2023 Cupra Born Review - THE Electric Hot Hatch

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With the Cupra brand previously focused on sporty and hot hatches, and the market slowly leaning towards the electric future, can the first mainstream hot hatch live up to its petrol-powered rivals? Based on the VW ID-3, the Cupra Born is a sustainable, environmentally friendly look into the future of fun small cars.
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[@davidrolfe9571]

If you drive in `B` mode, you can vary the degree of regeneration just by adjusting the pressure you apply to the accelerator pedal. If you need to slow more than max regen gives you, lift your foot completely from the throttle and press the brake pedal, as you are already at max regen, the brake pedal will then feel just like any `normal` (non EV) car as foot pressure on the pedal is now all `pad to disc` / `linings to drum`.

[@StephenButlerOne]

Got a MY25 last year, you get used to the touch buttons really quick, and I don't accidentally push the wheel buttons hardly ever. But I had an 2019 Leon cupra back then, and that wheel was probably the nicest wheel I've owned or used. Leon /Cupra have had 2 revisions since. I have no idea why. They had it nailed down back then. Had my Born V3 e boost, for a while now, and I do really like it. The dynamica seats are amazing, and it's turn of pace is very nice. Very swift.

[@Simon67316]

Really good review with a some different perspectives from other ones if seen. 👍

[@agrooy7737]

Mine got ordered last week and is coming next week, really fast turnaround for me, I’m going from a 300bhp cupra Leon to the full electric born, fingers crossed it’s not a massive mistake, 😨😱😁 btw, I’ve tried to watch loads of reviews on the cupra born but never made it through because they were boring, but you my friend, had a way of keeping my attention, you were by far the best reviewer I’ve watched, keep up the good work and keep safe. 🤙

[@stefanlageambecker6077]

I have the same problem.

[@gesp5151]

I’d be very interested if you can put up with it! Big ask in my experience. Good luck

[@box.10]

How is/was your Born experience? I am quick and worked it out that you must have 12 months driving experience already?

[@agrooy7737]

@@box.10 it’s been a good decision so far, it’s still a fast, responsive car, very comfortable and of course, it’s saving me a ton of money not having to fuel up. I’m even more lucky than most because I can charge it for free at work and my deal meals that insurance, maintenance and tyres are all included so I definitely can’t complain in this ever increasing inflation world we live in. Back to the car, the range on a full charge shows around 220 in summer, around 170 in winter but in either case, it seems to use it slightly faster than this but that could be attributed to my heavy foot. The drive is very enjoyable, there is enough setting to change the dynamics of the drive experience such as range, as opposed to performance. The heating/cooling is fast, I didn’t think I’d ever need heated seats or steering wheel but it turns out that I do, it’s a great feature for them frosty mornings. The cupra app is great for setting the temperature from the comfort of indoors or out and about knowing that your car will be toasty inside and with defrosted windows, so no more scraping ice off or sat in your vehicle waiting for it to warm up. I use to hate waiting to be able to see clearly enough through frozen foggy windows before I could set off. All in all, it’s been a good experience , I do really miss my 300bhp cupra though, as it was quicker but on the other hand it did used to cost me a fortune. Good luck if you get one, I think you’ll be happy with it. Stay safe, take care.

[@StephenButlerOne]

A two week turnaround. I ordered mine two weeks ago and got about 8weeks to go 😢 How are you getting on with it?

[@bjorns4917]

Interesting about the colour. In Sweden Aurora Blue and Vapor Gray are the most expensive colours.

[@AutoHouseMotoring]

Great review man! This or the ID.3 is an absolute no brainer

[@gesp5151]

Both suffer the same very poor charging platform

[@timvinall4802]

Brilliant review!

[@ItsDanLatham]

Thanks Tim!

[@gesp5151]

Problem is it doesn’t perform to the statements on the Cupra website technical drop down page so actual charging is very slow on dc (50-55 mins in practise for 20-80% of battery) and more often than not half charging on ac so really like a granny charger

[@iain8837]

It does if the battery is warm and conditioned.

[@gesp5151]

No it doesn’t!! I have all the data from every single charging session and it never even hit a peak of the rate it needed to average to meet stated performance!! VW solicitor said statement was a “range” , I replied and said it’s never in the range: no reply! If VW’s own lawyers can’t defend it, that’s pretty telling

[@gesp5151]

One experiment was driving on a warm day until battery at 20% and then going straight on to a 350 ned supercharger- still never hit the figure it needed to do throughout the 5-80% to achieve stated figure! Waste of my time

[@iain8837]

@@gesp5151 So what’s your peak charging rate you have had on DC? What does your charging curve look like?

[@gesp5151]

The stated performance is 5-80% in 35 minutes on a 58(62) battery. So 75% of 58 is 43.5 so in 35 minutes it needs to average 75kwh over that range. The best I’ve ever achieved was 72 on ionity once - all this has been scheduled out to Listers and VWs solicitors in detail and none of my figures have ever been challenged at all! Not anything. Not one charge, one number: nothing. It simply doesn’t perform ever at that stated level. In contrast my BMW i4 just hits the numbers ever single time regardless of weather or battery level (as long as below 80 obviously).

[@Rusties844]

I read that the e-boost versions have better brakes

[@StephenButlerOne]

@@Rusties844 uprated brakes yes, however I hear the "lesser" breaks feel a bit more progressive feel. Though I've not noticed any really issues on my MY25 60kw e boost v3.

[@alexb2612]

I test drove a v3 e boost and Megane E tech. The E tech is far nicer, so that's what I'm getting 😊

[@alanmiller63]

Interesting that the detractors don’t own a Puma. Says a lot about them. 0:09

[@Marks-Garage]

Just to give you an idea of my journey to Cupra ownership it has to be said its been a disaster. Ordered in may 2022. ETA was December 2022. Now we are approaching July 2023 and my car hasn't showed up as of yet. Issues so far according to dealership, couldn't get a spare key for 5 weeks, during PDI they found drivetrain failure error on dash. Apparently this issue is affecting over 300 cars. I officially requested a cancellation of my order on Friday because the whole process has been a total farce. It could just be a poor dealership but the fact hundreds of cars left the factory with defects really does make you question the build quality.

[@ItsDanLatham]

Sorry to hear you’ve had such a bad experience. I get a lot of success stories of owners, but I had a similar issue with my local dealership also with my Cupra Leon, and have also worked with someone recently who had some issues with a brand new one. It’s a shame because they represent decent value when they are done right. I think in terms of the dealership network, they need to take a leaf out of the books of places like Lexus and Volvo, who are always praised for exceptional aftersales. Its a shame, because the people higher up seem great to deal with in my experience, and the media/press team have always been great with me too. Hope you figure it out!

[@Marks-Garage]

@@ItsDanLatham Im thinking of going down the Niro EV route. So far since Feb last year ive ordered..... XC40 (cancelled by volvo) MGZS (cancelled by MG) and the Cupra Born (cancelled by me). I know the Niro is a capable car and just had a watch of your review of one 👍👍

[@ItsDanLatham]

@@Marks-Garage honestly as everyday cars to live with, I think the Kias are up there as some of the very best currently. My personal favourite is the Sportage Hybrid, but the Niro EV was a great all rounder. Thanks for watching and good luck with the decision!

[@gesp5151]

I think Kia is best option after BMW i4.

[@ram64man]

And 77kwh models can’t have a glass roof / or sunroof option

[@iain8837]

I guess this wright limit will be resolved like it has been on the ID facelift.

[@screechmr2]

nice car but definitely not a hot hatch, it's too slow for that, would've been classed as a hot hatch 20 years ago but today it's a warm/tepid hatch

[@iain8837]

Only journalists advertise it as a Hot Hatch. Cupra doesn't.

[@deadstreet1675]

44k for an electric hothatche. Ouch... Just seen these on auto trader for 25k. Only a few K Miles on them. Feel sorry for anyone who paid top dollar for one..

[@ItsDanLatham]

@@deadstreet1675 pretty much all EV’s are depreciating like this at the moment - definitely worth looking at slightly used instead of brand new!

[@deadstreet1675]

@ItsDanLatham yer I think your 100% right with that... tbf I actually really like the car and I'm a fan of cupra. Just car prices r going nuts atm...

[@mogwaix666]

"Uses Wireless Apple CarPlay, chances back to normal system, takes a moment" NOT SNaPPY ENOUGH for me! Uhh.... The *Wiggly finger* generation....

[@ItsDanLatham]

@@mogwaix666 I drive an awful lot of different cars, and the VW group stuff is usually the most inconsistent and buggy - you’ll see this opinion pretty much industry wide. It’s getting better, and newer versions don’t necessarily have the same complaints I have here

[@mogwaix666]

@@ItsDanLatham Well...MG-> Horribad. Byd->Horribad. Lexus->Bad. Opel->Bad. Ford->Bad. Bonus: Tesla->Worse by every update. It's just hyperbole. People of the "Wiggly finger"-generation have the exact same problems with physical buttons. They just don't notice it the same. No sane person uses their phones like 5 year olds, but somehow, using your cars infotainment must be used like that.

[@kenc8359]

The rear looks horrible. I still prefer the dash and cabin of a real car, not laptops ir screens. No thanks.

[@r200ti]

So by planting a tree it means mining Lithium and cobalt is perfectly healthy? ok........

[@Birmingham_racing]

I like this car but wish it had more power like over 300bhp. It would attract more people but either way I wouldn't be buying one

[@mharro88]

Hardly a hot hatch. Its overpriced and slow

[@iain8837]

It's not advertised as a Hot Hatch anywhere. Being overpriced and slow is completely objective.