2023 CUPRA BORN e-Boost Review
Cupra is one of Ireland’s fastest growing car brands and the Born electric hatchback shows us exactly why. We test the 231hp Cupra Born e-Boost.
Review
Pros: Sporty looks, agile handling, performance.
Cons: Fiddly touchscreen, gets expensive.
Cupra Born e-Boost Design
The Cupra Born uses the same batteries and underpinnings as the ID.3 from sister brand Volkswagen. But the Born’s sporty, aggressive design really sets it apart. The Born has all the design cues of a hot hatchback - large wheels, sportier bumpers, side sills and diffuser-effect in the rear bumper. There’s a unique set of front LED headlamps with signature triangular LED daytime running lights. Around the back, the Born gets a full width light bar that adds sophistication. 18-inch alloy wheels come as standard, with more powerful e-Boost versions sitting on 19-inch and the option to upgrade to 20-inch with performance tyres. Cupra’s signature copper detailing features around the car, contrasting well against a range of unique colours like Aurora Blue, Vapour Grey and Quasar Grey.
Cupra Born e-Boost Interior
The Born’s cabin feels spacious and comfortable thanks to its bespoke EV platform and clever use of space. There’s an instant sporty ambience with gorgeous sports seats finished in soft fabric, more of Cupra’s signature copper trim, and unique Cupra graphics for the infotainment system and digital instrument cluster. The Cupra-branded steering wheel looks great and e-Boost versions feature two satellite buttons to quickly access the Born’s sportier driving modes for a little more fun behind the wheel. The cabin quality up front is also one of the best of the segment with nice fabric detail and good quality plastics.
A large 12-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto comes as standard. The Born’s minimalist dashboard design means that most of the car’s functions are operated from the screen, including the ventilation controls. They are a bit fiddly to use but it’s the only real chink in the Born’s armour. Otherwise this is a great cabin for a compact electric hatchback. Other standard features include heated steering wheel, heated front seats, reversing camera and wireless smartphone charging.
The full width flat floor means there’s good legroom in the back and headroom is okay too. The 385-litre boot is practical but there's nowhere clever to hide away the charging cables when not in use.
Cupra Born e-Boost Performance & Drive
There are two batteries on offer. The 58kWh battery offers up to 427 kilometres of range, while the larger 77kWh promises up to 552 kilometres on a single charge. The standard fit 204hp motor offers good performance for a compact electric hatchback. But the e-Boost performance package crams in a bit more power (231hp) while bringing down that 0-100km/h time to just 6.6 seconds in the Cupra 58kWh e-Boost, offering the best performance of the range and stronger front brakes.
Cupra made a few tweaks to the Born to make it sportier than the ID.3. It shares the same smoothness and refinement but a sports suspension as standard does make the Born more agile and engaging in fast corners, without compromising too much in the way of ride comfort. While it can't rival a Volkswagen Golf GTI for the drama and noise of a petrol-powered hot hatch, it can certainly compete in performance and handling. The Born is extremely athletic and the quick steering makes it feel more alert and driver-focused than rivals. The special Cupra mode unleashes all the power and all the torque instantly, helping the Born 58kWh e-Boost reach 50km/h in just 2.6 seconds!
DC fast charging is available up to 120kW for the Born 58kWh, while AC charging is possible up to 11kW.
Cupra Born e-Boost Pricing
The Cupra Born 58kWh is available from €40,080 including grants, while the 58kWh e-Boost is available from €45,830. The Born 77kWh e-Boost is available from €51,890.
Carzone Verdict
Like almost all electric hatchbacks on sale, the Born is not cheap - particularly with the e-Boost package. Hot hatch looks and a sporty cabin help the Born to stand out, but there’s substance to its style. The Born has the basics covered, like a practical interior, comfortable drive and decent battery range too. It’s an excellent driver's car too, with some genuine zero emission thrills possible behind the wheel. The frustrating lack of practical buttons in the cabin to operate some basic controls is a small glitch in an otherwise brilliant electric hatchback.
2023 CUPRA BORN e-Boost Review
Cupra is one of Ireland’s fastest growing car brands and the Born electric hatchback shows us exactly why. We test the 231hp Cupra Born e-Boost.
Review
Pros: Sporty looks, agile handling, performance.
Cons: Fiddly touchscreen, gets expensive.
Cupra Born e-Boost Design
The Cupra Born uses the same batteries and underpinnings as the ID.3 from sister brand Volkswagen. But the Born’s sporty, aggressive design really sets it apart. The Born has all the design cues of a hot hatchback - large wheels, sportier bumpers, side sills and diffuser-effect in the rear bumper. There’s a unique set of front LED headlamps with signature triangular LED daytime running lights. Around the back, the Born gets a full width light bar that adds sophistication. 18-inch alloy wheels come as standard, with more powerful e-Boost versions sitting on 19-inch and the option to upgrade to 20-inch with performance tyres. Cupra’s signature copper detailing features around the car, contrasting well against a range of unique colours like Aurora Blue, Vapour Grey and Quasar Grey.
Cupra Born e-Boost Interior
The Born’s cabin feels spacious and comfortable thanks to its bespoke EV platform and clever use of space. There’s an instant sporty ambience with gorgeous sports seats finished in soft fabric, more of Cupra’s signature copper trim, and unique Cupra graphics for the infotainment system and digital instrument cluster. The Cupra-branded steering wheel looks great and e-Boost versions feature two satellite buttons to quickly access the Born’s sportier driving modes for a little more fun behind the wheel. The cabin quality up front is also one of the best of the segment with nice fabric detail and good quality plastics.
A large 12-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto comes as standard. The Born’s minimalist dashboard design means that most of the car’s functions are operated from the screen, including the ventilation controls. They are a bit fiddly to use but it’s the only real chink in the Born’s armour. Otherwise this is a great cabin for a compact electric hatchback. Other standard features include heated steering wheel, heated front seats, reversing camera and wireless smartphone charging.
The full width flat floor means there’s good legroom in the back and headroom is okay too. The 385-litre boot is practical but there's nowhere clever to hide away the charging cables when not in use.
Cupra Born e-Boost Performance & Drive
There are two batteries on offer. The 58kWh battery offers up to 427 kilometres of range, while the larger 77kWh promises up to 552 kilometres on a single charge. The standard fit 204hp motor offers good performance for a compact electric hatchback. But the e-Boost performance package crams in a bit more power (231hp) while bringing down that 0-100km/h time to just 6.6 seconds in the Cupra 58kWh e-Boost, offering the best performance of the range and stronger front brakes.
Cupra made a few tweaks to the Born to make it sportier than the ID.3. It shares the same smoothness and refinement but a sports suspension as standard does make the Born more agile and engaging in fast corners, without compromising too much in the way of ride comfort. While it can't rival a Volkswagen Golf GTI for the drama and noise of a petrol-powered hot hatch, it can certainly compete in performance and handling. The Born is extremely athletic and the quick steering makes it feel more alert and driver-focused than rivals. The special Cupra mode unleashes all the power and all the torque instantly, helping the Born 58kWh e-Boost reach 50km/h in just 2.6 seconds!
DC fast charging is available up to 120kW for the Born 58kWh, while AC charging is possible up to 11kW.
Cupra Born e-Boost Pricing
The Cupra Born 58kWh is available from €40,080 including grants, while the 58kWh e-Boost is available from €45,830. The Born 77kWh e-Boost is available from €51,890.
Carzone Verdict
Like almost all electric hatchbacks on sale, the Born is not cheap - particularly with the e-Boost package. Hot hatch looks and a sporty cabin help the Born to stand out, but there’s substance to its style. The Born has the basics covered, like a practical interior, comfortable drive and decent battery range too. It’s an excellent driver's car too, with some genuine zero emission thrills possible behind the wheel. The frustrating lack of practical buttons in the cabin to operate some basic controls is a small glitch in an otherwise brilliant electric hatchback.