Cupra Born

Cupra Born at a glance

Alberto Torrecillas designed the exterior and Tsanko Petrov the interior. The Born is Cupra's compact electric model, next to the larger Tavascan SUV and the Formentor; see our Cupra catalogue.

From SEAT el-Born to Cupra Born

The car was first shown as the SEAT el-Born concept at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2019. The study had a 62 kWh battery, 150 kW (204 PS), 0-100 km/h in 7.5 seconds and a claimed WLTP range of 420 km. Production in Zwickau was confirmed in July 2020. In February 2021 the car moved to the Cupra brand and dropped the "el-" from its name, and the production version premiered in May 2021. A 45 kWh entry version with 110 kW (150 PS) was announced but cancelled.

Generations and versions

The Born has had only one generation so far, with a facelift in 2026.

The first cars of 2022 with the 77 kWh battery were four-seaters; ADAC lists five-seat versions from May 2022. In 2024 Cupra added the VZ and revised the batteries, and ADAC lists them as 60 kWh and 79 kWh from May 2025.

Batteries, power and performance

Every Born has a single permanent-magnet motor at the rear: the APP 310 in the regular versions and the APP 550 in the VZ. ADAC gives a top speed of 160 km/h for the 77 kWh car and 200 km/h for the facelifted VZ. On a fast charger the Born reaches 80% in 35 to 60 minutes, depending on the battery, and Cupra claims about 100 km of range in 7 minutes.

The Born VZ

The VZ arrived in 2024 as the fastest Born. Its larger APP 550 motor delivers 240 kW (326 PS) and 545 Nm, 75% more torque than the other versions, and cuts the 0-100 km/h time to 5.6 seconds. It uses the 79 kWh net battery, charges at up to 185 kW and has a WLTP range of up to 599 km. In Germany it cost EUR 52,870 in 2024; after the facelift ADAC lists it at EUR 50,990, with 630 km of WLTP range and 14.2 kWh/100 km.

The 2026 facelift

The facelift brought redesigned triangular headlights and tail lights, better interior materials, conventional buttons on the steering wheel and an Android-based infotainment system. ADAC lists three German versions from June 2026: 58 kWh with 140 kW (190 PS) for EUR 39,990, 79 kWh Endurance with 170 kW (231 PS) for EUR 45,990, and the VZ for EUR 50,990.

Dimensions, space and boot

Like other MEB cars, the Born puts its wheels close to the corners: the wheelbase of 2,766 mm is 64% of the overall length. The 385-litre boot is a little bigger than the first-generation MG4's 363 litres but well short of the MG4 Urban's 470 litres.

Running costs and charging

ADAC lists WLTP consumption of 15.8 kWh/100 km for the 77 kWh Born and 14.2 kWh/100 km for the facelifted VZ, efficient figures for a car weighing around two tonnes. All versions charge at 11 kW on AC. The cost of ownership calculator helps compare it with a petrol hatchback, and the electric cars section lists alternatives.

Equipment

At launch the Born came with a 12-inch touchscreen, sports seats with integrated headrests, a head-up display, adaptive cruise control, Travel Assist, traffic sign recognition and automatic emergency braking. Dynamic Chassis Control Sport adaptive dampers were available. German launch prices in November 2021 were EUR 40,150 for the 150 kW Born with 58 kWh and EUR 47,250 for the 170 kW e-Boost with 77 kWh.

Safety: Euro NCAP

Euro NCAP tested the Born in 2022 and awarded five stars, with 93% for adult occupants, 89% for child occupants, 73% for pedestrians and 80% for safety assist. A 2025 retest of the 59 kWh e-Boost under newer rules gave 89% adult, 87% child, 76% vulnerable road users and 76% safety assist; ADAC lists the result as five stars. More results are in our safety ratings.

Reliability and production

Independent reliability data for the Born is still thin, and we have found no sourced pattern of faults, so we do not list any. It shares its platform and much of its electric hardware with the Volkswagen ID.3 and other MEB models. Production figures show steady demand: 4,801 cars in 2021, 36,153 in 2022, 45,300 in 2023, 42,593 in 2024 and 43,207 in 2025, about 172,000 in total.

Rivals

Its closest rival is its own technical twin, the Volkswagen ID.3. The MG4 offers rear-wheel drive and a four-wheel-drive XPower for similar money, while the MG4 Urban is far cheaper and more practical but slower. Compare them in our comparison tool.

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