We drove the Cupra Trammer: All about differentiation

The fifth model from SEAT’s premium brand is a crossover set to replace the Cupra Ateca and will be manufactured by Audi. Is it luxurious enough and does it live up to its sporty ambitions?

 Cupra Trammer (photo credit: CUPRA)
Cupra Trammer
(photo credit: CUPRA)
  • Estimated Price: Starting from NIS 230,000 for the 1.5-liter model, from 280,000 NIS for the VZ
  • Competitors: Volkswagen Tiguan, Peugeot 3008, BMW X1
  • Liked: Design, interior, handling, and character
  • Disliked: Space for a third rear passenger, brake performance under stress

In today’s automotive industry, differentiation is a must; differentiation between various manufacturers and even between brands produced by the same conglomerate. This trend isn’t new but has been increasing over time. Cupra, for example, SEAT’s young premium brand, presents itself as an emotional brand that appeals to human senses. Spain, Cupra and SEAT's original homeland, is also a passionate country, for better or worse.

Staying true to SEAT’s tradition of naming models after Spanish cities, the Cupra Trammer is named after a unique oval racing track established in 1923 in a coastal town near Barcelona. The literal meaning is “Earth” (Terra) and “Sea” (Mar). According to Cupra representatives, the model symbolizes the connection between Barcelona (the city where the Trammer was designed and developed) and the Mediterranean Sea. Therefore, it was expected that the Trammer would be launched at the Trammer track itself, where Cupra was introduced as a separate manufacturer in 2018.

 The design conveys aggression and sportiness (credit: CUPRA)
The design conveys aggression and sportiness (credit: CUPRA)

So, who are you, Cupra Trammer? The Trammer is an SUV based on Volkswagen Group's EVO MQB platform, sharing its underpinnings with the Audi Q3 and the new Volkswagen Tiguan. It is set to replace the Cupra Ateca, which was the last SEAT-based model (apart from the facelifted Leon). The Trammer is also expected to be the last Cupra with an internal combustion engine, following the declaration that all Cupra models will be electric by 2030—a statement that remains unsoftened despite slowing electric vehicle sales. What has changed, however, is Cupra's plan to replace SEAT models. These will continue to be produced until the end of the gasoline engine era, which is set to last longer than initially expected and won’t disappear in the coming years.

The Trammer is important to Cupra as it aims to position the brand at the heart of the fastest-growing segment in Europe—electric and hybrid SUVs—while expanding its customer base and reaching new market segments. Cupra is placing high hopes on this model.

Design: Cool, cloudy weather greets us as we leave the Catalan airport. The launch vehicles await us in the nearby parking lot. The Cupra Trammer is impressive from the outside. Its design exudes aggression and sportiness, precisely how the brand wants to position itself. An aggressive front grille catches the eye at first glance. The front light units with a signature three-triangle design continue the aggressive front-line theme. The exterior design is full of elements that enhance its sporty message, from deep spoilers and aerodynamic skirts to the rear diffuser. Rear light units with triangular formations and a connecting light strip complete a design that aligns with the latest SEAT and Cupra models.

During the launch, we saw a variety of sporty alloy wheels with typical Cupra design elements, including triangles and copper-colored paint. Combined with a selection of dark colors, most of them shiny and two matte finishes, the Trammer’s design fits well with the Cupra brand and its sporty purpose.

 High quality and a sporty atmosphere. It's a shame the middle passenger in the back won't enjoy them (credit: CUPRA)
High quality and a sporty atmosphere. It's a shame the middle passenger in the back won't enjoy them (credit: CUPRA)

Cabin Interior: The interior design continues the sporty atmosphere. All the panels are covered with black fabric and leather, and the air vents and door handles feature copper-colored plastic trims characteristic of Cupra. The flat-bottomed steering wheel with start buttons and driving mode selectors (à la Audi R8) adds a combat-like feel, while the strikingly sporty seats enhance the appearance. The driver’s area includes a digital dashboard and a 12.9-inch central touchscreen with the latest operating system from the group. A 12-speaker Sennheiser sound system performed well.

The cabin materials are pleasant to look at and touch, with high assembly quality—a standard to expect from the group’s first non-Audi vehicle produced alongside the Q3 at Audi’s Hungarian plants. The interior lighting is rich, with ambient door lights and map lighting activated by a finger swipe. In line with the current push for sustainability, Cupra boasts that the sports seats are upholstered with recycled materials, including fabric made from recycled plastic collected from the sea. Overall, the cabin is practical, sporty-looking, and familiar to drivers of previous Volkswagen Group vehicles.

As expected for a family-oriented SUV, the Trammer proves practical for transporting a family, even in a "showroom test." The front seat space is excellent, although the driver and passenger area wraps around them. As a proper family SUV, the rear seat is spacious and can accommodate three adults. Headroom and shoulder space are commendable, although a high central tunnel prevents a perfect score in the back. The panoramic sunroof with an electric curtain doesn’t affect headroom and brings welcome light into the dark cabin. The trunk is practical, offering a respectable 508-liter capacity, which can expand when the rear seat is moved forward.

A Sporting Break: As part of a strategic partnership with the America’s Cup, the prestigious and oldest sailing competition, Cupra launched a limited edition related to the event. Only 1,337 units will be produced, sold in special matte gray paint with 20-inch black wheels. The edition includes leather-upholstered seats with the America’s Cup logo embossed on them and on the exterior B-pillars. During the launch drive, we stopped for lunch at Barcelona’s port, where live footage of the competition, held just outside the port, was broadcast on screens. Cool.


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Engines and Performance: After soaking in the atmosphere at Barcelona’s port, let’s talk numbers: The Trammer offers a range of five different powertrains, all paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch DSG transmission. The lineup begins with a mild hybrid eTSI version comprising a 1.5-liter gasoline engine and a generator with a 48-volt battery. The electric component assists the gasoline engine to allow coasting and electric driving when the car is already in motion. Since the base version wasn’t present at the launch, what else did we have?

The next step in the powertrain lineup is the TSI gasoline-only versions. Both versions rely on the well-known 2-liter engine from the group, transmitting power through all-wheel drive (4Drive). The first version produces 204 hp, while the more powerful VZ version produces 265 hp. The powertrain lineup concludes with two plug-in hybrid PHEV versions (e-Hybrid in group terminology). These versions are based on a 1.5-liter TSI gasoline engine paired with an electric motor and a 19.7 kWh battery. Both versions offer about 100 km of declared electric-only travel. They support standard fast charging: AC charging up to 11 kW and DC charging up to 50 kW. The first version also produces 204 hp, while the enhanced VZ version produces 272 hp.

Comfort and Handling: Enough talk. How does the Trammer perform on the road? We started driving the 272 hp PHEV version assigned to us. Even during urban driving, high ride quality became evident. Cupra takes pride in the newer version of their DCC (Dynamic Chassis Control) system, and it indeed performed impressively on the road. Despite all the launch vehicles being equipped with 20-inch wheels, the suspension system managed to absorb most of the challenges we encountered, from bumpy city roads to slightly broken intercity roads. Yes, the roads in Spain are not exactly perfect. The ability to choose driving modes is supposed to impact the suspension damping, but in practice, the difference was minimal. Road and wind noise insulation was excellent, as demonstrated by the third passenger who fell asleep in the back after the long flight.

On the mountainous roads around Barcelona, the Trammer PHEV showed excellent cornering capabilities, despite its heavy weight of 1.9 tons (before the three passengers in the car...), thanks to the all-wheel drive. Until we test it on Israeli roads, such as the infamous Route 444 or any neglected urban road, the ride quality can be described as excellent.

Wait, the evaluation isn’t over yet. Comfort is nice, but what about the sporty side? Between segments, we took the top VZ gasoline version (2.0-liter turbo with 265 hp, all-wheel drive, and 150 kg lighter than the PHEV) for a dedicated drive on the driving roads around Barcelona. Oh, there are amazing roads here: From slow and technical challenging roads to faster winding ones.

Grip is high, as expected from the Continental ContiSport 6 tires in a respectable size of 255/50R20. Thanks to the tires and all-wheel drive, it's difficult to unsettle the Trammer or push it beyond its grip limits. Surprisingly, the steering calibration felt more accurate and precise in sport mode than in the over-boosted extreme Cupra mode. Although the seats were visually impressive, we found them lacking sufficient support for sporty driving. After an intense driving session, my driving colleague reported some brake fade. This is probably why Cupra offers optional calipers with six pistons to provide better and more consistent stopping power for the heavy Trammer. It's fair to say that the Trammer showcases high dynamic capabilities that will put a smile on any driver's face.

 The ride comfort is surprisingly good, without compromising the sporty handling (credit: CUPRA)
The ride comfort is surprisingly good, without compromising the sporty handling (credit: CUPRA)

Bottom Line: So, when can we expect the Trammer in Israel? Initial deliveries in Europe are planned for November, and according to Champion Motors, it is expected to arrive in Israel by the end of the first half of 2025. As expected, there is still no estimate for local pricing or a detailed list of available versions; for instance, we have yet to see the new generation plug-in units from the Volkswagen Group in Israel due to pricing considerations. Will the Trammer change that, especially as electric vehicle prices are set to rise, potentially making PHEV models more relevant?

When it arrives, it will have a lot of work to prove itself against its competitors that are also being updated: The new Tiguan and Audi Q3 from within the group, and from outside, the Peugeot 3008, Korean sisters Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson, as well as the Mercedes GLA and BMW X1. The unique card the Cupra Trammer places on the table is its sporty character, unmatched by any of the above. If that’s not differentiation, then what is?

 In the end, the market will decide: will the Tramper be perceived as an expensive Seat or a budget option in the luxury segment (credit: CUPRA)
In the end, the market will decide: will the Tramper be perceived as an expensive Seat or a budget option in the luxury segment (credit: CUPRA)

Technical Details: Cupra Trammer

  • Engine: Turbo gasoline, 1,984 cc. Power: 265 hp, Torque: 40 kg·m
  • Transmission: Automatic dual-clutch, all-wheel drive

Dimensions:

  • Length (m): 4.52
  • Width (m): 1.86
  • Height (m): 1.58
  • Wheelbase (m): 2.68
  • Trunk capacity (liters): 508
  • Weight (kg): 1,750

Performance (Manufacturer):

  • 0-100 km/h (seconds): 5.9
  • Top speed (km/h): 243
  • Fuel consumption (km/l): 12

Safety:

  • Euro NCAP crash test: Not yet tested
  • Active safety: Autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot warning, rearview camera

The author was a guest of SEAT in Barcelona.