Cupra Born 2023 review: track test

Right now, from $59,990, before on-road costs, the Born is the sixth least-expensive new EV in Australia ­– and the second-cheapest after the BYD ATTO 3 to use a dedicated architecture, rather than ride on a modified internal combustion engine (ICE) platform.

For now, the Cupra only comes in a single, high-spec grade, with a big 77kWh battery pack and up to 511km of WLTP range (less if you choose the optional bigger-wheeled version), making the base grade the cheapest long-range EV for now, too.

Less expensive models with a smaller battery pack are expected to arrive later on.

The Born is also the first EV to be positioned as a hot-hatch, with performance on par with recent (2013-2016 Mk7) VW Golf GTIs, though not the latest iterations.

From $59,990, before on-road costs, the Born is the sixth least-expensive new EV in Australia.

All these facts place the Born in a unique position in Australia, and for many EV buyers, that justifies its existence.

The $60K Cupra costs around $4K more than BMW’s Mini Cooper SE ­– which is substantially smaller, less powerful and unable to go nearly as far on a single charge – as well as $4K less than the Polestar 2 Standard, offering broadly similar outputs and ballpark range.

Every other cheaper EV like the MG ZS EV, Hyundai Kona Electric and Nissan Leaf are either derived from an ICE-based platform or lack the Born’s range, while alternatives that can match its distance between charges are more expensive.

Advantage, Cupra.

Less expensive models with a smaller battery pack are expected to arrive later on.

On the safety/security front, there are seven airbags, autonomous emergency braking (AEB), lane assist, park assist, blind-spot alert, rear cross-traffic alert with exit warning, rain-sensing wipers, a top-view 360-degree camera, tyre pressure monitors, adaptive cruise control, an alarm, auto on/off LED headlights with auto high beam, front fog lights and heated/powered exterior mirrors.

You’ll also find keyless entry/start, dual-zone climate control, a 5.3-inch digital instrumentation cluster, a 12-inch multimedia system, digital radio, wireless smartphone charging, wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, a heated leather steering wheel, four USB-C ports, ambient lighting, rear tinted windows, a rear roof spoiler and 19-inch alloys (but no spare wheel, just a tyre repair kit). Metallic paint adds another $475.

While on options, buyers can pick the $2600 'Performance Package', ushering in 20-inch alloys on wider Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres (dropping range down to 475km), as well as adaptive chassis control including adaptive dampers and a stability-control-off function.

Inside is a 12-inch multimedia system with wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto.

The other choice is the $2900 'Interior Package', with imitation suede-like seat fabric, heated and powered front seats with a massaging function, heated washer jets and a Beats premium audio system.

Note both packages have a different, two- rather than three-person back seat, turning the Born from a five-seater to a four-seater proposition. Best to stay basic, further underlining the headline value of the cheapest version of Cupra’s breakout EV.

It’s a pity, though, that the Born does not support vehicle-to-load (V2L) car-to-building charging for now.

Like the Nissan Leaf, the Born is a taller-than-usual five-door hatch, meaning that, for a small car, it’s a bit easier to get in and out of compared to normal.

And like the pioneering Japanese EV, the Cupra has exceptional forward vision, aided by thin pillars and deep glass areas, the upshot of the monospace silhouette.

Now, space-wise, the Born is a bit of an anti-Tardis, in that it seems smaller on the inside than outside, with a sense that it actually sits somewhere between a VW Polo and Golf in size. And that’s a bit surprising. It’s no bad thing, just a bit more compact than expected.

The Cupra Born has exceptional forward vision, aided by thin pillars and deep glass areas.

Maybe that boxy shape and the Ioniq 5 have shifted our expectations and turned us all into size queens.

Second impressions? Clean, if a bit cold and quite minimalist, the dashboard is generally as you’d expect a modern VW to be, particularly if you’re used to the latest Golf.

This means it’s very stylish and contemporary, with eye-catching details and textures, but you also have to familiarise yourself with how to operate some of the basic things, like the climate control and multimedia systems. Annoying.

There is all-digital instrumentation, as you’d expect from an EV. It’s clear and configurable, so you should find something you like aesthetically. There’s also a twist-action gear lever, sited to the right of the dash, and that works quite naturally. In fact, the whole driving position is well realised.

The all-digital instrumentation is clear and configurable.

Our test car was fitted with the optional Interior Package, which brings stylish sports buckets that hold and support you in all the right places, especially when driving hard. These have an electrical adjustment as well as heating and massaging functions when required. They feel as good as they look.

Other highlights include an attractive steering wheel, effective ventilation and plentiful storage, including the huge door bins.

And out back, it turns out that the Born isn’t quite as compact as it seems looking at it from the front, with ample legroom as well as headroom for your 178cm tall tester.

The backrest is comfy, its headrests nicely soft and pillowy, and thoughtful amenities include a folding centre armrest with cupholders, USB outlets and hungry door bins.

It’s a pity, then, that silly little things let the Cupra down a bit inside.

That multimedia system is difficult to fathom beyond the home screen, and can be downright flummoxing to figure out. The slide controls for heating and cooling are fiddly, some of the plastics aren’t of a quality you’d expect from a VW Group product, and you won’t find a spare wheel anywhere, just a tyre repair kit.

At least the latter helps boost cargo capacity, to a reasonable 385 litres (VDA), and that's helped out by a split/fold backrest with a ski-port.

This allows the Born to play the role of a nifty and practical four-seater EV for smaller families.

There is a reasonable 385 litres (VDA) of cargo capacity.

Like the original VW Beetle, the Born drives the rear wheels via an engine/motor that is placed out back. But that’s where the similarities end.

VW’s vaunted MEB all-electric EV architecture is a skateboard platform, with that rear-mounted permanent magnet synchronous electric motor delivering 170kW of power between 5300-7000rpm, and 310Nm of torque between 0-2000rpm, and all to the rear wheels via a single-speed reduction gear transmission.

The Born's rear-mounted permanent magnet synchronous electric motor delivers 170kW of power and 310Nm of torque.

Though it weighs in at around two tonnes, the Born can bolt to 100km/h in seven-seconds flat – and needs just 2.8s to 50km/h – handy for zipping in and out of traffic. Top speed is 159km/h.

Like the ID.3, the Born’s suspension consists of MacPherson-style struts up front and a multi-link rear end. But it boasts unique motor, steering and suspension tuning, with the wick turned up ever-so-slightly for a more-athletic experience.

Though it weighs in at around two tonnes, the Born can bolt to 100km/h in seven-seconds flat.

Small car. Big battery pack.

With a sizeable 82kWh-actual but 77kWh-net lithium-ion battery underneath, the Born’s WLTP range is a deal-making 511km. Great for the out-of-town blasts that are a constant allure for most hot hatch owners.

Now, we don’t have full Australian information pertaining to charging a Born just yet, but overseas data suggests the average mild-weather energy consumption is around 15.8 and 17.6kWh/100km, though in the real world that would be closer to 20kWh/100km.

That’s the good news. The bad news is, as with all big-battery EVs, it will take a while to recharge a Born with the 77kWh battery pack.

The Born’s WLTP range is a deal-making 511km.

Plugged in at home in a 10-amp regular socket, it might take more than 39 hours, but investing in a Wallbox for around $2K extra slashes that to between eight and 12 hours, depending on output.

Out on the road, find a 50kW DC fast-charger and that should need no more than 70 minutes from empty to full, or under half that time using a rare 150kW super-fast charger.

AC charging is via a Type 2 port with an 11kW capacity, while DC fast charging is via a CCS2 port with up to 170kW capability.

Finally, regenerative braking, offering some level of single-pedal deceleration that also helps recharge the battery a bit, is also part of the Born’s identity.

As with all big-battery EVs, it will take a while to recharge a Born with the 77kWh battery pack.

Whether the Born will be offered with Cupra’s five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty scheme is not yet known. No Australian-specific information has been announced about battery life warranty, either.

Similarly, we are yet to find out about the Cupra’s servicing and running costs, as well as service intervals. But other models are offered with pre-purchased discounted servicing, so don't be surprised if the Born does as well.

It is not yet known if Cupra will offer their five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty scheme for the Born.