Cupra Born review

Introduction

They say people fear what they don’t understand, but there was never really any reason to act cautious toward the Cupra Born. Sure, it was the Spanish brand’s first fully electric car (EV), but if you’ll pardon the pun, it was born of a familiar model.

In other words, the Born is closely related to the Volkswagen ID 3 (that went on sale around two years before). Like the ID 3, the Born is a five-door electric hatchback that's about the same size as a Toyota Corolla. Considering the ID 3 is a previous class leader, that should bode well for the Born – and it’s not a simple case of the two cars being styled differently, either.

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58kWh V1 Hatchback 5dr Electric Auto (190 ps)

Expected annual mileage	5000
Term months	60
Deposit months	12
Monthly payment	£511.76
Initial payment	£6,141.12

Step-by-step

Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.

• Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
• Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
• Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end

What you get

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• Full manufacturer’s warranty
• Road tax and roadside assistance included
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£6,141 initial payment, 60 month contract, 5000 miles p/a. Subject to status and conditions.

• Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
• No balloon payments
• Road tax included

That’s because Cupra has positioned the Born as the sportier option, giving it sharper steering and brakes, firmer suspension and more supportive front seats. There's also a hot VZ version, where those elements are dialed up a notch further.

Cupra Born video review

The Born has other rivals beyond the ID 3, including the MG4, Peugeot e-308, Renault Megane and Vauxhall Astra Electric. Plus, if you're considering models in the Born VZ's price range, there's the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6.

Read on to find out how the Cupra Born squares up against the best electric cars…

What’s new

- July 2024: Born VZ on sale with 321bhp, 79kWh battery
- April 2024: 5-year/90,000-mile warranty replaces previous 3-year/60,000-mile guarantee
- January 2024: Born wins What Car? Best Small Electric Car of the Year
- April 2022: e-boost models join range: 227bhp motor with 58kWh or 77kWh battery options
- January 2022: Born wins What Car? Best Small Electric Car of the Year
- December 2021: UK orders open for 201bhp Born with 58kWh battery. V1, V2, V3 trims
- May 2021: Cupra Born is unveiled

Overview

The Cupra Born borrows all the good bits from the VW ID 3 and adds a slightly snazzier interior and sharper handling. The entry-level 58kWh V1 version makes the most sense, and while it’s much more expensive than an equivalent MG4, it’s better to drive, more refined and more premium inside.

Pros

• Good range between charges
• Relatively fun handling
• Quiet cruising manners

Cons

• Much pricier than an MG4
• Interior could do with more physical controls
• Slightly firmer ride than a VW ID 3

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Performance & drive

What it's like to drive, and how quiet it is

How fast is it and which motor is best?

Every Cupra born is rear-wheel drive and how much power they produce largely depends on which battery size you go for. The entry-level 58kWh (usable capacity) battery option produces 188bhp and has a respectable 0-62mph time of 8.0sec.

For a bit more punch, the 79kWh battery option develops 228bhp and cuts the 0-62mph time to 7.0sec. That sits neatly among its rivals, being slightly quicker than the Renault Megane (7.5sec), but a bit slower than the MG4 Extended Range (6.2sec).

If that’s not enough, there’s the flagship Born VZ. It’s also powered by the 79kWh battery, but with 322bhp, it can accelerate from 0-62mph in just 5.6sec – near-enough a match for the rival VW ID 3 GTX. It’s sprightly, even if the MG4 XPower (3.8sec) is much quicker still.

Is it agile and is the ride comfortable?

The Born is a reasonably comfortable electric car. It does a good job of absorbing lumps and bumps in the road. The ride height has been lowered slightly compared with the VW ID 3, so it's a little firmer but the difference is minimal. It's still more settled than an MG4, for example.

The VZ gets adaptive suspension as standard, allowing you to adjust how firm or soft it is by switching driving modes. As such, the VZ remains respectably comfortable, despite its larger 20in wheels.

The Born has accurate, well-weighted steering, minimal body lean and confidence-inspiring composure on twisty roads. It’s sharper to drive than the ID 3, which is saying something, because the ID 3 is already a tidy handler.

Additionally, the Born outhandles the MG4 and Renault Megane, both of which feel that bit clumsier and less rewarding when pushed hard on challenging roads.

The only thing to note about the Born’s handling is that, despite its impressive capabilities, it’s still more composed than it is thrilling. The VZ’s keenness to turn into corners is a bit more exciting, but still, other hot hatches – like the VW Golf R – will paint a bigger grin on your face. If you need an EV (and have a larger budget), take a look at Hyundai Ioniq 5 N.

Is it quiet and how easy is it to drive smoothly?

The Born is very quiet at town speeds, with just a bit of suspension noise to note. At 70mph, there's a bit more road and wind noise than in a Renault Megane, but the Born is still impressively hushed – and far more so than the MG4.

That said, the Born’s grabby brakes remain a weak aspect. An initially light and vague response doesn’t inspire much confidence when slowing down from high speed, while the brakes suddenly biting when the pedal is pressed halfway down makes it tricky to come to a smooth stop.

It’s less of a problem at low speeds, when you tend to apply the brakes more gently, so it is at least easier to use around town than the DS No 4 and Megane’s spongey pedal.

The Born’s regenerative braking system can help slow the car down for you while harvesting back some electric energy to feed back into the battery. There are three levels of strength to choose from, including a strong one-pedal driving setting that can bring the car to walking pace.

However the braking effect could be smoother, applying a strong level of force quite suddenly that can make progress quite jerky. Alternatively you can switch it off and coast.

What’s the range and efficiency like, and how quickly can it charge?

The Born's official range has slightly improved over earlier versions, achieving 300 miles in 58kWh form, making it better than the Peugeot e-308 (278 miles) and Renault Megane (285 miles). This increases to around 389 miles in 79kWh form, while the VZ can travel ever -so-slightly farther, at 392 miles. It’ll be difficult to get that far in the real world, so an estimated 300 miles from the VZ is more realistic.

The 58kWh Born has the ability to fast charge at up to 105kW while the 79kWh Born can charge at up to 183kW, which means a 10-80% top-up will take around half an hour for both versions. With a 7kW home EV charger you’re looking at empty to full in an estimated time of around nine hours in the 58kWh version, and 12 hours in the 77kWh.

"The Born manages to show its fun side without compromising everyday comfort too much, which is a combination I'm very keen on." – Dan Jones, Senior Reviewer

Interior

The interior layout, fit and finish

What does the interior look like and is it well made?

The Born's interior has the same basic layout as the VW ID 3 but it's not just a copy-and-paste job. Its slightly different mix of materials means it looks and feels classier inside, especially around the centre console and arm rests.

The later models come with additional soft materials on the doors to make it feel more upmarket. The overall feel of quality inside the Born is much better than in an MG4 and on a par with the Renault Megane. That said, the ID 3 is also due a facelift soon and interior quality is also set to improve.

Is the driving position comfortable and is it easy to see out?

The driver’s seat, steering wheel and pedals line up nicely, making for a natural-feeling driving position with no odd quirks. The well-bolstered seats are comfortable, too, especially those found in the VZ – they’re extra supportive. Electric adjustment comes as standard on V2 trim and above for added convenience.

Seeing out of the front of the Born is pretty easy. Its deep windscreen and slim front pillars afford you a largely unobstructed view of the road ahead, although they're heavily angled so taller drivers might find they get in the way a little at T-junctions.

The rear pillars are wide and the rear screen is a little shallow, so it's helpful that you get front and rear parking sensors and a rear-view camera as standard. Opting for the V2 adds a 360-degree view camera and a system called Park Assist (PA) that can steer the Born into spaces.

The Born has bright LED headlights with an auto-dipping feature, while matrix LEDs (which automatically shape their beam to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers) come as standard on top level VZ.

Is the dashboard and infotainment system easy to use?

Every Born gets a much improved 10.25in digital driver's display that’s sharp and displays a wide range of information, including your speed and remaining range. The display is much bigger than the old 5.3in screen and now offers a few layouts - although not as many as the Renault Megane’s setup.

Annoyingly, like in many VW car models, you adjust the air-con using fiddly touch-sensitive sliders below the infotainment touchscreen. They're illuminated so at least you can see them at night, but the MG4 gets user-friendly physical controls and it’s worth noting the upcoming ID 3 Neo will have these, too.

More positively, the steering wheel note has physical buttons in place of the fiddly and inaccurate touch-sensitive ones fitted to earlier models.

A 12.9in infotainment touchscreen comes as standard on all Borns, with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone mirroring included.

The screen itself is bright and clear, while responding more quickly than the MG4’s. The layout and menu system has been revised, now being similar to what you get in the Cupra Leon, although some of the functions are awkwardly hidden in sub-menus. We prefer the more logical layout in the Renault Megane, which is even easier to use. That said, at least the Born’s system offers a few customisable shortcuts at the top of the screen to help out with usability.

"It’s great to see the facelift has addressed some of the Born’s interior foibles. Having four window switches on the driver’s door may not be a big deal, but it’s far less fiddly than the old setup " – Lawrence Cheung, New Cars Editor

Passenger & boot space

How it copes with people and clutter

How much space does it have for people?

Even if you’re blessed in the height department you won’t find yourself struggling for space in the front of the Cupra Born. Indeed, even those measuring more than 6ft tall will have plenty of head and leg room.

On top of that, the Born feels surprisingly wide inside, which means you won’t be rubbing shoulders with your front-seat passenger, even if you’re both quite broad.

There’s pretty good storage space available too. A large chunk of that is in the centre console, which has various cubbies and the ubiquitous cup-holders. The glovebox is a decent size, as are the door bins.

The Born is roughly the same length as a VW Golf and is just as roomy in the back. There’s space for at least a 6ft passenger to sit behind someone equally tall without feeling squished, although there's not a lot of head or leg room spare.

To give you some context, space in the back is very similar to that in the VW ID 3, while the Peugeot e-308, Renault Megane and Vauxhall Astra Electric are tighter in the back, especially when it comes to leg room. If you’re after an electric family car with plenty of rear passenger space, take a look at the Hyundai Ioniq 5.

With three rear adult passengers on board, there won’t be a lot of shoulder room to spare, but the middle passenger will appreciate the flat floor.

How much room does it have for luggage?

There’s not a huge amount to report here. You get 60/40 split rear seats as standard, which – while not as useful as having 40/20/40 split seats – is par for the course in smaller electric cars.

You don’t have the option of sliding or reclining rear seats, which you can get in some pricier electric SUVs including the Hyundai Ioniq 5. To get a Born with a ski hatch and a fold-down rear centre armrest, you’ll need V2 or VZ trim.

The Born's 385-litre boot space is about the same size as that of a VW Golf or ID 3 and will be fine for transporting a small buggy, doing your shopping for the week or going on a weekend break. There's no front boot.

We managed to get six carry-on suitcases into the Born's boot, one fewer than in the Renault Megane and one more than we squeezed into an MG4. An optional height-adjustable boot floor removes any load lip when placed in its highest position and has space underneath for smaller items.

"The Born's boot volume is on a par with the ID 3's, but its different shape meant I was able to cram in an extra carry-on suitcase, which was useful on a couple of airport pick-ups." – Darren Moss, Deputy Digital Editor

Buying & owning

Everyday costs, plus how reliable and safe it is

How much does it cost and what equipment do you get?

The entry-level Cupra Born 58kWh is more expensive than most versions of the MG4 and Renault Megane. Like-for-like, the Born is on a par with the VW ID 3 but there are more affordable versions of that car – especially with a slightly smaller 52kWh (usable capacity) battery option available. The Peugeot e-308 and Vauxhall Astra Electric also have a slightly lower list price.

For private buyers, we reckon the 58kWh Born in V1 trim makes the most sense, while those who cover lots of miles can opt for the bigger battery without it costing much more. That’s especially true for company car drivers, because the relatively small increase in P11D price makes a negligible difference per month when paying via salary sacrifice.

Like any electric car the Born will attract very low BIK tax rates, especially when compared with an equivalent Seat Leon.

Entry-level V1 trim gets you LED headlights, dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel and adaptive cruise control and 19in alloy wheels. It's all you really need, and if you want more, you can add a panoramic roof or a heat pump to warm up the interior more efficiently.

V2 comes with privacy glass and a head-up display.

The range-topping VZ represents an even larger step up in price, but it adds bespoke 20in wheels and sports bucket seats up front. It’s only really worth considering if you have the budget and have your heart set on the quickest, sharpest Born available.

Is it reliable, and how long is the warranty?

Cupra did reasonably well in our 2025 What Car? Reliability Survey, finishing 13th out of 30 car makers – a big improvement on its last-place finish in 2023. The Born itself placed mid-table in the electric car class, with a respectable (but not outstanding) 92.5% – better than the VW ID 3 but not the Renault Megane.

For peace of mind, Cupra now gives you a five years/90,000 miles warranty (until April 2024 it was three years). That’s better than many rivals, although Kia gives you seven years. The Born's battery is covered for eight years (like with most electric cars).

How safe is it, and is it easy to steal?

The Born gets an extensive suite of safety kit. That includes automatic emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-keeping assistance, a driver fatigue monitor and traffic-sign recognition, which shows you the speed limit of the road you're driving on.

Just like the closely-related ID 3, the Born scored a full five stars when it was tested for safety by Euro NCAP. Looking deeper into the results, the Born actually scored better than the ID 3, but as the Born was tested more recently and in harder tests, it’s impossible to directly compare.

The Renault Megane was tested by Euro NCAP at the same time and scored less than the Born in every area.

"I reckon the Born should work out a few hundred pounds cheaper than an ID 3 over three years due to its slightly lower predicted depreciation and electricity costs." – Claire Evans, Consumer Editor

Buy it if…

- You enjoy punchy performance

- You like sharp handling

- A spacious interior and good boot space

Don’t buy it if…

- You want the cheapest electric family car available

- You’d prefer easy-to-use interior controls

- Ride comfort is paramount (the closely related ID 3 is slightly more comfortable)

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