Cupra Tavascan – A different spin
Dec 18, 2025
Words: Cameron Officer
Photography: Alex McDonald Bush
The new Tavascan underlines the fact Cupra isn’t all that interested in playing by the rules when it comes to delivering electrified performance with a side dish of practicality.
Take a look at the rapid design trajectory of electric vehicle evolution over the last couple of decades. In the beginning, back when an electric vehicle was a rare beast, the few manufacturers that did more than dabble with the concept insisted their production EV sit outside the norm in terms of styling and packaging.
It might be difficult to recall now, but a Nissan LEAF was once considered an unusually silhouetted vehicle. Euro brands especially were at pains to differentiate EV models from conventional internal combustion engined offerings. And they were, with varying degrees of success.
But it quickly became evident that when you’re trying to appeal to a car buyer who wouldn’t consider themselves an early adopter, you don’t necessarily need to give them an EV which shouts, “I’m electric!” As the technology has mainstreamed, nice and… well, ‘normal’ seems preferable over outrageous and gimmicky.
Increasingly, we’re now seeing carmakers walk back the wacky, instead delivering models that look like any other in their line-ups, just with electric powertrains underneath the bodywork.
I should add the caveat here that the electric vehicles I’m thinking of are production ready, rolling down the manufacturing line and towards the wall boxes of the purchasing public. Electric concept cars were – and remain – as flamboyant as ever. But the edges always get a bit bevelled off on the journey from glitzy motor show stand to dealership showroom.
But this is where Cupra has bucked the EV design trend for the second time. Somehow, it has taken a show car (first seen in 2019) and retained pretty much everything on it.
This is the Tavascan. It’s Cupra’s new all-electric model and replaces the Born in the Kiwi line-up. The Born – which pulled off the same trick back in 2021 – didn’t end up having a very long run in New Zealand, which is a shame because it certainly lived up to its marketing line as an electric hot hatch, steering and punching quite unlike anything else built on the Volkswagen Group’s modular MEB EV platform. Whenever I see a Born in the street today, I feel an overwhelming desire to stroll over to the driver and offer hearty congratulations on their choice.
But anyway, now we have the Tavascan. And that’s a good thing. Despite being a coupe-style compact SUV versus a hatchback, it’s an illustration of how EV tech moves apace. It’s bigger than what it supersedes, but it’s also faster and more powerful.
One thing that hasn’t changed, however, is how engaging Cupra seems capable of making its electric vehicles on the road. And how the Spanish brand has an eye for making its models just that bit more razor-edged cool. The Tavascan, with its copper-accented detailing, ‘coast-to-coast’ LED taillights and illuminated logo, and a cabin that is genuinely outside the norm, plays to type brilliantly in this regard.
There are two versions of the Tavascan available – the V and the VZ. The former is rear-wheel drive, offering up power of 210kW and 545Nm, while the latter sports dual motors for all-wheel drive performance, and boasts a 250kW/545Nm power and torque mix. They both use the same 77kWh Lithium-ion battery, which offers a slight variance in total available range – 534km (WLTP tested) for the single motor Tavascan; 499km (WLTP tested) for the dual motor version.
Cupra New Zealand has done a good job of offering two high-spec versions of Tavascan that mirror each other closely. They both feature the same comprehensive infotainment and driver assistance systems, including a 15-inch touchscreen, Sennheiser premium audio with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, wireless phone charging (with a handy cooling fan built in), three-zone climate control, electric and heated front seats and ambient cabin lighting, just to barely scratch the surface.
Both versions even get Cupra Drive Mode Select which delivers Comfort, Performance, Cupra and Individual modes for different on-road situations (plus an additional Traction setting for the AWD VZ). There’s even a short-cut switch on the steering wheel to the Cupra (ie. total rocket ship) mode – possibly to help when passing a slower vehicle, or just when showing off a bit.
Where the VZ sticks out is in what it delivers by way of added driver appeal. It has dynamic chassis control (DCC) with adaptive sport suspension, 21” copper-accented Katla alloys (compared to the V’s 20” Heckla rims), Matrix LED headlights and a panoramic glass roof. All-in-all though, Cupra has delivered two versions of a fantastic new electric option on the market.
It has also ignored the trajectory of electric vehicle design. The Tavascan delivers showstopper looks and a decidedly sportier feel on the road, with all the fundamentals of practical and efficient electric transport hidden underneath. Thank goodness the EV rule book hasn’t yet been translated into Spanish.