The effect of the synthesis method (hydrothermal and sol-gel) on the properties of BaTi0.8Cu0.2O3 perovskites as catalysts for NOx and soot removal has been analyzed. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), ICP-AES, N-2 adsorption at -196 degrees C, Raman spectroscopy, Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) and temperature programmed reduction with hydrogen (H-2-TPR) have been used for catalysts characterization. To test their catalytic activity, NOx storage and soot combustion temperature programmed reaction tests have been carried out. The results allow to conclude that the synthesis method determines the position of copper on the perovskite structure and, therefore, the catalytic applications. When the hydrothermal method is used the copper is highly dispersed on the perovskite surface, obtaining a catalyst with a high activity for the NO to NO2 oxidation reaction, which can be used as oxidation catalyst for soot removal. Nevertheless, using the sol-gel method, copper is incorporated into the perovskite structure and, consequently, the catalyst presents a high NOx storage capacity (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.