Written by Cupra cars
Cupra cars are sporty models from a Spanish brand that started as SEAT’s performance badge in 1996 and became a brand of its own in 2018. In this guide you’ll find the 2026 lineup, as well as how Cupra grew so fast, who owns it and its racing record.
Cupra cars at a Glance
Brand launched February 22, 2018 Cupra name used by SEAT since 1996
Headquarters Martorell, Spain Near Barcelona
Owner SEAT S.A. Part of the Volkswagen Group
Deliveries, 2025 328,800 Up 32.5% on 2024, a record
Leadership Markus Haupt CEO of SEAT and Cupra since 2025
Best-seller Formentor 104,400 delivered in 2025
Cupra cars Model Lineup
Cupra cars come in six model lines for 2026: three gas and plug-in hybrid models, as well as three electric ones. Most are built in Europe, while the Tavascan comes from China. UK prices are shown below, and the Ateca ended production in 2026.
Gas and plug-in hybrid (3)
Compact crossover
Formentor
Gas Plug-in hybrid Up to 390 PS
The Formentor is the best-selling Cupra, and it was the first model built only as a Cupra. You can get a 150-hp gas engine, 204- or 272-hp plug-in hybrids or a 333-hp VZ, while the VZ5 has a 390-PS five-cylinder. Meanwhile, UK prices start at £35,530.
Hatchback and wagon
Leon
Gas Hybrid VZ
The Leon comes as a hatchback or a Sportstourer wagon, and it was updated in 2024. The 2026 VZ hatchback has a 325-hp 2.0-liter turbo, while the VZ wagon gets 333 hp and all-wheel drive. In general, UK prices start at £32,560.
Compact SUV
Terramar
Gas Plug-in hybrid Built in Hungary
The Terramar went on sale in 2024, and it’s built by Audi in Gyor, Hungary. Meanwhile, the plug-in hybrids have 204 or 272 hp and up to 100 km (62 miles) of electric range. In addition, it became the second best-selling Cupra in 2025.
Electric (3)
Electric hatchback
Born
Electric Up to 326 hp Built in Germany
The Born was the first electric Cupra in 2021, and it’s built in Zwickau, Germany. The 2026 update brings new lights and physical buttons, while the VZ has 326 hp and up to about 370 miles of WLTP range. Meanwhile, UK prices start at about £36,000.
Electric SUV coupe
Tavascan
Electric Up to 340 hp Built in China
The Tavascan is the first Cupra built outside Europe, in Hefei, China. For 2026 there’s a new 190-hp base model, while the dual-motor VZ makes 340 hp. In addition, UK prices start at £47,350.
Small electric hatchback
Raval
Electric New for 2026 Built in Spain
The Raval is Cupra’s smallest and cheapest car, and production started in Martorell in June 2026. For example, you can get a 37- or 52-kWh battery with up to 444 km (276 miles) of range. As a result, it starts at just £23,785 in the UK.
What Is Cupra cars?
Cupra is short for Cup Racing, and SEAT first used the name in 1996 on a special Ibiza. In fact, that car celebrated SEAT’s win in the FIA 2-Litre World Rally Cup. After that, the fastest SEATs, such as the Leon Cupra R, wore the Cupra badge for more than 20 years.
SEAT launched Cupra as a separate brand on February 22, 2018, and the Cupra Ateca was its first model. Then the Formentor arrived in 2020 as the first car built only as a Cupra. Meanwhile, the Born became the first electric Cupra in 2021.
Today Cupra cars outsell SEATs, so Cupra is now the bigger brand inside SEAT S.A. In fact, Cupra delivered 328,800 cars in 2025 compared with 257,400 for SEAT. However, Cupra isn’t sold in the US, and it has put plans to launch there on hold.
Cupra cars History
Cupra cars have only been a separate brand since 2018, but the name goes back to 1996.
- 1996 SEAT uses the Cupra name for the first time on an Ibiza.
- 2002 Then the first Leon Cupra R arrives.
- 2008 SEAT wins the World Touring Car titles, and then it wins them again in 2009.
- 2014 The Leon Cupra 280 sets a Nurburgring record for front-drive cars.
- 2018 Cupra is launched as a brand on February 22.
- 2020 The Formentor becomes the first model built only as a Cupra.
- 2021 The Born arrives as the first electric Cupra.
- 2023 Production of the Tavascan begins in China in December.
- 2024 Meanwhile, the Terramar goes into production, and Cupra joins Formula E with Kiro.
- 2025 Cupra builds its millionth car, while Markus Haupt is confirmed as CEO.
- 2026 Finally, the Raval goes into production, and the Ateca ends.
Iconic Cupra Models
These four cars also show how Cupra cars grew from fast SEATs into a brand of their own.
2002–2006
Leon Cupra R
Turbo four SEAT badge
The first Leon Cupra R used a 1.8-liter turbo with 210 PS, which was later raised to 225 PS. In fact, the Cupra R name then returned on two later Leon generations.
2014
Leon Cupra 280
280 PS Nurburgring record
In 2014 the Leon Cupra 280 lapped the Nurburgring in 7:58.44, so it set a record for front-drive production cars.
2018–2026
Cupra Ateca
First Cupra 300 hp
The Cupra Ateca was the first model from the new brand, and it had 300 hp and all-wheel drive. Production ended in 2026.
2021
Formentor VZ5
Five-cylinder 390 PS
The Formentor VZ5 used a 2.5-liter five-cylinder with 390 PS. As a result, it’s the most powerful Formentor so far.
Who Owns Cupra cars?
Cupra cars are made by SEAT S.A., which belongs to the Volkswagen Group. When AutoGathering has a page for a brand, its name below links to that page.
Parent company SEAT S.A. Martorell, Spain · part of the Volkswagen Group
This page Cupra Martorell, Spain · Sporty and electric
Sister brand SEAT Ibiza, Arona and other models
Flagship stores Cupra City Garages In 12 cities by 2025
Motorsport Cupra Racing Touring cars and Formula E
Sister brands at Volkswagen Group
Cupra also shares platforms and plants with the other Volkswagen Group brands.
For example, the Born shares its platform with the Volkswagen ID.3, while the Terramar is built in an Audi plant in Hungary.
Before the brand
- SEAT performance badge (1996–2018) Cupra was the name for the fastest SEAT models, such as the Ibiza Cupra and Leon Cupra R.
Cupra cars Accomplishments
The record of Cupra cars includes fast sales growth, as well as lap records and touring car titles.
328,800
Deliveries in 2025
Cupra delivered 328,800 cars in 2025, up 32.5% and a brand record.
1 million
Cars built
Cupra built its millionth car in October 2025, about seven years after the launch.
104,400
Formentors in 2025
Above all, the Formentor was the brand’s best-seller in 2025.
56%
Share of SEAT S.A.
In 2025, Cupra sold more cars than SEAT, so it made up about 56% of the company’s sales.
7:58.44
Nurburgring lap
The Leon Cupra 280 set a front-drive record at the Nurburgring in 2014.
2
WTCC double titles
SEAT won the World Touring Car drivers’ and makers’ titles in 2008 and 2009.
Cupra Racing History
Cupra cars carry a name that means Cup Racing, and the brand took over SEAT’s racing work in 2018. For example, SEAT won the World Touring Car Championship in 2008 and 2009, while Cupra won the first electric touring car titles in 2021 and 2022. In addition, the Cupra Kiro team won its first Formula E race in Jakarta in June 2025.
World Touring Cars
SEAT Leon WTCC
2008 and 2009 titles
Yvan Muller won the 2008 drivers’ title in a SEAT Leon, and then Gabriele Tarquini won in 2009. SEAT also won the makers’ title both years.
TCR touring cars
Leon TCR
2015 title Customer racing
Stefano Comini won the first TCR International Series title in 2015 in a SEAT Leon. Since then, Cupra has sold Leon TCR cars to customer teams around the world.
Electric touring cars
Cupra e-Racer
2021 and 2022 titles
The e-Racer was shown in 2018, when Cupra became a brand, as an electric touring car. Later, Cupra won the makers’ title in Pure ETCR in 2021 and in FIA ETCR in 2022.
Talk Cupra With Other Owners
Cupra owners have plenty to share, whether it’s a Formentor VZ on a track day or charging tips for a Born. Soon, AutoGathering will connect this page to a Cupra community space where you can compare models, share maintenance tips and plan meetups.
- Formentor and VZ5
- Leon and Leon Sportstourer
- Terramar
- Born and Raval
- Tavascan
- Classic Leon Cupra R
- Plug-in hybrids
- Cupra meets and events
Cupra cars FAQ
Is Cupra the same as SEAT?
No. Cupra began as SEAT’s performance badge, but it has been a separate brand since February 2018. However, both brands belong to the same company, SEAT S.A.
Who owns Cupra?
SEAT S.A. owns Cupra, and SEAT S.A. is part of the Volkswagen Group. As a result, Cupra cars share platforms and engines with Volkswagen, Audi and Skoda.
What does Cupra mean?
Cupra is short for Cup Racing. Then SEAT first used the name in 1996 to mark a rally title.
Where are Cupra cars made?
The Formentor, Leon and Raval are built in Martorell, Spain, while the Born comes from Zwickau, Germany. In addition, the Terramar is built in Gyor, Hungary, and the Tavascan in Hefei, China.
Is Cupra sold in the US?
No. Cupra isn’t sold in the US, and it has put plans to launch there on hold.
Does Cupra make electric cars?
Yes. The Born, Tavascan and Raval are fully electric, while the Formentor, Leon and Terramar come as plug-in hybrids. In fact, electric cars made up 24.2% of Cupra sales in 2025.
Who is the CEO of Cupra?
Markus Haupt runs both SEAT and Cupra, because one company owns them. He took over in 2025, after Wayne Griffiths left.
Explore More Manufacturers
Compare Cupra with its Volkswagen Group sisters, as well as other sporty brands.
Photo credits
- Header image: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Gray facelifted Cupra Formentor in Stuttgart: Alexander-93, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Gray facelifted Cupra Leon hatchback in Stuttgart: Alexander-93, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Blue Cupra Terramar compact SUV: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Gray 2026 Cupra Born electric hatchback in…: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Silver Cupra Tavascan Endurance electric SUV coupe: © M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, cropped and resized.
- Green Cupra Raval VZ electric hatchback in…: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Red first-generation SEAT Leon Cupra: Geoff Jones, CC BY 2.0, cropped and resized.
- Gray SEAT Leon Cupra 280 in Dusseldorf: M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, cropped and resized.
- White Cupra Ateca at the 2018 Geneva…: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Black Cupra Formentor VZ5: Alexander-93, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- SEAT Leon WTCC race car in Red…: Isabel Gomez, CC BY 3.0, cropped and resized.
- Cupra e-Racer electric touring car at the…: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- 2022 Cupra Leon Competicion TCR race car: MrWalkr, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.