Cupra Ateca
About the Cupra Ateca
Last updated Jun 07, 2024The 2023 Cupra Ateca is unchanged apart from the addition of standard towing pre-wiring. Orders for the MY23 Ateca will open from July/August.
The Ateca is the oldest member of the Cupra family, being a hotted-up version of the Seat Ateca that entered production in 2016.
It was launched in Australia with a run of 100 Launch Edition models, featuring the optional Akrapovic exhaust.
Its future is uncertain. Cupra teased facelifted versions of the newer Leon and Formentor at a brand event in June, ahead of a 2024 or 2025 introduction for both.
No such Ateca update was previewed, though Cupra did preview a new SUV – the Terramar – which could replace it.
The new SUV will offer a choice of petrol or plug-in hybrid powertrains and will measure 4.5m long, compared to 4.38m for the Ateca and 4.45m for the Formentor.
| Fuel Efficiency | 7.1 L / 100km |
|---|---|
| ANCAP Rating | Not tested |
| Warranty | 5 years |
Summary
Availability of Akrapovic exhaust
Boxy profile makes for great headroom
Not quite as out there as Formentor
Interior space is good, but not quite as good as expected
Interior looks and feels older than Leon, Formentor
Not quite as out there as Formentor
Price & Specs
Reviews
News
Cupra Ateca Range Guide
Standard equipment includes:
- 19-inch alloy wheels in black and copper
- Dynamic Chassis Control
- Progressive Steering
- Quad exhaust outlets
- 9.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
- 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit digital instrument cluster
- Wireless phone charging
- Nine-speaker Beats sound system
- Semi-autonomous parking assist
- Hands-free power tailgate
- Power driver’s seat with memory
- Heated front seats
- Leather upholstery
- Keyless entry and start
- Tri-zone climate control
- Ambient lighting
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter
- Heated steering wheel
- Illuminated sill plates
- Aluminium pedals
- Heated, power-folding exterior mirrors with memory
- Four USB-C outlets (two front, two rear)
- Automatic headlights
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Paddle shifters
- Rear privacy glass
- LED headlights
- Fog lights with cornering lights
- Automatic high-beam
- 18-inch temporary spare
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Interior
Alongside the Leon and Formentor, the Ateca looks and feels a bit old.
It doesn’t feature the same clean, modern dashboard as its siblings, and the seating position is more like that of a conventional family SUV than a wannabe sports car. You sit a bit higher, and outward visibility through the upright windows is better all around.
Although it doesn’t look as slick as the uber-modern dash in the Formentor, there are some benefits to the Ateca’s age.
It has physical dials for your temperature and fan speed, for example, so you don’t need to go deep into the menus to make minor air-conditioning adjustments. Everything falls easily to hand, and there are no touch sliders to be found.
It’s not as racy as the Formentor, but the driving position in the Ateca is still accomodating for a huge range of body shapes. Leggy drivers won’t have trouble getting comfortable, and the seats do a good job balancing bolstering when you’re in a hurry with long-haul support.
The nine-speaker sound system packs a punch, too. Although its materials don’t feel up to Volkswagen Tiguan R standards, the equipment list is generous.
The Ateca isn’t short of storage space up front, and there’s a wireless phone charger at the base of the dashboard.
Exterior
The Ateca looks a bit conventional alongside its Cupra counterparts.
It’s an upright, slightly boxy SUV sitting alongside the slinky Leon hatch and sporty Formentor SUV in Cupra Garages, with proportions that borrow heavily from the practical but slightly dull Skoda Karoq. It even comes pre-wired for towing.
Don’t be fooled, though. You can buy versions of the Formentor and Leon with 140kW or 180kW, but the Ateca is only available in full-fat VZx guise with 221kW. It’s the only Cupra available in Australia with an angry Akrapovic exhaust, too.
It’s an impressive alternative to the Volkswagen Tiguan R or T-Roc R, although in a few ways it doesn’t feel quite as bespoke as its Cupra counterparts.
Cupra Ateca Photo Gallery
Cupra Ateca Colours
The only interior colourway on offer is Petrol Blue, with copper stitching found throughout the cabin.
The Ateca will be available in the following finishes:
- Nevada White
- Graphite Grey
- Magic Black
All finishes are a no-cost option, with one premium paint finish – Dark Camouflage – costing $475.
How it Drives
The 2023 Cupra Ateca is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 221kW of power and 400Nm of torque.
It’s mated with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.
Cupra claims a 0-100km/h time of 4.9 seconds.
Cupra Ateca Safety Rating
The Cupra Ateca doesn’t yet have a rating from ANCAP, though the related Seat Ateca has a five-star Euro NCAP rating from 2016.
In European testing, it received an adult occupant protection rating of 93 per cent, a child occupant protection rating of 84 per cent, a pedestrian protection rating of 71 per cent, and a safety assist rating of 60 per cent.
Standard safety equipment includes:
- AEB with pedestrian and cyclist detection
- Adaptive cruise control
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Lane-keep assist
- Driver fatigue detection
- Safe exit warning
- Surround-view camera
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Seven airbags
Cupra Ateca Options
The following options are available on the Ateca:
- Akrapovic exhaust: $5950
- Brembo brake package: $4050 (replaces temporary spare with tyre repair kit)
- Panoramic sunroof: $1800
Cupra Ateca Warranty
The Cupra Ateca is covered by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.
Cupra also includes three years of free servicing.
Cupra Ateca Boot Space
It has 485L of boot space.
Cupra Ateca Fuel Economy
The 2023 Cupra Ateca uses 7.8L/100km on the combined cycle. It has a 55L fuel tank and requires 98RON premium unleaded fuel
The 2024 CUPRA ATECA is Combined (7.1) and E10 Compatible (-).
Cupra Ateca Dimensions
The 2023 Cupra Ateca measures 4386mm long, 1841mm wide and 1599mm tall on a 2630mm wheelbase.
Braked towing capacity is 2100kg and unbraked towing capacity is 750kg.
The Ateca has a tare mass of 1652kg.
Depending on the variant, the 2024 CUPRA ATECA measures as below.
| Variant | Series | Style | Length (mm) | Width (mm) | Height (mm) | Wheelbase (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| V | MY24 | 4D WAGON | 4381 | 1841 | 1625 | 2630 |
| VZx | KB MY24 | 4D WAGON | 4386 | 1841 | 1613 | 2631 |
The 2024 CUPRA ATECA has a braked towing capacity from 1900kg to 2100kg depending on the variant and an unbraked towing capacity of 750kg.
Cupra Ateca Market Fit
The Cupra Ateca is categorised as a Medium SUV and has a price range of $51,990 to $63,490.
Should you buy the Cupra Ateca
The Ateca is an appealing car in isolation , but it feels a bit lost alongside the Leon and Formentor.
It’s not meaningfully cheaper than the top-spec Formentor, and its space advantage isn’t quite as big as expected in the rear seats.
Even after a facelift its cabin feels a bit old alongside the latest Volkswagen Group products, although it wants for nothing given its starting price.
So, who’s going to buy one? Cupra is pitching itself as a tribe for rebels, but some buyers will be less rebellious than others.
Rather than a statement like the Formentor, the Ateca is an appealing but relatively conventional alternative to the Volkswagen Tiguan R and T-Roc R.
It slots between the two on size, and offers the affordable all-wheel drive performance formula the Volkswagen Group has perfected.
There’s a niche out there for it, but those seeking the full Cupra experience are better served elsewhere in the range.
Frequently Asked Questions
Enquiring through CarExpert is one of the easiest ways to order a new 2024 Cupra Ateca. We connect you with an accredited dealer/s and equip you with information on current deals, what others have paid, plus, our independent reviews and ratings. You can also call our friendly Concierge team whenever you need support - they remain on hand throughout the process to ensure you get the service (and value!) we demand of our partnered dealers.
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