First Drive - EV Review - Cupra Born
Cupra Born EV Review
What is it?
Cupra’s departure from underneath the Seat umbrella has seen it completely transformed. As well as cars like the Formentor and Ateca, Cupra has ventured into a whole new area - EVs. It kicks things off with this - the Born. It’s Cupra’s first electric vehicle and one which shows just what we can start to expect from this newly-formed brand in the years to come.
With Volkswagen Group underpinnings and plenty of Cupra-isms in terms of styling, this could be one to watch - but what’s it like?
What’s new?
As we’ve touched upon, the Born is underpinned by a Volkswagen Group platform. In fact, it’s the same one as you’ll find underneath cars like the Volkswagen ID.3, Skoda Enyaq and Audi Q4 e-tron. However, whereas those other models take a slightly more comfort-led approach, the Born has a more dynamic flavour to it.
So we’ve got a sporty suspension setup as well as a dynamic-feeling interior with plenty of eye-catching features. However, you still get the same great range and charging speed as the rest of its Volkswagen Group stablemates.
What’s under the bonnet?
You’ve got a number of battery and motor setups available with the Born, but one of the core offerings brings together a 201bhp electric motor and a 58kWh battery. It’s a punchy setup, too, bringing a 0-60mph time of 7.1 seconds and a top speed of 99mph.
Despite a relatively compact battery, this version can return up to 261 miles of range. Plus, a charging speed of 125kW means that you can complete an 80 per cent charge in 35 minutes. Plug in overnight at a 7kW home charger and a full top-up will take around eight hours, so quick enough for overnight stops.
What’s it like to drive?
The Cupra Born definitely has a sportier setup than its rivals, which does make it a really exciting car to drive - particularly through twisty lanes. There’s good body control and, though the ride can feel a little firm at slow speeds, it’s really very pleasant at speed. You get wider tyres on the Born, too, so this helps when it comes to traction through the bends,
Elsewhere, relatively light steering means that the Born isn’t tricky to pilot around tight areas or through car parks, while visibility is good all-around too.
How does it look?
Cupra has definitely gone above and beyond with the styling of the Born. It’s a great-looking thing, with loads of copper-coloured elements - a Cupra trademark - dotted here, there and everywhere. At the rear, there’s a contrast-colour diffuser, which really backs up that sporty aesthetic.
You’ve got plenty of exterior colours to choose from, too, with the dark blue shades looking particularly good - to our eyes, at least.
What’s it like inside?
Cupra has gone down the route of locating many of the car’s key functions within the main screen. That means there are very few buttons left to clutter up the dashboard or other areas, leaving a clean, stripped-back feel. The front seats have loads of adjustment and are comfy, too.
There’s plenty of legroom for rear-seat passengers, too, while boot space is more than acceptable at 385 litres. It’s a split-level design, too, with a cavity there to provide storage for the charging cables when not in use.
What’s the spec like?
Regardless of which trim you opt for, you’re getting plenty of standard equipment in the Born. All versions ride on 18-inch alloy wheels, for example, while full LED headlights and tailights are included as standard too. A cool feature is the standard-fit acoustic windshield which helps to keep the cabin hushed, too.
All versions get a full navigation system relayed via a 12-inch central touchscreen, while a rear-view camera helps to take the backache out of positioning the Born.
Verdict
The Born is a great addition to the flourishing EV market. It’s got stylish looks, loads of technology and a really great range - even in smaller-battery versions. Plus, a well-sized boot and a roomy cabin mean it’s got the practicality boxes ticked as well.
But more than anything, the Born has character. With its striking design and a great list of standard equipment, it’s definitely an EV to check out.
