Drive with us: Cupra Born review (2022)

Have Cupra finally brought the hot hatch into the new era of electric cars? 

Cupra have ripped up the rulebook for designing an electric car. Previously manufacturers have opted for subtle looks that blend in with their combustion engine counterparts, but the Born is different.

It promises funky, eye-catching and sporty looks with this electric hatchback that embraces those sought-after hot hatch connection in a world of sustainability.

The Born is the sister car to the much-loved Volkswagen ID.3 and like its German counterpart, is designed to be a fun electric hatch suited for family life. It’s not short for competition however, with MINI Electric, Peugeot e-208 and the new MG4 EV in its sights.

To find out whether or not this is just style of substance, we’re reviewing this 58kWh V3 edition to see what it’s all about.

What did we drive?

Model: 58kWh V3 Hatchback 5dr Electric Auto (RWD)

Transmission: Automatic

Power: Electric (204 PS & 310Nm max torque)

Colour: Premium Metallic Aurora Blue (also known as Lava Blue)

Wheels: 20" ‘Hurricane’ machined aerowheel

On The Road (OTR) Prices from: £36,475 

Price of model driven: £40,150

*Prices correct at the time of publication

Price

If you’re looking at the entry-level V1 trim – which comes with a very generous standard kit list, by the way – prices start from £36,475. 

The middle of the road V2 edition adds some worthwhile upgrades for an additional cost, with prices beginning at £38,395.

And finally, the V3 trim level that we’re testing starts at £40,150. 

There are a few different powertrain configurations, so of course it depends on your needs for the Born, but the V1 or V2 might be the best pick of the bunch when it comes to value for money. 

The Born is on the more premium end of the electric car market when compared to its rivals. The MG4 is considerably more affordable, with prices starting from £26,000, while the Peugeot e-208 starts at £31,000. 

One element that shouldn’t set you back too much is insurance. The Born’s insurance groups can range between 25P and 28P.

*Prices correct at the time of publication

Powertrains & batteries

There are two batteries available with the Cupra Born, a smaller 58kWh battery pack that promises a claimed range of up to 264 miles.

However, if you would like more power (and the ability to use the enticing e-Boost button), you will need to upgrade to the 77kWh battery pack, which is only available on V2 and V3 trims. 

Not only do you get more power, but more performance too, with a claimed range that rises to 341 miles.

A full breakdown of your powertrain options is a below. 

Electric Range and Charging

During our Cupra Born review, we were testing the V3 58kWh 204PS option, which promises a claimed range of 256 miles. While competitive for the electric hatch sector, it does fall just short of the new MG4’s 281 miles.

Throughout our time with the vehicle, we averaged just 3.3 miles per kWh, which equates to a real-world range of just under 200 miles. Conditions were far from optimum for us and I’m confident this could be extended past 200 miles, but it does fall short of the expected range. 

While not a direct rival, a Tesla Model 3 lease is available at a very similar price to this V3 trim and offers greater efficiency, performance and technology. 

Charging the Born is stress free and model dependent, it can be charged at up to 120kW or 170kW. 

If you’re using an 11kW AC charger, a 0-100% charge will vary between 6-7 hours, making it perfect for an overnight charge. 

The Cupra Born is one of the many non-Tesla EVs that can use the Supercharger Network, something to take advantage of if you’re in need of a quick top up.  If you can find yourself a 120kW DC charger, it will go from 5-80% in 35 minutes. 

Drive

As so often is the case with many models within the wider Volkswagen Group, the Cupra Born is an excellent car to drive. 

The handling is assured, smooth and controlled. It balances a feeling of weightiness but still feels agile enough to offer you that sharp responsiveness we all crave from a hatchback. 

Cupra have also done a great job of limiting the internal noise inside the cabin. We found there to be very little crosswind noise through the front pillars – a common problem among EVs due to the lack of engine. However, tyre noise was still prevalent. 

The instant torque makes the Born feel suitably nippy in and around urban environments and at 204PS – it doesn’t feel lacking in power. 

There are a few things to consider, however. The positioning of the drive selector toggle is odd. It’s attached to the 5.3” Digital Cockpit display behind the wheel, but the steering wheel itself blocks your visibility of it on the move.

This is something that will become less of a problem over time as muscle memory kicks in and you familiarise yourself with the car, but it can’t be ignored early on. 

For the most part, you have fantastic visibility at all angles, though carrying taller passengers in the back might hinder your rear visibility. 

The Born doesn’t operate a full one-pedal drive system, but it does have some of the strongest regenerative braking I’ve experienced – even when not in B mode, which you can activate if you feel the need to increase it.

However, with exceptional comfort levels and an easy to drive nature, the Born excels as both a motorway cruiser and in and around town, with fantastic maneuverability and a very tight and concise turning circle.

Design & interior

We’ll leave you to make your final judgements on the Born’s designs, but chances are, if you’re considering a Cupra lease, you might be a fan. 

Cupra have done a fantastic job of capturing an aggressive, but sleek and sporty style with the Born, especially with the front profile, as the bonnet slopes down into sleek LED headlights and the writing of ‘Cupra’ above the grille is a neat piece of detailing. 

There is so much depth to the Born’s design, it’s the small details that really stand out, like writing ‘Born’ into the rear LED lights, or the embroidered logos on the front seats.

The cabin is a lovely place to be and Cupra have used a nice blend of high-quality materials in the right areas. There’s a mixture of suede, copper finishes and soft-touch materials that give the Born a premium edge. 

Space & practicality

The Cupra’s looks say hot hatch, but the interior space is far more family friendly. 

ISOFIX points come fitted to both the outer rear seats and the front passenger seat, with plenty of room in the back if you do plan on carrying little ones.

If you’re regularly taking passengers above six feet tall, it is worth noting that they might feel cramped in the back over longer journeys, but the flat floor opens up a generous amount of legroom. 

Throughout the cabin, comfort levels are very good. The driver in particular is treated to a fantastic amount of support and in this V3 trim, we had the Aurora Blue Dinamica Bucket Seats, which really do hug you in behind the wheel. 

The centre console features two cup holders and a good-sized compartment for keys and general bits and pieces. Meanwhile, deep door bins and a generous armrest compartment allow great opportunities to store larger everyday items.

The boot is competitive at 385L, which is bigger than both the new MG4 (363L) and also the Peugeot e-208 (311L) - while not class-leading, it is a very usable space, as you do have to go without a 'front boot' under the bonnet.

You’re missing an obvious place to hide away your charging cables, but there is the optional extra of a false boot floor, which negates a rather large load lip. There is also a through-loading hatch if you do need to carry longer items. 

Technology

Our biggest frustration with the Born came with the technology, and the only word I can describe it as is ‘convoluted’.

The Volkswagen Group have set their stalls out on the physical button, and it’s fair to say, they’re not fans. 

This all comes down to personal preference, but there is not a single physical button in the cabin. All your everyday functionality is controlled through the 12” touchscreen, which it must be said is relatively responsive. 

However, it doesn’t appear to have been designed with the driver in mind. Using it on the move isn’t the easiest of tasks as you navigate through lots of menus and sub-menus, which are not always clearly labelled. 

Some menus don’t display their names until you put your hand close to the screen, which can be challenging to use and off-putting if you’re driving. 

Cupra have opted for a mixture of touch-sensitive slider-style buttons and they can be fiddly to use. I would describe them as an awkward halfway house between a button and a touch-sensitive slider. You get haptic feedback when you use them, but it does take some getting used to. 

The Digital Cockpit itself is good and displays enough information to give you what you need but is limited in display options and more flexibility here would give it an advantage over some of its rivals.

If you’re new to the VW group and want something more familiar, both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available as standard and can be connected wirelessly, while your connectivity options include two USB C ports in the armrest and two in the back for passengers. 

Safety

The Cupra Born scored top marks during its Euro NCAP safety tests, with a 93% Adult Occupant score and an 89% Child Occupant score.

It also comes with a host of safety and driver technologies fitted as standard, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, tiredness recognition and lane assist among others.

Model lines & equipment

V1 

• 18" ‘Cyclone’ alloy wheels
• Electrically adjustable, folding and heated door mirrors
• Heat-insulated glass & acoustic windshield
• Full LED headlights with welcome home function and adverse weather function
• Adaptive cruise control
• Navigation system with media & CUPRA Connect with online services
• Rear view camera system
• Dynamic road sign display
• 5.3" Digital Cockpit with 12" central display infotainment system
• Ambient lighting
• Wireless Full Link smartphone integration
• Heated, leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel
• Shock absorption in front & Sports rear shock absorption

V2

(In addition/replacement of V1)

• 19" ‘Typhoon’ machined alloy wheels
• Dark tinted rear windows
• Augmented-reality Head-up display
• Unsplit rear seat bench, split folding backrest, with centre armrest
• Heated front seats
• 170 kW DC charging capacity (for 77 kWh battery only)

V3

(In addition/replacement of V2)

• 20" ‘Hurricane’ machined aerowheels
• Granite Grey Dinamica front bucket seats; 1 2 way electrically adjustable, pneumatically adjustable lumbar support and massage function

Verdict

Coupling a smooth drive with an interesting design and bags of character, the Cupra Born is an excellent choice for an electric car lease. 

While it may lead you to think it has more sporty aspirations, it performs wonderfully as a family car, with practical everyday space and remarkable comfort levels.

The Born’s efficiency is competitive, but not class leading and in a competitive EV market, you’re spoilt for choice if you want to maximise range. 

If you look past the initial headaches that the infotainment system could cause, you have a very well-rounded EV that delivers both style and substance.