I have tested the Ateca in the past, but never the Cupra model. Previously the name for high-performance models in the Seat range, for the past few years, Cupra has been established as a brand in its own right. As a result, I was interested to see how the sportier Cupra compare with the Seat Ateca as a caravan tow car. To find out, I put the Cupra Ateca 1.5 Eco TSI 150PS V2 DSG to the test.

Towing ability of the Cupra Ateca 1.5 Eco TSI 150PS V2 DSG

Whether you are buying the Seat or the Cupra version of the Ateca, it comes in a variety of flavours. There are two- and four-wheel-drive tow cars, and power outputs ranging from 150hp to 300hp.

My 150hp 1.5 Evo TSI model is at the tamer end of the spectrum and sends power to the front wheels. A kerbweight of 1449kg gives an 85% match figure of 1232kg, well within the 1600kg maximum towing figure.

I matched the Cupra to a Coachman 580 Vision borrowed from Raymond James Caravans. With a MiRO of 1361kg, the Coachman made a 94% match for the Cupra. That’s higher than ideal when matching a car to a caravan, but acceptable for an experienced tow car driver, and it gave the Cupra a stern test.

The Cupra Ateca from the side
Plenty of headroom in the front, and a comfortable driving position

Despite towing such a heavy tourer, the Ateca proved a stable and capable tow car. There were some slight movements when I was overtaking HGVs, but no more than expected. The firm, sporty suspension certainly helped to keep car and caravan under control, and the short rear overhang didn’t give the van much leverage. Don’t forget to make sure you’re aware of the speed limits when towing a caravan before heading out with your tourer, too.

While happy enough on the motorway, the Ateca felt even more secure driven on country roads, with the caravan following obediently behind. Even if the car bounced around over bumpy Tarmac, it never pulled the caravan off course.

Despite being the least powerful engine in the range, the 1.5-litre petrol coped well with such a heavy van. While it didn’t have a lot in reserve for overtaking, it pulled up to 60mph without complaint.

The Cupra Ateca from the rear
The suspension settings are well judged

Buyers who want more punch should look at the 2.0 TSI. This has more power (190hp) and torque (236lb ft) and comes with four-wheel drive. Spec for spec, though, it’s £3800 more expensive than the 1.5-litre we’ve been driving. Is it worth the extra?

If you often holiday on farm sites or tour all year round, then yes. Otherwise, the Ateca 1.5 may be all the tow car you need.

Despite sending power to the front wheels, it copes reasonably well with a hill start on a 1-in-10 slope. So long as you are gentle with the throttle, the Ateca pulls away without wheelspin in the dry, but it might struggle in wet weather.

Take a look at my caravan towing tips for more guidance on pulling your tourer.

Solo driving the Cupra Ateca

The regular Ateca drives well. It’s one of the most enjoyable family SUVs for towing a caravan for the driver. So is there really any need for a sportier version of a sporty car?

The odd thing is, the Cupra doesn’t drive all that differently to the Seat. It looks a little more aggressive, but they’re not that far apart in character. Adjusting the Drive Profile mode to Sport sharpens the throttle and adds some weight to the steering, although for most road conditions, the Normal setting is just fine.

It is worth putting the transmission into Sport mode on twisty roads or before overtaking, as the ’box can be a little slow to respond in Drive. Better still, make use of the paddles behind the steering wheel.

If you’d rather change gear for yourself all the time, you’re out of luck. The Cupra isn’t available with a manual gearbox, although you can buy the Seat equivalent as a manual.

The suspension settings are well judged for enthusiastic driving. There’s a taut and controlled feel on country roads. While that makes for a firm ride around town, the Ateca stops short of feeling harsh.

What’s not so pleasing is the volume of road noise. It does disturb the peace somewhat on a long drive, especially over coarsely finished surfaces.

Space and practicality in the Cupra Ateca 1.5 Eco TSI 150PS V2 DSG

It may have been around for a few years, but the Ateca is still competitive with newer rivals when it comes to cabin space.

There’s plenty of headroom in the front, and most drivers should have no trouble finding a comfortable driving position. Very tall people might wish for an inch or so of extra travel on the seat, though.

The cabin of the Cupra
Modest touchscreen, but you get separate buttons for the air conditioning

Some may say the dashboard is starting to look a little old-fashioned, with its modest touchscreen and separate buttons for the air conditioning. I prefer separate controls for the heating and ventilation, so what might be a disadvantage in some eyes, I would see as a plus point.

If you’re touring with friends and heading to one of the best adults only caravan sites in the UK, the good news is the rear-seat space is adult-friendly. However, it’s worth noting the transmission tunnel will get in the way if travelling with three in the back. Isofix mounting points are fitted to the outer seats for securely carrying children in car seats.

The 510 of boot space
With the seats upright, there’s a healthy 510 litres of luggage space

With the seats upright, there’s a healthy 510 litres of luggage space. That’s a little down on the 562-litre capacity of the equivalent Kia Sportage.

Buying and owning a Cupra Ateca 1.5 Eco TSI 150PS V2 DSG

The list of standard kit is long. As well as 19-inch alloy wheels, a digital cockpit, a heated steering wheel and electric adjustment for the driver’s seat, there’s a comprehensive selection of safety kit and driver aids.

The towball
The towball and electrics are priced at £810

Fuel bills should be reasonable, with an official combined figure of 40.4-44.2mpg. On my towing economy route, the Cupra returned 27.2mpg.

Alternatives to consider

If you’re looking for a family SUV, I rated the Škoda Karoq 2.0 TDI 150PS Sportline 4×4 DSG very highly when I put it to the test in 2022. It was not only a great solo drive but also stable at towing. It has a bigger price tag but the Honda CR-V 2.0 Plug-in Hybrid 2WD Advance Tech is another practical family SUV to consider and makes a good choice if you’re after a plug-in hybrid. It also provides good boot space.

Technical spec

  • Price: £38,485
  • What Car? Target Price: £37,353
  • Value after three years: 52%
  • Kerbweight: 1449kg
  • 85% of kerbweight: 1232kg
  • Gross vehicle weight: 1930kg
  • Max towing limit: 1600kg
  • Gross train weight: 3530kg
  • Towball limit: 90kg
  • Towball and electrics: £810
  • Boot size: 510-1604 litres
  • Payload: 481kg
  • Test conditions: Dry
  • Engine size: 1498cc
  • Power (hp): 150 @ 5000-6000rpm
  • Torque (lb ft): 184 @ 1500-4000rpm
  • Official combined economy: 40.4-44.2mpg
  • Towing economy: 27.2mpg
  • CO2 emissions: 153g/km
  • First year car tax: £680
  • Second year car tax: £190
  • Insurance group: 18E
  • Euro NCAP rating: 5/5 (2016, for Seat Ateca)

If you’re heading out on the road soon and are looking for some tips to improve your experience, take a look at my 10 things every caravanner should know about towing.

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