Born

The Born brings a distinctly European flavour to EV performance, thanks to its rear-drive layout and low centre of gravity. Tom Fraser (Drive) finds the entry 170kW format “doesn’t do enough to excite the 1960kg (tare) body,” but applauds the Performance Pack for its “adaptive dampers and upsized wheels with grippier tyres.” For those eyeing hot hatch thrills, the VZ’s 240kW setup (5.7s 0–100km/h) transforms the Born into a proper pocket rocket, with torque that feels instantly available for overtakes or corner exits.

Sam Charlwood (carsales) notes that progress feels “sprightly rather than fast,” particularly as speeds rise and the Born’s nearly 1.9-tonne mass makes itself known. Peter Anderson (The Redline) remarks, “The Born isn’t a rocket but it’s a lovely car in which you can get a flow on,” highlighting the joy of its well-tuned chassis rather than outright speed. Across the board, reviewers agree the Born is fun and confidence-inspiring in suburbia or on a twisty road, but purists may miss the immediacy of a true hot hatch throttle response.

Few rivals in the compact EV segment deliver the Cupra Born’s level of material quality and visual drama inside. From the bold copper accents on the steering wheel and dash to recycled Seaqual bucket seats (and optional sports seats in VZ models), the Born feels special and upscale, especially at night with dynamic ambient lighting. Australian reviewers like Tom Fraser (Drive) call the Born’s cabin a highlight: “Inside the cabin is where the Cupra Born arguably shines the brightest. Materials use on the whole is impressive and there are thought-out provisions for storage, visibility, and comfort.”

Practicality is solid, with five seats, a flat floor, and 385L boot space—plenty for a hatch, although less than some crossovers. Carsales’ Sam Charlwood points out that the seating position is higher than a traditional hatchback due to the under-floor battery. Visibility is good up front, but some testers find the rear window small and the pillar design bulky. Touch-sensitive controls for lights, audio, and climate are a frequent gripe, but most drivers adapt with use. Overall, the Born looks and feels more athletic and tailored than most EVs at this price.

The Born’s technology impresses with a high-definition 12-inch (or 12.9-inch in VZ) touchscreen that ties in wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, all wrapped in the latest VW Group software. Tom Fraser (Drive) sees merit in the “crisp, modern interface,” but criticises reliance on touch-sensitive controls—which can be slow or fail to register commands on rough roads or in haste. Peter Anderson quips that “the soft buttons are the things that need to be sent into the sun,” reflecting a widespread desire for physical switches, especially for climate and volume.

On the safety front, the Born comes packed with adaptive cruise, lane keep assist, blind spot alerts, auto emergency braking, and a strong 5-star ANCAP crash test score. Sam Charlwood (carsales) points out that the system is “completely devoid of buttons and switchgear” but ultimately rates its safety gear highly, especially the 93% adult protection score. For daily driving, features like a heated steering wheel, remote pre-heating/cooling, and a “driver profiles” setting add Scandinavian-style comfort to the Spanish package.

Delivering class-leading road trip ability, the Born’s 77kWh (standard) or 79kWh (VZ) battery is backed by efficient energy management and fast charging. In week-long tests, Peter Anderson (The Redline) achieved “a range of 423km from 77kWh,” beating real-world expectations for city EVs. Sam Charlwood (carsales) managed a “circa-500km range relatively easily achievable,” with DC charging at up to 170kW providing an 80% boost in just over 35 minutes.

Tom Fraser (Drive) says his real-world economy (16.6kWh/100km) bested CUPRA’s official claims and would allow for 420–480km on a full charge, with Performance Pack/VZ versions dropping to around 475km due to sportier set-up. While there’s no vehicle-to-load, drivers are well-supported by Australia’s growing DC network and simple home EVes—find a local installer here. For most buyers, range and recharging are pain-free and suitable for both daily life and spontaneous getaways.

Pairing your Cupra Born with a home solar array lets you turn sunlight into clean, low-cost driving—most owners can cover daily errands or a whole commute from their own roof. The Born’s battery size and charging rate (11kW AC) are perfectly matched for overnight home top-ups and mid-afternoon solar boosts, slashing running costs and letting you skip the petrol station for good.

By charging during sunny hours, you hasten payback on your rooftop investment, and are well-insulated against energy price rises. Australia’s popular home battery/solar rebates make this approach even more appealing; learn more or find a local installer. Whether you're an early morning commuter or working remotely, pairing solar and EV tech is fast becoming the new Australian norm.