Cupra Born VZ 230 XL Test: Our Opinion on the 77 kWh Battery

77 kWh battery and 548 km range, how does this Cupra Born perform in this first review before its release in June?

We tested the Cupra Born as soon as possible this fall to get an initial opinion. But we were with the 58 kWh battery, the intermediate capacity offered by the Volkswagen Group. Here is our report on the long-range version, equipped with 77 kWh batteries.

Stylish but not boxed in

If you fell for the spirit and youthful styling of this brand derived from Seat, you may have chosen the Born, the Spanish manufacturer’s first 100% electric model.

Developed on the technical platform of a Volkswagen ID.3, this Cupra Born offers a more edgy design. However, it is 6 cm longer (4.32 m), with a roof lowered by 3 cm (1.54 m). Inside, it tries to do slightly better than the Volkswagen. But while some progress has been made in appearance, the intrinsic quality of the materials remains poor. This is unfortunate because the interior space is decent, and the upholstery (recaro seats made from recycled suede costing €1,740) is welcoming.

Cupra Born VZ 2022 rear static — The design is striking, but the trunk volume is much less…

Be careful, having a large battery requires sacrificing space: in this configuration, the car is homologated for four. Without being a benchmark, its trunk is sufficient: 385 liters. This is quite good in absolute terms but below the competition. A Peugeot e-2008, 4.30 m long, offers over 400 liters, while the new Renault Mégane E-Tech, shorter by 11 centimeters, provides 440 liters of cargo space.

A well-equipped Cupra Born with a small bonus

Cupra announced aiming to keep the starting price below 45,000 euros so that buyers can benefit from the ecological bonus of 6,000 euros (and 5,000 euros starting 2023, with the invoice date). Ultimately, with the bonus now dropping below 47,000€ after July 1st, the range respects this threshold to access the maximum aid.

Prices of the Cupra Born in September 2022 :

V 204 hp – Battery L : €44,500
VZ 230 hp – Battery L : €45,500
VZ 230 hp – Battery XL : €46,500

However, it should be noted that despite the comprehensive equipment, the slightest option (20-inch wheels, heat pump, head-up display) will push the price above the threshold, reducing the bonus to €2,000 (or €1,000 in 2023).

In comparison with a Peugeot e-2008, which has similar dimensions, the Cupra is expensive. The Peugeot starts at €38,450 in top trim, excluding the bonus. That’s nearly €7,000 less. But the Peugeot’s power peaks at only 136 hp, with a range limited to 321 km (340 km with the spring update), restricting its usage…

A distinctive driving experience

Those coming from the thermal car world may feel a bit disoriented. The key must be pressed to unlock (but not to lock). Nonetheless, just sit in the driver’s seat and the car becomes operational. No button, just the large stalk on the right of the steering wheel, which must be switched toward the windshield to select D, then drive.

The Cupra Born also offers good sound insulation, even on the highway where it filters air noise well. The capacitive steering wheel buttons, faulty on our unit, give a peculiar feel with their “piano” finish. Ergonomics could be better, even when functioning properly.

On the road, a slight overload of 26 hp is possible for overtaking.

The acceleration is powered by an electric motor that develops up to 230 hp on the rear axle. The 310 Nm of torque make it feel like a sports car. It’s fairly true, as the car can go from 0 to 100 km/h in 7 seconds. Note that the 230 hp (instead of 204 hp) are achieved at peak using the e-boost function, offering a 20 kW power surplus for 30 seconds. This is useful for overtaking, and it also helps preserve the batteries of the Cupra Born.

The vehicle provided to us had the final adaptive suspension installed. This explains the difference in behavior and perceived comfort compared to the pre-series model we tested in December. It seemed more orderly, so there is improvement in this aspect.

A destabilizing tech interior

Equipped with a head-up display with augmented reality, the Born does more than just give jolts through the steering wheel when nearing a white line. It displays small orange arrows on the windshield to encourage staying in the lane. Unlike some cars, this system is intrusive but quite gentle. You don’t necessarily want to turn it off at the first bend.

All functions are managed via a 12.3-inch touchscreen. The Cupra Born has no buttons except for those to switch driving modes, located on the steering wheel. From the central screen, there is a direct tactile shortcut at the bottom of the display, allowing adjustments of temperature or volume by sliding your finger on the plastic.

Cupra Born 2022 head-up display — Getting used to the various functions, mainly handled through the central screen, takes some time.

The screen’s responsiveness is good, but the navigation menus take some time to get used to. After a few days of use, everyone adapts their habits.

What is the real range for the Cupra Born?

The Cupra Born is characterized by an evidently smooth driving experience. Its regenerative braking mode is quite powerful, often avoiding the need to use the brakes, but it does not allow for complete stopping.

Capable of covering long distances thanks to its large 77 kWh battery, it has an homologated consumption between 16 and 16.8 kWh/100 km in mixed cycle. On the highway, consumption can exceed 25 kWh/100 km. This results in about 300 km of range in the worst conditions. According to the official WLTP cycle, the Spanish model could reach 548 kilometers, compared to 417 km with the 58 kWh battery on our model.

Cupra Born on the road — Officially 548 km, but actual range can drop to 300 km on the highway.

On the downside, charging times are long. Expect 7.5 hours to go from 0 to 100% on a 11 kW charger. Alternatively, it takes 36 minutes to go from 5% to 80% on a fast charger of 120 kW (the car accepts up to 135 kW).

Test verdict: our opinion on the Cupra Born VZ 77 kWh

A versatile car, spacious yet compact, original and mainly aimed at frequent drivers committed to electric. That’s how you could summarize the Cupra Born. But standing out comes at a price — that of a certain exclusivity and a level of luxury that is lacking.

Currently unavailable for order or view on the official site, the Cupra Born VZ with 77 kWh battery will be available in June 2022. Its price will probably be below 45,000 euros. Feel free to check the technical sheet of the electric hatchback.