Used CUPRA Born cars

CUPRA originated as the performance arm of the SEAT brand but is now a carmaker in its own right. The Born is the second bespoke model from the Spanish brand and first appeared at the Geneva Motor Show in 2019. Arriving in showrooms in 2021, it’s an all-electric family hatchback that boasts a sharp design, incorporating slender, angled headlights, and sweeping curves.

CUPRA Born updates and facelifts

Launched in 2021, the CUPRA Born is expected to undergo a facelift in 2024. A key addition to the lineup is the VZ specification, which delivers improved performance.

The model is based on the same underpinnings as the Volkswagen ID.3 and the latter is therefore a close rival. Other competition comes from the Renault Megane E-Tech, the Kia EV6 and the MG4 EV. The Born stands apart thanks to its excellent performance and impressive practicality, both of which helped it to earn the ‘Small Electric Car of the Year’ title at the 2022 What Car? Awards. It was also named ‘Best Electric Car under £40,000’ at the Business Car Awards that same year.

At launch, the Born offered a 58kWh battery with outputs of 201bhp or 227bhp. Later, a third option was introduced – a 77kWh battery producing 228bhp – giving buyers a greater range of up to 343 miles*. Three trim levels are also on offer: the V1, V2 and V3. With its sporty characteristics, commendable range and affordable price tag, the Born holds strong appeal for families, eco-conscious drivers and those looking for the perfect balance of style and substance.

Practicality and style of the car

With no combustion engine at the front, the CUPRA Born makes the most of the available space, offering all occupants a generous amount of room. Passengers of six-foot or more will find there’s plenty of headroom, and the flat floor makes for ample legroom, with space for rear passengers to slide their feet under the seats in front.

The middle seat can accommodate a fifth occupant on shorter journeys but is better suited to a child or teen than an adult for longer trips. If you choose the top-spec V3 trim, however, only four seats are on offer, making this variant a better choice for families with teens or younger children. Meanwhile, the doors open wide for easy access and make securing preschoolers in their child seats easy.

The CUPRA Born has similar dimensions to the SEAT Leon, but the absence of a combustion engine and the position of the battery mean its wheelbase is longer. As such, the Born offers a spacious interior and a generously sized boot. There are 385 litres of capacity on offer, which tops the MG4 EV’s 363 litres, and is ample for shopping bags, a set of golf clubs or a pair of suitcases. Fold the 60/40 split rear seats down and you have 1,267 litres at your disposal, narrowly beating the Kia EV6’s maximum capacity (1,260 litres).

Running costs

The CUPRA Born’s running costs are reasonable, with the model occupying groups 25 to 28 out of 50 for insurance. This matches the Volkswagen ID.3 and Renault Megane E-Tech. More appealing still is the fact that, as a pure electric vehicle, the Born is completely exempt from road tax, saving you £180 per year on VED costs.

How a used CUPRA Born drives

Three powertrains are available with the CUPRA Born. The entry-level option is a 58kWh battery that produces 201bhp and 310Nm of torque. This delivers a nippy drive, getting you from 0-62mph in 7.3 seconds. With a maximum range of 265 miles*, it will comfortably manage a week of school runs and short commutes or several longer-distance journeys.

Stepping up to the 227bhp version of the same battery brings more power and the same 310Nm of torque, as well as a similar range. It’s ideal for those who like a bit more power, accelerating from 0-62mph in 6.6 seconds. Topping the lineup is the 77kWh battery option, which has an output of 228bhp and also boasts 310Nm of torque. While it’s no faster than the mid-range option – its 0-62mph time stands at 7 seconds – it does offer a significantly improved range. Able to cover up to 343 miles* on a single charge, it’s the perfect choice for those who regularly travel further afield.

When it comes to charging, the 58kWh CUPRA Born has a maximum charging speed of 125kWh, meaning a 10 to 80% charge can be completed in about 30 minutes with an ultra-rapid charger. The 77Kwh option can charge at a maximum speed of 135kW, so the same top-up takes only a few minutes longer. Charge at home with a 7.4kW wallbox and you’re looking at nine hours to fully charge the 58kWh battery and 12 hours for the 77kWh version.

Features you can expect in a CUPRA Born

Interior

The CUPRA Born’s minimalist interior design leaves plenty of room for storage. There’s a long, lidded cubby in the central console, as well as a well-sized glovebox and deep door bins. In terms of quality, the Born outclasses its rivals such as the Volkswagen ID.3 in terms of style, with copper accents and fabric-covered armrests on the doors elevating the cabin.

In addition, almost everything is controlled via the central 12-inch touchscreen, keeping operation of the car’s key multimedia functions simple. Only the air conditioning and audio volume are controlled by touch-sensitive sliders beneath the display.

Technology

The central 12-inch touchscreen provides access to a raft of functions, including DAB radio, Bluetooth and sat nav. There’s also wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, and the infotainment system can be controlled with voice commands. The rear features two USB sockets, enabling passengers to charge their devices on the move.

Besides infotainment, there are a host of intelligent features to make your drive more comfortable and convenient. For example, a remote pre-heating and cooling function, which comes as standard, enables you to get the car warmed up or cooled down before you get in via an app. Upgrade to the mid-tier V2 trim and you’ll benefit from an augmented reality head-up display. This projects driving data such as your speed and remaining battery life onto the windscreen, meaning you don’t have to take your eyes off the road to view it.

Safety

The CUPRA Born is among the safest vehicles on the road having achieved a full five-star rating in its 2022 Euro NCAP test. With an impressive adult occupant protection score of 93% and a score of 83% for child occupant protection, it’s designed to give you peace of mind on the road. In addition to a suite of front and side airbags, ISOFIX points can be found on the outer rear seats, so you can safely secure child seats for young children.

The CUPRA Born comes with active safety features such as autonomous emergency braking, traffic sign recognition, lane assist and a driver drowsiness detection system. All variants also come with adaptive cruise control, which not only keeps the car at your chosen speed, but also maintains a preset distance from the vehicle in front. In the event of a collision, the e-Call function contacts the emergency services on your behalf.

Trims available on the CUPRA Born

CUPRA Born V1

The entry-level V1 trim is well-equipped, offering 18-inch alloy wheels, automatic LED headlights, LED taillights and automatic wipers. The dual-zone climate control can be activated before you enter the cabin via the app, heating or cooling it in advance. The interior also has sports seats, multi-colour ambient lighting and a heated steering wheel as standard. Technology includes keyless start, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, front and rear parking sensors, a rear-view camera and adaptive cruise control.

CUPRA Born V2

Upgrading to the V2 trim brings 19-inch machined alloy wheels, tinted rear windows, heated front seats and an augmented reality head-up display.

CUPRA Born V3

This flagship trim comes with 20-inch machined alloy wheels and 12-way electrically adjustable front bucket seats. These are upholstered in Dinamica faux suede and equipped with a massage function.

Search our stock of used CUPRA Born cars for sale.

*WLTP range stated, real-world range varies with conditions such as external elements, driving behaviours and vehicle maintenance.