Test Car Specifications
Model: 2022 Cupra Born 58kWh V3 204PS
Price: £38,390 (as tested)
Engine: 150kW electric motor
Battery: 58kWh lithium-ion
Transmission: single-speed automatic, front-wheel drive
Power: 204hp
Torque: 310Nm
Emissions: 0g/km
Range: 222-264 miles
0-62mph: 7.3 seconds
Top speed: 99mph
Boot space: 385 litres
Styling
The Cupra is certainly more interesting to look at than its German sibling, but that isn't necessarily a good thing. Sure, it has a pointier nose and a more defined rear, not to mention some millennial-spec bronze trim, but those wheels are frankly hideous and there's something buggy about the overall image. It isn't ugly, but the more conservative ID.3 might alienate fewer potential customers. Still, if they were all the same it would be boring, and we wouldn't want that, would we?
Interior
The Cupra’s cabin is certainly stylish, with lots of bronze trim and some smart grey materials, as well as a pair of bright screens. The larger, central display is the focal point of an otherwise clean cabin, with few buttons and only a handful of air vents punctuating the dash. The screen is taken from elsewhere in the Seat and Cupra range, and it looks fantastic, but it is a little fiddly to use at times – particularly on the move. Sometimes, it’s just a little too clever for its own good. And while Cupra may be part of the famously rugged Volkswagen stable, but the build quality is hit-and-miss. While everything feels solidly constructed, some of the materials feel a little cheap – even those in places you touch regularly. But more irritating is the touch-sensitive nature of the buttons on the steering wheel and below the instrument display. All are fiddly and tough to get on with when you’re driving, and it becomes an ergonomic nightmare. The volume control is particularly tricky.
Practicality
While the Born's cabin may not be quite as well made as we were hoping, it is at least spacious. There's ample room for four adults to make themselves comfortable inside, with the tall body allowing plenty of headroom in the front and rear. The Born also has a competitive amount of boot space, with 385 litres of cargo capacity behind the rear seats. That's about the same as you get from a VW Golf, and it's a little more than you'll find in the back of the brilliant new MG4 electric hatchback.
Performance
Our test car came in high-end V3 trim, but it only had the 'basic' 58kWh battery pack with a 204hp electric motor. That meant the car offered an official range of 256 miles (less upmarket versions stretch that very slightly) and a 0-62mph time of 7.3 seconds. While the performance is more than adequate, the range works out at around 200 miles in the real world, although customers might stretch that if they turn the air conditioning off and hypermile. On a motorway, though, we wouldn't bank on topping the 200-mile mark.
For those that want a little more range, there's always the 77kWh battery, which comes with a more powerful 230hp motor as standard. Even in V3 form, that car will return up to 335 miles on the official economy test, and we'd expect to achieve 250 miles from a charge without trying too hard. Again, though, motorway miles will probably limit that somewhat.
Ride & Handling
While the Cupra Born is undoubtedly designed for city slickers, it isn’t a bad motorway car. The refinement is generally good, save for a little wind and road noise, and the supportive seats make it a comfortable place in which to spend a few hours. The ride is typical of cars in this class, which is to say there’s a general softness at high speeds, but the weight of the battery makes its presence felt at lower speeds. Potholes see the car sink in rapidly, meaning there’s a bit of a jolt when you come out at the other side, although the suspension does a decent job of rounding the edge. When it comes to handling, the Born’s light steering is set up for low-speed manoeuvres, while the top-heavy bodywork means there’s quite a lot of lean in the bends. That said, it grips well and there is a little bit of fun to be had – particularly with the rapid response of that electric motor.
Value
The cheapest Born comes in at £34,715, which makes it about £1,500 cheaper than the cheapest VW ID.3, despite the two cars sharing so much technology. However, this V3 model came in at £38,390, and 230hp, 77kWh variants will cost even more, so prices can escalate quite quickly. Considering the new MG4 is more comfortable and starts at just under £26,000, the Born isn't quite the value proposition we might have hoped.
That said, it does come with plenty of kit. The basic V1 comes with 18-inch alloy wheels, automatic lights and wipers and the 12-inch touchscreen, as well as the digital instrument display. Satellite navigation is standard, too, as is adaptive cruise control and two-zone climate control. You even get a heated steering wheel.
Verdict
The Born is a more interesting and more exciting take on the ID.3 floorpan, but it's still a bit of a white good. Think of it like a more colourful iPhone, dazzling customers away from the boring black and white models without actually offering anything different. Nevertheless, the ID.3 is a decent electric car, and so is the Born. And as with the colourful iPhone, we'd still have one ahead of the more grown-up alternatives.
