Nearly new buying guide: Cupra Formentor

That said, V1 is still well equipped. You get 18in alloy wheels, full LED headlights, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, privacy glass, power-folding door mirrors, three-zone climate control, keyless entry/ start and adaptive cruise control. 

All Formentors come with built-in sat-nav, a DAB radio, four USB-C ports, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone mirroring, wireless phone charging and a 12.0in touchscreen. The screen is bright and clear, and the operating system is responsive.

Top-tier VZ3 trim is available with only the most powerful TSI 310 engine and brings bigger Brembo brakes, special 19in alloy wheels and matrix LED headlights. 

The suspension on V1, V2 and VZ1 cars is firmer than on less performance-focused rivals, but it does strike a good balance between comfort and body control. If you opt for VZ2 trim or above, you’ll get adjustable dampers too. The Formentor doesn’t feel alive in corners like a hot hatch does, but for an SUV, it’s really good. 

The steering is precise and reasonably communicative, while grip is plentiful. Also, it weighs only a touch more than an average family hatch, so its agility isn’t something you should underestimate. 

What’s the rub? Being three years old at most, it’ll cost you upwards of £24,000 – and that’s for the base 1.5-litre. Stepping up to the 306bhp engine costs at least £32,000 and that’s on par with prices of the similar Volkswagen T-Roc R. Because the 242bhp models are newer, they demand more of your dough. 

They come in at around £37,000, and for a VZ3 car, you can expect to pay a similar price as well. But given all its plus points, and how fresh used examples still are, the Formentor does represent good value for money.

Our top spec

V1: If you’re going with the entry-level 1.5-litre, stick to the base trim. You’ll save a couple of thousand pounds over the V2 option and still have a generous level of kit that includes all the commonly sought luxuries.

Need to know

If you fancy a plug-in hybrid, consider the e-Hybrid 204. With a total system output of 201bhp, it can sprint from 0-62mph in 7.8sec and officially cover up to 37 miles on electric power alone. There’s also the more powerful e-Hybrid 245, which knocks nearly a second off that 0-62mph time. 

Despite the rakish roofline, rear passengers have ample head and leg room, while the boot will easily deal with holiday luggage, a buggy or golf clubs.

Buyer beware

Fuel economy: The range-topping 306bhp model is no Toyota Prius. Average consumption is rated at 32.8mpg, which, while not awful, is far from stellar. The 1.5 TSI 150 averages around 10mpg more.

Road tax: For petrol Formentors, expect to pay £165 per year in road tax, while hybrid cars are £155 per year. Find out if the car you’re looking at was more than £40,000 when new, because that could also mean an additional charge of £355 per year for years two to six of the car’s life.