The electric Cupra Born (2021) is brand new in the showroom, with 204 hp and a battery pack of 58 kWh. The price of the Volkswagen ID.3 Pro with the same battery pack and power is almost the same. What does the Cupra offer that the Volkswagen does not and vice versa?
Technically, the Cupra Born and the Volkswagen ID.3 are exactly the same. They are both on the MEB platform for electric cars and are rolling off the production line at a factory in Zwickau, Germany. Even if you look at the base price, you can hardly see any difference. The Cupra Born costs 37,990 euros (Business One). For a Volkswagen ID.3 Pro you pay 37,740 euros.
Volkswagen ID.3 Pro does not have alloy wheels
For our price comparison we take the Volkswagen ID.3 Pro with 58 kWh battery pack and 204 hp. You would expect that for 37,740 euros alloy wheels are included in the price, but that is not the case. Volkswagen puts you off with steel pubic lids. There you drive, with your hubcaps. With the Cupra Born you do get alloy wheels. Volkswagen asks 678 euros, where you immediately get 19 inches instead of the standard 18 inches.
Volkswagen ID.3 Pro does have adaptive cruise control
It is again busier on the Dutch roads and then it is nice if you have adaptive cruise control. The car then keeps a sufficient distance from the vehicle in front and can accelerate and brake independently in traffic jams. Volkswagen and Cupra are in agreement: this option is standard in both the ID.3 and the Born.
Cupra Born has heated seats
It’s getting cold and bleak outside. Seat heating on! Perhaps Cupra’s Spanish roots are just around the corner, because every Born has heated seats to brave the cold Northern European winter climate. Even steering wheel heating is standard.
The Volkswagen ID.3 has less compassion for its passengers. Only if you deposit 2140 euros for the Style Interior Package +, you will receive seat heating. Volkswagen picks up immediately, because the seats also have a massage function and are electrically adjustable.
Cupra Born offers two years longer warranty
It gets a bit monotonous, but the warranty conditions of the Cupra Born are also cheaper. You get a four-year factory warranty, Volkswagen does not go beyond two years. In addition, Cupra offers a pick-up and delivery service and you get free replacement transport.
Volkswagen ID.3 Pro strikes back at last
It seems as if Volkswagen lets you pay extra for every comfort-enhancing detail, but that is not the case. Air conditioning, DAB+ radio, a navigation system, front and rear parking sensors, keyless entry and a wireless phone charger are all standard. And at the Cupra Born? Not there! If you want to charge your phone wirelessly and keep your key in your pocket, you need to order the Adrenaline One version. And it costs 3000 euros more…
Conclusion
Despite a few nice features for which you do not have to pay extra, the Volkswagen ID.3 is still the more expensive of the two. Alloy wheels and heated seats are more desirable than keyless access or a wireless charger. Volkswagen does offer more choice in ordering individual options. At Cupra you have to immediately choose a more expensive version. Where you immediately pay 3000 euros more for each higher equipment level.