Cupra Born review - a better VW ID.3? | What Car?

[@whatcar]

So what looks better: the Cupra Born or the VW ID.3? And which would you rather have? 👇👇

[@rodrohaque6442]

Id 3

[@pedroalmeida4652]

Cupra

[@barrydoherty636]

Cupra

[@EinkOLED]

Cupra

[@DanRyzESPUK]

Cupra Born

[@mikadavies660]

I like the style of it and I'm sure it will appeal to a younger generation. Hopefully the manufacturers will get it through their thick heads that touch sensitive controls are not wanted & distractingly dangerous!

[@mikadavies660]

@Fergie agreed... There are nicer cars available. And certainly more sporty ones. I was only comparing with the ID3 and Skoda. Which a family cars not stylish. I certainly wouldn't sell my amg for a Cupra... But it looks stylish.

[@aye3678]

Literally, something like touch sensitive controls on a steering wheel would deter me from buying said car. Stupid idea.

[@theactivecoconut6077]

Like the younger generation can afford cars...

[@theactivecoconut6077]

@Fergie Depends on your major. But unless you hit it up big at Google or rich parents buying a 30000 eur car right after graduating is a really irresponsible financial decision

[@mikadavies660]

@@theactivecoconut6077 Leasing a new car is £300 to £500 / month... Are you saying an employed person can't afford that?

[@mybusiness5794]

The Born is a far far better looking car inside and out vs the ID3 which isn't a bad looker ... the Born just looks sharper externally by a mile 👍👍👍👍👍

[@olemars]

All the reviews say the Born will be priced higher than the ID.3 but here in Norway at least the Born ends up cheaper compared to a similarly specced ID.3. The addon packages are laid out more sensibly too and some things that are optional on the ID.3 that I'd consider essential come standard on the Born.

[@andrewclarke9]

I have been getting quotes in the UK recently and the Born is much cheaper to finance. (Salary Sacrifice)

[@MrDeBisschop]

Same here in Belgium. Cupra Born is far cheaper than the ID3. Mostly like you said: ID3 has a lot of optional packages.

[@johnennis3542]

Much prefer the look of the Cupra to the VW but consistently bad reviews of the touch sensitive controls on the steering wheel / climate control would stop me buying anything from the family that uses it.

[@JustAnotherChannel123]

It's weird because I just bought a Formentor and the buttons on the steering wheel are... actually buttons. And they're great. Why would they do away with them?!

[@mikeconnolly6845]

They got a lot bad said about them, but owning an ID4 for a few months now, they are actually very good to use once you get used to them, the air con controls are fine as well, the only annoying thing is the window switches, why on earth would they make a one-step process a two-step process!

[@geoffhemingway3926]

I totally agree. From everything I've seen and read why would you release a whole range of cars that have a pile of dog pooh for an infotainment system?! I'll stick with my wonderful e-Niro until I can change it for the forthcoming ev4!

[@AdrianNelson1507]

@@mikeconnolly6845 thanks Mike, given some hope that my experience of them in the test drive wasn't just optimism!

[@domcobb7205]

One of our family cars is an ID3 and I totally agree with Mike. Touch sensitive buttons need a few days to get used to them but after that you'll learn how to deal with them. I think they are faster than normal buttons, and the idea of sliding for volume and climate is intuitive, and they look better, too. I also agree about buttons for rear windows switches, non that clever. I would also add that sliding surfaces for climate and volume right below the infotainment screen are not backlit, another drawback, but after all I think that the journalist's point of view about Id3's interior is a little bit too extreme.

[@bobfromtadley1867]

First electric car that could tempt me... looks amazing! I dont want a boring box of a car.... id3

[@techieadam5031]

Cupra looks much much better. The placement of the logo on the front of the ID3 makes it look awkward. Cupra made the right decision moving the logo just above the strip at the front

[@CED99]

They should have also made the decision to use proper buttons on the steering wheel and ac unit

[@techieadam5031]

@@CED99 Yes so true. I believe you get haptic feedback on both the ID.3 and Born, but still a button is way more convinient. I'm still considering a Born however as the aesthetics are brilliant imho.

[@luis6674]

I think that all the changes over the ID.3 have been for good. It looks better outside, more special and premium. Same inside, it looks better and more premium (seats, screen, centre console, dashboard, alcantara, copper accents...). The driving seems to be similar for what I'm hearing, but with the progressive steering and adaptive dampers it may be a bit better than the ID.3 even when fitted with those options too. And about the price, I've tried to configure them spec for spec (high spec'ed) and I don't think the Cupra will be more expensive. It may even be significantly cheaper (2-3K quid, though it misses on the matrix headlights, but does get the bigger screen). We'll see in the UK, though. That pricing is from Spain where pricing for Cupra may be more aggressive than in other markets. It will be interesting to see if it's going to have greater appeal for mainstream buyers. The VW badge is not at its highest right now, and Cupra may even be seen as an upgrade (surprisingly, I'd say). So I wouldn't be completely surprised if the Born matches the sales of the ID.3 in Europe by the middle of next year. And VW wanted the ID.3 to be its bestseller in the next few years, so that would be quite something.

[@andreass1060]

Seat and Cupra’ design it so much more appealing that VW theese years

[@vubevube]

it always was

[@ragingsilver]

The cupra born looks so nice! I just hope it's not that much more expensive than the ID3 but happy to hear it's not really an electric hot hatch too.

[@HelloMyFriend_]

I belive its going to be cheaper

[@OffroadTV2023]

*The Cupra logo looks like the sort of tattoo you’d ask for in the 90s*

[@oscarinthemiddle]

Zzz...

[@Mordahay]

in reality they are two opposing C's

[@bbbf09]

Undoubtedly looks better than ID3 inside and out. VW really shot themselves in the foot with the cheap interior of the ID3. I had prebooked to buy ID3 but after I first sat inside I cancelled. This car was my 2nd choice but it took forever to arrive so gave up and bought a Tesla.

[@philmorbey1827]

I had similar feelings about the ioniq 5 was really interested but dealer's could never tell me when I might see one and was disappointed by the lack of a heat pump in all but the top of the range so I bought a tesla too!

[@deangregoric4735]

WV never shoots its self remember that WV controls seat so hole idea of born design is as much from seat than its from WV in other words WV planed this

[@chrisoconnell2066]

It looks better than the ID3. My only fear is the resale value in comparison to the Id3. Video is very good, So concise all the important information is in the video. This car is definitely worth a look with its price tag

[@Lot76CARS]

It looks far less anonymous than the VW product. The styling is an improvement, especially at the front. With ID3 being discounted they will find it hard to justify a a big price premium...

[@WildReefer]

Based on this review it may have been better suited to a SEAT badge than a Cupra one.

[@mtumasz]

It looks CUPRA but needs more power to drive CUPRA

[@CED99]

Originally it was only supposed to have the big 77kWh battery and largest motor... seems like Cupra like moving down market to get more market share

[@alfrredd]

It was originally going to be a Seat (a cheaper ID3) but then VW decided that they couldn't price it lower than the ID3 (they wouldn't want it to take away sales from vw) so Seat had to move it up to Cupra to justify the price hike; still they couldn't change anything about the power train or performance. So it's more of a luxury version of the ID3.

[@ianprice7776]

I’ve got your ID3, and I have no problem whatsoever with the touch buttons.

[@dan.h210]

Should start at ca 240hp 2wd and have an ca 330hp awd option

[@NakisaSoltanKashefi]

Whatcar reviews are one of the best in the UK 👌👏 great review as always 👍

[@TassieEV]

1000% better looking than the ID.3 plus it's coming to Australia unlike any 'official' VW badged EV's as per their disagreement with current Australian political leadership in our federal government. I still think it looks like a hot hatch so class it as such.

[@Apipoulai]

Bonus points for wearing Cupra colours. -- A proud Cupra driving fanboy.

[@GolfAlh]

Nice and honest rewiew, keep up the good work!

[@arnoldtabor3767]

Me praying that the Cupra/SEAT would've had physical buttons not the touch sensitive stuff, just for VW to test out what people like ... but nopeeeee... shouldve had the SEAT badge with its performance, they shouldve extended the wheelbase to made a kinda ID3.5 with dual motors and AWD and then put the cupra badge on that ... like a baby non luxury taycan

[@alfrredd]

It was originally going to be a SEAT el-born but VW didn't like a cheaper and better looking ID3 taking away sales from VW.

[@albertasandruskevicius9683]

Looks 10 times better then vw I'd 3

[@oliverstemp9132]

Its a very good option, looks better than the id 3 as well

[@jesperlindegaardberg7333]

Cupra Pricing for Denmark is here and its around 10% cheaper than corresponding ID3 !!! GREAT value for money

[@BHBeckenbauer]

Surprised to see quite how much they’ve carried over from ID3 the doors and glass and some of the panels are exactly the same

[@kimhansen2712]

Bought a Born 👌👌👌

[@wassimkr4510]

I really like Cupra's design but I HATE copper, why is there not an option to remove the copper bits? It would look a lot better in black for example

[@carlosjustiz5768]

My humble opinion...cupra is one of the more excited brands at the moment the formentor & born excellent cars to looks and drive...

[@x3merx3mer]

Tall hatchback with a short bonnet and small ground clearance = MPV After Formentor I thought all Cupras are gonna look fantastic. I was wrong. ...but yeah, it looks better than ID3 if that is some sort of achievement.

[@Cloudrak]

Well it does save space

[@gerryheery1388]

thanks for the honest review the cupra looks far better than that horrible overpriced id3 if vw had put a decent interior into the id3 a lot more people would have bought them

[@StephenButlerOne]

The e-boost is worth the upgrade just for the cool buttons on the steering wheel. The placebo efect alone is worth 30hp

[@timw4369]

0-60 doesn't matter. It's not a race car so it is just dumb to even give those numbers. We want lower cost better range and quicker charging. The rest doesn't matter.

[@christopherbourne917]

Looks great and if it lands in Australia before the ID 3 even more better.

[@moonbaby6134]

As someone who needs a smaller car but with a larger range than even the largest Born, I’m going to be waiting a while. Living in an old house with a very narrow street, that cannot have any further infrastructure updates, it’s difficult to even consider an electric car.

[@jedoka]

Since the interior of the ID3 is an issue, it seems that a Cupra Born might be the better choice - depending upon the price!

[@CED99]

It still lacks proper buttons, so you might have to fork out for an Audi to get them

[@gonota72]

The styling is amazing!

[@anielloliguori6312]

Got the latest Leon, car is brilliant to drive! however Infotainment system is bloody awful! Very distracting trying to use it! also seems to have a mind of its own!

[@brianiswrong]

I thought,like for like a VW was suppose to cost more than a seat,as it's THE premium brand of the maker.

[@simonwong5057]

Design wise so much better then the ID3, shame they haven’t done a version of the ID4

[@WorldwideHypercars]

In Spain, the Cupra Born is actually cheaper than the ID3

[@scronkfinkle1408]

Cute. Buuuuuut the review I'm waiting is Volvo C40. I need it!

[@ram64man]

It’s a real shame they fixed the outside door more paint options (that vs should fit to the Id ) but still didn’t fit 4 window switches or that terrible infotainment touch sensors and why no matrix headlights as an option ?

[@alastairsewell6044]

I'm certainly not young, but am still drawn to the looks of the Cupra Born over the ID3.

[@ijharley68]

As my Tesla SR+ lease is about to expire, could I be tempted by this or get another Tesla? Price would certainly be a factor, but I’m really concerned with the ID3 and Born overall experience. I’m not loving either to be honest, and I do love my Tesla.

[@Hargan]

I know it's been years now but I still don't understand why Cupra seperated from Seat. The rear even looks similar to the latest Leon. VW bosses have left Seat with no place in the range. They were the sporty brand. But now that's Cupra. Anyway, the Born does look better than an ID3, but the Cupra name implies more performance

[@CED99]

Cupra was supposed to be semi premium and performance, but they seem to be diluting that all the time leaving only the 'slightly' nicer interior

[@davethefab6339]

Like the styling but rest of I’m really not bothered.

[@AssassinCreep2552]

I like it and would buy one if it gets at least 300 miles. Of range and sells for $40,00 or less.

[@gesp5151]

Problem is the base VW EV platform is not up to much: the car doesn’t charge per technical page on website so you’ll get more like a mere 20kw on 6 hours overnight (allegedly a battery safe issue! Safe for who!?). DC charging is also poor - more like 50/55 mins to get 20% to 80% and for a modest battery that’s a very short amount of real mileage. There’s a lot better options

[@BNHardwarereviews]

Do you know if the E boost performance pack will be a on Payed air upgrade later aswell? like in tesla. since is the same mortor and stuff anyway... want to order my now, but cant get it with the e boost pack before next year.

[@simonhodgetts6530]

It looks like an ID3 that has had a front end smash. Nasty logo too.

[@kaigordon2900]

Tricky one bc ID.3 styling suits proportions even if the cuora is the more stylish car, it kind of looks like a sporty hatch that accidently got fat

[@Vulpi77]

I so another to another channel like yours and they drive on limit and is nice to drive like hot hatch similar They are surprise ❤️ It was on serpentine road 😊

[@globalimpactinstitute]

Tested id4 and the controls drove me nuts. Also acceleration was nothing exciting -my current cd220 mercedes does better in sports+. Will be same here with the born. Plus if you ever tried a model 3 - even 'just' SR+ - not mentioning LR , the performance of the born is wayyyy off. Still waiting for a true sport hatchback that could beat M3 in performance even though that is 'just' a sedan. But performance is just insanely great. So far my top choice is still M3lr

[@jonpetter8921]

ID 4 is a SUV and the acceleration is fast enough compared to most ICE SUV with in the same pricerange. If you want speed you can buy the AWD version.

[@PaulTC97]

Its called "Born" because of El Born neighborhood in Barcelona.

[@kofib3]

I prefer the Cupra. Without the badge on the bonnet..

[@DaraM73]

Even if one can’t agree on Doug’s opinion, I certainly think his surname is particularly apt.

[@supersonic79]

Looks great! Sorry ID3. Disappointing that’s it’s more expensive though.

[@pedroalmeida4652]

Is the largar battery version a 4-seater only as the ID3, or has Cupra gone with 3 seats in the back instead?

[@chargedup8491]

Still only 2 in the back.

[@pedroalmeida4652]

@@chargedup8491 Thanks. Pity...

[@HelloMyFriend_]

Didn't the id3 get an upgrade in that area. I believe that the newer id3's have three seats in the largest battery model.

[@clasqm]

Does anyone who is not a car reviewer obsess about "hard plastics"? As long as it is soft where I rest my elbows, I'm cool.

[@Timson254]

Like the front end better than the VW… more traditional car looking and sportier looking - especially in the darker colours. Given this, if it were a case of same spec and same price, I’d have the Cupra .

[@MarkJT1000]

I was really interested in this until we were told it had the same stupid touch controls as the ID3. Not for me then thanks.

[@markplayford5836]

The born looks way better, however I could not buy a car without manual heating controls. All electric cars are way out of my price range and the UK charging network is pretty rubbish too.

[@CarComparos]

This has been decimated by the MG4 XPOWER, lets move on..

[@jcc1451]

Cupra born definitely looks better and more sporty and distinctive.

[@hankthetank185]

That's a shame the Born wasn't "Born to be wild" The looks are certainly better than the ID3.

[@lukasnovikas2838]

The name says it all "Cupra is Born"

[@PaulTC97]

Its called "Born" because of El Born neighborhood in Barcelona.

[@theoneandonlybenjamin]

for me the best looking electric hatchback is the e208, this is just as good looking if not a little better. The interior though is nowhere near as good as the e208.

[@AlastairMaw]

It's a totally different size inside, though - the 208 is tiny in the back in comparison to ID.3 / Cupra Born

[@theoneandonlybenjamin]

@@AlastairMaw alrighty then. What about the new 308 then. Just a subtle evolution of the 208 and also miles ahead in terms of styling than the Born/ID3

[@ginetteveugelers970]

I like the Cupra Born but i am loyal to VW. Will either be available in Canada anytime soon?

[@MotorTorq_ZA]

I hope they make an id 3 gti

[@NotFound-iu8wx]

Looks fantastic

[@roberth.7260]

Why are car makers all moving away from physical buttons on climate controls when every car reviewer universally hates them! I have a 2017 Renault Scenic and I like pretty much everything about it except the screen-based controls for the aircon! They can be quite dangerous to use when driving and are much less safe than using a hands-free phone where the controls are on the steering wheel!

[@magnuscrispin4197]

Why dont everyone just buy a Zoe 50 kw, all the range u need for a fair pirice

[@basfinnis]

Because some people want to drive to Cornwall and it not take 10hrs 😉

[@magnuscrispin4197]

@@basfinnis i recharge mine in 30 minutes, but maybe we have more superchargers in Sweden 🤣

[@Matt-vq8jz]

Disappointing overall. Thought I’d be interested but think I’ll pass.

[@chrisoconnell2066]

Cupra born is the better looking car

[@jamesbutler606]

Being an id3 owner I was thinking, hmm, Capra have a nice alternative to the id3…i find mine really willowy and handles like a trifle (comparing with a mk7 GTi Performance on PS4 tyres) maybe a decent tyre is all the id actually needs, oh, and the ability to adjust TC would be lovely

[@ruxy5044]

what should I get a tesla model s and a ford expoler st or a c8 and a model y I have a big family of 5 people

[@deansh8506]

Stunning

[@JunkerOnDrums]

VW ID.3 have the best looks :D

[@sasoperme]

Whatever VW makes, Skoda and Seat upgrades so the car has better reliability, looks better and is cheaper.

[@lysycdatom]

Cupra Born don't look like others electric cars and that 👍but no sound and you will know but not on a first look

[@mell3109]

And he shoots and misses!! If they had changed the steering wheel and gotten rid of the daft buttons AND dug their heels in and given actual buttons for the air con then this would have jumped to the top of the pile. Why don’t the designers not know this, school boy error where designers are led by the money men.

[@andyastrand]

And given it enough CPU power to actually have a responsive interface and not a slideshow

[@MarkVanReeth]

Rubbish touch sensitive buttons will probably drive me absolutely nuts. I hated them with a passion when I test drove the ID.4. Why do these people insist on taking technology that has been perfected for ages, like decent tactile buttons, and ruining it?

[@MrGMawson2438]

What's the price?

[@alivebythegraceofgod2935]

Teslas battery pack and software would make this a really desireable car.

[@wayneheyes904]

IF priced right this will sell very well

[@tomquimby8669]

Waiting for the gtx 4wd version, then it makes sense to buy. come on VW wake up!

[@zy0_]

Really wish it didn't have so many touch buttons

[@redjohn20001]

The Skoda Enyaq is preferable to the VW ID4 and the Cupra Born is preferable to the VW ID3. What are VW doing?

[@臺灣是國家臺灣是國家]

Nice looking car.

[@NorthernMigrationTravel]

You are having a laugh… It’s pretty much identical to the ID3 in design apart from the front. What a joke!

[@maddogcustoms9207]

Cupra by miles! There hasnt been a nice looking Golf since the MK2. boring beyond belief. Cupra looks fantastic

[@x3merx3mer]

7sec 0-100 is hot hatch only by gasoline standards ..barely Definitely not by EV standards.

[@HelloMyFriend_]

0-50 is faster than a gti though. You'll outrun almost every car at a light.

[@x3merx3mer]

@@HelloMyFriend_ rarely any new EV though. No Tesla or even Ioniq5, which is not meant to be super fast...and it's big, but it's still faster than this "hot hatch".

[@alangordon3283]

What are the Audi and Skoda versions going to be

[@lj2684]

They’re already out there’s the Skoda Enyaq and the Audi Q4 e-tron

[@alangordon3283]

@@lj2684 based on the Id4 though 🤷‍♂️

[@lj2684]

@@alangordon3283 oh yeah I don’t know then they’ll probably leave the lineup as it is I expect for now 🤷

[@mrt8096]

That's an odd way to say: buy the EV6.

[@HybridViking]

OH MY GOD STOP PUTTING TOUCH BUTTONS ON THE WHEEEEEEL AAAAAAAAAH! Seriously please! Also give us a nice panel for AC with buttons! PLEASE!

[@kaufuss]

Cheaper than id.3 in Denmark

[@Buzz-Entertainment]

It blows my mind why the infotainment has to be so god damn bad in every modern car. I mean, it's almost 15 years since the iPhone was released, and yet car manufactures can't figure out how to make a proper responsive screen. I was actually gonna consider this car because I think it looks fantastic, but seeing how laggy the screen is, it's a total no go for me. I guess Tesla is the only way to go, if you want a proper screen that actually responds. It's like, come on! Why would you save a few dollars on cheap hardware to make it this laggy. I refuse to believe that a software update can fix the problem, it looks more like a slow CPU or ram issues.

[@JP_RS6]

Problem I have with Cupra shooting off as its own brand is I see it as a performance brand, I own a cupra 290 so of course I will lol. So seeing non-performance formentors and leon cupras coupled with these just dilutes the brand for me.

[@TsLeng]

Tricky one. Sharing parts means a cupra won't be any more special drivetrain wise than the rest of VAG. Even Bentleys use engines etc shared with audis so...

[@JP_RS6]

@@TsLeng This is why I seen it better as a sport department to seat, like what AMG is to Merc, the R is to golf and the S/RS is to audis, so on so forth. I actually like VAG group cars for the most part, the EA888 4 cylinder hand been good to me :) I understand the sharing parts, it makes total sense, but the name means nothing any more, its not a sport brand any more. You see a cupra formentor with a 1.4L petrol engine and 155ps and think see it no different to the 310ps 2.0L until they floor it. Its just another offshoot brand now. I suppose it gives my Cupra 290 a sleeper like quality. Every one except those who know think its just another Leon.

[@TsLeng]

@@JP_RS6 agree. I have a Skoda superb with the EA888 and that's a sleeper like no other 😂.

[@MotorTorq_ZA]

I’d rather have a Vauxhall mokka-e Peugeot e-2008 or Citroen e c4