Used Cupra Born 2022-present review

It's no coincidence that the Cupra Born looks like a Volkswagen ID 3, because that's essentially what the Born is underneath. The two are mechanically related, although the Born is effectively the sportier option.

It's also the more expensive option and that goes for used prices too. So, the question is: is the Born worth the extra cash?

Performance and range: The Born is available with the same battery options as its Volkswagen cousin, consisting of a 58kWh and 77kWh option, as well as the same 201bhp electric motor that drives the rear wheels.

In 2024, all versions got the Born's e-Boost function as standard, meaning power was increased to 227bhp on all versions, while 59kWh and 79kWh batteries replaced the 58kWh and 77kWh units respectively. A hot VZ version joined the line-up too, which includes a 322bhp electric motor and the 79kWh battery.

The ID 3 isn't available with the Born's e-Boost function, mind you. Not every pre-2024 Born has it (because original owners had to pay extra for it), but it allows for short bursts of extra power, reducing the Born's 0-62mph time from 7.0sec to 6.6sec. The VZ cuts it down even more, with 0-62mph taking 5.6sec.

Range is similar between the ID 3 and Born – again, they're available with the same batteries. With an official range of 264 miles, the 58kWh will be all most buyers need. Granted, you won't get that far in real-world driving, but, in our real-world range tests, the Born managed 182 miles in winter and 219 miles in summer. Oddly, the updated 59kWh version has a shorter official range than the 58kWh version (at 249 miles), despite it having a marginally larger battery. We suspect this is because it has a more powerful electric motor.

If you regularly need to go further than that on a single charge, the 77kWh battery is the better bet, because it has an official range of up to 341 miles. Expect 235 to 285 miles in the real world. Likewise, the 79kWh version has an official range of 346 miles, so you can expect a similar real-world range to the 77kWh version. If you want even more range, the VZ model can travel 366 miles officially, which gives it the longest range in the line-up. This version is less common on the used market, though.

Ride and handling: Key differences between the Born and ID 3 begin to shine through here. From behind the wheel, you notice that the Born is just that bit sharper and more fun than the ID 3, from its well-weighted, quicker steering to its better body control.

Ride comfort remains good, though. It's a reasonably comfortable electric car, doing a good job of absorbing lumps and bumps in the road. The ride height has been lowered slightly compared with the ID 3, so the Born is a little firmer, but the difference isn’t huge.

Interior and practicality: A 12.0in touchscreen infotainment system comes with every Born built between 2022 and 2024, and features and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone mirroring. The screen itself is bright and clear, and the operating system is slightly more intuitive than in the ID 3 (which currently has one of the worst infotainment systems around). It's not perfect though, and, like the ID 3's can suffer from a fair amount of lag between your prods and the system reacting. The menus could be simpler, and some icons could be larger to make them easier to aim for.

Cars produced from 2024 onwards have a much better infotainment system. The screen is 12.9in in size, plus the graphics are sharper. The layout and touchscreen response are improved too, making it a more pleasant system to use overall.

The basic interior layout is the same as the ID 3's, but the Born’s interior is not just a copy-and-paste job. A slightly different mix of materials means it looks and feels classier inside, especially around the centre console and arm rests. Victory over the ID 3 is by a slim margin, though, and you’ll still find some hard, cheap-feeling plastic in places.

Even if you’re blessed in the height department, you won’t find yourself struggling for space in the front of the Born. Indeed, even those measuring north of six feet tall will enjoy plenty of head and leg room. The Born is roughly the same length as the VW Golf and is just as roomy in the back. There’s space for at least a six-foot passenger to sit behind someone equally tall without feeling squished, although there's not a lot of head or leg room going spare.

At 385 litres, the Born's boot is about the same size as a Golf’s and will be fine for such daily duties as carrying a small buggy, the weekly shop or a weekend away.

Trims and equipment: Like the 58kWh battery, you should be satisfied with the entry-level V1 trim. It has LED headlights, climate control, parking aids and 18in alloy wheels.

V2 comes with bigger 19in wheels, privacy glass, heated windscreen washer nozzles and a head-up display to project your speed on to the windscreen. It also gets heated seats and a heated steering wheel, so is worth considering if you like your creature comforts.

V3 goes a few steps further, with 20in wheels and electric front-seat adjustment with a built-in massage function – ooh la la. Top-of-the-range VZ is similarly equipped to V3 but adds bespoke 20in wheels and sports bucket seats up front.

"I like the way the Born drives, but it doesn't offer a hot hatch level of driver enjoyment. That shouldn't be a problem for most buyers, though." – George Hill, Used Cars Writer

Interested in buying a used Cupra Born? Visit our Used Cars For Sale pages to find lots of cars listed at great prices.

Around £16,000 is the starting point here, this for a 2022 car. Expect to spend upwards of £17,000 on a 2023 model, and more than £19,000 on a 2024 car and £23,000 on a 2025 car. This all represents a healthy saving on the price of a new one.

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Charging

The 58kWh Born has the ability to fast charge at up to 124kW, which means a 10-80% top-up will take around half an hour. The 77kWh version can accept slightly more charging power but because it has a bigger battery, you'll be waiting longer. With a 7kW home wall box, you’re looking at empty to full in around nine hours in the 58kWh version, and 12 hours in the 77kWh.

On cars produced from 2024 onwards, the 59kWh version has the ability to fast charge at up to 165kW while the 79kWh Born can charge at up to 185kW, which means a 10-80% top-up will take around half an hour for both versions. With a 7kW home EV charger, charging speeds are similar to pre-2024 cars.

Insurance and servicing

Insurance groups range from 25 to 28 (out of a possible 50) – very reasonable for this kind of car. You can cover the Born's first three services for £1458 via Cupra.

Warranty

For cars produced before April 2024, the Born comes with a three-year, 60,000-mile warranty, which is pretty standard for the class. From April 2024 cars onwards, though, the Born has a five-year, 90,000-mile warranty. That’s better than many rivals (including VW and Renault), but Kia gives you seven years. The Born's battery is covered for up to eight years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first.

Safety

The Born gets an extensive suite of safety kit. This includes automatic emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-keeping assistance, adaptive cruise control, 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 VW ID 3, the Born scored a full five stars when it was tested by Euro NCAP. The Born scored higher in the adult occupancy section than the ID 3, though, with no mention of the poor chest protection that blotted that car's score book. The Born also outperformed the Renault Megane E-Tech in this area.

Reliability

Feedback from owners highlights the overall mechanical reliability of the Cupra Born, but it's not without its issues. The infotainment system emerges as a primary source of frustration, noted for its occasional lagginess and glitches – plus its subpar layout.

Discover more about used Cupra Born reliability and common problems on our dedicated reliability page.

Motor and battery

The larger battery demands a premium and one we're not convinced is worth it at the moment, so we'd stick with the 58kWh option – we believe most buyers won't be disappointed with it.

Specification

As for trims, we think V1 is the best choice here, seeing as it's the cheapest and it isn't exactly stingy with its kit list. If you do want more equipment, the V2 version is a good option if you can find one for a reasonable price.

Our favourite Cupra Born: 58kWh V1

We've talked enough about the Volkswagen ID 3 already, so let's name some other alternatives. The MG4 is a good place to start. It's slightly cheaper (both in terms of price and quality), but it remains an impressive electric car, thanks to its good driving experience and electric range. Reliability has proven an issue with them, though.

You might also want to consider the Renault Megane E-Tech. Generally, used prices are very slightly higher than those of the Born, but you might prefer the E-Tech's SUV-esque look. Like its rival, the E-Tech is good to drive – it'll go a similar distance on a single charge, too.

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Interested in buying a used Cupra Born? Visit our Used Cars For Sale pages to find lots of cars listed at great prices.