The ‘CUPRA’ brand may not be very familiar to many people in Ireland, but it carries a lot of heritage and real quality in manufacture. CUPRA has been a sporty off-shoot of the Spanish SEAT brand for years, and is ultimately owned by the mighty Volkswagen Group. They are using the clout of VW Group’s MEB platform to build this stylish sister-car to the likes of the VW ID. 3.
The first thing that stands out about the Born is probably the styling. Those familiar with the VW ID. 3 will see a lot of resemblance in the CUPRA. Copper accents adorn the splitter and badge on the front. The bonnet is heavily creased, with more aggressive LED lighting. Wheel sizes vary from 18” to 20” to suit the various trim and specification levels. From the side, the CUPRA looks quite similar to the ID. 3 apart from the kickplate. Also, it is slightly longer and a little less tall, which gives it a sportier profile. At the back, a small spoiler leans out from the falling roof line. A ’coast to coast’ light cluster runs across the back and sits an inch or so above the copper and carbon-effect CUPRA badging.
Inside, the CUPRA begins to come into its own. There is a lot more design flair, with mixed materials on the seats, the dash and doors. A 12” infotainment screen houses VW’s ID. software suite with a CUPRA skin applied on top, which is improving over time with updates. The centre console has a rollover top that stretches up toward the bottom of the infotainment screen and hides a wireless charger. The bucket seats are very comfortable, and feature recycled vegan microfibres depending on the trim you choose.
In the back, you will fit another 6ft person in behind a driver of the same height. However, with the bucket seats and no panoramic roof, it will not feel as airy as some of the competition. But passengers will appreciate the two USB-C ports for charging devices. Young families will be happy with a total of three Isofix options between the front and back. Space in the boot is adequate for most people at 380 litres. The back seats do fold down in a 60/40 split for more space when needed.
The suspension in the CUPRA Born is set up a little firmer than its sister car, and that gives it a more sporty feel. Being based on VW’s MEB platform, we can expect much the same powertrain and battery options as the ID. 3, and ID. 4. You can option either the 58 or 77kWh usable batteries which will have real world ranges varying between 350km and 450km. There will also be a variation in motors available, from 150kW up to 170kW giving 0-100km/h times of between 6.6 seconds and 8.9 seconds. Charging is in line with other MEB platform vehicles. On AC, your will get 11kW, and DC goes up to 135kW in the larger battery variant.
Prices in Ireland will be starting in the late €30,000s for the standard battery and lowest trim, and will rise to late €40,000s for top specifications. It will surely take some sales from the ID.3, but it will also bring some sales into the VW group that were looking for a more aggressive, stylish, urban feel than what the iD. range offers. It also needs to look over it’s shoulder at the more affordable but similar sized MG4. Styled in Barcelona, and manufactured in Zwickau in Germany, the CUPRA Born may well have a very long waiting list with Irish buyers.
CUPRA Born Video Review
This review is in partnership with EV Review Ireland and you can learn more about what I thought of the CUPRA Born in the video below.
