Cupra Tavascan is a real flash motor ... in more ways than one

Cupra Tavascan drive by Steve Rogers

Have we reached the stage where headlights are too bright? Should the main beam be toned down?

It’s becoming a topic of conversation and all stems from the power of the Matrix LED lights system. Unlike conventional halogen headlights that dip to the left, Matrix headlights use sensors and cameras to adjust the light beam and often create a rolling spectacle of light.

They are meant to adapt to the conditions and avoid dazzling oncoming vehicles. But do they? I regularly drive cars with Matrix headlights and am often flashed by drivers who think I haven’t dipped.

I have just spent a week driving the electric Tavascan and was flashed so many times I stopped counting. On a country road a driver in front kept turning on his hazard warning lights obviously encouraging me to dip my lights which were on automatic dipping.

The irony is I, too, face excessively bright Matrix headlights but accept this is now the norm. We clearly like being behind them, not facing them.

In daylight Tavascan attracts attention for a more pleasing reason: It is outrageously stylish. Designers have been given free rein to create frenetic sweeps and curves, if ever a car showed emotive styling this is it.

In the words of Cupra’s design director Jorge Diez, ‘the shape will not please everyone’, but he does not mind. Taviscan, he says, is not a response to change, it’s the vehicle that creates it’. He is bang on the money there.

And the designers have been very creative inside as well. A big cabin helps because there are some big features like the best light show you will ever see in a car, and a dramatic central buttress that links the dashboard to the centre console.

It is an instant wow but I guess once the novelty wears off the need to find some more space for oddments will have you wishing it could be swapped for a cupboard! I liked it for its individuality and the imagination of the person who designed it.

That creative spark has brought Cupra’s own version of the Northern Lights into the cabin. The door trims are covered in tiny LEDs, yes those devils are at it again, mated with a beautiful lightshow across the dashboard with a choice of five soft colours, obviously best seen at night.

Looking at the dashboard we see another car where switches have been eliminated in favour of a touchscreen, in this case a 15in whopper, not ideal but at least it is easy to fathom with large icons accessible with one touch. There is a quick key for heating, the screen can be customised for frequently used functions, or you can use voice control, which I did.

You could be forgiven for thinking this article is back to front. Surely the electric story is the main line yet 500 words in and it has barely got a mention.

So, Taviscan, which gets its name from a village in the Pyrenees, is an electric SUV coupe and shares a lot of the mechanicals with its cousins at Volkswagen, Audi and Skoda. There is just one battery option, 77kW, which is a good size and guarantees swift acceleration. The rear wheel drive model, driven here, has a predicted range of 355 with 323 for the all wheel drive. I managed to top 300 with miles to spare so that would seem to be pretty accurate and for the majority of my driving would ensure home charging so I would be looking at an all nighter for a full charge from a 7kW AC home charge box.

Cupra is the sporting arm of Seat so we expect dynamism and they have managed to deal with the extra battery weight without losing too much of that driving spark. The steering is sharp and direct and you can choose from three driving modes.

Like many electric cars the brake pedal feels odd, not biting smoothly, but does the job. Recovering battery energy is by way of steering wheel paddles but it is disappointing that there is no one stop brake which is standard on quite a few rivals. A heat pump that reduces the loss of range when the heating is on is an option with the £1,335 winter pack.

Cupra is built in China and is in the middle of a running battle with the authorities over tariffs. The company is having its best ever year for sales but like everyone else is baffled by the cut price Chinese electric brands flooding Europe and the UK so a double whammy.

Ignoring the price gap with the Chinese and Tavascan is one not to ignore with its spectacular design, cutting edge technology, good range, big boot, and plenty of room for a family of five.

Favourite feature: Heated front seats that warm up in seconds.

Fast facts

Tavascan VZ1

£55,945 (starts £47,350)

Electric motor: 77kWh

Range: 355 miles

DC charge 135kW: 10-80% 28 mins

Zero emissions. 1st tax £10.

Insurance group 38

Boot 540 litres