Being Cupra’s first foray into the EV scene, the electric hatchback is proof that switching to electric doesn’t mean cars lose all of their fun factor
A speedy introduction might be in order for anyone unfamiliar with the Cupra brand.
Cupra was once the motorsport sub-brand of Spanish carmaker SEAT (pronounced say-at), where “Cupra” was short for “Cup Racing” and created Seat’s high-performance cars. It was only in 2018 that Cupra was announced to become a standalone brand. Since 2018, the brand immediately faced a rapidly changing industry surrounding electrification, so it was no surprise that Cupra’s performance-oriented branding could not ignore the idea of going electric.
The result? In February 2021, Cupra lifted the covers off the Born, their first fully electric car, built on its Volkswagen parent’s MEB platform (‘modular electric drive toolkit’). And finally, earlier in 2025, Singapore saw the local launch of the brand and the start of their sales, inclusive of the Born hatchback, the star of this article. The MEB also underpins the Skoda Enyaq and Audi Q4 e-tron.
The car is named after the beautiful El Born district in Barcelona, famous for being trendy and simultaneously retaining its cultural roots. It’s actually a perfect analogy for Cupra itself; being stylish while not forgetting its origins.
It’s born handsome
When anyone ever talks about Cupra, one unavoidable topic is their looks, because they can pull off badass without coming off as cringe, which is quite an achievement. Sorry to the rest of the Volkswagen Group family – but baby nephew Cupra is the youngest but already one of the coolest.
The Cupra Born is based on the Volkswagen ID.3 (the latter which is only available in Singapore as a grey import). On this note, I should point out that the ID.3 looks very Volkswagen-y. I mean, that’s not a bad thing, it just means it sticks to well-intentioned appearances of being safe and family friendly.
The Born, however, treats the ID.3 as a canvas to paint its Cupra strokes, leaving us with an off-beat, on-brand design language. Dashes of copper trims throughout the car, a spoiler and rear diffuser, all come together for a sharp presence.
Given its slight age compared to the latest Cupra models, the now-signature triangular headlights and light-up central emblem are missing from the Born. But don’t worry, Mr Born manages to look great without it anyway.
It’s born well-fitted inside too
The interior vibe matches the Born’s exterior, showing that beauty is not only skin deep, but the designers care about how the cabin feels too. Copper trims are dashed all over inside for aesthetic contrasts, the sports seats are of a suede-like material compared to conventional leather, and hard black plastics on the interior lends it a bit of toughness/cheapness.
To emphasise more of the driver-centricness of the Born, or just Cupra models in general, the 12.9-inch floating infotainment screen is tilted towards the driver, with a generously-sized heads-up display behind a 5.3-inch digital cockpit.
A flat floor above a 2,766mm wheelbase ensures surprisingly generous legroom for rear passengers, while 385 litres of cargo space does well to add another selling point to be an adequate errand-driver as well.
The steering wheel functions are haptic-touch, which takes a bit of getting used to, since some functions respond better from sliding up and down, others from pushing left and right. A little quirky, but nothing too serious to dampen the car’s vibe, except for occasionally getting in the way when you turn a corner.
The Born e-Boost is powered by a 59kWh battery that sends 225hp (170kW) of power and 310Nm of torque. It thus finishes the century sprint in 6.7 seconds and claims a WLTP range of up to 428km. These are sufficient figures for covering the bases of city driving while making sure you look pretty good doing it too. Just in case you’d like a little extra excitement, a little button at the steering wheel calls forth ‘CUPRA’ mode for your driving pleasure.
Post-natal experiences
Among the more passionate car fans, a common narrative about the electric vehicle scene is that the driving experience becomes ‘soulless’, noting the lack of a connection between man and machine.
Personally, I might understand the sentiment, but I did not find that to be the case with the Cupra Born. Something about the combination of its looks and handling make for quite a stirring experience behind the wheel. The Born exudes much of the qualities we love about hatchbacks in general, most notably its rear-wheel drive agility. Precise steering and confident grip in taking corners further inspires a more dynamic, energetic way of reaching your destination.
Power delivery has been tuned to be more gradual as well which was a welcome surprise. It’s definitely more pleasant compared to being served a nauseating wallop of torque that might be a gimmicky prank for your friends at first, but then quickly becomes annoying.
A slight catch in an otherwise delightful drive is a braking quirk. There is an initial deadspot in the braking response (which seems to plague MEB cars), which required a bit more estimation of braking distance after I started driving. Nonetheless, again, it’s nothing too serious to kill the enjoyment.
So, Mr Born, how do we like it?
It’s easy to handle, fun to drive, and efficient as a daily driver, all while looking pretty good. For urban commuting (which is basically the entire Singapore), a car like the Cupra Born makes some sense for a small family in the market for something a little spicier while intuitive and handy at the same time.
Text: Titus Tang
Photos: Clifford Chow
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Vibes a little like a hot hatch | Brakes need improving on |
| Feels less mainstream | Steering wheel haptic buttons get in the way |
| Fun to drive | “Shift” button needed to operate rear windows from driver’s door. Some scratchy plastics. |
Cupra Born e-Boost 59kWh
| Drivetrain | Full Electric |
| Layout | Single Motor, Rear Drive |
| Motor power / torque | 225hp / 310Nm |
| Battery capacity | 59kWh |
| Efficiency | 17.5kWh/100km |
| Electric Range | 428km |
| 0-100km/h | 6.7 seconds |
| Top Speed | 160km/h |
| VES Band | A1 |
| Dealer | CUPRA Singapore |
| Price | S$204,900 with COE and VES |
| Verdict | Entertaining to drive, though not perfect. The Born is a little more left-of-field, which is good if you dislike buying something mainstream. |
