A new brand launched in the Australian market in 2022, Cupra itself has only become a global brand since 2018. Previously, Cupra was a performance sub-brand of Seat, the Spanish branch of the Volkswagen Group empire.
Why is that important? Well, while the name itself may be familiar, it means the products sold here are part of a larger company to assuage consumer doubts about what the 'new brand' is.
In the case of the 2023 Cupra Born, the new all-electric hatchback will be the Volkswagen Group's first all-electric vehicle. But overseas it follows in the footsteps of cars like the Volkswagen ID.3, and shares its underpinnings and drivetrain with that car. For Australia, Cupra has chosen one very specific Born variant – combining its most powerful electric motor and highest capacity battery to deliver a vehicle designed to appeal to Australia's love of performance while keeping the distance.
We hear it a lot from car brands, even commuters who cover less than 50km a day want an EV with a long range. Something I've tagged as 'hold the distance' or a refusal to see a real use case – except for the annual holiday pilgrimage to somewhere far away. Key details 2023 Cupra Born
Price (MSRP) $59,990 plus on-road costs
The color of the test car is Desire Red
Optional Interior Package – $2900
- Aurora Blue Dynamica front seats
- Front seat warmers
- 12-way power-adjustable front seat with massage
- Heated washer jets
- Nine speakers Beat audio with a subwoofer
Performance Package – $2600
- Dynamic chassis control
- 20 inch rims
- Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires
- Reduced 475km range claim
Note: adding one of the plans will reduce the seating capacity to four seats
Price as tested was $65,490 plus on-road costs
