Video Summary
The Cupra Born is an affordable, sporty EV. Based on the same underpinnings as the Volkswagen ID.3, it has a rear-mounted motor and rear-wheel drive. It has a choice of various battery sizes and power outputs and it can be mixed and matched to a certain extent. The 230 horsepower V3 with a 77-kilowatt-hour battery has a 340-mile range. The 326 horsepower 372-mile range VZ model beats it.The interior has copper accents that help it stand apart. The infotainment screen and the digital driver's display are identical to the ID.3's. It has a suitably premium feel with comfortable seats with the sort of side support you want in a sporty car. The range-topping VZ model has cup seats, which really are a cut above. The entry-level models are well-equipped with smartphone wireless charging, adaptive cruise control, rearview camera, 12-inch touchscreen, Apple Carplay, and Android Auto. The V3 gets extra kit including 12-way adjustable seats with massage function. One frustration is the absence of proper buttons. The volume controls are haptic, not a proper button, and the climate control and volume are unlit slider switches. Changing car modes requires going through convoluted submenus.
The backseat trump card is that there is no transmission tunnel, which results in a completely flat floor. The middle seat is where the bananas go, and if you fold it down, there’s a ski hatch. There is more room in the back than in a Volkswagen Golf or Cupra Leon.
The boot has 385 liters of space, which is the same as a Golf or a Ford Focus. A Renault Megane E-Tech is bigger at 440 liters.
There is a definite urgency to the way the Born accelerates with e-boost. The 0-60 time of 6.6 seconds isn't all that stellar, so a performance fix will require stepping up to the 326 horsepower VZ model.
A lot of EVs can leave you feeling like you're not that involved in the driving experience. The Born, however, feels pointy and agile. The engineers have really taken advantage of that rear motor rear-wheel-drive layout. The car encourages you to drive enthusiastically. The ride is quite firm, which you expect from a sporty car, and with the extra 300 kilos, it requires slightly stiffer sprung suspensions. If you want a more comfortable car, a Megane E-Tech or Volvo EX30 might be a better choice. Neither car is as fun to drive as the Cupra.
With fuel efficiency, the manufacturer claims that you'll get 340 miles, but realistically, you will probably get 3.5 miles per kilowatt-hour which translates to 270 miles of range. With a 135-kilowatt charging capacity, it’ll give you an 80% charge in 30 minutes.
In closing, the Cupra Born doesn't really have any rivals. You might find similar cars on paper, but this one is the real deal. If you want a mildly spicy, family-sized sporty hatch powered by electricity, this is pretty much it.
