Cupra Formentor VZe PHEV is on sale for $47,990 (MY24) driveaway.
Driveaway price includes Napa Leather and Camera Package ($2800) as well as a panoramic sunroof ($2150) as standard equipment.
Spanish built SUV with 1.4 Turbo engine + Electric motor that produces 180kW 400Nm with 0-100 at 7s and a 5 star ANCAP.
Detailed specifications on Cupra Australia website.
Thoughts on this deal vs novated leasing an EV? I was considering an EV for FBT benefits but this a massive discount. Resale on EV's aren't great either.
If your return commute to work is under 50km, this will do just fine in EV only mode and you will also be covered for any long family trips in holidays.
EVs make more sense in 2 car households with one EV and other car being hybrid, PHEV or ICE.
I was hanging out for the Leon Sportstourer but this is a cracking deal for a PHEV.
these have some of the worst resell ive seen
They do now.
Resale on EVs aren't great? Seem fine to me.
Slower than a 2018 Camry
You need to let this model sit in the shade some more ideally in humid weather like QLD so it Ferments more.
“Guaranteed Future Value $11,815”. Holy depreciation Batman!
JESUS
That's the minimum residual they'll accept.
They’re listing demo VZX Formentors (basically Golf R running gear) for not much over $50k - you’d probably pick one up for close to this.
There was an update for 2025 that has yet to arrive in Aus (because they still have so much stock to clear) and depreciation is atrocious due to being a relatively unknown brand.
Vzx is a great drive. Bought a Tiguan R instead, for the extra space. Vzx drives and feels better though.
I should have bought smaller dogs!
"Vzx is a great drive"
Fast off the light with even understanding how the car works. That's where the great drive stops.
Have you driven the vzx? It's brilliant in the twisty stuff for its size.
@mongos: I did, as a rental in Brisbane.
So so. Well, I do own an Evo X, Boxster, GS350. Used to have some fun cars like a Corolla Sportivo, MR2 and so on.
So, straight-line performance being credited is an overstatement. Corning is not worht a mention.
@SetTheFaqUp: Obviously won't be as engaging as any of those lower sports orientated cars. But for people who need a bit more height or space, it's one of the best available.
@mongos: "one of the best available."
Not sure. Had a test in a jacked up Yaris. Don't think many modern "SUVs" would be as precise as this one.
@mongos: Well. When buying a pig (SUV), no idea why people insist on its "driving dynamics". Nothing more than marketing BS.
@SetTheFaqUp: Not everyone is as physically able as you. Some of us can't get into lower cars or have partners that can't. But we still enjoy a car that drives well.
Not just marketing BS. It's a compromise but it's one i need
@mongos: It is life, give and take.
When doing runs, the BYD, Honda and Lexus are the runabout and I drive it like a granny. Sure, Macan or Cayenne is probably much closer to a sports car, compensated by oversized tyre width, larger brake and end result in a heavier car which contradictory impacts "driving dynamics".
Never quite understand the whole thing with lipstick on a pig.
@Dream-cast: Check the damper. Even Toyota can't seem to resolve the curse of a leaking adaptive damper, but they seem to last much longer than the European equivalent.
One of the best sounding V6 (arguably the Nissan QV is not bad too). Dinosaur technology.
@SetTheFaqUp: It's all about what's relative, as I am sure you are aware. I haven't driven the VZx but it looks like it'd be an engaging drive for a mid compact SUV, and even better at it's price point. Go find anything in the same category that is as engaging and spritely to drive and you'll be +10-20k minimum.
I've driven plenty of fast and capable cars myself, and I am quite interested in the VZx as a family car that I could still go and enjoy throwing through roundabouts and beating standard Evo's and Boxster's at the lights.
@Cam44: "family car that I could still go and enjoy throwing through roundabouts"
Not sure if this is contradicting eachother. I reckon this guy had the same idea too
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-08-26/two-boys-dead-after-c…
"beating standard Evo's and Boxster's at the lights."
Precisely what I have, only good for 0-100.
PS. Not sure if it beats the Boxster, both runninng a 2.0T VW engine (flat 4 vs inline 4), probably similar car length to the Evo X (10 years old). When it comes to driving dynamics, half a second in the sub 5 second mark is the least of an enthusiast's concern.
The most dynamic and fun car I have driven would be the SW20, MX5 ND, and a DC2 (Cooper S R53 would make the cut too). Needs a brain to drive them than flooring it at the lights.
@SetTheFaqUp: On the one hand you are quick to speak of the "most dynamic and fun" cars you have driven, ones that seemingly need a brain to drive, and then also link through to someone who crashed their dynamic and fun vehicle.
Sorry, I cant figure out if you do have an interest in vehicles, or if you are trying to ban them all?
Surely you can understand why a 2 seater sports car should be more dynamic and fun to drive than a value represented mid compact SUV. Unsure why you are comparing apples with oranges in here?
Petrol only and the lowest rung in the VAG lineup, not surprising that they're stuck with them.
Personally I rate them higher than the closest VW equivalent (T Roc R).
Just not a well known brand in Australia. Well respected in other countries. But yes, that lack of local love hurts resale values.
I won't buy another VAG vehicle after my current experience. Their company attitude is atrocious and its trickled down to Australia and it's dealerships.
The pricing is a little off in my book, the AWD is a little high and this FWD version is a little slower than comparable PHEVs for the same price.
Brand recognition is not the only cause of depreciation in these cars. They have many build quality and software issues. Check out this review: https://youtu.be/b6zbomUx5pk
not the only cause of depreciation in
theseGerman cars. They have many build quality and software issues
Fixed that for you 😉
not the only cause of depreciation in Chinese cars. They have many build quality and software issues
Fixed that for you too 😉
P.S. - If in doubt, check Facebook owners group of MG, LDV, GWM, Chery etc.
Points taken. So the VW is just like other Chinese cars.
@SetTheFaqUp: No, VW don't have frequent issues and don't have to wait months for spare parts.
I had a Skoda Fabia which is basically a rebadged VW Polo for 8 years and it never gave me any issues before I sold it. My friend has a Golf for more than 15 years and he's very happy with it's reliability too. I don't know anyone who has owned a Chinese car for more than 5 years. Not many people here who've got to 15 years and could tell the tales of their reliability.
@dealhunter52: Relax. Just putting the two comments together.
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/comment/16909194/redir
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/comment/16909337/redir
Won't even try to share my own experience on various VW cars owned directly as part of the family runnabout. Basically anything from A1 to Q7 (Q8 didn't exist at the time) - the Boxster too if we count it as part of the VW family.
One point that not many would disagree on, no one has owned one for 15 years to tell the tale. They were shxt. Things have changed over the last 5 years on what's offered in the domestic market. The difference being, the Chinese cars won't pretend to be an upmarket produc and are priced accordingly.
@SetTheFaqUp: I would say in EV space Chinese cars are well ahead of the competition since they had a good head start due to Govenment policies. But when it comes to ICE, Hybrid or PHEV, there is still pretty big gap. It takes years of R&D to design and build engines & transmissions and it takes many iterations to get any issues perfected. That the reason VW group shares same engines and transmissions across brands like VW, Skoda, Audi, Cupra etc.
@dealhunter52: Hybrid or PHEV
If I am not wrong, BYD hybrid is so well developed these days that Toyota is taking a page out of their playbook.
@SetTheFaqUp: Toyota is undisputed leader in hybrid technology and their vehicles are benchmark against which other hybrid cars are judged. This is the reason Hybrid Corolla, Corolla Cross, RAV4 etc. return the best fuel economy figures in their class against other hybrid cars. Their hybrid powertrains are also mated to well tested and reliable Toyota engines & transmissions. Toyota currently don't offer any PHEV vehicles though.
BYD on the other hand has quite a few PHEV vehicles which are good. But I'm won't be concerned about their battery or electric motor in their PHEV but I will be concerned about the reliability of the ICE motors that charge the battery.
@dealhunter52: Well. Toyota known for its stringer QC has given their endorsement. Definitely financially driven, but equally they don't select a partner on cost alone.
"Toyota currently don't offer any PHEV vehicles though." In the US market, so PHEV is not new to Toyota. Doubt they are a pioneer in PHEV.
Doubt they are a pioneer in PHEV.
I never said they are pioneer in PHEV. All I'm saying is even in Hybrid and PHEV, ICE engine is an important component.
PHEV's, the worst of both worlds….
Since you seem to be expert….which ones are the best of both world's?
At least you can run the PHEV with only eletricity for around 80KM.
Let's talk hybrid value. A $5,000 upcharge for 2L/100km savings? The math rarely works. You're stressing a tiny 1kWh battery with constant cycles, and it'll likely degrade long before you break even on fuel costs.
Plus, you now have two complex systems to maintain instead of one. And don't get me started on 'mild hybrids' using a scooter-grade 48V battery for minimal gain. It's a solution in search of a problem.
"two complex systems to maintain instead of one"
Not really. They have been around for many years and not too different to an ICE to maintain. Battery at around the 10 year mark for a few thousand dollars.
" A $5,000 upcharge for 2L/100km savings?"
A 1.5T Honda uses 9-10L/100k, their hybrid runs anywhere from 4-4.5L (as low as 3.5L on a single trip - just achieved it this morning driving into the city for work). So 5L per 100km. $2 per litre, $5000 will be 2,500L of fuel - which is app 25,000km.
In terms of PHEV, electricity is not free (with the exception of Jolt), it has to come from somewhere, be it the foregone solar feed-in (which has the cost of solar installation), or "free" off peak electricity plan compensated by higher peak rate during the evening etc.
I love this in the fine print too:
“Due to ongoing production disruption, caused by a global shortage of some vehicle components, vehicles will arrive without an engine bay cover which will be fitted after delivery.”
I think this has been rectified. I got my engine bay cover a few months ago
Massive "discount" isn't it? Wasn't this like around $70k driveaway?
Yes, these were $64,990 + on road costs. So, around $20K discount. New model is launching end of this year and they want to clear inventory before the launch.
There's the asking price and then there is the sold price.
Many CUPRA Formentors (2.0T) were sold at a deep discount to Europcar. It drives okay, but definitely not solidly assembled as many would think with thin plastics that felt "hollow". Distinctive look with a VW under the skin.
Not sure who would be game enough to pay $70k driveway for this aside from the ones that bought it under the FBT exemption - of course, the perceived savings are largely eroded (if not worse off) by the "discount" offered by VW now.
"want to clear inventory before the launch" - MY24, regardless whether a new model is being launch, MY24 will be 2 years old in 3 month's time - probably the main reason why they are cleared. No one is willing to offer what's asked (big discounts were negotiated at the dealership anyway).
More than a handful of horror stories with these, not to mention Cupra's general poor reliability reputation.
Great looking cars, if you're planning on having it outside of warranty or don't like depreciation, go elsewhere.
Oh yeah? What cars don't break down outside of warranty and don't depreciate?
"depreciate"
They all do, with a few exceptions. Depending on how much you would like and this is definitely on the steep side.
There's such thing as a scale here. Do some research.
Looks like all VW brands are not doing so well with the exceptions of Bentley, Lamborghin, and Porsche.
I don't understand this brand.
This would be a runout of the MY24 before the new Formentor lands at the end of the year. Great looking cars.