• Interior similar to regular Ateca…
• …except with additional, unusual trimming
• Solid build quality but bland in places

How is the quality and layout?

Unsurprisingly, the basic layout and design of the Cupra Ateca’s interior is the same as the regular SEAT Ateca. However, it uses more upmarket materials, such as Alcantara and leather. The latter is even available in a distinctive dark ‘petrol blue’ colour.

Cupra has also made merry with its trademark copper-coloured plastics in an effort to bring a premium touch to what’s otherwise a slightly bland interior. Some of the remaining plastics feel a little cheap, however, and less powerful models are much more dour inside.

The driving position is generally good, although our tallest testers find that either the steering wheel didn’t reach out far enough out of the dashboard for their arms, or that the pedals were too close. If you’re going for the 300hp version, sitting higher-up than in a conventional hot hatchback may also take some getting used to. But at least it gives you a better view of the road ahead.

Infotainment and tech

The Cupra Ateca comes with digital dials, much like Audi’s Virtual Cockpit. Different display modes are available, but the Cupra falls down here by not always making it easy to ensure the info you want is shown prominently. We recommend you spend a few minutes setting this up before you start driving to avoid distraction.

54

When the Ateca was new, the Volkswagen Group (to which Cupra belongs) was going through a rough patch with its infotainment design – and Cupra got lumbered with the tech. The 9.2-inch touchscreen is large, bright and glossy, but the software it runs is awkward to use, especially on the move. It’s far less intuitive than the best rival systems and a long way behind the technology fitted to the updated Volkswagen Golf. It’s a shame the Ateca won’t receive the same screen before it’s removed from sale.

Standard-fit Apple CarPlay and Android Auto should make things simpler for smartphone users, but in testing we’ve consistently found the Android Auto connectivity to be flaky at best. Still, at least the heating controls are straightforward physical knobs and buttons.

Comfort

• Comfortable sports seats
• Plenty of adjustment
• Refinement strikes a good balance

The Cupra Ateca features a pair of sporty bucket seats, and they’re great to sit in. They’re more heavily bolstered than regular Ateca’s seats so there’s plenty of side support during enthusiastic cornering. Adjustable lumbar support is also standard. The single-piece backrest design means there is no height-adjustable headrest, but we didn’t find this to be an issue.

Those sat in the rear have plenty of space, although a few of our testers complained that the backrest was a little too flat and not very supportive. You do get a pair of rear air vents and USB ports to get through longer journeys, though.

54

Refinement is acceptable for a performance car, but not outstanding. The Cupra Ateca’s large 19-inch wheels generate lots of road noise on battered surfaces, which can make motorway journeys wearing. Ditto the wind noise you that flutters past the windscreen pillars. The engines are quite muted, though.