2022 Cupra Formentor Review & Buyer's Guide
Looking up a specific Cupra Formentor?
Check VIN History ReportOverview
What Are the Strengths of the 2022 Cupra Formentor?
Striking Design and Premium Interior
The Formentor stands out visually with an aggressive front end and high-end appearance. The interior features premium leather seats with effective side bolsters for cornering, heated front seats with power adjustment and memory functions, and a spacious boot suitable for daily needs.
Engaging Driving Dynamics
The progressive steering is responsive and precise without feeling over-assisted, making the car incredibly nimble on winding roads. The AWD system provides confident and assured handling in corners, with the ability to configure it rear-biased for extra driving fun, delivering dynamics comparable to Subaru vehicles.
Strong Performance and Fuel Economy
The Formentor delivers excellent fuel economy combined with genuine performance. The newer 1.5-litre TSI engine (in later models) replaces the fragile supercharger/turbo combo with a more reliable single turbo setup.
Comprehensive Feature Set
The vehicle comes loaded with technology including keyless entry, 360/reverse camera for parking, wireless phone charging, and multiple driving modes. Advanced infotainment and connectivity features cater to tech-savvy drivers.
Comfortable Daily Usability
Owners praise the Formentor as lovely to drive as a daily driver with super comfortable seats and a spacious interior that handles prams and luggage for regular use.
What Are the Weaknesses of the 2022 Cupra Formentor?
Unreliable Capacitive Controls and Software Issues
Touch-sensitive climate controls are frustratingly hit-and-miss, requiring multiple attempts to adjust temperature. The wireless phone charger frequently overheats or fails to charge, sunroof controls can be unresponsive, and interior light switches are unreliable. These quality issues extend across multiple electronic systems.
Poor After-Sales Support and Service Network
Cupra has limited dealership presence in Australia, mostly confined to capital cities, making regional servicing difficult. Multiple owners report the after-sales experience being among the worst they've encountered, with customer service failing to follow up on promises. Parts, maintenance, and servicing are significantly more expensive than mainstream brands.
Defective Keyless Entry System
The keyless entry door sensors are notoriously problematic, typically requiring 3-4 grabs of the door handle to unlock. Sometimes doors won't unlock at all without using the physical key fob, rarely unlocking instantly on first attempt.
High Running Costs and Steep Depreciation
Parts and repairs are not cheap, and owners should maintain a significant financial buffer for unexpected issues. The Formentor experiences steep depreciation on the used market, making it an expensive proposition for ownership.
Build Quality and Design Inconsistencies
The lumbar support in the driver's seat is flimsy and creaks under normal weight. Cup holders look stylish but don't actually hold cups properly. No spare wheel included, only a tire inflation kit. Some plastic interior fixtures appear cheap-looking despite the premium price point.
What Are the Most Common 2022 Cupra Formentor Problems?
Water Pump and Thermostat Leaks
ModerateThe water pump and thermostat arrangement is a known weak point prone to leaking on 1.5-litre engines. While repairs are easier and cheaper than earlier supercharged variants, this remains a recurring issue owners should budget for.
Keyless Entry Door Sensor Failure
ModerateChronic failures of door unlock sensors affecting multiple vehicles, typically requiring 3-4 handle pulls to activate. Some vehicles experience complete failure requiring key fob use, indicating a systemic design flaw rather than isolated incidents.
Climate Control Touchscreen Malfunction
ModerateCapacitive temperature controls fail to respond consistently, requiring multiple attempts and alternative access through the infotainment system. The touch sliders aren't backlit, forcing drivers to take eyes off the road at night.
Wireless Phone Charger Failure
LowThe wireless charging pad frequently overheats or fails to charge devices altogether. This is a common complaint among owners relying on this convenience feature.
Early Transmission Issues and Electronic Drive Complaints
ModerateLong-term testing revealed transmission snatch as the powertrain transitions between electric and mechanical drive, accompanied by whining from the electric motor. Some vehicles develop unexpected groans and clunks related to the electric drive system as they age.
What Owners Say
Owner sentiment is divided between appreciation for the Formentor's stunning design, engaging driving dynamics, and performance, versus frustration with software reliability, dealer support, and high ownership costs. Some owners express loyalty to the brand despite issues, while others report severe problems from day one and regret their purchase. Early adopters in niche markets acknowledge the Formentor's uniqueness but warn prospective buyers to prepare for unexpected expenses and potential reliability headaches.
"The after sales is the worst I've ever experienced this is on all levels apart from the sales eg(customer service promising to contact me and never do pretty disappointing)" — ProductReview.com.au
"Despite a couple of grievances, as my first European car and first brand from the Volkswagen Group, the copper is gold!" — Drive.com.au Owner Review (Martin)
"Car was poor. Loads of issues from day 1. Had to sell it. Was just outside lemon laws... VW finance don't seem bothered about all their negative reviews which leads me to believe they don't care about their cars either so I'll never buy a VW, Cupra or finance through them again." — ProductReview.com.au
"Would like the 2025 model if have the opportunity to finances, love the brand and would recommend to others if looking for a new vehicle" — Driven Car Guide (New Zealand Owner)
"Even then, it pays to be prepared. Stash away a decent buffer in a 'just in case the Formentor shits itself' account, because parts, servicing, and repairs aren't cheap, and the limited dealership network in Australia can make resolving issues more of a hassle than it should be." — ReDriven
"The progressive steering is brilliant and one of the standout features of the Formentor. Turning is precise and effortless without being unlively, and makes the car incredibly nimble on bendy roads." — Drive.com.au Owner Review
Reliability Rating
Below AverageThe 2022 Cupra Formentor shows below-average reliability for a vehicle in its price segment, with recurring electronic and software issues overshadowing solid mechanical foundations. The engines themselves are mechanically sound, particularly the 1.5-litre TSI variant which improved reliability over earlier supercharged units. However, electrical components, capacitive controls, and integrated systems prove problematic within 2-3 years of ownership. The limited Australian dealer network compounds reliability concerns, as sourcing parts and expert repairs becomes time-consuming and costly. Multiple owners report issues appearing within the first year, while long-term testing revealed increasing electrical gremlins after extended ownership.
Final Verdict
The 2022 Cupra Formentor is a visually striking and dynamically engaging performance SUV that appeals to buyers prioritizing style and driving enjoyment over traditional reliability metrics. However, persistent software issues, poor dealer support in many regions, and significantly higher running costs make it a risky proposition unless you can afford unexpected repairs and prefer European brands over mainstream Japanese alternatives. Prospective buyers should treat this as a specialist purchase requiring realistic expectations about ownership costs and a financial buffer for inevitable electrical gremlins.
See price guide for the 2022 Cupra Formentor
Market values, cost of ownership, depreciation data, and buying tips.
Compare This Vehicle
Check Any Cupra Formentor VIN
Get a comprehensive history report for any 2022 Cupra Formentor
Check VIN Now