CUPRA Formentor vs Volkswagen Tayron
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular SUVs compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 7 Sep 2026, price 24 Jun 2026
Driver assistance, as the maker lists it
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
$49,990RRP
- no option data for this car
$48,290RRP
- no option data for this car
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
Track the CUPRA Formentor & Volkswagen Tayron
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Price Breakdown
The CUPRA Formentor starts from $49,990 before on-road costs, while the Volkswagen Tayron opens at $48,290. That makes the Volkswagen Tayron the more affordable entry point by $1,700.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $54,989 and $53,119 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the CUPRA Formentor by roughly $2,990 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
Both the CUPRA Formentor and Volkswagen Tayron hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating. Adult occupant protection scored 91% for the CUPRA Formentor and 87% for the Volkswagen Tayron.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 8 of 10 key ADAS systems on the CUPRA Formentor, against 6 on the Volkswagen Tayron.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 7 in the CUPRA Formentor and 9 in the Volkswagen Tayron.
Recalls on our record
CUPRA Formentor
- REC-006608 · published 12 May 2026Electric power steering software fault can disable assistanceYear range on the notice: 2024 - 2026
- REC-005900 · published 19 Feb 2024Due to a manufacturing issue, the heat shield between the brake master cylinder and the exhaust may have been incorrectly fitted.Year range on the notice: 2020 - 2022
- REC-005610 · published 8 Feb 2023Due to a manufacturing issue, the radiator on some vehicles may not be properly secured.Year range on the notice: 2021 - 2022
Volkswagen Tayron
- REC-006602 · published 28 Apr 2026Due to a software issue, under certain driving conditions the power steering motor system may not operate as intended.Year range on the notice: 2025 - 2026
- REC-006592 · published 23 Apr 2026Due to a software issue, the electric power steering system under certain driving conditions may become temporarily inoperable.Year range on the notice: 2024 - 2025
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Feature Showdown
The CUPRA Formentor features a 12-inch touchscreen paired with a 10.3-inch digital dash, while the Volkswagen Tayron gets a 12.9-inch display and 10.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The CUPRA Formentor stands out with heated front seats and ambient lighting — features our data doesn't list for the Volkswagen Tayron. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The CUPRA Formentor uses a 4-cyl Turbo Petrol producing 110kW and 250Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 9 seconds.
The Volkswagen Tayron responds with a Petrol making 110kW and 250Nm, paired to a auto driving the front wheels.
Power output is identical on paper, so the difference comes down to tuning, weight distribution, and suspension. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The CUPRA Formentor measures 4,450mm long on a 2,680mm wheelbase, 342mm shorter than the Volkswagen Tayron at 4,792mm (2,790mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Volkswagen Tayron generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 450L in the CUPRA Formentor and 345L in the Volkswagen Tayron, giving the CUPRA Formentor a 105L advantage. Fold the rears and you get 1400L vs 1905L. The Volkswagen Tayron seats 7 vs 5.
For towing, the Volkswagen Tayron leads with a 1,800kg braked capacity vs 1,500kg. That 300kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.7m to 12.1m
Based on 10.7m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 12.1m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $1,568/year for the CUPRA Formentor and $2,166/year for the Volkswagen Tayron. That is a $598 annual difference in favour of the CUPRA Formentor.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (CUPRA Formentor) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Volkswagen Tayron). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the CUPRA Formentor if: You need more boot space, want lower running costs, or prefer CUPRA's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Volkswagen Tayron if: You want the lower entry price, need stronger towing, or prefer Volkswagen's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
CUPRA Formentor: Top CarSorted Score, 77 vs 75, but the Volkswagen Tayron is $1,700 cheaper
The CUPRA Formentor comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (77 vs 75), taking 2 of 4 key spec rows below. The deciding gaps: fuel economy (CUPRA Formentor ahead by 19), practicality (Volkswagen Tayron ahead by 6), safety (Volkswagen Tayron ahead by 4). The CUPRA Formentor will save you roughly $598 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the CUPRA Formentor has a clear edge. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, CUPRA Formentor and Volkswagen Tayron?
The Volkswagen Tayron is the cheapest at $48,290 before on-road costs. That undercuts the CUPRA Formentor by $1,700.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The CUPRA Formentor uses the least fuel at 5.5L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched on crash rating: CUPRA Formentor and Volkswagen Tayron all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The CUPRA Formentor has the largest boot at 450L with the seats up (1,400L with the seats folded).
Which can tow the most?
The Volkswagen Tayron has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,800kg.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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