Cupra Born EV: New Zealand review

There's something strange about the new Cupra Born: at first glance this battery powered car seems suspiciously good with its official range per charge of 548 km (that's more than a base model Tesla Model 3) and yet somehow it costs just $59,990 NZD (that's less than a base model Tesla Model 3).
So, what's the catch? If it's such good value, then why aren't we seeing these everywhere?

Well, in this review, Gav puts the Cupra Born through its paces in both the city and the countryside to find out where this car triumphs the competition, and where it falls behind. To find out all this cars secrets, you'll have to press Play.
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[Qosmio]

I bought my Cupra Born a few months before the myriad of Chinese brands started flooding into the market. If I had my druthers I may have ended up with a BYD or an MG, but I do like the Born and, overall, I'm happy with it. My car has lane assist (not lane centering) and I hate it. It gets turned off every time I get into the car. I love the adaptive cruise control, though. It is absolutely precision. I use the "B" mode of regenerative braking all the time, whether in the city or on freeways, motorways and country roads. I brings me to an almost full stop at traffic lights, etc, which is fine by me. I've grown used to the haptic controls and rarely have any false "hits" while driving.

[vhol]

Love the humor you add to your reviews !

[RichardTheBigBunny]

Why isn't this clever & beautiful man more famous?

[asteliaz]

Did you use the phrase "worthless thoughts" in a way that "priceless artifacts" is typically used? 😂
Your thoughts are worth something to me, otherwise I wouldn't be watching all your vids!

[gregeden]

Here in Oz we get three (four) models. The one you tested, an interior pack (electric seats, seated heats, Beats audio system) and a performance pack (20" wheels and adjustable suspension). Or get both add ons as the fourth variant. With either add on we lose the middle seat in the back due to axle weight restrictions. So get the goodies but end up with a four seater. And some more colours like red.

[peterburt]

Nice Gavin. Thanks for another great review. Lane assist? Maybe it's like that so you won't turn up on YT being filmed sleeping at the wheel. Aside from the VW generic screen and steering wheel buttons, it looks like a car I could be happy driving. Definitely a step up from a certain Mitsy Tredia I once watched a guy convert, don't ya reckon ;-) Been hooked on the electric concept ever since that though. Cheers.

[LINCARD]

Hey Gav, great review :-) Quick question, does it have one-pedal-driving? Or does it just slow down to a crawl when you have regen maxed out (if it even has that functionality)?

[WSandig]

No wireless Android Auto/Apple Carplay? That's odd, my (european) Born has it. And unlike the other differences you mentioned, it's not something I did or could have paid extra to have it, as far as I remember.

[ActualJiho]

7:16 why is foot rest all squshed. is that normal?

[masterofthepinkside]

so how's the software? Obviously the lack of buttons would be a pain, but is it more responsive then the VW ID3 it's based on (which you might not have driven since it's not sold here... I guess the id4 is the closest)? Is it tolerable enough to live with?

[satay]

PRICE a bit steep for all things manual and performance. To be fair the range is good although the battery is big

[dingbatt]

I have come close to getting one of these to replace our aging Mazda 3 a couple of times. Glad I didn’t shell out $80K on one 12 months ago as they are now $60K for the exact same vehicle. The lack of connectivity in this part of the world by VWAG is irksome and on the whole, the infotainment system (incl hvac) is horrible. As are the capacitive touch buttons on the steering wheel. I found it great to drive though with plenty of power for normal driving.
It’s possible because Cupra doesn’t have the name recognition in NZ that you don’t see more of them. It’s a shame because the medium hatchback category is poorly represented in the EV space.

[ChromeFlakes]

Love a video from the legendary Gavin Shoebridge! I don’t have a VAG car but everyone always slates the window switches. The number of times I’ve put the rear window down when I meant to touch the front window switch. I think only having 2 is a great idea. How often does anyone use the rear electric windows?

[bluelantern]

We didn't see them everywhere because when it came out it was $75K. So overpriced for a small electric car!!!

[beetchhouse]

In Aust., the roads are absolute crap!

[MrrNacho]

Even at $60k i think its hugely overpriced. I mean cmon you dont even get electric seats!

[karlInSanDiego]

manual seats save weight and failure liability too. VW should carry that in the USA to sell to GTI buyers.

How would you rate that handling compared to the MINI Cooper EV, which is FWD?

[petesig]

WLTP - you took the Hyundai Ioniq 6 RWD mighty close to the stated 614km WLTP range.

[CT-wqje]

I have an MG4 with lane assist & as you say it is rubbish. I presume they fit it to get a 5* crash rating but it works only intermittently & so I usually turn it off for anything other than short trips. Probably best this doesn't have it at all. Heated seats seems to be a thing VW likes to charge for but they make so much sense in an EV.

[Dqtube]

It is a better looking cousin of ID3. Also, unless it happened to be some viral trend on some short video service, there's a whole generation that doesn't know what a Macarena is .