Should you buy one? 

While the styling might not be for everyone, and the comfort levels are moderately compromised in pursuit of a sportier driving experience, there is a lot to like about the Cupra Terramar if you’re looking for something a little different from your next SUV. The interior is spacious and practical, the design is individual, and the engines are a good mix of efficient and powerful, depending on your requirements.

The e-Hybrid variants have enough EV driving range to make them genuinely low cost to run for many people – though they are also the most expensive to buy – while the fastest model will get you point-to-point swiftly with little drama. It’s not the last word in exciting, but the responses are sharp and there is lots of grip. 

Overall, we find the Terramar rather appealing. It isn’t quite as well-rounded as the VW Tiguan, but the Terramar’s standard equipment levels make the Cupra much better value for money, and it certainly has plenty of character. There are many good cars in this area of the market, though, so be sure to check our latest list of the best family SUVs before finalising your shopping list. 

What we like 

Lots of practicality, in spite of first impressions. Interior is distinctive and the tech is largely easy to use. The driving experience is keen and confidence inspiring. Well-equipped right across the range, making it strong value for money. 

What we don’t like 

The ride is not uncomfortable but it is firmer than many rivals, and we’re not convinced the driving experience is thrilling enough to justify this. The underlying platform has been experiencing teething reliability problems across the VW Group.