Cupra Born One – Back to Basics

Cupra Born Business One

€37,990

The Volkswagen Group has an interesting introduction strategy for the electric models. Where an introduction model is often a pretty packed version for a competitive price, Volkswagen offered the ID3 1st as 1st, 1st Plus and 1st Max. All three were given certain external characteristics, but otherwise the equipment did not deviate significantly from the regular versions presented later.

With the Cupra Born, in fact the same car, we see a similar pattern. Here the introversions are called ‘One’ and there is a distinction between the Business One, the Adrenaline One, the Performance One and the Copper Edition One. We will definitely opt for the Business One and assume that the future basic version will hardly deviate from it, exactly as was the case with the ID3.

There is one exception to that last rule: the powertrain. Cupra has already announced that the Born will be available with the 150 hp and 45 kWh, but all introduction variants get – just like with the ID3 – 204 hp and 58 kWh. The price will drop in the future, but that will be at the expense of speed and driving range.

On the outside, the Business One can be recognized by its special 18-inch wheels in dark gray, where the other versions are on 19- or 20-inch with bronze accents. The rest of the car is also gray, by the way, of the primer-like kind that is also free with the ID3. Cupra calls it ‘Vapor Gray’ and it actually combines quite nicely with the standard bronze in the front bumper. Outside of the wheels, there’s only one other way to see that you’re dealing with the entry-level model: the rear side windows on the base version are just as clear as the front ones. Everything else is the same, including the LED headlights and taillights. Remarkable, because with the ID3 there is variation.

The damage also appears to be minor on the inside. We also note a 12-inch screen with the simplest Cupra Born, where the ID3 has to do with 10 inches. Another difference: In contrast to the ID3 1st, the Cupra Born has a reversing camera as standard. The bucket seats of the sporty Born are of course also specific for the Cupra.

The simplest Born looks even more like the ID3 than the other versions, because the high ‘bridge’ between the front seats is missing. According to Cupra you miss a sporty cockpit feeling and in our opinion at least a large lockable storage compartment. What remains is the much lower part that can also be found in the ID3. The interior of the Business One therefore looks clearly simpler than that of the other versions, which also receive higher-quality upholstery and electrically adjustable seats.

What else are we missing? Well, it seems that the luggage compartment is less beautifully finished with the Business. According to the price list, a storage compartment for charging cables shines because of its absence, so don’t count on a flexible loading floor. The Business is also the only one without ‘keyless entry’ and illuminated door handles.

What is on it is very similar to the simplest Volkswagen ID3 1st, which, incidentally, also cost exactly the same. Also with Cupra you get standard wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, standard seat and steering wheel heating, adaptive cruise control and climate control with two zones. We miss nothing compared to the ID3, while the Born does have some extras here and there. With that, the conclusion is simple: the Born Business One is a slightly better deal than the ID3 1st was.