First Drive: Cupra’s new hot hatch is a car ‘reborn’

What is it?

The old Born was the brand’s first EV and the new car looks to continue that legacy of electrifying performance, teamed with everyday usability. With rivals including the Volkswagen ID.3, MG4 EV, and Renault Megane E-Tech, there are plenty of competitors to choose from, so we’ve been to Madrid to see if this new car is still worth considering.

What’s new?

On the outside, changes are kept to a minimum and the car very much looks like the old Cupra Born that we all know and love. However, there are a few subtle changes, including revised bumpers, new lighting signatures and fresh wheel designs.

What’s under the bonnet?

In terms of charging speeds, the VZ that we drove has a maximum capacity of 183kW, meaning a 10-80% charge will take 29 minutes, although this reduces to 26 minutes in the less powerful base car, which has a charging capability of 105kW.

What’s it like to drive?

On the twistier stretch of road above Madrid, the car felt grippy and nimble through the bends and while the addition of fake engine noise may not be to everyone’s taste, it does at least add a sense of occasion that is sorely missing in a lot of EVs. The steering, while maybe a touch on the light side, feels well-connected in most environments – although it did become a little twitchy at higher speeds.

How does it look?

Starting at the front, the Born’s sharp lighting signature and angular detailing give it a more aggressive stance than most compact EVs, while Cupra’s trademark copper accents also catch the eye nicely. Around the back, the light bar and distinctive clusters also help it stand out at night, contributing to a thoroughly modern look.

What’s it like inside?

The central console is dominated by a 12.9-inch infotainment screen, which is also far more responsive than the old car, while our test car also benefited from an optional panoramic fixed glass roof that allowed light to pour in, making the cabin feel like a thoroughly pleasant place to sit. This was also helped by the high level of comfort, brought by the bucket seats which not only look great but also feel supportive and offer an excellent driving position.

For a compact car, the Born is actually surprisingly spacious, especially for rear passengers who are given extra space by the flat floor, contributing to an interior which feels genuinely premium compared to both its rivals and its predecessor.

What’s the spec like?

There’s also a compact 5.3-inch driver’s display as well as a useful augmented reality head-up display on higher trims. Practicality is also strong for the class, with a 385-litre boot that’s on par with traditional family hatchbacks like the VW Golf.

In terms of range, Cupra claims that the basic Born can do up to 300 miles between trips to the plug, while the range-topping VZ can achieve 392.

Verdict

It can be easy for naysayers to be critical of EVs, accusing them of having no personality and being dull, but that is certainly not the case for the Born. In a field of pretty conservative hatchbacks, it manages to stand out by being genuinely sporty, exciting and fun to drive.

It looks great, the interior feels premium, and, as a driver’s car, it proves that the hot hatch most certainly is not dead.