The Cupra Terramar's Surprisingly Low Fuel Consumption

When you take the wheel of the Cupra Terramar VZ, a sporty SUV measuring four and a half metres, you don't expect the certified fuel consumption to be 0.5 litres per 100 kilometres. However, confirming this figure was our goal during the 2025 Ecomotion Tour, organised by Ayvens.

Fuel consumption and regularity rallies are two motorsport events that don't stand out among the various disciplines, mainly because they reward "boring" behaviours in a world dominated by risk and speed. Interestingly, these were the two events the leasing company decided to host for this occasion.

In summary, in a regularity competition, the winner is the one who comes closest to a predetermined time over various stages between two points. This is usually achieved by maintaining a constant speed between them. In a fuel consumption event, the victor is the one who uses the least fuel.

There were three different categories in the route: electric, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid. It was in the latter that I participated alongside Álvaro Barrera, Fleet Sales Manager of the brand, driving the 272-horsepower Cupra Terramar VZ with a Zero emissions label.

Since different vehicles are compared, the organisation must verify the consumption among them based on the manufacturer's certified figures and apply penalty criteria, such as arriving later than the scheduled time at the destination. After some calculations, the electric and petrol engine consumption can be standardised to compete against the rivals.

Although the stakes aren't as high as in other motorsport disciplines, regularity rallies aren't easy. They require a special mindset to maintain a constant speed, anticipate slopes to maintain momentum during descents, and, in the case of hybrids, avoid using the combustion engine as much as possible.

Moreover, if you're driving a black car in early June with temperatures reaching 32 degrees, turning off the air conditioning can save a few tenths of a litre per 100 kilometres, but it makes the journey much tougher. Needless to say, we didn't win our category, and how a combined consumption of 0.5 litres per 100 kilometres was certified remains a mystery.

The issue with plug-in hybrids is that once their battery is depleted, it becomes a burden for the engine. However, the Terramar has a function where, if the pedal is used carefully, the engine can run solely on electric power – the battery always retains a small reserve – allowing it to replace the combustion engine.

Nevertheless, you need a delicate touch to prevent it from starting, and on a steep incline, it's practically impossible to avoid. Even so, the Terramar, which was a candidate for the ABC Car of the Year 2025, is a fantastic vehicle to attempt to lower its factory-certified fuel consumption.