Cupra Ateca 190 HP – test. Is it better than the Seat Ateca FR?

I drove the Cupra Ateca for the first time in 2019. But this one with 300 horsepower – and I was spellbound. Now I have looked at the 190-horsepower version and, to be honest, it is difficult for me to say without a doubt that it is better than the Ateca Seat in the FR version. Or indeed not only.

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In general, the situation is complicated and difficult to explain. Well done Ateca seatwhich is undoubtedly a relative of the Skoda Karoq or Volkswagen Tiguan of the previous generation, has been produced by the Spaniards since 2016.

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Yes, he will soon reach ten years of market experience! And there was only one facelift along the way, and it was cosmetic.

At the same time, shortly after, the Germans separated a new brand from Kiti – Cupra. Previously, this was the name of the most sporty seats. For example, Seat Leon Cupra. The first choice was the Ateca, Seat’s flagship. What introduced it and what still characterizes it? 300 horsepower. I tested the Cupra Ateka in 2019 and it was fun. Although I criticized it for its appearance – similar to the standard version.

He appeared on the way Guardian, the Cupra offer has expanded and… Cupra turned out to be a hit. Because you know, today everyone wants to drive the first car, although I don’t know if the Cupra is in that position. But certainly higher than bus-matka. If there is a Cupra, why drive one plebeian A chair? For a while it seemed even Kiti would go out of business completely, but in the end this situation seems to disappear.

And that’s great, but there’s another problem. Well, Volkswagen’s accountants are clearly starting to bite their own tails. For the same reason, the Cupra is their new hit, but not everyone can afford an SUV for almost a quarter of a million zlotys (and that’s without options). Because that’s what the 300-horsepower Cupra Ateca costs right now.

So maybe…we’ll make a weaker Cupra? And so the brand, which was supposed to be associated with widely understood performance, began to produce the Cupra Ateca of 150 horses. Or the one in the photo – 190 horses. Yes, it’s cheaper. But even the cheapest 150-horsepower Cupra Ateca is more expensive than the Seat Ateca in the top-spec version. FR, although this is only available for manual. However, at a comparable price there is directly and … diesel. Which should be more expensive, but it isn’t. Strange, but more on that later.

So does this all make sense? Truth be told… not true. It happens that my parents drive an Ateka in the FR version (150 power) from 2019. I know this car well and even had the opportunity to compare directly.

First of all: they look the same

Well, the Seat in the picture is before the facelift, and the Cupra, of course, after it. However, the differences are not significant and are mainly visible in the headlights.

But as I wrote a few years ago that the Cupra Ateca is the same as the civilian version, after a facelift… but there is no big sign here. wow.

What is a shame for the designers of this car is the lack of even fake exhale. The original Cupra Ateca (300 horsepower) had four exhaust tips. And it was heard. The 190-horsepower version has neither sound nor … nothing. The bumper ends with a plastic that looks like a diffuser. The exhaust ends at the bottom of the car.

However Seat Ateca FR it has two exhaust tips. From the rear, it looks sportier than the Cupra.

They are also twin cars inside. yes, multimedia after facelift they are more modern, but… they are very crazy. They are late. Better to start the fire quickly Apple CarPlay Like Android Auto and forget about the topic. Starting the car with a button on the steering wheel is a clear victory of form over substance and power of this car.

But because the accountants did not want to pay for the new design of the plastic cover of the central tunnel, instead of the button to start the engine on the regular Seat Ateca there is … the button to turn it off. traction control. As if anyone needed that in a car this powerful.

Second: they drive the same

Of course, the 190-horsepower version is more active than the 150-horsepower version. This is probably self-explanatory. But since the Cupra Ateca is also available in a 150-horsepower version (1.5 TSI), it probably offers the same driving experience as the Seat Ateca.

So they don’t exist and this also applies to the 190-horsepower version. But what is understandable in the Seat, which should be a good means of transportation for the average customer (and it fulfills this task perfectly), is just strange in the Cupra. This car drives exactly like his citizens bro and don’t let anyone in the living room tell you otherwise that it’s a sports version. And in life.

Even if there is any difference in the suspension setup of both the cars or the engines, they are not really noticeable in everyday life. But what is the difference if the 150-horsepower Cupra has the same engine as Kit – 1.5 TSI.

Third: if you don’t see the difference, why pay more?

I’m not changing my mind – the 300-horsepower Cupra Ateca is a great car.

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But these lower versions are a little messy for me. Nor do these cars look better than the Seat Ateca FR (that exhaust!). Nor do they drive any better. All have the same 1.5 TSI engine at their base. Moreover, the original brand looks more attractive in the price list.

According to the catalog, the Seat Ateca FR starts at PLN 146,000 for the manual. And this is where the little tricks start, which are probably meant to convince customers to buy the Cupra.

Well, the Seat Ateca FR currently only has an automatic transmission in… diesel. And such a car costs at least PLN 168,000. But now there is something new – the Cupra Ateca configurator starts… PLN 165,000. So a sporty (in this case pseudo-sporty) Cupra with a 1.5 engine is cheaper than a civilian Seat … but only in theory.

For three thousand zlotys more, Kiti gives you an engine dieselwhich is pleasant thanks to the torque (power is the same: 150 HP), and will also reward you for your choice with low fuel consumption, which in the case of the 190 HP Cupra tested from two liters of capacity is also very easy. up.

Suffice it to say that in the city, with gentle driving, I got … 13 liters of gasoline per hundred kilometers. At 120 km / h it consumed eight liters, and at 140 km / h on the highway one liter more.

Yes, diesels are out of style. But they are good. Remember this. And Cupra Ateca yes, but this one with 300 horsepower.