Cupra Born 58 kWh

Overview

The Cupra Born 58 kWh is a seriously stylish Spanish electric hatchback that, while not officially sold in the US, would turn heads with its aggressive design and sporty stance. Think of it as the VW ID.3's rebellious cousin, packing a feisty attitude. This particular 58 kWh version aims for a sweet spot of decent range and everyday usability. As it was never offered stateside, official US pricing isn't available, but in Europe, it was positioned as a premium compact EV. Production for this hot hatch concluded in 2024.

What's New for 2024?

For 2024, the Cupra Born 58 kWh model year marks the end of its production run. As such, it largely carries over the compelling features and design that defined its presence in the European market. No major new features were introduced for this final year, with Cupra focusing on fulfilling existing demand. For a hypothetical US buyer, this would mean looking at the established specs and tech from its recent model years, as this spicy EV bows out of the scene after a spirited, albeit short, production life from 2021 to 2024.

Design & Exterior

Get ready for some head-turning looks! The Cupra Born 58 kWh boasts a sharp, athletic design with signature copper accents that scream performance. It’s got a mean front facia and sleek LED lighting that gives it real presence. Dimension-wise, it measures 170.2 inches long, 71.2 inches wide (without mirrors), and 60.6 inches tall, making it a perfectly-sized urban warrior. The overall vibe is modern and aggressive, setting it apart from more mainstream EV hatchbacks. Distinctive alloy wheels, likely 18 or 19-inch, would complete its dynamic kerb appeal.

Interior, Tech & Cargo

Inside, the Cupra Born 58 kWh is a tech-fest with a sporty, driver-focused cockpit. You’ll find sustainable materials, like fabrics made from recycled sea plastics, giving it eco-cool points. It seats five, and while compact, passenger space is reasonably good. Upfront, a floating central touchscreen (likely 12 inches) handles infotainment, complemented by a neat digital driver’s display, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto expected as standard. Cargo capacity is a practical 13.6 cubic feet in the trunk, expanding to a generous 44.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. No frunk here, though!

Performance & Driving Experience

This RWD pocket rocket isn't just about looks; it delivers a zippy driving experience! The 58 kWh trim features a single Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM) kicking out 150 kW (around 201 hp) and a healthy 229 lb-ft of torque. That’s good for a 0-60 mph dash in a swift 7.0 seconds, making it plenty quick for city sprints and highway merges. Expect sharp handling, true to Cupra's sporty DNA, with a well-judged ride that’s comfy enough for daily duties. Multiple regenerative braking modes will help you claw back some precious range.

Range, Battery & Charging

The Born 58 kWh is powered by a 58 kWh (usable capacity) battery pack, with a nominal capacity of 62 kWh. Green Cars Compare estimates a real-world range of around 213 miles, which is pretty decent for its class, with an efficiency of 3.67 mi/kWh. For home charging, its standard 11 kW on-board AC charger can juice it up from empty to full in roughly 5-6 hours. When you’re out and about, it supports DC fast charging at up to 120 kW, meaning a 10-80% top-up could take around 30-35 minutes. For the US market, it would be equipped with a CCS Type 1 port.

Safety & Driver-Assistance Features

While the Cupra Born hasn't been tested by the NHTSA due to its non-US availability, it scored a top-notch 5-star rating from Euro NCAP, which is reassuring. You can expect a solid suite of standard driver-assistance features, likely including essentials like Forward Collision Warning with Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Keeping Assist, and driver attention monitoring. Higher-spec options or packages would typically add goodies like Adaptive Cruise Control, Blind-Spot Monitoring, and a surround-view camera system to make driving even safer and more relaxed.

Warranty & Maintenance Coverage

If the Cupra Born 58 kWh were sold in the US, its warranty would likely mirror other Volkswagen Group EVs. This typically means a basic vehicle warranty of around 4 years/50,000 miles and a battery warranty of 8 years/100,000 miles, guaranteeing at least 70% capacity retention. As an EV, maintenance is generally lower than gasoline cars, focusing on tires, brakes, and cabin filters. Official complimentary maintenance wouldn't apply since it's not a US model, but the MEB platform underpinning it has shown decent reliability so far in other vehicles.