Advice from Owners

C3PRA

Cupra Ateca
Jun 3, 2005
54
6
New Forest
Hi All,

On the brink of making the decision to return to the Cupra as costs to renew are very similar to Q3 but you get all the bells and whistles plus a load more power

It will be mainly used as a daily by the wife during the week, short journey to work and back (12 miles) and dog walks and then at the weekends a bit of unleashing when I get into it.

I would like to know your thoughts on how the car has performed as a daily and what are the pros and cons that you have found and that I may not necessarily consider? Is there any additions changes that I should look to do whether that be coding or from the dealer?

My initial concerns are that most reviews comment about the slow pick up when used as a daily although I can’t say I really noticed it on the test drive but is an issue with current Q3 when leaving junctions or coming into/around roundabouts, any comments? The only other negatives for me that I could see is not being able to stow away the parcel shelf in the boot and irregular cup holder set up.

I’d appreciate any comments.

Thanks
Nick
 
Apr 22, 2019
2
1
So my use case is almost identical to yours, except I am the main driver of it. I use it for travelling to work, carting the dog around and shops etc. I had a 1.6TDI Ateca before this, which was horrendous to drive, so wanted something which can be fun when the time is right.

It has a bit of lag in low revs, and it takes a second or so to pickup speed. It's absolutely fine for roundabouts and junctions though. The lag is only really apparent when you are going quite slow in low revs, and sink the foot. In normal driving though, you won't really notice this and it just glides along without issue.

As a daily, it is fantastic. I had considered the new Q3, Evoque, E-Pace and Tiguan (all kind of similar prices, but less power than the Cupra), and while they are nicer inside, and subjectively nicer outside, my previous Ateca was effortless to live with. The interior is just pure function, no fluff, and I like that.
 

'Little' John

Active Member
Oct 12, 2018
274
114
I've had my Cupra Ateca for a couple of months and my use case is pretty similar. Journey to work is only about 8 miles with a choice of either motorway or fairly boring straight country roads in the middle (short first part is town driving, last couple of miles is twisty country roads). Bit of pottering around at weekends and then the occasional epic trip down south to visit relatives a few times a year. Fuel economy isn't great (but that's probably just me coming from a 1.4 Leon). I'm typically averaging about 28-29 mpg over a tank. On a long journey back from Devon last week I cracked 37mpg which was fairly impressive given the power on tap.

It does have a bit of lag at low revs, but you get used to it. I've started slipping the gearbox into Sport when approaching junctions where I'm likely to stop and that seems to help (although that may just be psychological!)

I've got the Comfort and Sound pack and panoramic roof fitted and I'd recommend both of those. The roof is a fairly expensive option but it makes a lot of difference to the feel of the interior. The design pack looks to be a bit of a waste of money, but I suppose that's down to individual taste. If you fit both packs it'll propel you into the realms of premium VED (in terms of overall running costs this may not be that much of an issue).

Negatives: After only two months and about 1,600 miles I've already developed a squeak in the suspension and a groan in the steering. I need to get it booked in so that the SEAT technicians can say they can't find anything wrong...
 
Apr 22, 2019
2
1
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'Little' John

Active Member
Oct 12, 2018
274
114
In the Autocar long term review update, the author mentions a similar issue with a squeak in the suspension: https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/cupra/long-term-tests/cupra-ateca-2019-long-term-review
That sounds almost identical to my symptoms. Not good if the entire strut assembly needs to come out. I thought that SEAT dealers would be able to handle the Cupra, but the articles says that they had to go to a Cupra specialist. Anyone know if that is the case? I've no idea where my nearest Cupra dealer is! Certainly my nearest three SEAT dealers aren't.
 

C3PRA

Cupra Ateca
Jun 3, 2005
54
6
New Forest
Thanks for both your honest comments as good to hear.

High 20’s is where I was expecting it and hopefully this may we’ll improve as the car loosens up, my 1.4tsi Q3 is averaging mid 30’s so there may not be a massive fuel difference.
The biggest annoyance is the delay but that was my first auto and it would appear that it is probably common in all autos and something you learn to live with although not as much of an issue with the Cupra. I wonder whether remapping would help as I recall on my Leon Cupra (manual) it improved pick up and smoothed out any turbo lag.

When I questioned the dealer as to whether when the car needed a service did I have to take it to the Cupra dealership he said no that it can be done at any of their dealerships? Not sure that answers your question though.
 

C3PRA

Cupra Ateca
Jun 3, 2005
54
6
New Forest
[QUOTE="'I've got the Comfort and Sound pack and panoramic roof fitted and I'd recommend both of those. The roof is a fairly expensive option but it makes a lot of difference to the feel of the interior. The design pack looks to be a bit of a waste of money, but I suppose that's down to individual taste. If you fit both packs it'll propel you into the realms of premium VED (in terms of overall running costs this may not be that much of an issue).[/QUOTE]

Planning on going for the Comfort and Sound Pack and probably will be in White, just seeing if I can get a bit of a better deal. :yes:
 

wesbar

Active Member
Nov 22, 2009
65
19
Had mine for about 6 weeks now. Great car which I actually enjoy driving more than my previous Golf GTI. I do a 50 mile round trip to work each day on quiet A roads and can get 35mpg if I stick around 65-70mph. Whack it into Cupra mode and nail it though and expect 25mpg tops. Only downside for me is the amount of attention it seems to get. Comfort mode is great and really easy to live with. Cupra mode is awesome and sounds great on the over-run. Wife and kids hate all the pops and bangs though and rightly think I’m being a nob.
 
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Bucksssss

Active Member
Mar 13, 2019
138
65
Hi All,

On the brink of making the decision to return to the Cupra as costs to renew are very similar to Q3 but you get all the bells and whistles plus a load more power

It will be mainly used as a daily by the wife during the week, short journey to work and back (12 miles) and dog walks and then at the weekends a bit of unleashing when I get into it.

I would like to know your thoughts on how the car has performed as a daily and what are the pros and cons that you have found and that I may not necessarily consider? Is there any additions changes that I should look to do whether that be coding or from the dealer?

My initial concerns are that most reviews comment about the slow pick up when used as a daily although I can’t say I really noticed it on the test drive but is an issue with current Q3 when leaving junctions or coming into/around roundabouts, any comments? The only other negatives for me that I could see is not being able to stow away the parcel shelf in the boot and irregular cup holder set up.

I’d appreciate any comments.

Thanks
Nick
On a slight side note and referring to one of your last queries, the cup holders are by far the most annoying of any car I’ve had. Absolutely useless.
 
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perelaar

Active Member
Jan 18, 2019
86
40
Sugartown Belgium
We took delivery of our Cupra Ateca last Friday. So far, only on niggle: the electric driver seat. Mandatory option if you take the leather seats as we did, but unfortunately it comes without memory function. So if you can live with the alcantara interior, don't go for the electric seats :)

Slow pickup: yes, at very slow speeds or low revs. But pop the gearbox in sport mode and no issue anymore. You'll be faster away than about everybody else at the lights anyway ;)
 
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perelaar

Active Member
Jan 18, 2019
86
40
Sugartown Belgium
Quick update, just visited the dealer since the Cupra developed the "running water" issue described above. It turns out there is a recall ongoing (probably passive, action taken when cars come for service) for an issue with a part of the front suspension.

Technician remarked in the test drive that the steering system made more noise than it should.
I'll keep you informed - car is going in on June 14.
 
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