PROS PHEV drivetrain enables limited electric running at speeds up to 135km/h Excellent blend of everyday comfort, refinement and performance 3500kg towing capacity It shares its drivetrain with the Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid
CONS PHEV drivetrain adds handsomely to the weight Li-ion battery robs 70L of boot space Lacks the traditional hardened performance focus for which Volkswagen R models are renowned
“A curious mix of speed and efficiency with a big dollop of comfort. It's just not especially fun ”
PROS Comfy, plush, quick and a company car bargain
CONS Not as nimble as a Cayenne
The VW Touareg R is comfortable, well-equipped and effortless to drive, but not sharp or engaging enough to be considered a true sports SUV. That leaves it in somewhat of a no man’s land. Put simply, those looking for a fast yet relatively frugal sports SUV would be better served by the similarly priced Porsche Cayenne e-Hybrid, while those wanting a luxurious and well-rounded plug-in hybrid luxury SUV would be better off with the BMW X5 xDrive45e.
PROS Well-equipped Spacious inside for up to five people Very quiet in electric mode
CONS Cheap-feeling interior Fussy infotainment system Not very exciting to drive
Cupra’s first standalone model is a handsome crossover with decent road manners and plenty of space
Pros Sharp looks, handles well for a crossover, plenty of space and equipment
Cons Fiddly touch-sensitive heater almost as annoying as having to explain the badge to your mates
Pros Strong range of engine options Great interior style and quality Genuinely good fun to drive for an SUV
Cons Fairly limited personalisation options There are more practical options Some infotainment frustrations
The Cupra Formentor doesn't feel as playful as the closely related Volkswagen T-Roc R, but it’s every bit as fast in its similarly priced, range-topping form, plus it handles with composure and has a much nicer interior. In addition, cheaper, less powerful versions of the Formentor offer the same sporty looks as the flagship model – something that isn’t the case with lesser T-Rocs. Just bear in mind that you can have our 2021 Sports SUV of the Year, the Ford Puma ST, for not much more than the cheapest Formentor.
Pros Well equipped Surefooted and grippy handling Smart interior
Cons TSI 310 isn’t as much fun as the very best sports SUVs Slightly hesitant automatic gearbox Fiddly controls
