Cupra Tavascan vs Tesla Model Y

The Cupra Tavascan requires 5 major improvements, if it really wants to challenge, the bestselling car in the World, the Tesla Model Y. First and foremost is the price. Since the Tavascan is made entirely in China, there is no reason for it to be expensive, anyways. It should have been at least 20 percent cheaper than the Model Y. Only then would it be able to poach buyers away from an established brand. Now, the Cupra's base variant called the Endurance, is still okay. It is three thousand Aussie dollars, cheaper, than the entry-level Model Y. And, its battery is 22 percent bigger than the base Tesla. That has translated to 80 kilometers or 50 miles more range than the cheapest Model Y. But, that's the one and only advantage it holds over the Model Y. It is slower than the Model Y, thanks to a weaker motor, with 13 h-p less power than the Tesla. On top of that, the Tavascan is almost 300 kilos heavier than the Model Y. Then there's the problem of charging speed, which is 50 percent slower than the Tesla. Which nullifies, some of it's range advantage over the Model Y. However, it must be said, that the base-Tavascan is well equipped in terms of features. With a 15 inch Touchscreen for the infotainment, Wireless Phone Charger, Heated Steering Wheel and three zone climate control, it is not far behind the base Model Y. Check out the pinned comment, for a detailed comparison of the variants and features of both vehicles. In terms of practicality though, it is not even close to the Tesla. The Model Y has a humungous, 300 liter, bigger boot than the Cupra. Not to forget the Model Y's frunk, which is absent on the Cupra. The Cupra is just 6 inches shorter in length, than the Model Y. Which makes the Tesla seem quite impressive, in terms of packaging. Tesla's chassi, is certainly a whole generation more advanced than the Cupra's. In the UK, the Tavascan becomes an even weaker proposition, given it's two thousand pound higher starting price, compared to the Model Y. And finally, coming to the question of self driving capability. The Model Y is shipped with Tesla's latest AI four hardware, ready to deploy, unsupervised autonomy, as soon as you browbeat your country's regulators to allow it. Cupra on the other hand, are nowhere even close to developing their own self driving solution. Whatever, little adas features that they do offer, are found to be turned off by their customers, before even driving their car, everyday. Two or three years down the line, this could become the biggest reason, of post purchase dissonance, to anyone buying a Cupra. For now, it is better to stick with Elon's cars!

 



2025 Cupra Tavascan Endurance standard features:
534-kilometre WLTP driving range rating
210kW single-motor, rear-wheel drive drivetrain
19-inch alloy wheels (black and silver finish)
15-inch infotainment touchscreen (15.4 inch on Model Y)
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
5.3-inch instrument display (Model Y has one screen at the rear instead)
Wireless phone charging
LED headlights, tail-lights and DRLs
Illuminated front and rear Cupra emblems
Hands-free electric tailgate
Keyless entry with 'sit-to-start' function
Three-zone climate control
Front sports seats with manual adjustment
Black fabric and leather-look upholstery
Heated steering wheel with satellite drive mode buttons, paddles for regenerative braking control
'Twist-shift' gear selector
Autonomous emergency braking (vehicle, pedestrian, cyclist, junction-turning)
Lane-keep assist
Lane-centring assist (Travel Assist)
Blind-spot monitoring
Front and rear cross-traffic alerts
Adaptive cruise control
Automatic high beam
Front and rear parking sensors
Rear-view camera

2025 Cupra Tavascan VZ adds (over Endurance):
499-kilometre WLTP driving range rating
250kW dual-motor, all-wheel drive drivetrain
21-inch alloy wheels (black and copper finish)
Matrix LED headlights
Adaptive high-beam
Fixed panoramic sunroof with electric sunblind
360-degree camera
Dark blue microfibre upholstery
Power-adjustable front seats with memory function
Heated front seats
12-speaker Sennheiser audio system
Additional interior ambient lighting
Illuminated scuff plates

The optional $4500 Interior Package, available on Endurance from launch, adds:
20-inch alloy wheels
360-degree camera
Dark blue microfibre upholstery
Power-adjustable front seats with memory function
Heated front seats
12-speaker Sennheiser audio system
Additional interior ambient lighting
Illuminated scuff plates

The optional $8000 Extreme Package, available on VZ from mid-2025, adds:
463-kilometre WLTP driving range rating
21-inch forged alloy wheels (copper finish)
Performance tyres
Cup Racing front bucket seats
Grey nappa leather upholstery
Ventilated front seats