Cupra Ateca: PH Trade-off!
Like the idea of the Cupra Ateca, but don't buy into performance SUVs just yet? We have just the car...
It's an interesting thing, isn't it, that new Cupra Ateca? Reaction to our first drive on the PH Forums was positive - surprisingly so given its potential, as an SUV with a bodykit and added schportiness, for ridicule. "I'm certainly interested, even if I'm not convinced by the whole Cupra thing," said forumite IforB, currently an Audi S3 Sportback owner, while JMF894 added: "Really like this. When our 2 Series GT is up for changing, I could well be very interested."
Indeed, to drive, the hot Ateca is far better than you might expect from an SUV that's trying to be a hot hatch. Mind you, you could equally argue that it's exactly what you'd expect from a Golf R shoved up on stilts. There's the now-familiar power and flexibility of that EA888 engine, along with the usual vaguely uninspiring engine note overlaid with some fun - if rather artificial - pops and bangs. There's immense traction from a smart four-wheel drive system, as well as loads of grip, albeit without the dexterity you'd get from some more exciting hot hatches. There's that same sense of implacable capability, too, and with a decent set of adaptive suspension on board, you even get acceptable ride quality and a well-controlled body.
Sounds good, but of course, not everyone is convinced. While there seems to be a general acceptance that SUVs are the way the market is moving among PHers, there's also an acceptance that we don't necessarily have to like that fact. So for this week's Trade-Off, we've set ourselves the task of finding a non-SUV alternative to the Ateca that delivers everything it does - just at half the £35,900 cost.
We ended up with a few options, as you do when you undertake this sort of window shopping. First up, we're tempted by this cracking-looking BMW 335d Touring xDrive. Its estate practicality, aggressive looks and extremely potent engine all seemed to match the Cupra's, even if that power does come from a diesel mill (in fact, despite this, the 335d is actually quicker to 62mph). But the mileage on this example is a touch high for its age, which put us off.
How about something cheaper, then? Enter the Vauxhall Insignia VXR Sports Tourer. £16,000 for a two-year-old car with just 28,000 miles on the clock and this much power feels like much better value, especially given that the Insignia's spacious tail will knock that of the Ateca into a cocked hat. But at the end of the day, these VXRs just aren't all that invigorating to drive. Can't we do better?
Well, yes, actually - though we'll have to go with a slightly older car. Mind you, this Audi S4 we've picked has covered just 42,000 miles, so it's hardly as though it's been well-used. It sounds like a very promising example, too, with a whopping spec list that includes the seven-speed S-Tronic gearbox, xenons, dual-zone climate control and half-leather seats, and a full service history.
So, how does it compare to the Seat... sorry, Cupra... to drive? Well, S4s hardly have a reputation for being dynamically adept, but the B8 is the exception to the rule. Power - 333hp of it - comes from a 3.0-litre V6 with a rather lovely engine note, all crisp, hard-edged and metallic. It's quick, too, its 0-62mph time of 5.1 seconds almost identical to the Ateca's 5.2, and that power delivered entirely free of any lag thanks to the choice of a supercharger nestling in the engine's vee, rather than a turbo, to force air into the combustion chambers.
This S4 is a joy to drive, too, hailing from that brief period during which Audi's dynamicists were allowed to let their hair down a little. A permissive four-wheel-drive system with a rear bias allows silly drifts when you want them, but also offers stacks of traction even in low-grip bends when you don't, making it the best of both worlds, while sharp, progressive steering allows you to exploit the best of that cracking chassis' abilities.
'Ah,' you're saying. 'But that big six will surely be less impressive on fuel than the Cupra's four?' Well, yes, but not by as much as you might think - 33.6mpg plays 38.2mpg, and we'll wager the S4 will probably get closer to its figures than the Ateca will as it's less reliant on its forced induction in the real world.
This S4 is on for £16,998 - well below our half-price budget. Yes, you have to live with an older car with no warranty, but as ever, there's the caveat that you can afford to splurge on a used car warranty with your change should you wish for the peace of mind. And don't forget - while these S4s haven't reached the bottom of their depreciation curve, the chances are you won't lose a whole heap more money over the years on this one. Certainly, it seems to make more financial sense than braving the unknown first-year depreciation of an all-new model from an all-new brand.
All of which makes this S4 a rather tempting alternative to the Cupra. Ditch the need for a raised ride height, save half your budget, and enjoy the benefits of one of the finest four-wheel-drive estates out there on the used market. Perhaps there's something in the anti-SUVers' argument after all.
SPECIFICATION: CUPRA ATECA
Engine: 1,984cc, 4-cyl, turbocharged
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch, all-wheel drive
Power(hp): 300@5,300-6,500rpm
Torque(lb ft): 295@2,000-5,200rpm
0-62mph: 5.2sec
Top speed: 154mph
Weight: 1,632kg
MPG: 38.2 (NEDC combined)
CO2: 168g/km
Price: £35,900
SPECIFICATION: AUDI S4 AVANT
Engine: 2,995cc, 6-cyl, supercharged
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch, all-wheel drive
Power(hp): 333@5,500-6,500rpm
Torque(lb ft): 325@2,900-5,300rpm
0-62mph: 5.1sec
Top speed: 155mph
Weight: 1,825kg
MPG: 33.6 (NEDC combined)
CO2: 197g/km
Price: £16,998
Surely finding an alternative that’s new is a better article? Although you have already done that, Leon estate.
Either way, it’s not apples for apples. An estate is nowhere near as fashionable as a SUV, which is why they are generally cheaper.
Not that I’d prefer a SUV to an estate personally, but your average buyer? Hm.
Surely finding an alternative that’s new is a better article? Although you have already done that, Leon estate.
Either way, it’s not apples for apples. An estate is nowhere near as fashionable as a SUV, which is why they are generally cheaper.
Not that I’d prefer a SUV to an estate personally, but your average buyer? Hm.
Try finding a fast car that could accommodate a larger family (or even a medium family with 3 booster seats!) without having to sell a kidney (or two!). You've got a choice of Zafira VXR's, SMAX ecoboost or the older 2.5T, an XC90 T6 with chocolate gearboxes. Some X5's came with 7 seats as did some Q7's but you're not exactly in the same ball park in terms of purchase price or running costs!
Try finding a fast car that could accommodate a larger family (or even a medium family with 3 booster seats!) without having to sell a kidney (or two!). You've got a choice of Zafira VXR's, SMAX ecoboost or the older 2.5T, an XC90 T6 with chocolate gearboxes. Some X5's came with 7 seats as did some Q7's but you're not exactly in the same ball park in terms of purchase price or running costs!
Every single Q7 came with 7 seats (apart from the unicorn latest Q7 e-tron which has batteries where the rearmost seats would otherwise be).
I have both an Ateca and a Q7 (stands back while more narrow-minded PHer's heads explode), they're not particularly similar cars (apart from the generic SUV styling) and we use them very differently.
Try finding a fast car that could accommodate a larger family (or even a medium family with 3 booster seats!) without having to sell a kidney (or two!). You've got a choice of Zafira VXR's, SMAX ecoboost or the older 2.5T, an XC90 T6 with chocolate gearboxes. Some X5's came with 7 seats as did some Q7's but you're not exactly in the same ball park in terms of purchase price or running costs!
Surely finding an alternative that’s new is a better article? Although you have already done that, Leon estate.
Either way, it’s not apples for apples. An estate is nowhere near as fashionable as a SUV, which is why they are generally cheaper.
Not that I’d prefer a SUV to an estate personally, but your average buyer? Hm.
They must be scraping that barrel pretty hard...
As for secondhand fast car Vs New fast car. Been there, done that. The new one is always the better choice financially. My old 335d cost a bomb to keep on top of it mechanically. All told, when I ran the numbers, my current S3 costs me significantly less to run overall than it's owned predecessor.
Cheap lease = better than owning an older performance model purely on a numbers consideration. Then there's the benefit of having a car in warranty and not owned by you too, which I see as a positive.
S4 Avant 333ps: 23,5mpg
Golf R estate: 26mpg
The Cupra Ateca should be a bit worse on fuel than a Golf R estate which is lower and a bit lighter. But the assumption that the S4 should be better on fuel is a nice bit of wishful thinking...
S4 Avant 333ps: 23,5mpg
Golf R estate: 26mpg
The Cupra Ateca should be a bit worse on fuel than a Golf R estate which is lower and a bit lighter. But the assumption that the S4 should be better on fuel is a nice bit of wishful thinking...
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