Cupra Formentor: What makes it the Leasing.com Car of the Year 2024?
The formidable Cupra Formentor recently won our inaugural awards, taking the crown and named as Leasing.com Car of the Year. It was up against some tough competition. The leasing marketplace is packed with great models, particularly in the family crossover segment in which the Formentor sits.
So why exactly did our judging panel plump for the Spanish model? After all, the Cupra brand itself is relatively new to market. But it really has nailed a car that ticks all the boxes when it comes to a winning leasing formula. Here’s five reasons why it won out.
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Stylish sporty design meets practical SUV
The most obvious element of the Cupra’s winning formula is its handsome looks. As a sporting brand, it was natural that Cupra’s first in-house designed crossover would get sharp styling. But the Formentor really exceeded our expectations.
It can claim to sit in the increasingly popular domain of the “coupe crossover”, with a sharp imposing front end and a sloping rear end that helps it stand out compared to many of its more mundane rivals. A recent facelift due later in 2024 should only improve on this.
A wide range of efficient powertrains
One thing we love about the Formentor is the amount of choice consumers have when it comes to engine options and drivetrains. This is also one of the key factors that have made it such a hit on the leasing market. There’s a host of petrol options, made up of 1.5-litre and 2.0-litre units.
There’s also an efficient 1.4-litre plug-in hybrid model, as well as the range-topping VZ3 spec, which adds four-wheel drive to the potent 310hp petrol motor. This is the pick of the range if you want performance that matches those sporting looks.
But the plug-in hybrid choices shouldn’t be ignored either; they offer more than 35 miles of electric-only power, and are also fantastic for lease customers requiring lower company car tax rates. All in all, few rivals can offer the drivetrain options Cupra has done with the Formentor.
It’s really fun to drive
Crossovers are better to drive than they used to be. But most of them still don’t offer the feel and engagement you get from a hatchback. The Formentor is an exception though. Even if you go for one of the less potent powertrains, you’ve still got enough power for quick acceleration.
Most importantly though, it’s really fun round the corners too. Steering is fast and nicely weighted, while the suspension is set up to ensure body roll is minimal. Several driving modes are available too, with “Sport” and “Cupra” modes making the throttle response progressively sharper.
But it doesn’t forget about comfort. The Formentor rides really well, despite being firm. The seats make up for this though, with even entry-level models featuring seats with a cossetting feel.
Leasing one makes perfect financial sense
When it came to picking the Leasing.com Car of the Year, naturally pricing and value for money plays a big part. As we’ve shown many times, leasing is often the most cost-effective way of financing a brand-new vehicle.
In 2023/24, the Formentor has been one of the top performers in this domain. Considering its specification, attractive looks and sporty badge, few cars can touch it when it comes to value. At the time of writing, the Formentor can currently be leased for less than £250 per month.
With a new Formentor waiting in the wings, we can’t wait to see if the brand continues its momentum on Leasing.com when the revised model arrives later this year. In the meantime though, check out the very best deals on the current award-winning Formentor by hitting the button below.
