2023 Cupra Born review

Volkswagen is set to launch a salvo of electric vehicles into the Australian market next year and the Cupra Born is a taste of things to come, based as it is on one of those models, the ID.4. A ‘crossover’ that slots in around small SUV size but without the ground clearance, the Born is offered in a single model grade.

Standard features include 19-inch wheels, sports suspension, keyless entry and start, a 12-inch infotainment system with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 5.3-inch ‘digital cockpit’, heated power-folding mirrors, a heated leather steering wheel, dusk-sensing headlamps, dual-zone climate control and quite a bit else.

A $2900 optional interior package adds blue bucket seats with powered adjustment, heated washing jets, and a premium sound system.

The 82kWh electric battery powers a single electric motor at the rear wheels, producing 170kW and 310Nm. Selecting the $2600 performance package ups the motor’s output (but reduces range by 35km) and adds dynamic chassis control, 20-inch alloy wheels and wider tyres, while deleting the middle rear seat.

Regular metallic paint colours are no extra cost, but Aurora Blue is $475.

Exterior styling hasn’t always been a strong point among EVs but there’s nothing dowdy or dull about the Born.

The downward angled nose with hard creases gives it an aggressive and purposeful look and the Rayleigh Red metallic paint that adorned our test vehicle really stands out in a carpark. Copper accents on the wheels, grille, and badge lend it still more flair.

The interior styling certainly isn’t boring, either, with judicious use of copper-look inlays on the centre console, air vents, doors, and steering wheel. The recycled materials used in the seats, dashboard, and even the floor mats aren’t luxurious, but nor are they scratchy or cheap feeling.

The well-organised centre console has two drink holders of smart design, two cubbyholes for storage, and a wireless phone charging pad. The front seats are well bolstered and comfortable.

The rear seats are also nicely shaped and have a fair amount of leg room, although foot room isn’t very generous. Each rear occupants gets a USB-C point, plus an armrest with two drink holders (if you select the performance pack). There is, however, no ventilation – an odd omission given the Born’s isn’t a tiny cabin.

To get proceedings underway one twists a section of the driver’s information screen, which sits behind the steering wheel separate from the dashboard. Turn it hard forward for drive and hard back for reverse, with neutral in the middle and park engaged via a button on the end.

This sounds absurd, but it makes a lot more sense than some of the other gear shifter alternatives.

The ‘knob’ is located behind the upper right of the steering wheel, which can initially feel a bit cacky for someone used to shifting gears left-handed. (For the most part the Born is an EV without weirdness for the sake of it, although the sound system’s volume control is notable exception.

Rather than pressing the button on the steering wheel, you ‘swipe’ up or down on it – all very high-tech, but fiddly and far less convenient.)

Drive modes include economy, sport and Cupra. Economy isn’t slow at all and would be easy to live with in day-to-day commuting. Putting it in sport or Cupra mode unleashes the 170kW/310Nm motor’s full potential and the Born is quick in the way of all EVs with more powerful motors.

While the handling isn’t hot hatch sharp, RWD and sports suspension ensure it negotiates roundabouts and chicanes with competence and ease. An unexpected bonus is the ride; nothing fazes the Born, which cruises over speed humps and potholes with equal indifference.

In regular drive mode there is some slight energy recuperation; a second forward turn of the gear-shifter ‘segment’ puts it into ‘B’ mode for more resistance, although it’s not quite strong enough to allow true one-pedal driving.

The Born’s charging socket is at the rear of the driver’s side, probably the least convenient position for a roadside charger in our market. Unlike most other EVs, the Born’s ‘frunk’ contains mechanical workings rather than an additional storage space.

The 385-litre cargo area is quite deep and long, but not very wide between the wheel arches. There is no spare tyre, only an inflator kit.

Claimed range is 510km or 475km when equipped with the performance pack. After a week zipping around on various suburban errands our Cupra’s range meter still showed 230km. This is where EVs continue to make the most sense – for sustained highway driving, petrol and diesel cars still have a significant edge.

2023 Cupra Born at a glance

Pros: Cushioned ride; peaceful cabin; styling and performance
Cons: Silly volume control; could use stronger regenerative braking