Cupra 2.0 TSI 265
EA888 evo mid-range output. Various power variants from 150 kW (203 PS) to 195 kW (265 PS). Strong everyday turbo with a broad torque plateau.
Close to VZ Level
265 hp with AWD, adaptive dampers and direct steering — genuine driving fun in Individual mode. Engine revs willingly, traction is convincing.
Engine Weaknesses 4
The EA888 Gen4 245 PS water pump is a known weak point on the Formentor. Affected owners reported sudden overheating events with repair quotes exceeding €2,000. Goodwill from VW is possible but must be actively requested.
Symptoms: All warning lights illuminate, temperature gauge in the red, steam from bonnet, power loss
Gen4 also uses a timing chain with the same Achilles heel as Gen3. Chain elongation is known from around 120,000–150,000 km. Longlife oils considerably accelerate guide rail wear.
Symptoms: Metallic rattling on cold start, timing errors, engine warning light, rough running
The EA888 Gen3/4 can develop elevated oil consumption through undersized oil scraper rings. The crankcase oil separator can also fail under sporty conditions, directing oil into the intake tract.
Symptoms: Dropping oil level, blue smoke on acceleration or overrun, carbon build-up on intake valves
Camshaft carrier seals and the upper timing chain cover tend to leak on all EA888 variants. Oil collects in the area of the cam phasers and drips to the outside.
Symptoms: Oil spots under the vehicle, dropping oil level with no visible source, oil smell after driving
Vehicle Weaknesses 5
The 2024 Formentor facelift launched with serious software problems. Cupra withdrew software version 1899 after a short time. Version 1900 reportedly also contains numerous bugs. Dealers replace control units as a stopgap measure.
All driver assistance systems (Front Assist, lane keeping, blind spot, Travel Assist) sporadically drop out completely while driving. Restarting does not always help. The cause is often the steering wheel control unit or dirty radar sensors. Workshop visits frequently bring only temporary improvement.
The sealing issue on the boot and panoramic roof of the Formentor was not fundamentally resolved in the facelift. New models still show isolated water ingress identical to the pre-facelift generation.
As with the Leon Facelift, the capacitive steering wheel buttons frequently fail to respond. The touch sensors do not reliably detect input. Steering wheel replacement has been performed as a fix but the problem can return after a short time.
The well-known above-average Brembo disc wear carries over to the facelift. VZ buyers should expect shorter replacement intervals and higher brake costs compared to standard engine variants.
