Used Cupra Born 2022-present review

It's no coincidence that the Cupra Born looks like a Volkswagen ID 3, because that's essentially what the Born is underneath. The two are mechanically related, although the Born is effectively the sportier option.

It's also the more expensive option and that goes for used prices too. So, the question is: is the Born worth the extra cash?

Performance & Range: The Born is available with the same battery options as its Volkswagen cousin, consisting of a 58kWh and 77kWh option, as well as the same 201bhp electric motor that drives the rear wheels.

The ID 3 isn't available with the Born's e-Boost function, mind you. Not every used Born has it (because original owners had to pay extra for it), but it allows for short bursts of extra power, reducing the Born's 0-62mph time from 7.0sec to 6.6sec.

Range is similar between the two cars – again, they're available with the same batteries. With an official range of 264 miles, the 58kWh will be all most buyers need. Granted, you won't get that far in real-world driving, but, in our real-world range tests, the Born managed 182 miles in winter and 219 miles in summer.

If you regularly need to go further than that on a single charge, the 77kWh battery is the better bet, because it has an official range of up to 341 miles. Expect 235 to 285 miles in the real world.

Ride & Handling: Key differences between the Born and ID 3 begin to shine through here. From behind the wheel, you notice that the Born is just that bit sharper and more fun than the ID 3, from its well-weighted, quicker steering to its better body control.

Ride comfort remains good, though. It's a reasonably comfortable electric car, doing a good job of absorbing lumps and bumps in the road. The ride height has been lowered slightly compared with the ID 3, so the Born is a little firmer, but the difference isn’t huge.

Interior & Practicality: A 12.0in touchscreen infotainment system comes with every Born and features and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone mirroring. The screen itself is bright and clear, and the operating system is slightly more intuitive than in the ID 3 (which currently has one of the worst infotainment systems around). It's not perfect though, and, like the ID 3's can suffer from a fair amount of lag between your prods and the system reacting. The menus could be simpler, and some icons could be larger to make them easier to aim for.

The basic interior layout is the same as the ID 3's, but the Born’s interior is not just a copy-and-paste job. A slightly different mix of materials means it looks and feels classier inside, especially around the centre console and arm rests. Victory over the ID 3 is by a slim margin, though, and you’ll still find some hard, cheap-feeling plastic in places.

Even if you’re blessed in the height department, you won’t find yourself struggling for space in the front of the Born. Indeed, even those measuring north of six feet tall will enjoy plenty of head and leg room. The Born is roughly the same length as the VW Golf and is just as roomy in the back. There’s space for at least a six-foot passenger to sit behind someone equally tall without feeling squished, although there's not a lot of head or leg room going spare.

At 385 litres, the Born's boot is about the same size as a Golf’s and will be fine for such daily duties as carrying a small buggy, the weekly shop or a weekend away.

Trims & Equipment: Like the 58kWh battery, you should be satisfied with the entry-level V1 trim. It has LED headlights, climate control, parking aids and 18in alloy wheels.

V2 comes with bigger 19in wheels, privacy glass, heated windscreen washer nozzles and a head-up display to project your speed on to the windscreen. It also gets heated seats and a heated steering wheel, so is worth considering if you like your creature comforts.

Top-spec V3 is goes a few steps further, with 20in wheels and electric front-seat adjustment with a built-in massage function – ooh la la.

Interested in buying a used Cupra Born? Visit our Used Cars For Sale pages to find lots of cars listed at great prices.

Around £20,000 is the starting point here: as of writing, you're looking at a 2022 V1 model with around 15,000 miles on its clock. You've then got roughly a £4000 gap between that and a 2022 V3. Expect to spend upwards of £22,000 on a 2023 model. The 77kWh version demands at least £28,000.

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Charging: The 58kWh Cupra Born has the ability to fast charge at up to 124kW, which means a 10-80% top-up will take around half an hour. The 77kWh version can accept slightly more charging power but because it has a bigger battery, you'll be waiting longer. With a 7kW home wall box, you’re looking at empty to full in around nine hours in the 58kWh version, and 12 hours in the 77kWh.

Insurance and servicing: Insurance groups range from 25 to 28 (out of a possible 50) – very reasonable for this kind of car. You can cover the Born's first three services for £1458 via Cupra.

Reliability

Feedback from owners highlights the overall mechanical reliability of the Cupra Born, but it's not without its issues. The infotainment system emerges as a primary source of frustration, noted for its occasional lagginess and glitches – plus its subpar layout.

Discover more about used Cupra Born reliability and common problems on our dedicated reliability page.

The larger battery demands a premium and one we're not convinced is worth it at the moment, so we'd stick with the 58kWh option – we believe most buyers won't be disappointed with it.

As for trims, we think V1 is the best choice here, seeing as it's the cheapest and it isn't exactly stingy with its kit list.

Our favourite Cupra Born: 58kWh V1

We've talked enough about the Volkswagen ID 3 already, so let's name some other alternatives. The MG4 is a good place to start. It's slightly cheaper (both in terms of price and quality), but it remains an impressive electric car, thanks to its good driving experience and electric range. Reliability has proven an issue with them, though.

You might also want to consider the Renault Megane E-Tech. Generally, used prices are very slightly higher than those of the Born, but you might prefer the E-Tech's SUV-esque look. Like its rival, the E-Tech is good to drive – it'll go a similar distance on a single charge, too.

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Interested in buying a used Cupra Born? Visit our Used Cars For Sale pages to find lots of cars listed at great prices.