipped interior, plenty of tech, and a genuinely engaging driving experience, all wrapped up in something that still turns heads because of how rare it is on Aussie roads. In terms of what you get for the money, particularly once depreciation has worked its magic, it’s pretty hard to ignore.
And that’s what makes the Formentor such a unique proposition. It’s not just another small SUV with sporty pretensions; it really does back it up with ability. But whether you should take the plunge really comes down to your tolerance for risk. This is a car that rewards those willing to look beyond the mainstream badges, but it can just as easily punish anyone who doesn’t go in with their eyes open.
Get the right Formentor and you’ll have yourself an outstanding car, one that offers extraordinary value on the used market, feels far more special than most of its rivals, and gives you that thrill of driving something genuinely different. But get the wrong example and you could quickly find yourself regretting not sticking with the safety of being like the vast majority of Australians, blissfully unaware that Cupra and the Formentor even exist in the first place.
The key is to be thorough. Make
There are very few used cars on the market that deliver as much bang for your buck as the Cupra Formentor, and not just when it comes to sheer performance. It’s a package that combines sharp looks, a stylish and well-equipped interior, plenty of tech, and a genuinely engaging driving experience, all wrapped up in something that still turns heads because of how rare it is on Aussie roads. In terms of what you get for the money, particularly once depreciation has worked its magic, it’s pretty hard to ignore.
And that’s what makes the Formentor such a unique proposition. It’s not just another small SUV with sporty pretensions; it really does back it up with ability. But whether you should take the plunge really comes down to your tolerance for risk. This is a car that rewards those willing to look beyond the mainstream badges, but it can just as easily punish anyone who doesn’t go in with their eyes open.
Get the right Formentor and you’ll have yourself an outstanding car, one that offers extraordinary value on the used market, feels far more special than most of its rivals, and gives you that thrill of driving something genuinely different. But get the wrong example and you could quickly find yourself regretting not sticking with the safety of being like the vast majority of Australians, blissfully unaware that Cupra and the Formentor even exist in the first place.
The key is to be thorough. Make sure any potential purchase sails through a comprehensive pre-purchase inspection with flying colours, ideally done by someone who knows their way around Volkswagen Group machinery. Don’t just check the basics; dig into the service history, make sure the electronics behave, and look closely at those common problem areas we’ve covered earlier.
Even then, it pays to be prepared. Stash away a decent buffer in a “just in case the Formentor shits itself” account, because parts, servicing, and repairs aren’t cheap, and the limited dealership network in Australia can make resolving issues more of a hassle than it should be. This isn’t meant to scare you off, but it’s the reality of running a niche, European performance SUV in a market that’s still getting used to the badge.
So, if you go in fully aware of what you’re getting into, with your finances cushioned and your expectations realistic, the Formentor gets a cautious yes from us. It’s a car that can be truly brilliant, but like so many performance SUVs from Europe, brilliance comes with caveats. The reward is there, but so is the risk — the trick is making sure you’ve done your homework before rolling the dice.
There are very few used cars on the market that deliver as much bang for your buck as the Cupra Formentor, and not just when it comes to sheer performance. It’s a package that combines sharp looks, a stylish and well-equipped interior, plenty of tech, and a genuinely engaging driving experience, all wrapped up in something that still turns heads because of how rare it is on Aussie roads. In terms of what you get for the money, particularly once depreciation has worked its magic, it’s pretty hard to ignore.
And that’s what makes the Formentor such a unique proposition. It’s not just another small SUV with sporty pretensions; it really does back it up with ability. But whether you should take the plunge really comes down to your tolerance for risk. This is a car that rewards those willing to look beyond the mainstream badges, but it can just as easily punish anyone who doesn’t go in with their eyes open.
Get the right Formentor and you’ll have yourself an outstanding car, one that offers extraordinary value on the used market, feels far more special than most of its rivals, and gives you that thrill of driving something genuinely different. But get the wrong example and you could quickly find yourself regretting not sticking with the safety of being like the vast majority of Australians, blissfully unaware that Cupra and the Formentor even exist in the first place.
The key is to be thorough. Make sure any potential purchase sails through a comprehensive pre-purchase inspection with flying colours, ideally done by someone who knows their way around Volkswagen Group machinery. Don’t just check the basics; dig into the service history, make sure the electronics behave, and look closely at those common problem areas we’ve covered earlier.
Even then, it pays to be prepared. Stash away a decent buffer in a “just in case the Formentor shits itself” account, because parts, servicing, and repairs aren’t cheap, and the limited dealership network in Australia can make resolving issues more of a hassle than it should be. This isn’t meant to scare you off, but it’s the reality of running a niche, European performance SUV in a market that’s still getting used to the badge.
So, if you go in fully aware of what you’re getting into, with your finances cushioned and your expectations realistic, the Formentor gets a cautious yes from us. It’s a car that can be truly brilliant, but like so many performance SUVs from Europe, brilliance comes with caveats. The reward is there, but so is the risk — the trick is making sure you’ve done your homework before rolling the dice.
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