It's the perfect time to buy a CUPRA Ateca: a fun SUV with two new cheaper options

CUPRA continues its expansion by gradually expanding its footprint at the expense of SEAT. To this end, CUPRA recently introduced two new gasoline engines for the CUPRA Ateca, to reinforce the brand's importance.

Thus, the range of the CUPRA Ateca, which was previously limited to a single 2.0-litre engine developing 300 horsepower, is now enriched with two new non-electrified petrol engine options.

Specifically, the CUPRA Ateca now offers the famous 1.5 TSI engine with 150 HP as an entry-level engine, which is also used in the CUPRA León range. On top of that, CUPRA offers a 2.0-liter TSI engine with 190 HP to complement the top-of-the-line 300 HP engine.

Both engines are exclusively mated to a 7-speed DSG automatic gearbox. However, the 1.5 TSI is front-wheel drive while the 190 HP 2.0 TSI has all-wheel drive. Both engines have the C environmental label in common.

As well as expanding the Ateca range, the brand also announced other updates, such as a redesigned rear diffuser and an update to the interior with copper-coloured contrast stitching and "exclusive inserts in the door panels", as CUPRA explains.

Bucket seats and sports steering wheel are included as standard in the car, while start button and drive mode selector on the steering wheel are additional options.

Prices and equipment of the new CUPRA Ateca

As for the prices, the price of the Ateca 1.5 TSI, the entry-level model, has not yet been revealed by CURA. However, the 190 HP model of the CUPRA 2.0 TSI starts at 45,760 euros, which is around 10,000 euros cheaper than the top-end 300 HP model, which starts from 55,170 euros.

Thus, the CUPRA Ateca TSI 190 CV finds itself in a delicate position on the market. It is less expensive than an Audi Q3, since Audi offers the Q3 130 CV at 45,000 euros. However, in comparison, it's more expensive - and smaller - than the 230PS Hyundai Tucson 1.6 T-GDI HEV, an ECO-labeled hybrid that retails from 44,575 euros. It is true that the Tucson is less dynamic than the Ateca.

Importantly, the Ateca was the first model to sport the new CUPRA branding. La León did not arrive until later. The Ateca was presented in 2018, two years after the SEAT Ateca, with a 2.0 liter engine developing 300 hp. This engine was not available in the SEAT version of the Ateca, which made it an exclusive variant of the model.

However, by introducing these two new petrol engines, the CUPRA Ateca aims to gradually fill the gap left by the SEAT Ateca in the market. It is very likely that these two engines will be dropped from the SEAT Ateca range, leaving the "S" SUV equipped with diesel engines (which will not be present in the CUPRA Ateca) and petrol engines up to 130 HP. This movement is similar to that which the group operates with its two ranges of León, namely SEAT and CUPRA.

However, the Ateca hit the market in 2016 and is already reaching the end of its usual commercial lifespan, which is usually around eight years for a car. The brand intends to continue producing the Ateca as long as there is demand and it is profitable.

With this in mind, the CUPRA version, with two new engines, makes it possible to broaden the customer base of the Ateca and, in principle, to increase the margins per unit sold for SEAT SA. Thus, the production of the Ateca remains profitable and will allow SEAT to offer more affordable versions of this model.

As the brand itself has acknowledged, "our objective with the new engine range is to increase sales of the CUPRA Ateca, following the same trajectory that we took with the CUPRA León".

The new versions of the CUPRA Ateca, with powers of 150 CV and 190 CV, will be available on the market in the third quarter of 2023, following the reorganization of the SEAT Ateca range which will be unveiled in a few weeks.