Cupra Terramar VZ1 272PS PHEV - New Car Advice

[Hertsman]

Hello Everyone.

Long term member of the VWROC and GTI Forum as have recent history of Golf R and GTI TCR and currently run a Golf R 2019 as second car. So know how useful forums can be, particularly for new adopters, and medium SUV, Cupra and PHEV are all completely new to me, so hoping for some good advice before jump in and get going.

My current car as BMW 128Ti goes back in about 3 weeks after three years of ok driving, and say ok, as its been quite capable, and has a good cabin experience, but wet weather driving is not the best, and its just not a brand or car ever gelled with, so happy to see it go.

Originally ordered a Cupra Leon VZ1 272PS PHEV in white, sticking to what know in hatchback but there was a MY change and lease cost changed, and timing was that could get to Cupra in Hatfield where sat in the Terramar there and was convinced enough to make the order. Its completely standard VZ1 including the paint of Fjord Blue.

Never had anything but hot/mild hatchbacks in my entire life aside from an RS2000 which had a boot way back in the day. But really liked the sporty lines of the new facelift and the interior and seating position really grabbed me and the wife and we thought, you know, actually, lets give the SUV a go, and see if its the way forward for us from now?? This is company lease, so maybe further up road we might chop in the 2019 R for an AWD Cupra Terramar? So this is bit of a test drive.

Obviously aware its a heavy beast and that it will not be comparable to a hot hatch, so expectations are set at it hopefully being reasonably good off the line and will have some decent driving abilities on B roads.

The PHEV is completely new to me, but with incentives from company to go to electric, it was a no brainer, even if just going half way to start on the EV Journey?

Apparently will be receiving a £500 Cupra credit for the EV as not be home charging? Is there an app for spending this, can you hook up to any EV charger and use? so many questions on the EV aspect as complete novice, so any tips and hints on how to use effectively will be appreciated (have read the forum so been getting an idea, but all in one place be appreciated)

Outside of that, anything else to be aware of at outset of jumping in, that would save a rookie error or two? IE: Did you all do the 1000 mile run in? Use Momentum fuel?

And finally, how are we all feeling about Terramar after some miles, does it change characteristics etc? My previous cars all improved by about 5000 miles, loosened up, and in case of the TCR, the exhaust notes really ramped up,

Thanks for reading and when get the car in December will share a few photos

 

[CosmicBlue]

Feels like a very brave move to me - most of the reviews indicate that the vehicle only drives acceptably well if the battery is charged - so a home wall box will be needed. If you look at the specs carefully of the 272PS version one notes that the engine only has a 130PS/250Nm output with the difference made up by the electric motor - Cupra Tech sheet here: https://www.seat-cupra-mediacenter....hnical-data/Techninal-Data-CUPRA-Terramar.pdf Note, all the media material says all the 1.5 engine versions make 150PS - so the 272PS version would appear to be the odd one out.

It looks like you would hope for reasonable performance however on the ICE effort alone that's not enough for a vehicle weighing in at 1.9tonnes. We should be wary over making vehicle purchases over the potential savings of EV type drive trains - our governments having got people into EVs have now found that the lost tax revenues from fuel duty to RFLhas got to be clawed back, even the London Congestion charge is to be reintroduced for EVs. We can't win.

 

[Hertsman]

Feels like a very brave move to me - most of the reviews indicate that the vehicle only drives acceptably well if the battery is charged - so a home wall box will be needed. If you look at the specs carefully of the 272PS version one notes that the engine only has a 130PS/250Nm output with the difference made up by the electric motor - Cupra Tech sheet here: https://www.seat-cupra-mediacenter....hnical-data/Techninal-Data-CUPRA-Terramar.pdf Note, all the media material says all the 1.5 engine versions make 150PS - so the 272PS version would appear to be the odd one out.

It looks like you would hope for reasonable performance however on the ICE effort alone that's not enough for a vehicle weighing in at 1.9tonnes. We should be wary over making vehicle purchases over the potential savings of EV type drive trains - our governments having got people into EVs have now found that the lost tax revenues from fuel duty to RFLhas got to be clawed back, even the London Congestion charge is to be reintroduced for EVs. We can't win.

My last three company cars have been Golf R, GTI TCR and the current BMW 128ti but the world has changed a lot since even the last one, and company limits are now 130 co2 and with further incentive to EV and so there was no performance available like previous listed, and the near zero BIK and lease cost savings are pretty large, so there has to be acceptance to limitations and maybe some change in attitude as we do run a 2019 Golf R as wife car, so something a little more on comfort side than performance is expected, we really like cabin, seats and higher ride position, all swung it.

On charging, we have so many charging options locally and intention is to keep charged to use the combination of EV and ICE to get maximum performance, though think you can reserve enough battery on options with balanced usage? May not have understood that option correctly though so open to correction.

Also it’s a bit of a free hit as contemplating reducing then hitting the retirement option, so as said previously it’s a bit of an extended test drive, and if like, the ICE 300PS AWD maybe a future option to replace the Golf R as likely go to one car.

So, do agree, it’s a punt, but a reasoned one and as interested as anyone to what going to think about it in say 6 mths driving,

 

[Syphon]

Welcome to the community. You'll miss the handling for sure, but they do have their merits.

Personally I was disappointed with the PHEV in terms of performance: review here
and much preferred the petrol: review here

But you probably don't want to hear that as the PHEV makes the most sense financially for you.

Keep us posted what you decide.

 

[Hertsman]

Welcome to the community. You'll miss the handling for sure, but they do have their merits.

Personally I was disappointed with the PHEV in terms of performance: review here
and much preferred the petrol: review here

But you probably don't want to hear that as the PHEV makes the most sense financially for you.

Keep us posted what you decide.

Would have stuck to my history of performance choices if available as was happy to saddle a little extra BIK, but company has changed its policy limiting emissions which took anything with any real ICE performance off the list and they then doubled down on that by incentivising EV options. So, i was not looking at a saving but it is quite significant when add the incentive to the now near zero BIK. Presently put in £180 a month so imagine that will reduce at least by one tank? £60? Maybe? Will report back on that.

However, we do run a 2019 MK 7.5 Golf R so with still retaining a lower performance option, we thought stepping into the Terramar for first time that maybe compromising on performance with some of that height led comfort in what felt a very high end cabin with the DCC might actually be a good alternative.

Originally ordered the 272PS PHEV Cupra Leon blindly, but the MY changes cancelled it, which in the meantime managed to get to Cupra Hatfield and it was the in the flesh experience with the Terramar that swung it as we went from Leon, to Formentor, to Terramar and back again, the Terramar seats, cabin quality and the very new to us, raised driving position, just felt superior.

From all the reviews, including yours, it seems the performance is not shabby, just not comparable to a performance hatch and not too shabby will probably be ok if the comfort, ride and cabin experience are lifted enough to make a all around satisfying experience.

Another part of the thinking, is that its a free hit at this type of vehicle and if we really like it, we maybe move on from the Golf R and seek out the 300PS AWD version of the Terramar.

Never had anything but a mild to hot hatch in all my personal cars, so as said above, really interested to how going to get along with it and will give it a few months and post an honest review, mainly for those with similar history to me and maybe like me pushing on in years is wondering something a little more off the ground will be a natural evolution for them? Previous to the aforementioned performance Golfs, personally had a couple of Audi S3 on the S Line suspension, so know what getting down into your car is like and what hard suspension feels like!

The date for delivery is scheduled for 19th Dec, but hoping maybe get couple of weeks early, apparently its on its way now.

 

[Syphon]

Would have stuck to my history of performance choices if available as was happy to saddle a little extra BIK, but company has changed its policy limiting emissions which took anything with any real ICE performance off the list and they then doubled down on that by incentivising EV options. So, i was not looking at a saving but it is quite significant when add the incentive to the now near zero BIK. Presently put in £180 a month so imagine that will reduce at least by one tank? £60? Maybe? Will report back on that.

However, we do run a 2019 MK 7.5 Golf R so with still retaining a lower performance option, we thought stepping into the Terramar for first time that maybe compromising on performance with some of that height led comfort in what felt a very high end cabin with the DCC might actually be a good alternative.

Originally ordered the 272PS PHEV Cupra Leon blindly, but the MY changes cancelled it, which in the meantime managed to get to Cupra Hatfield and it was the in the flesh experience with the Terramar that swung it as we went from Leon, to Formentor, to Terramar and back again, the Terramar seats, cabin quality and the very new to us, raised driving position, just felt superior.

From all the reviews, including yours, it seems the performance is not shabby, just not comparable to a performance hatch and not too shabby will probably be ok if the comfort, ride and cabin experience are lifted enough to make a all around satisfying experience.

Another part of the thinking, is that its a free hit at this type of vehicle and if we really like it, we maybe move on from the Golf R and seek out the 300PS AWD version of the Terramar.

Never had anything but a mild to hot hatch in all my personal cars, so as said above, really interested to how going to get along with it and will give it a few months and post an honest review, mainly for those with similar history to me and maybe like me pushing on in years is wondering something a little more off the ground will be a natural evolution for them? Previous to the aforementioned performance Golfs, personally had a couple of Audi S3 on the S Line suspension, so know what getting down into your car is like and what hard suspension feels like!

The date for delivery is scheduled for 19th Dec, but hoping maybe get couple of weeks early, apparently its on its way now.

Yeah can understand, my other half's work scheme seems to be going the way of fully electric only. Let us know what you think when it arrives.

Cheers

Scott

 

[Hertsman]

Received my TERRAMAR VZ1 272PS yesterday and super impressed and felt at home in it super quick, performance was a surprise, better than thought would be, it’s genuinely lively in performance modes.

Will write few more words of what like etc next week but have a couple of questions that not got much clue to?

1. Does the battery retain some hidden charge for performance modes even when at 0% or are you consigned to just the 1.5 ltr and you lose performance till charge?
2. Does the ICE and Regeneration charge battery from 0% to say 20% if you set that to minimum amount to reserve? Obviously with effect on MPG
3. How does the boost indicator work, how do you use it?

Think ok with most else, it’s quite intuitive in setting up, but the how to use EV and how works in combination with the ICE particularly in terms of retaining performance is not something clear on, so hints and tips appreciated.

Did a 42% charge from 0% at Gridserve in about 30 mins on think the 22KWH chargers at 0.48p and cost me £4.23

 

[Richiepoos]

I have a 2023 hybrid Leon since new - smaller battery and 1.4 rather than 1.5 but still fairly comparable I think.
1. I have had 0 miles range and still had boost, I have never had only the ICE engine.
It does go a little bit loopy if you leave it at zero charge but you can tell the ICE to charge it for you - uses some more go go juice but does the job.
2. You can ask it to charge it to full if you really wanted to and were driving for long enough. I find it regenerates itself when braking, lifting off or going downhill. I don't have a home charger and rely on public chargers - use the podpoint and electroverse apps for that.
3. I don't have a boost indicator as such - when I am heavier on the accelerator the dials turn blue and the boost dial shows you are boosting. It's a good laugh and does feel quick (nowhere near as quick as your Golf R, more like a GTI in terms of performance)

If I know I'm not going to get to a charger and I'm low on battery I'll ask the car to either retain some charge or to achieve some charge on my journeys - you can also fool the car into going into ICE only on start up by pressing the pedal to the floor (can't be in gear and seatbelt must be on!) this also helps maintain battery.

Hope I've helped. Hope you have Cupra mode as it's a blast!

 

[jim64]

Received my TERRAMAR VZ1 272PS yesterday and super impressed and felt at home in it super quick, performance was a surprise, better than thought would be, it’s genuinely lively in performance modes.

Will write few more words of what like etc next week but have a couple of questions that not got much clue to?

1. Does the battery retain some hidden charge for performance modes even when at 0% or are you consigned to just the 1.5 ltr and you lose performance till charge?
2. Does the ICE and Regeneration charge battery from 0% to say 20% if you set that to minimum amount to reserve? Obviously with effect on MPG
3. How does the boost indicator work, how do you use it?

Think ok with most else, it’s quite intuitive in setting up, but the how to use EV and how works in combination with the ICE particularly in terms of retaining performance is not something clear on, so hints and tips appreciated.

Did a 42% charge from 0% at Gridserve in about 30 mins on think the 22KWH chargers at 0.48p and cost me £4.23

1. There is hidden charge, i drive sometimes at 0% and there is some juice still for EV. This is obvious in the charging time - from 8hrs it becomes 9hrs when i drive after 0%. Battery wise we use 19ish of the 24kWh officially.
2. No unfortunately. It is only trying to maintain current charge level; you cannot push the slider above it.
3. in Cupra mode i've used it a couple of times by just accelerating hard; the rpm indicator becomes blue and max power is applied.

Performance in ..performance mode and Cupra is really good for me. I rarely drive in these modes now, prefer Comfort and Individual with softest DCC settings and Eco. Power is there when you need it. It is true that the car is at its best when charged; i charge at home. I've driven the petrol 265; different beast and 250Kgr lighter. But thirsty.

Hope you enjoy it!

 

[jim64]

Feels like a very brave move to me - most of the reviews indicate that the vehicle only drives acceptably well if the battery is charged - so a home wall box will be needed. If you look at the specs carefully of the 272PS version one notes that the engine only has a 130PS/250Nm output with the difference made up by the electric motor - Cupra Tech sheet here: https://www.seat-cupra-mediacenter....hnical-data/Techninal-Data-CUPRA-Terramar.pdf Note, all the media material says all the 1.5 engine versions make 150PS - so the 272PS version would appear to be the odd one out.

It looks like you would hope for reasonable performance however on the ICE effort alone that's not enough for a vehicle weighing in at 1.9tonnes. We should be wary over making vehicle purchases over the potential savings of EV type drive trains - our governments having got people into EVs have now found that the lost tax revenues from fuel duty to RFLhas got to be clawed back, even the London Congestion charge is to be reintroduced for EVs. We can't win.

in the 272hp version, ICE is giving 177hp

 

[Hertsman]

Thank you for the replies everyone, about 200 miles of additional driving since asked the questions has validated your answers.

When the charge is at 0% there is still definitely charge reserved for performance, but it does default to just the ICE under normal driving so you presume just get the 177BHP that Jim referenced.

From what understand you used to be able to increase charge in previous model? But cannot increase slider to anything above preserving the existing level.

To stay on the performance subject, and given my most recent drive was a BMW 128Ti (265BHP) and other car is Golf R (310BHP) you not really experiencing anything really different in the real world of what you can reasonably can do in daily driving. Basically Its no slouch off the line and when want to push on, especially in the Sport or Cupra modes.

The way you feel the acceleration is very different, which think is down to the tyres and DCC, as you get up to legal limits so smoothly in the ride, so that's where experience in a mild to hot hatch differs to this Terramar, which was expected really, its a cossetted experience.

The around town steering is a joy, its so easy to drive, and had zero issues adapting to the ride height and overall size of the Terramar, not driving it much differently to how driven previous cars. It points quite readily to where want to go when pushing on some of well known B roads with no trepidation, though there is some feel of 'roll' even in Cupra mode, and obviously used to going around these roads much flatter, which again is to be expected given ride height and tyres. Have not experimented in Individual to see if the lowest DCC setting may flatten the ride out more.

The DCC is an actual joy, what bumps and pot holes? though think comfort maybe too good?! Again may play with individual settings to see if can find an optimum setting.

Have a dedicated EV Charging Station close with full facilities, and popped in there and had a coffee on way to coaching football last night and topped to 46% on a AC charger, all very painless and fuss free, and will likely give the DC chargers a go next time.

Given its not onerous at all to charge and the peak performance is linked to having an available charge, cannot see reason why battery will not always have some juice in it and so doubt will ever experience anything but its optimum performance.

Onto other bits of appreciation.

Seats are excellent, truly! have set to a really comfortable position
Know some say stereo is not much to write home about as standard, but tons better than the departing BMW 128Ti with decent bass on the heaviest bass setting.
Have had no problems with media screen given have far less dials and buttons than used to, most of what you use regularly like heated seats are on front screen or shortcuts, so readily accessible and not buried in menu.
Quality of materials is excellent, as is the cabin ergonomics, cabin is a really nice, classy place to be, and especially at night,
Speaking of night the Matrix lights really lit up the way home, impressive. Be interesting to see how they function on some of the unlit roads locally. Our Golf R has the auto full beam and which create this amazing tunnel of light to drive through, so bar is quite high for comparison as thought the Golfs could not be bettered?
Like the auto tailgate, carried a lot of football gear last night, and its only a little thing, but to not have put everything down to open tailgate was a nice comfort option.
Have no auto parking on the VZ1 and thought might need it with the size, but camera is very clear as are guidelines and not had any trouble parking as reverse into space.
The door mirrors are a little constrained as many have said, not deal breaking, but design over function.
Smart car to walk up to, looks truly sporty with its sweeping lines, and the light show as detects the keys as you walk up is fun.
My baseline for fuel economy will be quite simple, pretty much month on month in every previous car put in between £160-£180 fuel, so lets see what overall spend will be on petrol and EV in months time. The gauge is stating 50+ at present but am being a little kind to it in first 1000 miles.

Negatives:

EDIT: The Pre-Flight turning off of the lane assist etc is a faff as is having to remembering to set to hybrid and turn on battery preserve,

Cannot think of any other real negatives, passengers have all made similar statement of how nice cabin is, and the ride when get going.

Overall, experiencing is what hoped, knew it would not be hot hatch experience, hope was to straddle the line of comfort and good real world driving performance and so far it seems to be ticking that box very well, and though its early and jury is out cannot see that changing.

My heart will always be with pure ICE and hot hatches and we will always have one of them in the family, at weekend I will definitely be out in the R but this car is the one that is expected to do the grunt miles, be the family workhorse and its probably the perfect car for that while still having ability to give a few smiles along the way when mood takes.