Should CUPRA Bring Back the Ateca?

[Swansway Motor Group (SEAT & CUPRA)]

Controversial one… do we actually need to bring the Ateca back?

It still seems to have a bit of a following, and there’s something to be said for a straightforward, practical SUV that isn’t trying to be the biggest, fastest or most futuristic thing on the road.

Would a new-generation Ateca have a place alongside the current CUPRA range, or has that ship sailed?

Interested to hear what everyone thinks!

 

[Syphon]

Yes I think they should, but they see the Terramar as the replacement so I think it's unlikely.

 

[Swansway Motor Group (SEAT & CUPRA)]

Yes I think they should, but they see the Terramar as the replacement so I think it's unlikely.

Yeah, I think that’s probably the sticking point. The Terramar has effectively filled that space in the current CUPRA line-up, so bringing the Ateca back could be a tricky one to justify.

That said, I wonder if there’s still room for something a little more compact and straightforward than the Terramar. The Ateca had a pretty loyal following, after all!

 

[Tell]

Well that was their plan but EV side you got the ID.Tiguan which replaces the ID 4 / 5. I reckon the Tavascan might be short lived being built in China and the Vag group making noises about not seeing their EVs for Europe being built in China.

Seat's been given a bad hand by VAG they just wanted the factory space hoping to leaver more money out of the Cupra brand, but it is quirky and may not have mass appeal.

I could see an equivalent ID.Tiguan appearing. That Cupra batmobile car is going to be built on the next electronic platform circa 2030 when that is released so that's 4 years away atleast which on the EV side they have a gap between the fast back Tavascan and a traditional SUV.

CUPRA Tindaya

CUPRA Tindaya owners’ forum for discussion, reviews, guides, faults and advice.

www.seatcupra.net

The Skoda Peaq looks a bit tasty and has good reviews available to order from November never mind the Tindaya much later. Thats the EV slot of the Kodiaq / Tavascan / Tarraco. I have not stumbled on the ID.AllSpace but that is what that is.

Shall I be controversial and repeat what the local Skoda dealer / owner said. I can't see the point of Cupra. They do seem to be flying out of the Cupra dealership here thou. Also another family business.

I could see if they don't bury the Seat model range after 2030 a Seat ID.Tiguan could come about or they will have a Cupra version before with the Tavascan reaching the 5 year mark. Ice is dead, repeat ... so the Ateca in EV form is that. Ice vehicles are stop gap.

Atecas are good cars. I've had 10 years out of mine come a couple of months. Reckon I will get another 5 years out of it. Might have to jump ship if the Cupra line up isn't sorted on the SUV front. That 5 years gives the Seat brand time to reform. Not convinced they will bring back a ID.Tarraco . Think like Fiat, Seat might have a curse on big cars. Whether they give a bells and whistles ID.Ateca we'll see but that Skoda Peaq look nice on seating. The material design of Skoda now has got rid of the ugly front.

Škoda design

Škoda’s new design language builds on the brand’s well-known values of robust looks, functionality and authenticity. It is typified by generous space, durable and sustainable materials and aerodynamically efficient lines.

www.skoda-auto.com

On value Skoda and Seat were similar. Seat looked better looking cars. That's the issue that Cupra have loosing business to Skoda now they have reinvented themselves. Ateca folk looking for an EV may have wandering eyes on design and price.

They are all standard Atecas round here not Cupra Atecas. So I've replied as such. The launch Ateca you could order all the bells and whistles to get it to the same level as a Tiguan. That they reduced a couple of years later, which is one of my beefs about how they started to sell the cars. If you got bells and whistles you won't replace it with anything less, why I didnt bother with the Taracco. You could not specify it to the same level.

 

[Swansway Motor Group (SEAT & CUPRA)]

Well that was their plan but EV side you got the ID.Tiguan which replaces the ID 4 / 5. I reckon the Tavascan might be short lived being built in China and the Vag group making noises about not seeing their EVs for Europe being built in China.

Seat's been given a bad hand by VAG they just wanted the factory space hoping to leaver more money out of the Cupra brand, but it is quirky and may not have mass appeal.

I could see an equivalent ID.Tiguan appearing. That Cupra batmobile car is going to be built on the next electronic platform circa 2030 when that is released so that's 4 years away atleast which on the EV side they have a gap between the fast back Tavascan and a traditional SUV.

CUPRA Tindaya

CUPRA Tindaya owners’ forum for discussion, reviews, guides, faults and advice.

www.seatcupra.net

The Skoda Peaq looks a bit tasty and has good reviews available to order from November never mind the Tindaya much later. Thats the EV slot of the Kodiaq / Tavascan / Tarraco. I have not stumbled on the ID.AllSpace but that is what that is.

Shall I be controversial and repeat what the local Skoda dealer / owner said. I can't see the point of Cupra. They do seem to be flying out of the Cupra dealership here thou. Also another family business.

I could see if they don't bury the Seat model range after 2030 a Seat ID.Tiguan could come about or they will have a Cupra version before with the Tavascan reaching the 5 year mark. Ice is dead, repeat ... so the Ateca in EV form is that. Ice vehicles are stop gap.

Atecas are good cars. I've had 10 years out of mine come a couple of months. Reckon I will get another 5 years out of it. Might have to jump ship if the Cupra line up isn't sorted on the SUV front. That 5 years gives the Seat brand time to reform. Not convinced they will bring back a ID.Tarraco . Think like Fiat, Seat might have a curse on big cars. Whether they give a bells and whistles ID.Ateca we'll see but that Skoda Peaq look nice on seating. The material design of Skoda now has got rid of the ugly front.

Škoda design

Škoda’s new design language builds on the brand’s well-known values of robust looks, functionality and authenticity. It is typified by generous space, durable and sustainable materials and aerodynamically efficient lines.

www.skoda-auto.com

On value Skoda and Seat were similar. Seat looked better looking cars. That's the issue that Cupra have loosing business to Skoda now they have reinvented themselves. Ateca folk looking for an EV may have wandering eyes on design and price.

They are all standard Atecas round here not Cupra Atecas. So I've replied as such. The launch Ateca you could order all the bells and whistles to get it to the same level as a Tiguan. That they reduced a couple of years later, which is one of my beefs about how they started to sell the cars. If you got bells and whistles you won't replace it with anything less, why I didnt bother with the Taracco. You could not specify it to the same level.

That’s an interesting perspective, particularly the point about how much equipment Ateca buyers could specify compared with some of the later models. If you’ve had an Ateca for that long and it’s still doing what you need, it’s easy to see why finding a like-for-like replacement would be important.

It’ll be interesting to see how the SUV side of the CUPRA range develops, especially as customer expectations around equipment, space and price continue to evolve. Do you think an electric Ateca-sized SUV would be enough to bring you back to CUPRA, or would it need to offer the same level of specification and flexibility as your current car?

 

[Tell]

That’s an interesting perspective, particularly the point about how much equipment Ateca buyers could specify compared with some of the later models. If you’ve had an Ateca for that long and it’s still doing what you need, it’s easy to see why finding a like-for-like replacement would be important.

It’ll be interesting to see how the SUV side of the CUPRA range develops, especially as customer expectations around equipment, space and price continue to evolve. Do you think an electric Ateca-sized SUV would be enough to bring you back to CUPRA, or would it need to offer the same level of specification and flexibility as your current car?

The same but in EV form.

I see some Skoda drivers are moaning about not having the one touch button to bring up 360 / top view parking in Peaq. It's those little things that would drive you nuts. Not much point in having 360 / top view if you can't pull it up quick when you arrive in the parking bay. So yes you go forward and not backwards in all those features that you use. The packaged marketing solutions if they leave of a feature you go, ok I'll look at another brand. Hopefully they will have one touch sorted by the time I buy a new car. You'd want a quick short cut if not brought out on a button. Buttons returned but not all of them.

 

[Swansway Motor Group (SEAT & CUPRA)]

The same but in EV form.

I see some Skoda drivers are moaning about not having the one touch button to bring up 360 / top view parking in Peaq. It's those little things that would drive you nuts. Not much point in having 360 / top view if you can't pull it up quick when you arrive in the parking bay. So yes you go forward and not backwards in all those features that you use. The packaged marketing solutions if they leave of a feature you go, ok I'll look at another brand. Hopefully they will have one touch sorted by the time I buy a new car. You'd want a quick short cut if not brought out on a button. Buttons returned but not all of them.

That makes a lot of sense! It’s often the little everyday things that make the biggest difference to how you get on with a car, especially when you use them all the time. Hopefully manufacturers keep listening to feedback like this, as it’s those practical details that can really make or break the ownership experience. An electric Ateca with the right features and a few more physical shortcuts could definitely be an interesting option!

 

[Tell]

That makes a lot of sense! It’s often the little everyday things that make the biggest difference to how you get on with a car, especially when you use them all the time. Hopefully manufacturers keep listening to feedback like this, as it’s those practical details that can really make or break the ownership experience. An electric Ateca with the right features and a few more physical shortcuts could definitely be an interesting option!

I saw a short clip of the VW Uniyx 09. They got rid of those flush door handles. Something to look forward to for Cupra . Satisfies China safety standards. Flush handles didnt last for long in the design.

 

[serdar_18fr]

I believe, one and a half years ago, I bought one of the last mainstream cars that has a proper interior with a dedicated climate control unit, a nice instrument binnacle, a beautifully integrated infotainment display and buttons everywhere, not one of them is touchy stuff, and in the meantime the car happens to have all the goodies and toys that a modern car could have. Yes, it is the CUPRA Ateca, bought as brand new and no Formentor, no Terramar or Raval could have made me happier. People may find it old fashioned, I'd say timeless Anyway, if CUPRA were to bring it back, I don't believe the new one would match my tastes in car design, because the times have changed, and I believe not for the better. So I'd say don't bother to CUPRA. But of course, this is the opinion of just one person. One who's very happy with his last old-school CUPRA.

 

[Tell]

Yes the Ateca ticks all the boxes even the diesel . Controls are really the Tiguan mk2. I can actually get the Cupra splash screen but since it may wind up the dealer I left it set as the Seat one .

I think you might have a newer front screen on yours which is interchangeable with the 2016 models based on the other Seat Ateca thread.

The clue may be what Cupra are going to do with the Tavascan and whether there will be an ID.variation. Unxy 9 getting the buttons back and the handle may be a clue and the Skoda Peaq.

 

[Swansway Motor Group (SEAT & CUPRA)]

I believe, one and a half years ago, I bought one of the last mainstream cars that has a proper interior with a dedicated climate control unit, a nice instrument binnacle, a beautifully integrated infotainment display and buttons everywhere, not one of them is touchy stuff, and in the meantime the car happens to have all the goodies and toys that a modern car could have. Yes, it is the CUPRA Ateca, bought as brand new and no Formentor, no Terramar or Raval could have made me happier. People may find it old fashioned, I'd say timeless Anyway, if CUPRA were to bring it back, I don't believe the new one would match my tastes in car design, because the times have changed, and I believe not for the better. So I'd say don't bother to CUPRA. But of course, this is the opinion of just one person. One who's very happy with his last old-school CUPRA.

Great to hear you managed to get hold of one of the last new Ateca's, and congratulations on your 2025 car! I think you’ve summed up perfectly what makes the Ateca so appealing. It has all the modern technology and toys you need, but without sacrificing the physical buttons, dedicated climate controls and proper instrument binnacle that make everyday driving so much easier.

What's your favourite thing about yours?

 

[Swansway Motor Group (SEAT & CUPRA)]

Yes the Ateca ticks all the boxes even the diesel . Controls are really the Tiguan mk2. I can actually get the Cupra splash screen but since it may wind up the dealer I left it set as the Seat one .

I think you might have a newer front screen on yours which is interchangeable with the 2016 models based on the other Seat Ateca thread.

The clue may be what Cupra are going to do with the Tavascan and whether there will be an ID.variation. Unxy 9 getting the buttons back and the handle may be a clue and the Skoda Peaq.

Totally agree, the Ateca really does tick all the boxes, and even the 2.0 TDI has its appeal! The fact that so many of the controls are shared with the Tiguan Mk2 shows that the VW Group had the ergonomics pretty much spot on back then. And I wouldn’t worry too much about the Cupra splash screen - it’s your car!
The challenge will be bringing it back without losing the simplicity and character that made the original so good.

 

[serdar_18fr]

Great to hear you managed to get hold of one of the last new Ateca's, and congratulations on your 2025 car! I think you’ve summed up perfectly what makes the Ateca so appealing. It has all the modern technology and toys you need, but without sacrificing the physical buttons, dedicated climate controls and proper instrument binnacle that make everyday driving so much easier.

What's your favourite thing about yours?

Thank you very much

I believe it's very much obvious that the dedicated physical controls are more ergonomic and safer-to-use but the cost cutting got better of manufacturers unfortunately and they pushed the touch screens and touch controls as if they are the next big thing. Also it's not just about ergonomy and safe driving, but also the old-school way of doing interiors makes me feel like some design and engineering effort was really put into it. Nowadays almost *all* manufacturers use two rectangular flat display panels in the same way, a small one in front of the steering wheel, and a comically giant one on the center. And this trend killed the need for interior design almost completely.

Anyway, enough for the rant and back to my lovely Ateca

I especially love the look of its Alcantara sports seats and their comfort and holding, I love the steering wheel design and the coolness of satellite buttons on it, the darker gray exterior bits on the bumpers and sides, the panoramic sunroof, electric blind of it and the black headliner. And of course all the other gadgets and stuff!

 

[Tell]

Leather seats sold in the UK on the top of the range Ateca Xcellence (2017 model). Like a Ford Model T the Xcellence leather seats were only in black. Other European countries brown. Think Eire got the brown option. No Alcantara option. The head of the UK operation must have said this is going to go down like this. Suspect not a veggie.

Alcantara was only on the European cars in the Ateca Xcellence range. There were lesser seats in the rest of the Ateca standard range that felt uncomfortable to me when I tried them out.

The seats will probably outlast the rest of the car showing no signs of wear what so ever. Took a few months for the leather and bolster to bottom out the bucket seat that was there. The Cupra Ateca probably when it was launched had more pronounced bucket seats.