2025 Cupra Tavascan – local range confirmed for Spanish Model Y challenger

The Cupra Tavascan will arrive in Australia in December as the brand’s first fully-electric SUV and second pure EV, joining the Born electric hatch that arrived in 2023.

Pitching into the increasingly competitive small all-electric SUV space, the Tavascan enter local showrooms in a two-model lineup, with the 210kW rear-wheel drive single motor Tavascan Endurance as the entrypoint and the 250kW dual-motor AWD Tavascan VZ as the flagship.

As a soon-to-be member of the near-premium EV SUV segment, the Tavascan won’t be short of rivals when it lands. Already present in Australia are battery-electric sporty SUVs like the dominant Tesla Model Y, Volvo EX30, Smart #3 and EV variants of the Mini Countryman, while the Hyundai Kona Electric, Lexus UX 300e and – to a lesser extent – the Renault Megane E-Tech, will also compete with the Cupra.

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Pricing will help shape its fortunes in Australia, and though Cupra has yet to confirm Australian pricetags for the Tavascan Endurance and VZ (expect to find out closer to its December launch timing), local Cupra chief Ben Wilks says “we expect all variants to fall below the LCT threshold and to therefore qualify for FBT exemptions”. With the FBT threshold for fuel-efficient or zero-emission vehicles currently set at $91,387, we do at least know there’s a hard ceiling for the Tavascan VZ. As for the Tavascan Endurance, Wilks hinted that the entry model will be priced “slightly above” the RRP of Cupra’s Formentor VZx, which is currently retailing at $65,790.

Full Australian specifications haven’t been outlined yet, but key features will include a massive 15-inch infotainment touchscreen, 19-inch alloys for the Endurance (21-inchers for the sportier VZ), LED headlamps, keyless entry and ‘sit to start’ functionality, a powered tailgate with kick sensor and tri-zone climate control. The Endurance can also be optioned up with the ‘Interior Package’, which adds 20-inch alloys, a 360-degree parking camera, powered/heated front seats, a Sennheiser audio system, ambient cabin lighting and microfibre upholstery to replace the standard black cloth.

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The VZ adds to the above by bringing ‘cascading Matrix LED’ headlamps, adaptive suspension and a glass roof with retractable sunblind. From early 2025 onward, an optional ‘Extreme Package’ for the VZ will replace the standard front seats with leather-clad racing buckets, as well as grippier tyres to help generate more cornering G.

Both variants will be powered by a 77kWh battery pack, delivering enough energy to the Endurance’s single 210kW/545Nm motor to go from 0-100km/h in 6.8 seconds and travel a maximum distance of 568km (WLTP). The Tavascan VZ adds an 80kW/145Nm motor to the front wheels to produce a combined total output of 250kW and 545Nm, enough to zip to 100km/h in 5.5 seconds, though it comes at the expense of range, dipping to 499km on a single charge. If equipped with the Extreme Package, the Tavascan VZ trims its range even further to 463km.

Expect full specifications and pricing for the 2025 Cupra Tavascan to be announced as we draw closer to its December launch date.