Who makes Cupra cars
Find out who makes Cupra cars, where they’re made & the history of the brand. Discover differences between SEAT & Cupra & explore their latest models.
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If you’re in the market for your next car or you’ve noticed that some Cupra models have the same name as some SEAT models, you’ll be wondering who exactly makes Cupra cars.
What’s the difference between Cupra & SEAT
These are very similar cars because Cupra and SEAT are part of the same company. They also belong to the Volkswagen Group, which includes other popular, high-quality marques like VW, Audi and Skoda.
SEAT was already considered a slightly sporty brand under this umbrella, but Cupra turns that up a notch by offering affordable performance models, including some models shared with SEAT and some of its own unique models.
Where are Cupra cars made?
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Both the Cupra Leon and Formentor (which shares many mechanical parts with the Leon) are built in the brand’s Catalonia factory.
The Ateca is built in the Czech Republic next to the Skoda Karoq (which it shares parts with), and the electric Born is built in Germany alongside the mechanically similar Volkswagen ID.3.
What nationality is the Cupra brand?
Cupra is headquartered in Catalonia, Spain, as is SEAT. This makes them Spanish companies, however because they’re owned by the Volkswagen Group, they also have a lot of German influences.
German manufacturers are known for building premium, high-quality and long-lasting cars, while the Spanish influence adds style and character.
History of Cupra cars
Cast your mind back a few years, and you may recall some Cupra-branded SEAT models, or you may even come across some in your used car searches. Cupra was previously the name given to SEAT’s performance models, making the SEAT Leon Cupra a similar proposition to the Volkswagen Golf GTI.
Cupra, which is a shortening of ‘Cup Racing’, has been around since the mid-1990s, first appearing on performance variants of SEAT’s Ibiza and Leon hatchbacks.
After successfully adding more performance variants, Cupra became its own brand in 2018, with the Cupra Ateca becoming the brand’s first official model. Two years later, Cupra’s first unique model was launched, the Formentor.
Are Cupra cars SEAT?
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The answer to this question depends on the age of the car you’re looking at. Older cars, such as the SEAT Ateca Cupra, are branded as SEAT models.
In 2018, after Cupra became its own brand, the SEAT name was dropped, and that particular car became the Cupra Ateca. It’s almost identical to the SEAT model but has a few performance enhancements to differentiate it.
Some cars, including the Leon and Ateca, are available across both brands. Others, like the Formentor and the Born, are Cupra-only. For what it’s worth, there are also some SEAT-only cars, like the tiny Mii and the giant Tarraco.
Cupra range of cars
SEAT announced that it would transform into a mobility company by the end of the decade, and while it continues to update its core models as new car sales continue, we’re likely to see Cupra become more popular.
Cupra continues to go from strength to strength, with a growing number of Cupra-only models coming from its Spanish designers.
Are Cupra cars electric?
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Electric power plays an important role in the Cupra range – it sells the Born and the Tavascan, which are only available with electric motors. They’re similar to the Volkswagen ID.3 and ID.5.
The company also offers plug-in hybrid models. They come with the same 245hp 1.4-litre petrol-electric setup as you get in the Volkswagen Golf GTE, and there’s also a less powerful 204hp variant.
How much are Cupra cars?
Cupra cars can appear expensive compared with the equivalent SEAT. However, the difference is less drastic if you compare them like for like.
For example, an entry-level Cupra might cost as much as the top trim level in the equivalent SEAT model, but the standard equipment is excellent, and even the most basic Cupra will have a lot of car tech and premium materials.
Cupra’s cars also have more powerful engine options – if you were to upgrade a SEAT to have the same engine, you’d potentially pay several thousand pounds more than the basic model price.
The reality is that Cupra models still command a premium over SEAT cars. However, you’ll be paying for higher quality and desirability, and they’re still cheaper than more expensive options like Audi.
What’s more, if you buy used, the difference can be far less pronounced, which means that even by buying a model that’s just a few months old, you could save thousands, making the prospect of owning a performance Cupra even more attainable.
Are Cupra Cars Any Good?
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Cupra cars are designed to be sporty models, so you’ll get to enjoy some pretty powerful engines (including 2.0-litre petrols with up to 310hp), aggressive styling and responsive handling.
They generally have lower and firmer suspension than most mainstream models, which makes them a joy to drive enthusiastically without being too uncomfortable when you’re just driving around.
The company also wants to compete against more premium rivals, similar to how DS became a premium spinoff of Citroen. This means that Cupra models come with more premium materials, more standard equipment and more impressive technology.
Despite being one of the newest car companies, Cupra has the backing of SEAT and the entire Volkswagen Group – a collection of manufacturers known for building stylish, high-quality, affordable, reliable and durable cars.
Cupra and SEAT Cars at cinch
Cupra cars have only been on sale since 2018, but they’ve proven so popular you’re almost guaranteed to see at least one every time you hit the roads.
Compared with buying a new model, you can save considerable amounts by opting for a used Cupra model, and if you decide that you don’t need the performance or you’re after something a little bit older, we have plenty of used SEAT models to pick from, too.