On sale for over three years, and a previous Business Car Award winner, the Cupra Born has become a favourite for family EV car buyers, because it takes a good EV as a base (the Volkswagen ID.3), and adds a sportier drive, with a more luxurious interior.
With the arrival of the facelifted Leon and Formentor, and the launch of its other EV model, the Tavascan, Cupra revised its spec nomenclature, with VZ at the top of the pile.
This has also meant the creation of a new model for the Born range, but ‘VZ’ is more than a badge. This Born gets a revised motor, boasting 40% more peak power (322hp), plus 75% more torque (545Nm), and the top speed is raised from 99 to 124mph.
Along with the increased power, the Born’s chassis gets a workover, in the form of new coil springs and dampers on the rear axle. Plus, retuned springs and dampers at the front, specific software for the standard DCC adaptive damper system, new anti-roll bar settings at both ends, and new hardware for the variable-ratio power steering system.
Design and interior
Outside, the only changes are a new set of 20in alloy wheels, and some exclusive colours – Dark Forest (as our test car), or Midnight Black.
Move inside the VZ, and there’s the same reserved feel for this performance range-topper. The first changes over other Borns are the new ‘Cup’ sports seats, which are manufactured by Sabelt. Lighter than standard, more importantly they offer extra support compared with the standard seats. There are now also paddles behind the steering wheel for brake energy regeneration.
The Born VZ also gets a bigger 12.9in touchscreen to control the infotainment, although as we’ve said with our own long-term Tavascan, there’s plenty of wasted space. We’re also not fans of the typeface and design of the maps themselves – which we feel lets down the generally premium feel of the Cupra’s interior.
The Born remains spacious in the back, with plenty of headroom. The practical, 385-litre boot can also be extended by folding down the 60:40 split seats.
Performance and drive
The VZ accelerates to 62mph in just 5.6 seconds – making this the fastest accelerating Born, and all at 3% BIK! Yet, this Cupra is still capable of a 372-mile range, and can be DC charged up to 170kW, equalling a 10-80% charge in around 30 minutes – so despite its performance, long journeys should be possible. Sadly, a heat pump is still a £970 option!
On the road, there are five driving modes, but all of them feel largely similar in the Born VZ – apart from ‘Sport’ mode, which changes the steering and throttle weighting. Like the Skoda Elroq vRS, considering the VZ has well over 300hp, you almost expect more drama when pinning the throttle. Although, it feels like it has a rear-wheel bias, which can sometimes result in more playful rear handling – before the traction and stability control systems take over.
The Born VZ does feel genuinely fast for an EV. The extra performance is probably most noticeable in corners, on smaller A and B roads – and pulling out of roundabouts. Having run a Born long-termer previously, we feel this Cupra finally has the performance to justify its sharp looks.
The standard Born has always been an enjoyable drive thanks to the precise steering, decent body control, and as you’d expect, the VZ moves things on a little. Most noticeable are the sharper steering and handling, with the only demerit being a harder edge to the ride. However, we’d still describe the ride as generally comfortable, which is largely the result of the adaptive dampers.
Another disappointment, considering the performance, was the generally spongy feel to the brakes.
The VZ is the best Cupra Born, and one of the best performance EVs available. It justifies its extra cost with the added performance and keener drive – but is still useable on a day-today basis.
Positive: Now has the performance to match its keen drive, spacious and practical interior, clean exterior design, efficient, refined ride, well-weighted steering.
Negative: Heat pump an option, expensive, infotainment lacks polish.
Standard equipment: 19in alloy wheels, LED headlights and rear lights,13in touchscreen display, digital cockpit, dual-zone climate control, rear-view camera with rear parking sensors, traffic sign recognition, blind spot detection.
Engines: Electric: 231hp, 322hp
Equipment grades: V1, V2, V3, VZ
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
| Model | Cupra Born VZ 79kWh |
| P11D | £44,755 |
| Residual value | 52.6% |
| Depreciation | £21,295 |
| Fuel | £3,331 |
| Service, maintenance and repair | £2,634 |
| Cost per mile | 45.43p |
| Range | 372 miles |
| CO2 (BIK%) | 0g/km (3%) |
| BIK 20/40% a month | £22/£45 |
| Luggage capacity | 385 litres |
| Battery size/power | 79kWh/322hp |
| Score | 8/10 |
