2024 Cupra Born EV: Quick review

Cupra might not be a name you're familiar with yet but a name you may know is SEAT, their parent company– who are actually owned by the Volkswagen Group.

The Spanish brand has been on our shores now for a couple of years with a range of sporty and stylish looking cars– offered in hybrid, electric and petrol powertrains.

In comes the Cupra Born, the brands first all-electric car, a five-seater hatchback with up to 511km of range.

Let's see what the newcomer is bringing into the EV fighting ring.

7

Pricing and features

At $59,990 before on-road costs the Cupra Born is available in a single variant.

State-based EV incentives can move this figure down depending on what current opportunities are.

The vehicle features a power system with an 82kWh gross (77kWh net) battery, capable of getting up to 511 kilometres of range under the WLTP test cycle. This system powers a rear-mounted motor, delivering 170kW of power and 310Nm of torque, which propels the rear wheels.

Cupra claims a 0-100km/h time of 7.0 seconds.

7

7

There are two option packs available on the Cupra Born: The Performance pack for $2600 and Interior Pack for $2900.

The Performance Pack adds larger 20-inch wheels, wider tyres and dynamic chassis control. The Interior Pack changes seat trim to an upcycled plastic trim and adds 12-way power adjustment, heating and massage functionality to the front seats as well as a 9-speaker Beats stereo.

Adding either option pack means you do lose a seat in the back row however, reducing total seating capacity to four.

Safety

In 2022, the Cupra Born received a five star safety rating from ANCAP.

The vehicle is equipped with seven airbags, including front, side chest, side head (curtain), and a center airbag for enhanced passenger protection.

Its safety features extend to Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) with multiple assist systems, Lane Keep and Departure Warning, adaptive cruise control, parking and blind-spot assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and driver attention monitoring, all standard across the range.

7

Key rivals

With similar capabilites in terms of range and relative pricing, the Cupra Born faces off against the:

• Tesla Model 3
• Kia Niro EV
• Polestar 2

7

Should I put it on my shortlist?

Entering the competitive Australian EV market around the $60k price range, the Cupra Born is impressive for its segment, especially appealing to young, urban buyers.

Its compact size doesn't compromise on practicality or driving enjoyment, offering a balance of dynamic performance and sufficient range for city living and beyond.

The Born combines attractive design with effective performance, ensuring it stands out as an electric vehicle that's fun to drive and practical for everyday use, including spontaneous outings and routine errands without range anxiety. Opting for the standard model with an interior pack might be preferable for an everyday ride that emphasizes comfort and style. But if you're wanting to test it out on windier roads, the Performance Pack will be high on you list.