CUPRA Tavascan vs Volvo EX40
Two electric SUVs go head to head. Which EV is the better buy for Australian drivers in 2026?
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 28 Aug 2026, price 25 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.
$66,490RRP
- no option data for this car
$69,990RRP
- 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.
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Price Breakdown
The CUPRA Tavascan starts from $66,490 before on-road costs, while the Volvo EX40 opens at $69,990. That makes the CUPRA Tavascan the more affordable entry point by $3,500.
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 $73,139 and $76,989 respectively.
Both models currently qualify for the electric-vehicle Fringe Benefits Tax exemption (battery-electric and under the $91,661 threshold; battery-electric and under the $91,661 threshold), a significant advantage for salary-sacrificed novated leases.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Recalls on our record
CUPRA Tavascan
- REC-006687 · published 5 Aug 2026Due to a calibration issue the headlights may not distribute the high beam correctly when advanced full beam assist is active.Year range on the notice: 2024 - 2026
Volvo EX40
None open on our record
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Charging Times
How long each takes to charge, from a household power point to ultra-rapid DC, estimated from battery size and max charge rates.
How long to charge
77kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 135kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC, 135kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
How long to charge
78kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 200kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC, 200kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The CUPRA Tavascan features a 15-inch touchscreen paired with a 5.3-inch digital dash, while the Volvo EX40 gets a 9-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The CUPRA Tavascan stands out with ambient lighting — features our data doesn't list for the Volvo EX40. The Volvo EX40 counters with head-up display and Harman Kardon audio. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the CUPRA Tavascan gets cloth upholstery while the Volvo EX40 offers textile/leather blend. Climate control is 3-zone in the CUPRA Tavascan and 2-zone in the Volvo EX40.
Drivetrain
The CUPRA Tavascan uses a Electric Motor producing 210kW and 545Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a RWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 6.8 seconds.
The Volvo EX40 responds with a Electric making 185kW and 420Nm, paired to a single-speed driving the rear wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 7.3 seconds.
The CUPRA Tavascan has the clear power advantage at 210kW vs 185kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the CUPRA Tavascan is 0.5s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Battery: 77kWh (CUPRA Tavascan) vs 82kWh (Volvo EX40), giving WLTP ranges of 531km and 520km. DC fast charging peaks at 135kW (CUPRA Tavascan) vs 200kW (Volvo EX40).
Space & Comfort
The CUPRA Tavascan measures 4,644mm long on a 2,766mm wheelbase, 204mm longer than the Volvo EX40 at 4,440mm (2,702mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the CUPRA Tavascan generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 540L in the CUPRA Tavascan and 536L in the Volvo EX40, giving the CUPRA Tavascan a 4L advantage.
For towing, the Volvo EX40 leads with a 1,500kg braked capacity vs 1,000kg. That 500kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.2m to 11.4m
Based on 10.2m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 11.4m 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
Running cost data is not yet available for both models. We will update when figures are confirmed.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (CUPRA Tavascan) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Volvo EX40). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the CUPRA Tavascan if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, need more boot space, or prefer CUPRA's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Volvo EX40 if: You need stronger towing, or prefer Volvo's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
CUPRA Tavascan: Top CarSorted Score, 72 vs 68
The CUPRA Tavascan comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (72 vs 68), taking 6 of 9 key spec rows below and coming in at a lower price. The deciding gaps: safety (CUPRA Tavascan ahead by 17), performance (CUPRA Tavascan ahead by 7), practicality (Volvo EX40 ahead by 4). The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, CUPRA Tavascan and Volvo EX40?
The CUPRA Tavascan is the cheapest at $66,490 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Volvo EX40 by $3,500.
Which has the longest driving range?
The CUPRA Tavascan has the most range at 531km (WLTP).
Which charges fastest?
The Volvo EX40 accepts the highest DC charging at up to 200kW.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
CUPRA Tavascan holds a 4-star ANCAP rating. We have no published ANCAP rating for Volvo EX40, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which has the most boot space?
The CUPRA Tavascan has the largest boot at 540L with the seats up (1,550L with the seats folded).
Which can tow the most?
The Volvo EX40 has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,500kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The CUPRA Tavascan makes the most power at 210kW. The CUPRA Tavascan is quickest to 100km/h in 6.8s.
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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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