Access control:
Open
Include in Apple News:
Slide of
Electric SUVs aren’t supposed to look like this, but then the CUPRA Tavascan was never supposed to follow the rules.
Designed and developed in Barcelona, it’s the brand’s first fully electric SUV coupé, and a statement of intent from the people who see driving as something emotional, not just efficient.
Every surface, every crease, and every light has been shaped with purpose, from its low, athletic stance that creates a sense of movement to the intricate ambient glow that greets you inside. While most electric SUVs focus on practicality, the Tavascan combines functionality with flair.
It’s bold, sophisticated and utterly distinctive. It’s a car that turns heads on the driveway, and keeps your attention every time you climb behind the wheel. Here are nine design elements we love that set the CUPRA Tavascan apart from myriad me-too SUVs…
- Slide of
Illuminated CUPRA emblem
At the front, the Tavascan wears one of CUPRA’s most striking design elements yet: a fully illuminated badge.
The dramatic logo was designed by then design boss Alejandro Mesonero-Romanos, and represents two intersecting triangles creating a dynamic shape with a stable base and a clear direction.
Set proudly on the bonnet and flanked by a pair of intricate, triple-triangle LED headlamps, it’s more about identity than a lightshow. The glow reinforces the brand’s signature copper tone while giving the car a commanding presence after dark.
Subtle, rather than ostentatious, the design feels modern and premium in a way that’s uniquely CUPRA. It’s also practical: the matrix LED system (standard on V2 upwards) automatically adjusts the beam pattern to prevent glare, meaning you get style and safety in one elegant gesture.
- Slide of
Striking tail-light bar
The Tavascan’s sculpted tailgate is defined by a full-width light bar, connecting the car’s broad haunches with a dramatic red arc that draws the eye across its width. It’s a feature you’ll spot from a distance, and one that gives the car a dramatic presence as dusk falls.
At its centre, once again, sits an illuminated CUPRA logo. It’s the finishing touch to a design that looks as good from behind as it does from the front.
Even when parked, the combination of depth, colour and sharp-edged geometry gives the rear a sense of tension and purpose. At night, that single light signature makes it instantly recognisable, and an unmistakable part of CUPRA’s modern visual language.
It’s playful, too. Walk up to the Tavascan, and it greets you with a light show, a distinctive red glow spreading from the central logo. It’s a bit of high-tech theatre that makes every day feel a little special.
- Slide of
Century Bronze Matt finish
Paint rarely defines a car, but few colours make as bold a statement as Century Bronze Matt. Available on V2 cars and above, this finish was developed to emphasise the SUV’s sculptural bodywork and shifting reflections. Its satin sheen changes character with the light, from warm and elegant under the sun to stealthy and dramatic at dusk.
Every angle, shadow and curve creates a new impression, hinting at the performance within even when parked. The matt texture softens harsh lighting, from LED streetlamps to the glare of the midday sun, and accentuates the intricate surfacing of the bonnet and flanks. The bronze hue ties the exterior to CUPRA’s hallmark copper interior details.
It’s a sensory layer that defines the car’s personality.
It’s a concept-car finish brought to life.
- Slide of
Copper accents and textures
Is it coincidental that “Cupra” is the Latin root for copper? It explains why the periodic table's entry for copper is Cu, and is a fitting link to the metallic accents that define every car that CUPRA creates.
In the Tavascan, it’s used with real restraint, running like a thread through the design. Metallic tones glint subtly from the wheel centres, air vent surrounds, and dashboard lines, adding warmth and cohesion throughout the design.
Copper contrast stitching draws your attention to key details like the sporty steering wheel, elegant seat seams, and the sculpted central spine. The idea isn’t to overwhelm, but to remind you of craftsmanship, to hint at the car’s performance character while keeping the overall aesthetic calm and mature.
It’s this balance that helps the Tavascan feel premium without losing its sporting edge.
- Slide of
Central spine dashboard
Every Tavascan interior centres around a single, and unconventional, sculptural element — the “spine.” Rising from the console and sweeping up into the dashboard, it’s as much a statement piece as it is a simple structural part. Inspired by modern architectural design, it divides the cabin visually without making it feel confined.
It doesn’t just look impressive. As it rises seamlessly from the armrest and flows directly into the dashboard, it also acts as a support for the floating 15-inch infotainment screen, building a bridge between art and the everyday essentials.
Accented, again, by copper trim, with slim air vents and a mix of metallic and soft-touch materials, it keeps the look technical yet welcoming, and reminds us that form can follow function beautifully.
- Slide of
Bucket seats with precision stitching
CUPRA’s commitment to design doesn’t stop at surface elements. The Tavascan’s bucket seats are masterpieces of form and ergonomics, managing to be slim, supportive and meticulously finished.
Wrapped in textiles or tactile Dark Night microsuede (V2 and VZ1 models) with integrated headrests, embossed logos and copper highlights, they strike the right balance between comfort and support on long journeys.
Top-spec VZ2 models are fitted with CUP bucket seats, kitted out with Nappa leather and ventilated to keep you cool and supported whether charging down a B-road or just heading across town.
- Slide of
Ambient lighting design
The Tavascan’s interior lighting transforms as day turns to night. In V2 models upwards, subtle LED illumination glows through perforated door panels, looking every inch like a starfield, and along the dashboard as it traces the car’s contours.
The effect is immersive rather than flashy, creating a calm, cocooning atmosphere.
The lighting isn’t just decorative, either, as it changes with the drive mode and vehicle status, matching the driver's emotion.
The welcome starts before you even step in the car, though, with a puddle light illuminating the floor with the CUPRA logo, and safely guiding you into the cabin.
- Slide of
Wheel design and stance
CUPRA’s designers have given the Tavascan a muscular presence enhanced by a collection of striking alloy wheels, ranging from 19 to 21 inches. Designed for both aerodynamics and theatre, the range is topped by optional forged alloys that cut 10kg from unsprung weight.
Apart from just looking great, the weight reduction in the wheel improves handling and ride comfort, while the intricate copper-edged Katla design references the brand’s performance roots and helps channel air efficiently.
Behind them sit performance tyres up to 255mm wide, visually emphasising the grip available, and looking both agile and stable.
- Slide of
Sculpted “Shark Nose” Front End
The Tavascan’s face defines its attitude. The low, tapering bonnet flanked by triangular matrix LEDs creates a “shark nose” profile, and gives the car a sense of tension and momentum.
Airflow is channelled through the lower intakes to improve cooling and efficiency, while the layered surfaces add visual drama. There are sharp lines and organic curves, combining to evoke thoughts of power but without aggression.
The Tavascan is bold, distinctive and unlike anything else in the SUV crowd. It's unmistakably CUPRA.
Close
