G&M drive a CUPRA Born 58kWh 2022.

This is G&M’s first electric car, they’ve owned the CUPRA Born less than 1 year and drive under 10,000-15,000 miles annually. The current mileage of the car is between 10,000-20,000 miles and they achieve 240 miles from a full charge.

Why did you choose the CUPRA Born?

Good size car for the two of us, spacious inside including in the back & electric-only platform. It’s rear wheel drive, the range fits with 90% of our needs without needing to charge away from home. Also, the dealer is close by in case of problems, economy (compared to larger electric cars in terms of miles/kWh) & the colour (not keen on black/silver/grey/white which is what most cars come in nowadays).

Positives – List 3 or more reasons why you love this electric car

• Smooth and quiet drive
• very nippy
• regenerative braking (although could be better)
• space inside.

Negatives – List 3 or more things that you really don’t like about this electric car

• Touch sensitive switches are a bad idea in a car
• Touch screen control – in my petrol car, to get warmer I just flick one switch, in this car, I need to find several screens and several places to touch the screen – quite frankly, it’s not safe and needs a rethink.
• Software – both in the car and on the app needs a rethink. It’s very laggy in the car and just odd that they released an app like it.

Have you experienced any faults with the car? If so, what have they been?

Speed limiter does not appear to work – haven’t raised it with the dealer yet.

What are the standout technological features of the car?

• The car is very nippy and I’m still getting used to it while staying within speed limits
• I do like that it’s rear wheel drive
• I like the regenerative braking but would like the controller to be closer to hand (e.g. like on a stalk) and to have different levels of braking like on the Hyundai Kona Electric that we tried
• Plenty of space for the two of us and the dog
• I like that I never need to visit a petrol station.

Surprise us! Tell us something people wouldn’t readily know about this electric car

The central console is not too wide nor too high. Makes for a more spacious and (I think) safer interior.
Electric-only platform means a flatter car floor with space for feet under the front seats for rear seat passengers. The boot is big enough to hold my euphonium in its case and my music case (just) – watch the film ‘Brassed Off’ to find out what one is if you’re not sure!

Are you seriously considering your first or next EV? Then visit Electric Road’s CAR FINDER to get the right car for you!

What electric car(s) are you interested in next and why?

Unsure but we are likely to only need one car so a longer range will likely be more important while the Government faffs about on charging infrastructure. Maybe a Tesla 3 Long Range, a Polestar 2 Long Range or the new Ford. Hopefully, the software on the VW platforms will be sorted soon and more proper buttons added for things like heating, volume etc.

Home charging unit – outline both positive & negative elements

Hypervolt – it works OK but took some time to get it sorted. Typically, I use Octopus and/or the car to control it so I don’t touch the charger smart functionality in case it has more problems. The holster isn’t good, it has faded and is falling away from the wall.

Electricity supplier & tariff – outline both positive & negative elements 

Intelligent Octopus – I get a lower tariff between 11:30pm and 5:30am. I like all the apps they provide to see our usage.

Do you use public charging networks?

No

Insurer – outline both positive & negative elements

Admiral – low cost but it takes an age to speak with them on the phone when you need to do something. Also, they send incomprehensible letters when a few clearly written lines in one letter (rather than multiple letters) would do (and with a lot less paper and less postage costs).

Please itemise where you’re saving money (or not) owning & running a CUPRA Born

Over the 3-4 year life of this car, total cost of ownership for us is likely to be higher than running an equivalent petrol car (having made some assumptions on depreciation). However, on a month to month basis and excluding fixed costs, operating costs (mainly fuel) are lower.

We do about 3-4 m/kWh which is about 2-2.5p/mile. For 10k miles, that’s £200-250/year. My petrol car does 38mpg (0.93 miles/kWh) and at £1.45/litre, that is 17.5p/mile, £1750/year. i.e. £1500/year saving. This is roughly a £6k saving on a four year ownership, which is probably lower than the expected depreciation when we come to sell.

See other CUPRA Born Owner Reviews here