Skip to content
Quelle Occasion
Menu

Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Used Cupra Formentor I: the buying guide

SUV · since 2020 · Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid

✓ 27 sources cited · updated on 13 October 2026

Good choice, check first
Reliability
4.5/5
Estimated monthly cost
€578/month
Indicative prices
€22,500 – €33,000

5 known faults

Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Photo 1 of 5

Cupra Formentor I, front three-quarter view

Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Verdict

Good choice, check first

Well-protected SUV coupé (5 Euro NCAP stars in 2021, then again in 2025), but its reliability is considered a concern: What Car? ranked it 33rd out of 34 family SUVs in 2023, then 35th out of 76 in 2025, mainly because of its electronics (the multimedia system freezes). Several safety recalls have affected early models: check them against the serial number, and only consider the plug-in hybrid with a complete history.

Reliability
4.5/5
Indicative prices
€22,500 – €33,000
Monthly cost
€578
Euro NCAP
5/5

Which version to choose

Versions to favour: 1.5 TSI 150, 1.5 TSI 150 DSG7.

  • 1.5 TSI 150

    ✓ Recommended

    Petrol · Manual · 150 hp · 6.6 L/100 km · 150 g CO₂/km · Crit'Air 1

    1.5 TSI with 150 hp, offered with a manual or DSG7 gearbox at launch: the entry-level petrol.

    Engine: Volkswagen 1.5 TSI / eTSI (EA211 evo)

    Verdict on this engine: Excellent choice

  • 1.5 TSI 150 DSG7

    ✓ Recommended

    Petrol · Automatic · 150 hp · Crit'Air 1

    1.5 TSI with 150 hp, 250 Nm, 7-speed DSG gearbox, 0 to 100 km/h in 9.0 s according to Cupra.

    Engine: Volkswagen 1.5 TSI / eTSI (EA211 evo)

    Verdict on this engine: Excellent choice

  • 2.0 TSI 190 4Drive DSG7

    Petrol · Automatic · 190 hp · Crit'Air 1

    2.0 TSI with 190 hp, 4Drive all-wheel drive, DSG7 gearbox. Affected by the engine cover recall.

  • 2.0 TSI 245 DSG7

    Petrol · Automatic · 245 hp · Crit'Air 1

    2.0 TSI with 245 hp, DSG7 gearbox. Affected by the engine cover recall.

  • 2.0 TSI 310 4Drive DSG7

    Petrol · Automatic · 310 hp · Crit'Air 1

    2.0 TSI with 310 hp and 400 Nm, 4Drive, DSG7, 0 to 100 km/h in 4.9 s. Affected by the engine cover recall.

  • 2.0 TDI 150 DSG7

    Diesel · Automatic · 150 hp · Crit'Air 2

    2.0 TDI with 150 hp, 360 Nm, DSG7 gearbox, 0 to 100 km/h in 9.0 s according to Cupra.

    Engine: Volkswagen 2.0 TDI (EA288 and EA288 evo)

    Verdict on this engine: Buy with care

  • e-Hybrid 204 DSG6

    Hybrid · Automatic · 204 hp · Crit'Air 1

    Plug-in hybrid with 204 hp, 6-speed DSG gearbox; the boot drops to 345 L because of the battery.

  • e-Hybrid 245 DSG6

    Hybrid · Automatic · 245 hp · Crit'Air 1

    Plug-in hybrid with 245 hp (VZ), 400 Nm, 12.8 kWh battery for about 55 km of electric range (WLTP) according to Sports-cars.fr.

Market prices

€22,500 – €33,000

Indicative range: 2021 to 2026, yearly medians of 1664 online listings collected by iAutos (years with at least 3 listings).

Collected on 20 October 2026 from the sources below. Our own survey of listings, by year and mileage, will refine it.

Known faults

DSG hybrid gearbox (DQ400e): mechatronics faults and limp mode

Severity 2/3 · Costly

According to CarChecker, the first e-Hybrid models suffered gearbox mechatronics failures: a gearbox error message and limp mode. A British workshop describes similar symptoms (warning light, jolts when engaging) and recommends regular gearbox oil changes. These sources are workshop and buying guides, not manufacturer statistics; the first e-Hybrid production runs are the most cited.

Versions
e-Hybrid 204 DSG6, e-Hybrid 245 DSG6
Onset
not documented
Repair
not documented

Multimedia freezing or switching off

Severity 1/3 · Annoying

The most frequently cited fault among owners: the central screen (MIB3) freezes, goes black, loses radio stations or restarts, sometimes just after an update at the dealership. What Car? places infotainment at the top of reported faults. No official recall has been found; software updates do not always solve the problem according to owner accounts.

Versions
1.5 TSI 150, 1.5 TSI 150 DSG7, 2.0 TSI 190 4Drive DSG7, 2.0 TSI 245 DSG7, 2.0 TSI 310 4Drive DSG7, 2.0 TDI 150 DSG7, e-Hybrid 204 DSG6, e-Hybrid 245 DSG6
Onset
not documented
Repair
not documented

Recall: 2.0 TSI engine cover that may touch the turbo (Formentor 2020-2022)

Manufacturer recall

The engine cover can come loose and contact the hot turbocharger, increasing the risk of burns or fire. The recall concerns 2.0 TSI Formentors built from 24 July 2020 to 2 March 2022; the fix consists of removing the cover. Check your situation with the serial number.

Fixed free of charge by a dealer and not counted in the reliability score: ask for proof the work was done (invoice, or a VIN check at a dealer).

Versions
2.0 TSI 190 4Drive DSG7, 2.0 TSI 245 DSG7, 2.0 TSI 310 4Drive DSG7
Onset
not documented
Repair
not documented

Recall: front seat belt anchor points (Formentor 2020-2021)

Manufacturer recall

A manufacturing error may leave the front seat belt anchor points insufficient, which can reduce the belt's effectiveness in a crash. The recall concerns Leon and Formentor models built between 18 September 2020 and 23 August 2021 (2,277 vehicles worldwide according to the European alert); the belts are inspected and replaced if necessary.

Fixed free of charge by a dealer and not counted in the reliability score: ask for proof the work was done (invoice, or a VIN check at a dealer).

Versions
1.5 TSI 150, 1.5 TSI 150 DSG7, 2.0 TSI 190 4Drive DSG7, 2.0 TSI 245 DSG7, 2.0 TSI 310 4Drive DSG7, 2.0 TDI 150 DSG7, e-Hybrid 204 DSG6, e-Hybrid 245 DSG6
Onset
not documented
Repair
not documented

Recall: radiator mounting (Formentor and Leon 2021-2022)

Manufacturer recall

A campaign announced in Australia covers 2021-2022 Formentor and Leon models whose radiator may be poorly secured: it can move and leak coolant, with a risk of overheating and loss of power if the warning is ignored. What Car? also mentions a recall of this type. The sources cited are Australian: ask a Cupra dealer whether your serial number is concerned.

Fixed free of charge by a dealer and not counted in the reliability score: ask for proof the work was done (invoice, or a VIN check at a dealer).

Versions
1.5 TSI 150, 1.5 TSI 150 DSG7, 2.0 TSI 190 4Drive DSG7, 2.0 TSI 245 DSG7, 2.0 TSI 310 4Drive DSG7, 2.0 TDI 150 DSG7, e-Hybrid 204 DSG6, e-Hybrid 245 DSG6
Onset
not documented
Repair
not documented

All faults by version and mileage →

Manufacturer recalls

See the official list on RappelConso (new tab) (French government recall site: category “Automobiles et moyens de déplacement”, search “Cupra Formentor”). A dealer for the brand can also check, using the vehicle identification number (VIN), that recalls have been carried out.

Real monthly cost

Fuel, insurance, maintenance and depreciation, excluding finance. Move the slider to match your mileage. How it is calculated

Monthly cost by item
Fuel or electricity€162
Insurance€88
Maintenance€38
Depreciation€290
Total per month€578

⚠ Estimates to treat with caution

  • Depreciation estimated at 12% of the median price a year, as no year-by-year valuation is usable.
Calculation details (12,000 km a year)
Fuel (petrol)€162

1.5 TSI 150 version: combined consumption of 6.6 L/100 km, increased by 15% for real-world driving, at 2.14 €/L, for 1,000 km a month.

6.6 × 1.15 × 2.14 € × 10 = €162

Petrol price (SP95-E10): French national average on 7 October 2026.

Insurance€88

Average monthly premium published for this model by insurance comparison sites (comprehensive cover when stated). Your premium depends on your profile.

Maintenance€38

Servicing and wear parts (tyres, brakes) for 12,000 km a year, per month.

Depreciation€290

Value lost in a year by a typical example, from the valuation gap between two years, per month.

Inspection checklist

Things to check

  • Check with a Cupra dealer, using the serial number, for recalls: 2.0 TSI engine cover, front seat belts, radiator.
  • Test the multimedia screen at length, CarPlay and Android Auto, and ask which software version is installed.
  • Cold engine: listen to the start-up and drive at low revs to detect jolts, especially on the 1.5 TSI.
  • e-Hybrid: try charging and the gearbox (jolts, gearbox error message) and ask for the gearbox oil changes that were carried out.
  • Require the complete service book: What Car? recommends checking the gearbox oil change history on hybrids.

Questions to ask the seller

  • Have the recalls (engine cover on the 2.0 TSI, front seat belts, radiator) been carried out? Can you prove it with the serial number?
  • Has the multimedia system ever frozen or been updated at the dealership?
  • For the e-Hybrid: has the gearbox ever shown an error or been drained, and at what mileage?

Test-drive tip: read the fault codes

A warning light that is off proves nothing: a fault may have been cleared just before the viewing. A Bluetooth OBD2 scanner, plugged in under the steering wheel and read on your phone, shows stored codes and whether all emissions readiness tests have run since the last reset.

See OBD2 scanners on Amazon → (new tab)Partner link

Electric or hybrid equivalent

No direct electric or hybrid equivalent in our guides. Simulate combustion vs electric cost

Alternatives

Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0

Seat Ateca

I · since 2016

Good choice, check first
Price
€12,500 – €29,700
Reliability
4/5
Fuel types
Petrol, Diesel

Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0

Volkswagen T-Roc

I · 2017–2025

Buy with care
Price
€16,300 – €28,000
Reliability
3.5/5
Fuel types
Petrol, Diesel

Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0

Škoda Karoq

I · since 2017

Good choice, check first
Price
€16,000 – €32,700
Reliability
4/5
Fuel types
Petrol, Diesel

Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0

Volkswagen Tiguan

II · 2016–2024

Good choice, check first
Price
€16,000 – €36,000
Reliability
4/5
Fuel types
Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid

Before you buy: check and equip

Check the history

Before paying, check the administrative status (lien, objection, declared claims) and the mileage recorded at the roadworthiness test.

Read fault codes

An OBD scanner plugged in under the steering wheel shows stored fault codes, even with warning lights off: useful during the test drive.

Parts and maintenance

Compare prices of parts for the Cupra Formentor I (timing, brakes, filters) to estimate the repairs to plan for.

Insure the car

Insurance prices vary widely from one model to another: get a quote before signing.

Frequently asked questions

What Euro NCAP rating does the Cupra Formentor have?

5 stars in 2021 (93% adult occupant, 88% child occupant, 68% vulnerable road users, 80% safety assist), then 5 stars again in the 2025 tests, according to Cupra's press release.

Is the Cupra Formentor reliable?

What Car? ranks it 35th out of 76 family SUVs in its 2025 reliability survey, compared with 33rd out of 34 in 2023; electronics and multimedia are the most cited faults.

What is the boot capacity of the Cupra Formentor?

420 litres according to tests by Motor1 and Caroom; Fiches-auto gives 450 litres for front-wheel drive combustion versions and 420 litres for 4Drive, and the plug-in hybrid drops to 345 litres because of the battery.

Found a listing?

Soon, we will analyse your Cupra Formentor listing: price, mileage, watch points.

Get notified at launch