Cupra Ateca vs Nissan Patrol

What's the difference?

It's a racetrack taste test rather than a comprehensive road drive, but there's plenty to like about the Cupra Ateca, which fulfils its brief of injecting a little driving fun into the SUV space. The only question is whether its sportiness will be too sporty for your day-to-day, but for that, you'll have to wait and see.

CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with travel, accommodation and meals provided.

Premcar faced a formidable challenge in improving a vehicle as competent as the Patrol Ti, but the Warrior succeeds in achieving the project's four key objectives of enhanced off-road capability, road presence, V8 soundtrack and refinement.

It offers astonishing performance and handling for a vehicle of its size and weight and with its recent cabin technology upgrades, the Patrol Warrior has become an even more desirable package. Fact is, we didn’t want to hand it back, which says plenty.

Cupra talks about its born-in-Barcelona design inspiration, but you can still see plenty of VW in the Ateca's side profile. But that's no bad thing, with the Cupra managing to look both polished and performance focused, but without looking like it's trying too hard.

The big change is in the front-end treatment, with a smaller centre grille that houses the Cupra badge (which looks a bit like a fox, and a bit like the Decepticon badge from Transformers, but which was actually "modelled on the attitude of tribal civilisations.")

The cool DRL designs, the two-tonne bronzed alloys and the quad exhaust tips all point a pretty strong picture of performance here, and for mine, the Ateca cuts a handsome figure.

Inside, though, it definitely feels a little less premium than modern VW products, with a greater use of hard plastics, and last-gen air-con and media controls, which – if you've driven the new Golf, for example – feel a little old-school by comparison.

Significant changes are focused on the active suspension system, which uses active dampers fitted to each wheel’s coil-sprung suspension arms to serve as shock absorbers and stabiliser bars in one.

This not only provides optimum wheel travel and traction off-road but also monitors cornering forces and distributes hydraulic pressure to minimise body roll when on-road.

Warrior upgrades include a 40mm increase in track width, to provide a wider and more planted stance with only a slight 100mm increase in turning circle.

The body also sits 50mm higher thanks to a 29mm suspension lift and 21mm taller wheel and tyre package, resulting in 323mm of ground clearance, a steep 40 degrees approach angle and 23.3 degrees departure angle with tow-bar fitted.

However, it will still fit under multi-storey or underground car parks with typical 2.0-metre-plus height limits.

There's also unique Premcar hydraulic valve componentry and calibrations to sharpen chassis response, along with revised front springs and new multi-rate rear springs with progressive-rate rear bump-stops.

The Warrior’s heavy-duty off-road hardware has contributed to a higher kerb weight, which Premcar has allowed for in the Warrior’s 120kg GVM upgrade that brings a handy 48kg increase in carrying capacity compared to the Ti. The Patrol’s standard 3.5-tonne braked tow rating is also maintained.

There’s generous space and sumptuous luxury for the driver and front passenger and when I'm seated in the second row, with the driver’s seat in my position, there’s still about 12cm of knee clearance which is admirable space given my 186cm height.

The second-row seats fold and tumble forward to allow easy access to the third-row. However, that convenience causes a space problem for third-row passengers (tall ones at least), because the second-row can’t be slid forward and its backrest angle can’t be adjusted.

So, although Nissan claims an eight-seat capacity in 2-3-3 formation, that could realistically only be achieved with small kids in the rear stalls.

The Ateca measures 4386mm in length, 1599mm in height and 1841mm in width, and there is some 485 litres of boot space with the rear seats in place, and a substantial 1579 litres with the back pews folded flat.

It's a strong back-seat story here, too, with ample leg and headroom, individual device charging ports, and a pull-down seat divider that houses two cupholders.

There are two more upfront, as well as storage in every door, along with the ISOFIX attachment points in each window seat in the back.

Now it must be said that our test was conducted on a racetrack, with limited laps, no on-road driving, and no chance to fill the vehicle with passengers or baggage, so for a full practicality play-by-play, you'll have to wait until we get the Ateca through the CarsGuide office for a more comprehensive test.

The Warrior’s hefty 2884kg kerb weight is 72kg heavier than the standard Ti due to its unique off-road armoury. Even so, its uprated 3620kg GVM allows for 736kg of load capacity, which should be ample for five adults and their luggage on a trip.

It’s also rated to tow up to 3500kg of braked trailer but with its 7000kg GCM rating (how much it can legally carry and tow at the same time) that would require a 120kg reduction in vehicle load to avoid exceeding the GCM.

Or you could lower the trailer limit by the same amount (from 3500kg to 3380kg) and maintain the Warrior’s maximum load. Either way, these are sizeable and practical numbers for a multitude of recreational pursuits.

Cabin storage for driver and front passenger includes a bottle-holder and bin in each front door, plus a glove box and overhead glasses holder.

The centre console has two small bottle/cupholders and various nooks for small items, plus a large box at the rear with a padded lid that doubles as a plush elbow rest. The console also has two USB-A ports and two 12-volt sockets.

Second-row passengers get a bottle-holder and bin in each door, plus large pockets on the front seat backrests and access to the console box thanks a clever two-way console lid.

There are also two pop-out small bottle/cupholders in the fold-down centre armrest and the rear of the centre console provides separate climate controls, two USB-A ports and another 12-volt socket. There are also bottle/cupholders on each side of the third row.

The large rear luggage area has another 12-volt socket, storage compartments beneath the load floor and multiple retractable hooks for anchoring load straps or nets.

It offers 468 litres of load volume with the third row upright, 1413 litres with the third row folded and a cavernous 2632 litres (or more than 2.6 cubic metres) with the second and third rows folded.

Our ‘Gun Metallic’ test vehicle (one of four Warrior colours) is based on the well-appointed Patrol Ti model. It’s available only with the Patrol’s standard 5.6-litre petrol V8 and seven-speed automatic for a list price of $104,160.

That looks like a bargain compared to the top-shelf model in the LandCruiser 300 Series range, the Sahara ZX, which lists at $146,876.

The Warrior costs $16,260 more than a standard Ti and for that extra spend you get a generous package of unique and well-engineered upgrades.

Exterior changes include a distinctive black grille and door mirror caps, Warrior body decals and badging, Warrior-branded front bumper assembly and an eye-catching red Warrior-branded engine bash-plate.

There’s also 18-inch alloys with taller Yokohama 295/70 all-terrain tyres and a full-size alloy spare, black composite wheel arch flares, stainless steel bi-modal exhaust system with side-body outlet, rear bumper assembly with black valance panel and a bespoke 3.5-tonne towbar with two recovery points.

Although the engine and transmission are the same as a standard Patrol, the suspension has been significantly revised (see Design).

The Warrior adopts a classy and understated interior theme, featuring high-gloss piano black trim elements on the centre console and black Alcantara synthetic suede inlays on the dash (with subtle Warrior branding) and door trims.

The MY24 Warrior benefits from a recent and overdue upgrade of the Patrol's decade-old cabin technology (we tested the pre-upgrade model) resulting in a redesign of the console layout and functionality.

These include a 10.1-inch touchscreen for the six-speaker multimedia system offering the latest in digital radio, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity and Hema 4x4 navigation, plus wireless smartphone charging and USB-A and USB-C ports. Other technology upgrades include an ‘intelligent’ rear-view mirror and cool-box for the centre console.

By contrast, a foot-operated mechanical parking brake and large analogue speedo/tacho units are quaint reminders of the Y62’s longevity.

Right, so the Ateca's 2.0-litre TSI petrol engine produces 221kW and 400Nm, which is slightly less than the 235kW and 400Nm generated by the new Tiguan R.

But the Cupra is faster, knocking off the sprint to 100km/h in 4.9secs compared to the VW's  5.1secs – and it feels plenty quick from the driver's seat with your foot pinned to the floor.

That power is fed through a seven-speed DSG, with AWD standard fit on the Ateca.  

The ageless DOHC 32-valve 5.6-litre petrol V8 with variable valve timing produces the same 298kW at 5800rpm and 560Nm at 4000rpm as the standard Ti.

However, the Warrior's unique bi-modal exhaust system offers a choice of mild (using the full-length system) or wild (using a shorter side-exit system) exhaust notes via an internal valve.

The refined seven-speed torque converter automatic transmission has overdrive on its sixth and seventh ratios for optimum highway economy, plus adaptive shift control and the choice of sequential manual-shifting.

The full-time 4WD system offers a locking rear differential, electronic switching between high and low ranges, three off-road terrain modes ('Sand'/'Rock'/'Snow') and hill descent control.

Cupra is yet to reveal official fuel figures for the Ateca in Australia, but international guides claim an 8.9-9.5L/100km figure on the WLTP cycle.

That's not a small number, and it's one that will no doubt be made worse if you drive it the way you're almost certainly going to drive it, but such is the price of performance.

The Ateca will also demand 98RON fuel, which will sting at the bowser, too.

Nissan claims an official combined average consumption of 14.4L/100km but the dash display was showing 17.5L/100km when we stopped to refuel after 306km of testing which comprised city, suburban, highway and dirt road driving.

Our figure, calculated from fuel bowser and tripmeter readings, was higher again at just under 20L/100km. This admittedly included heavy throttle use exploring the Warrior’s handling and exhaust enhancements, so this consumption would improve with a lighter right foot.

Even so, based on our figures, owners could still expect a driving range of around 700km from its huge 140-litre petrol tank, which expands to 970km based on Nissan’s official figure.

Choosing to launch your new SUV on one of Australia's fastest racetracks shows either supreme confidence or bewildering foolhardiness, but in this instance, it was also a necessity.

See, Cupra is mere months away from official launch now, with orders for launch editions to open in May, and the only vehicles the brand could secure for its media preview were brought in from New Zealand, and unable to be driven on public roads.

And so Sydney Motorsport Park would play host to our first experience behind the wheel of the Ateca, and after only a handful of flying laps it was beginning to feel like a masterstroke.

This is not your average family SUV, and any vehicle in which you can drop the kids at school before clipping 200km/h-plus down the main straight of your closest race track is something to be celebrated.

The downside is that it's next to impossible to tell you what the Ateca is going to be like on your local streets, or whether the sporty suspension is going to be firm enough to shake the hairs loose from your head should encounter some questionable road surfaces.

But I can safely report that the power is prodigious, the steering smooth and confidence inspiring, and the AWD grip impressive in both tight and high-speed bends.

But perhaps the most surprising thing about the Ateca is its ability to feel both planted and agile in dynamic driving situations, with the SUV feeling altogether more stable than the smaller Cupra Leon, and hanging onto the tarmac in corners with more tenacity than the 140kW Cupra Formentor.

On first blush, engagement and enthusiasm are standard fit here, and that's likely no bad thing no matter what your daily commute looks like.

My wife and I had no trouble finding comfortable driving positions, thanks to its combination of a height/reach-adjustable steering wheel, prominent left footrest and 10-way power adjustable driver’s seat.

The big V8 has a muscular deep-chested rumble at idle, which changes to a full-throated roar when you prod the accelerator hard enough to redirect the exhaust flow through the shorter side-pipes.

The Patrol comes standard with fantastic ride and handling thanks to its active suspension, but Premcar’s input has that ‘special vehicle’ feel to it.

With its wider track it feels even more surefooted on the road, which combined with revised hydraulic valving and spring rates provides a more responsive driving experience that doesn’t compromise its supple ride quality.

It feels lighter and more agile than you’d expect for a high-riding SUV that weighs more than 2.8 tonnes.

The 5.6-litre V8 is a torque monster, with 90 per cent of its generous 560Nm on tap from only 1600rpm. You can rev it all the way to 5800rpm to extract its 298kW of peak power, but we found the most rewarding performance was to revel in its abundant surge of pulling power below 4000rpm.

On the highway it requires only 1750rpm to maintain 110km/h, making it an effortless and quiet road-tripper, given low tyre and wind noise combined with low engine noise courtesy of the bi-modal exhaust using the full-length system in cruising mode.

Overall, this is a fun and rewarding vehicle to drive, within the obvious limitations of a large 4x4 wagon.

The Nissan Patrol is unrated by ANCAP but comes with driver and front passenger front and side airbags plus full side-curtain airbags that span all three rows.

There’s also AEB, an around-view monitor with moving object detection, front and rear parking sensors, lane-keeping, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, tyre pressure monitoring and more.

The second-row has ISOFIX child restraint anchorage points and top-tethers on the two outer seating positions and there's another top-tether for the third row.

Cupra are trying to minimise the stress here, so the Ateca wears a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, with three years of complementary servicing built into the purchase price, with five-year packs also available to purchase.

Nissan provides a five-year/unlimited km warranty (plus five-year roadside assist) for the Patrol Ti base vehicle, which Premcar matches with its own five-year warranty covering the Warrior conversion.

Scheduled servicing is every 12 months/10,000km, whichever occurs first.

Capped-price servicing for the first five scheduled services totals $3019, or an average of $603.80 per service.