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Cupra · Compact SUV · 2020–2024 Custom Search

Cupra Formentor 1

Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice

3.6 / 5.0 · Based on 7 engine variants
Most Fun Engine

390 PS

2.5L TFSI Benzin

Five-Cylinder Ecstasy in an SUV Coupé

Legendary!
Most Reliable Engine

149–150 PS

1.5L TSI Benzin

4 weaknesses

Good Choice

Generations


Engine Overview

The Cupra Formentor 1 is available with 8 engine variants — from 149 to 390 hp.

TDI · Diesel· 150 PS
2021 2024
Be Careful 4 weaknesses
TDI 4Drive · Diesel· 150 PS
2021 2024
Be Careful 4 weaknesses
1.5L TSI · Petrol· 149 PS
2020 2024
Good Choice 4 weaknesses
2.0 TSI 245 · Petrol· 245 PS
2021 2023
Be Careful 4 weaknesses
2.0 TSI 4Drive · Petrol· 190 PS
2021 2024
Good Choice 4 weaknesses
e-Hybrid · Petrol Plug-in-Hybrid· 245 PS
2021 2024
Be Careful 4 weaknesses
VZ · Petrol· 310 PS
2020 2024
Be Careful 4 weaknesses
VZ5 · Petrol· 390 PS
2021 2023
Be Careful 4 weaknesses

The Cupra TDI (Diesel, 150 PS) has the DTT (2.0L TDI) — rated: "Be Careful", 4 known weaknesses.

The Cupra TDI 4Drive (Diesel, 150 PS) has the DTT (2.0L TDI) — rated: "Be Careful", 4 known weaknesses.

The Cupra 1.5L TSI (Petrol, 149 PS) has the DPCA (1.5L TSI) — rated: "Good Choice", 4 known weaknesses.

The Cupra 2.0 TSI 245 (Petrol, 245 PS) has the DNPA (2.0L TSI) — rated: "Be Careful", 4 known weaknesses.

The Cupra 2.0 TSI 4Drive (Petrol, 190 PS) has the DNNA (2.0L TSI) — rated: "Good Choice", 4 known weaknesses.

The Cupra e-Hybrid (Petrol Plug-in-Hybrid, 245 PS) has the DGEA (1.4L TSI eHybrid) — rated: "Be Careful", 4 known weaknesses.

The Cupra VZ (Petrol, 310 PS) has the DNFB (2.0L TSI) — rated: "Be Careful", 4 known weaknesses.

The Cupra VZ5 (Petrol, 390 PS) has the DNWB (2.5L TFSI) — rated: "Be Careful", 4 known weaknesses.

Explore more

Vehicle Weaknesses

WeaknessCost
!Infotainment Crashes — known group-wide issue

The Formentor's infotainment system freezes daily, crashes multiple times and loses settings. Crashes happen up to several times a day — including on the motorway while driving. Driver assistance systems also drop out when this occurs.

Symptoms: Display freezes; speedo goes dark on the motorway; system triggers automatic braking despite clear road; key recognition fails; reversing camera off
Medium

Test Reports

tuev

AUTO BILD TÜV-Report (Autobild Gebrauchtwagencheck)

Above average

Passes the first main inspection reliably. Weak points are oil leaks and slightly elevated brake disc wear, attributed to the car's sporting character. Lighting, steering, driveshafts and chassis show no notable defects.

2024-11
pannenstatistik

ADAC Breakdown Statistics 2025

Above average

Ranks among the more reliable models in the compact class. The entire VAG Group including Cupra shows high to very high reliability in breakdown callout statistics.

2025-04
tuev

autozeitung.de used car check (TÜV Report)

Above average

Brakes and lighting score very reliably. Chassis springs and exhaust receive good marks. Brake disc wear slightly above average, likely due to spirited use. Isolated oil leaks known.

2025-01

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Known Problems and Issues

A total of 33 weaknesses have been documented for the Cupra Formentor 1 (2020–2024) — 28 engine-related and 5 vehicle-related. Typical issues affect Electronics, Body, Brakes, Other. Considered reliable: DPCA (1.5L TSI), DNNA (2.0L TSI).

Formentor (DTT, 2021–2024) — Be Careful: DPF Blockage from Short-Trip Driving, Oil Dilution from Incomplete DPF Regeneration, Oil-Bath Timing Belt for Oil Pump Drive. Power: 150 PS.

Formentor (DNFB, 2020–2024) — Be Careful: Thermal Overload at 310–333 PS Tune, Oil Pump Starvation at High Performance Tune, DQ500 DSG Under High Torque — shudder and wear. Power: 310 PS.

Formentor (DNPA, 2021–2023) — Be Careful: Water Pump Failure and Engine Overheating, Timing Chain Elongation at High Mileage, Oil Consumption from Piston Rings and Oil Separator. Power: 245 PS.

Formentor (DNWB, 2021–2023) — Be Careful: Stock Oil Pump — biggest weakness of the EA855 evo, Stuck Injectors — piston damage possible, Water Pump and Thermostat — Housing Cracks from Thermal Cycling. Power: 390 PS.

Formentor (DGEA, 2021–2024) — Be Careful: High-Voltage Battery Expensive and Without Capacity Guarantee, Recall: Short-Circuit and Fire Risk in High-Voltage System, Charging Abort at 230V Socket. Power: 150 PS.

What to watch out for with the Cupra Formentor? See the detailed listing of all engine and vehicle weaknesses in the sections above.

Frequently Asked Questions

What problems and weaknesses does the Cupra Formentor 1 have? +
The Cupra Formentor 1 has 28 known engine weaknesses and 5 vehicle weaknesses.
What should I look for when buying a used Cupra Formentor 1? +
faq.watch_a_solid
Which engine is recommended? +
Good choice: DPCA (1.5L TSI), DNNA (2.0L TSI). The most reliable engine is the DPCA (1.5L TSI) with the lowest risk score. The most fun to drive is the DNWB (2.5L TFSI).
Which Cupra Formentor 1 engine is the most reliable? +
The {code} ({displacement}) is the most reliable engine in the Cupra Formentor 1. It has the lowest risk score of all available engines and is rated "Good Choice". However, there are 4 known weaknesses to be aware of.
Which Cupra Formentor 1 engine is the most fun? +
The {code} ({displacement}) offers the most driving fun in the Cupra Formentor 1 — rated: "Legendary!". {description} The RS3 engine in the Formentor is pure emotion: that unmistakable five-cylinder sound — deep and sonorous at low revs, shrill at high — leaves no room for reason. Launch Control to 100 in 4.2 seconds, Torque Splitter pushes the rear out in corners with precision. Nürburgring under 8 minutes. 7,000 units worldwide. If you find one, buy it blind.
Is the Cupra Formentor 1 worth buying used? +
The Cupra Formentor 1 is a good choice as a used car — 2 of 7 engine variants are rated 'Good Choice'.
What horsepower variants are available for the Cupra Formentor 1? +
The Cupra Formentor 1 is available with engine variants from 149 to 390 hp. Petrol: DPCA (1.5L TSI), DGEA (1.4L TSI eHybrid), DNNA (2.0L TSI), DNPA (2.0L TSI), DNFB (2.0L TSI), DNWB (2.5L TFSI). Diesel: DTT (2.0L TDI).

Last updated: February 2026 · All information without guarantee