Assuming they sell this in Norway, will it be called the Cupra Bjørn?

After five years of looking for an EV, I test drive a Born and ordered the same day. Love it - it’s the only one which made me smile and feels a bit like a hot hatch from my youth :)

Funnily enough. Picked up one of these 3 weeks ago. Mk 7.5 GTI performance to this. 0 regrets. New Golfs are bland so I wasn't getting one. Took me a while to accept slight reduction in interior "niceness" but ok now. The controls aren't THAT bad after a few days use. Don't need to see the gear selector; tells you on screen what you're in. Only hit haptic volume once by accident. Infotainment and sliders are fine too. Only do longish distance twice a year so range is more than enough. Didn't like new Kia. This was the one I was prepared to afford since I saw it last year in press releases.

Great video lads , I’ve been waiting to see what you thought of the born , I ordered 1 about a month ago , so excited to get it I can’t wait !! We ordered a seat Leon phev last September and we’re told by the garage that we might not ever receive it so we changed to the born as it was similarly priced . I’ve had ohme home charger on the wall since last October and had nothing to plug into it haha . Thanks for all the helpful advice you give out on KZfaq and podcast , it really has helped me get this far .

Great video and I was looking forward to you guys getting the born because I’m normally about 95% of times thinking the same way that you two, and currently owning a bmw i3 and waiting for my v3 cupra born with dcc and some other extras I’m happy to say that I will stick to my order agains any of the korean cars etc; I don’t need the extra space and charging speed, Is not perfect but in the other hand is not much out there if you don’t like suv cars like me and orders times look quicker than even vw 🤞.

Love it when you two review cars and your podcast as well which I listen to regularly since I learned about it not long ago really. Look forward to future podcasts and videos from you both. Hoping, fingers crossed, you can do another NC500 or really the EVM-PENIS-610 with the new Kia Niro EV 2023 together. :)

Really great, clear & practical review. Covers everything you need to know.... I would like to see you guys look over & test the new Smart #1.... As it appears to possibly give more than an ID3 whilst costing less.

Great review. You can tap the heater controls, you don’t have to slide it. I have an ID3 now and am getting a Born Friday and to be honest I’m going to miss some of the features of the ID3 but I’ve gone for the Eboost Born so I’m looking forward to feeling the difference.

Cancelled my ID.3 and changed to Cupra Born V3....I'm sort of glad now that the VW build delays happened (ordered July 7th 2021) otherwise I would have been kicking myself when I saw the Born!! Mine due in August...fingers crossed! (V3 in Quasar Grey)

I really wish they would bring so many of the European cars to North America, Canada in particular. We're not as beholden to the pickup truck as the US and a car like the Cupra Born would sell out.

Please get your hands on the new Kia Niro EV and test it. I sat in one today and it is so much more comfortable seating than the older model. Also nicer ergonomically designed driver's binnacle. Would love to know what you guys think of the driving performance.

I’m getting my cuppa born hopefully next week. It’s amazing how all the best reviewers are posting their own view on it now

Great review as always guys but no mention of the heated seats, steering wheel and head up display. Test drove the V3 a few months ago and tbh it’s the first test drive in a long time that had me talking about the car like a child at Xmas….I get the concerns re haptic steering wheel controls and the heating/volume controls but I think they would become second nature in a very short space of time.

Nice car. Good review . When VW said there would be price parity by 2025 they always had in mind to raise the price of ICE , it was only the EV enthusiast who thought they meant they would reduce the price of EVs . This is the same for al/l most car makers and not just vw.

Thanks for the review. Very interesting to see the infotainment system is still a problem. Give me some buttons please. Good comparisons too.

It's nicer looking than the ID3.... Might try to get a test drive of one.

Very good review guys. It shows you like the car cos when your driving it, the 2 of you are gibbering like a couple of excited budgies! I’m normally quite “functional” with my cars but your driving impressions of it are peaking my interest. Stiffer anti roll bar to counteract the roll?

Great video, I just took delivery of a V2 Born, and coming from an RCZ, its still sporty, but not razor sharp like the RCZ is. However its good for the weight of the car. I also understand the breaks more too, after watching your video! A small part of me wishes I'd got the V3 for the dynamic pack and better wheels and interior, however I found that setting the ESC to sport and the lane assist off, and using the Cupra profile settings did make a difference. However you can feel the weight of the car in the corners. I have the 19in wheels and was surprised to see 215/50 tyres on the car, my RCZ has 235/40R19 tyres, and I wondered if wider tyres could be fitted at some point? The car is a lease car, however I plan to buy it at the end of the lease, and may get the 20in wheels, or I may buy a 3 year old V3, with the dynamic pack.

I think it looks really nice, but would I cancel my ID3 order for it? No, at the moment you get what you can get and the main issues with screens and visibility are in both cars. It's just a shame the vast majority of the alternatives are either massive or "city range".

On interior.. I have a mk7.5 golf GTE. I considered a golf e. The big thing that made me go for the GTE was the interior. I have the full Napa interior and digital cockpit. All the golf e's at the time at least, were basic fabric seats, just looked like a poor spec and analogue gauges. I think realistically later down the line I may get the mk8 hybrid next. But I think the interior would be a bit of a step down. It's nice, I like it, but I don't love it. Or the ID3. I love my GTE, mostly because it surprises the GTi 's at the lights..

😂 great video guys 👌

Lots to like with this. Had mine a few weeks. Super comfy, lots of tech (especially safety). I've averaged 4.1 kw in the few weeks i've had it, and that includes a lot of motorway driving. Just did a 600 mile round trip to visit family and felt relaxed at the end of the journey. A few REALLY annoying things though; the A/C is by far the worst for me. Do function just to have an ordinary fan giving you air in the car, and as soon as you put the Clima on it reduces the range. Beyoned frustrating! The infotainment system; I can't play folders from my USB to play compliations as it doesn't recognise them so just using Android Auto which is fine. Electric windows = more frustration, like you guys said about functionality about buttons; but in addition to this, the windows are no way as smooth as they should be. One touch without smoothness im afraid. Don't get me wrong; this is a really nice car to drive/own. BUT it could have been so much better with just a little bit more thought. Like most EV's the range is not as described. howver much better than some of the alternative i've driven. 262 defo no. I think i've been getting around 220-230 which is plenty respectable

Was waiting for this car but was put off with the infotainment system like all the vw family , also not a fan of the firmer ride . I would still go for the Skoda . Seeing as you have been at Whitby whats the charging situation like , my apps only list the 50kw at Pickering are there any fast charging yet that big car park next to the railway station would be ideal. Keep the reviews coming love the channel.

Yet another excellent EV that cannot be purchased in the USA. Which makes me believe that every EV sold is a compliance car. I love my Bolt. But, I would like to buy an ID 3. The ID 4 is too large. My only other option is a Leaf. But the air cooled battery is a major flaw.

I think the E-boost version of this does accelerate a bit faster and has better brakes.

It looks much sharper than an ID3, but it’s still an ID3 underneath, with its efficiency issues and “ interesting” software issues. All the ID3 variants are nearly brilliant, but somehow fall a bit flat for me. Maybe the MK2 models that must surely come out over the next few years will address that. I’d prefer one to my eNiro to look at, but the ID3/Cupra doesn’t get close on range or software, or build quality for me. Better, but still no cigar.

It’ll be the Cupra Bern in Switzerland

I've had my born v3 for 3 weeks now absolutely love it, and it quick 0.60 in 6.7 seconds as proved on car wow , traded my Cupra formentor v2 for it good decision on my behalf 😁

"Mad sticky-out bits" is one of my new favourite phrases, ngl.

Yeah I agree, the biggest issue is that its a little too expensive. I am in Australia, current Ford focus driver so I am looking for something smaller, There is the Ora (Funky) Cat which will likely come in cheaper, and the BYD Dolphin which will be a lot cheaper. Then there is the MG M4 Mulan which will come eventually with the same Horsepower which will likely be cheaper as well.

So happy that Enyaq has normal buttons on the steering wheel, and normal window buttons

Drum brake from 1982, light weight steering that doesn't remember settings, stupid electric windows, poor infotainment system / heating controls makes me think this isn't a very easy to live with... I was about to order this for a company car, but after watching this, I'm gonna have to rethink about alternatives again.

Have you guys had a chance to see the Megane-e or the new Niro-EV yet (and does that mean there's going to be a new version of the Soul EV soon?)? I want to replace my Zoe with a Golf sized car - I have no need for anything bigger. It's great that there are more cars arriving in this segment now, but by the time you've specced them, they all seem to be priced around the same as the entry level Ioniq 5, and that makes the decision so much harder. I love the design of the Ioniq 5 (and V2L, and the incredible charge speed), but it just feels huge. Obviously, availability and price are also huge considerations, but given nothing seems to be available, I'm putting off deciding!

I feel that at the moment, availabillity of EV's also plays a large part in the decision of which car to buy.

The Mrs. has got a V2 e-boost in blue on order as her new company car. They "the company" have a no extras policy so she couldn't get the adj. boot floor but, there was enough money left in the pot for her to get the e-boost. Go figure. She was allowed to choose colour though, so blue e-boost it is. Her view on the ID3 is "it's looks, just suck the life out of you". From the first time she saw the Born in that stunning blue with the bronze accents she was in love. Cupra have nailed it style wise tbh.

Did test ev6 I would say drives are equally good but you can get top of the range born 58kwh with a heat pump to help range for less the the base ev 6 which still has manual seats and no heat pump. Especially as Kia have just raised prices twice! Bummer for the born is no memory on the seat settings at 40k, But I

A great looking ev lot better than the id3 . Thanks for another great video

They've done what the can with the design but they couldn't stop the interior from being VW's new-era ergonomic disaster area.

I'm 6"3, would I struggle for room in this car? I currently drive a 2021 Audi A3 and find my legs are always trapped between the steering wheel and centre console / drivers door.

That Cupra badge on the bonnet is a bit 'Klingon' - isnt it.......?!

I saw your ID.3 review as well, and for balance, I think you’ve overdone some of the touch control criticism in both. And I’m not an ID.3 fanboi as I’ve swapped it for a Tesla M3 now! I maybe accidentally touched the steering wheel haptics 2 or 3 times in a year of driving the ID.3; I found the volume slider easier to use than a volume knob and the heating sliders about as easy as buttons after a few weeks of driving and getting used to it; and I miss the electric window controls (always opening the back windows by accident when I meant to open the front in the Tesla). I know you won’t believe me, but my experience is that some of the infotainment controls you criticised in your reviews, in my experience, you come to like once you’ve owned the car for a while and adjust to them.

It’s a good car I think id3 looks more like an ev due to lack of grill. Better interior on cupra no doubt of that. Facelift id3 should improve things. Overall I’m thinking either id3,i3 or egolf next

I have seen it in live, white color, it is a very cool loking car.

I don’t think that Cupra was thinking about driving it on a freeway. Maybe you should have chosen a more interest route with some corners and twisty mountain’s road where you may have experience what the car was actually designed for.

Got a Cupra cause of the droopy nose the ID had. love the car. Everything it has is perfect. except for hvac control via the menu.

Is there a leather seats option? (essential for people with dust mite allergy)

They promised a lot more when they initially revealed it (el-born) and over 2 years later it seems lacking in the performance. Thanks for the video guys, it's saved me even trying one as it's obviously not what I'm after.

Was a better car when it was going to be badged a Seat and around 4 grand cheaper. No wonder VW ran scared and wouldn't let them sell it.

The Peugeot glove box is like that

Does it have same terrible brake pedal as the ID3? Did you drive it in start-stop traffic?

Just put 4 switches like my 2015 VW Jetta. Ugh. (Front set/back set)

How does it compare to new niro ev?

When will there be a Skoda version that sorts the major flaws with these VWs the daft haptic and window buttons. Did seat even listen to any reviews or opinions

We tested one, it looked fantastic in the show room but once outside the cabin didn't look so good, further more many of the frustrating things from the VW Id have found themselves here - Switches on the steering wheel for one. The copper highlights soon look too much. Sorry not a car for me.

you also forgot the mg`s which are cheaper and more family friendly

Looks nice, but it's probably a high spec version for review. The standard and lease versions will be in a crap colour and fugly plastic alloys no doubt.

I think the strange thing was loads of car journalists went mad saying how good the id3 is/was when they reviewed it. The same journalists complained about the Hyundai and kia ev's available at the time. I feel like there is a lot of brand favouritism which exists. I watched one you tuber constantly panning the model 3 and trying to say how much better the ID4 is. I definately prefer this to the id3 would I buy it? Looks yes practicality no.

It's a good ev but don't try sitting in the back with 2 full grown friends .

I agree with this the car the ID.3 should have been, with the Cupra being more extreme. It makes the ID.3 look like plain porridge. Same goes with ID.5 making the ID.4 look like a blob. It's a shame they upped the price on the Born as it was starting £33k but they've sneaked on two grand like a lot of manufactures taking advantage of high demand and low supply.

did the R&D go on holiday.....

Seat did no sitting back waiting for VW to sort it. Seat is VW… It was just VW dealing with a new product under the parent brand before bothering to invest money in the badge engineering for the seat version. Seat is VW. Perhaps a good idea to learn how the industry works ;)

It is really just an ID3 with a body kit...and the software believe it or not is a little worse. The screen in my ID3 is 10 inch not that it matters. Lol comedy review. Also I get about 338 miles from 100% charge consistently with an average of 5.1kw/h

Isn't seat a vw anyway?

How does it give VW a bloody nose? It is a VW.

I really wanted to love this car but the interior was underwhelming, the haptic buttons faffing about with slidey volume buttons etc was too annoying, especially given I’m looking at a 3-4 year lease commitment. The stereo sounded awful, apparently it only has front speakers and you have to pay extra for rear! It’s a nice drive and nice to look at but I don’t think it’s a car I could live with for any length of time

I think the ID3 looks more modern

Once again, can you please arrange to rest a lower spec model.

Quite tempted by the Cupra, because it does look good and I don't care about the centre back seat or the glove box and the infotainment I'd almost certainly be using the phone; the thing that would be a deal-breaker is if it has the same weak regen as the id3 (haptic sliders for the temperature setting would be annoying though). I've gotten so used to the regen setup in the BMW i3 I really don't want to go back to "just like an ICE" configuration, and most others I've test driven are ok if you put them in the "B" mode (odd choice, but whatever).

Poor EV platform which doesn’t charge to figures stated rendering it basically useless for normal use. Best avoid the VW EVs especially given the noise from their senior management

I'm not a big fan of the looks. It looks like they've ripped the front end off a Peugeot, then reversed it into a barrier! They haven't really fixed the side either, it's still too blobby!

Cheapest Born is 10,000 EUR more expensive than the base model VW ID.3 1st

The haptic buttons are a turn off…

Hello

cross fingers Tesla will bring out a Golf sized car!

Its not a next gen id3 it’s an id3 with different clothes. The drive train is the same.

Obviously nobody told you about the voice control

I test drove one today (Born V2 with eboost) and it is brilliant. Now haggling over my ice car trade in so possibly converted to EV. How can you compare it to the Hyundai as the same spec of the V2 Born £36635 and £39400 in SE trim in the Hyundai but you need added options so Hyundai is £ more? 77kwh Born available as well so were you including that at about £3k more than 58kwh? I am 6ft2 and could sit in the rear seat behind my driving position. From reviews I have watched e Niro is smaller inside than the Born. I was shocked by the size and room in the Born even though its the same foot print of a Golf. The Enyaq is more expensive especially with options you want and is heavier so range not as good as Born (Enyaq 77kwh £45k with a few options in suite trim) Cupra App has issues with conectivity and its Free for a set time then costs ££££ and service pricing not available, yet. I would add the £600 ish 5 year warranty (extra 2 years) as the motor only covered for 3 years like rest of the car and battery 8 years or 100k miles (30% loss acceptable according to Cupra before battery warranty kicks in).

3.7 miles / kwh isn't very impressive for a small EV.

Seriously, do you need to visually see the "gear stick"? It's literally "push" forward to drive, "push" pack to reverse and tap the side button to park. If you can't do that blind, you have no business behind the steering-wheel of a car mate :).

Looks like an old megane

This is a small as car that weight 1.8 Tons...........i mean WTF ,this would take a turn like your fishing boat

Great looking small car and compared to the Id3 this does it for me, really like this car on my list when I change my current EV (EQC) later this year. The brakes are a big worry to me

Some people are so stupid they don't even know that Cupra is VW.

rear drum brakes, huh? its 2022 ffs ! Aesthetically big no no to see drums on the rear. And manual door handles. Quite like it other than that. Did you cover the monthly rental costs and charging time?

We had a look at a Born in Staveley the other day and yes the paint job is fantastic and the nose looks a bit better than that of an ID3 but the Born is essentially the same car with similar faults. The ID3 is a great car to drive as long as you avoid using the comically named entertainment system (ES) whilst driving. The ES, along with the unnecessary complexity of many of the controls, is so fiddly and distracting that I consider it dangerous. Of particular concern is the bizarre behaviour of the cruise control (CC) which is prone to uncommanded increases in speed. This is, at the very least, disconcerting in such a powerful car. There are further problems with the complexity of the aircond/heater control which does about 500 things that I'll never use. What a shame that VW didn't go with a modified version of the Golf dashboard - the Born/ID3 would have been perfect.

What make is a Cupra?

Are the EV6 and the IONIQ5 and the Enyaq really in the same price bracket in the UK? Because here they are substantially more expensive. 🤷‍♂️ VW are bland and lack of character, because that is the only way to sell millions of cars. The ID.3 is not a good looking car, but it isn’t bad looking either. On the other side a brand that is called CUP RAcing has to show its racing DNA on every aspect of the car. Some might like it but many others don’t, and that’s why CUPRA will stay as a niche product.

Why is VW punching itself in the face?

Makers seam to concentrate on range and take their eyes off the inside,info system is crap,no manual switches, dangerous but as long as you can charge for £25 you will forgive them for all their downsides NOT ME THANK YOU.

The lack of physical rear electric window buttons is a feature, that prevents you from pressing the wrong button. There's also a couple of shortcuts that go with this that makes its use even more convenient. I've yet to watch a YT review of the ID.3s where this is appreciated as an innovation (and not wrongly called out as a cost cutting shortcut)

What language are you speaking?

u dont need rear visability in a cupra

Sorry Andy but with those ergonomic faults it's a no no from me. Did the guy who laid that interior out have a guide dog and where did he keep his white stick? All you need are a few buttons at hand and in view for when you're driving but no. Cupra have to hide them in inaccessible places to make the insurance companies rub their hands in glee! They must think that we were Born yesterday. (See what I did there?)

Golf gti 30p per mile Borne 2p !

Copper highlights ? Just say no !

Kia EV6 all day long

Do you need editor?? I am here

Time for a luke in the cukery buke

I think the design decisions on the interior are just poor and they would annoy me. interesting that the even after a second attempt, Volkswagen cars are still behind the ev6 and ioniq 5. maybe Volkswagen cannot afford to make better cars?

Just stop talking over each other - ffs