Cupra Born performance, motor & drive

The Cupra Born manages to provide a subtly different, sportier driving experience to the Volkswagen ID.3 it’s so closely related to. The Cupra is offered with or without the brand’s e-Boost technology, which bumps power from 201bhp to 228bhp; while it doesn’t transform the Born into a Cupra Leon-baiting hot hatchback, it does make the car feel a bit more alert.

Cupra Born 0-62mph, top speed and acceleration

Some markets get an entry-level Born with a 45kWh battery and less potent electric motor. This version isn’t currently sold in the UK, though that’s no great shame, as with just 148bhp, we expect it to feel a little lethargic out of town – especially on the motorway. This model does 0-62mph in 8.9 seconds.

Instead, the cheapest model you can buy in Britain comes fitted with a 58kWh battery and more powerful 201bhp motor. Borns with this powertrain will cover 0-62mph in 7.3 seconds, and while it can run out of puff at higher speeds, it’s much better suited to daily driving.

The fastest-accelerating model in the Born range uses a 228bhp motor. Badged ‘e-Boost’ this punchier powertrain is only available on the flashier V2 and V3 specs, but manages to slash the Cupra’s 0-62mph time to just 6.6 seconds – or 31mph from a standstill in 2.6 seconds. 

Go for the bigger battery – also found on the long-range variants of Volkswagen's ID.3 and VW ID.4 – and you’ll get e-Boost as standard, though the heavier battery means the top-spec Cupra isn’t quite as quick; this model will do 0-62mph in seven seconds. 

The Born is rear-drive only for the time being, however, a hot version of the Cupra has been spied testing, and will likely use the same dual-motor powertrain as the Volkswagen ID.3 GTX due to arrive later in 2023.

Handling

On a twisty road, we found the Born handles well and is genuinely enjoyable to drive. The car feels agile thanks to its low centre of gravity and strong grip, and you quickly learn to trust it – using the instant power to usher you out of bends with remarkable ability. 

But this impressive control and agility doesn't come totally at the expense of comfort; we think the smaller 18-inch wheels on V1 cars offer the best balance of ride and handling, but the adept chassis delivers an acceptable level of body control whichever version you go for. Even those on the biggest rims never appear unsettled.

The Born is also available with the speed-sensitive progressive power steering and active dampers that can be added to the ID.3 as part of option packs. The steering is sharp and responsive, and in the most aggressive 'Cupra' setting it's satisfyingly weighty – although there's no corresponding increase in feel or feedback, meaning the Born isn’t as involving as we might like.

One final thing to mention is the Cupra Born’s brakes. The conventional brakes offer good, progressive feel, but even in its most aggressive setting, the regenerative system isn’t strong enough to allow for one-pedal driving. It’s sufficient for slowing the car in faster-flowing traffic or for wide, open bends, but is some way off the strength of the Megane E-TECH's system.