The steering isn’t filled with really feel but it’s exact and correct, and the Cupra turns in to corners keenly. The most important shock is how adjustable it feels on the throttle, tightening its line neatly with slightly raise – sure, like a correct sizzling hatch. At a shade over 4.3m lengthy and 1.81m broad, it feels compact, too, and shortly evokes confidence on a again highway.
And that’s in Regular driving mode. There’s additionally a Sport choice, nevertheless it’s so arduous to seek out among the many limitless menus that I often battle to summon the passion. So most of the automotive’s features are buried deep within the infotainment system that it makes it all of the extra infuriating that this method is so sluggish and unintuitive to make use of.
After a forensic search, I ultimately tracked down and engaged Auto Maintain, however I’m undecided I may discover it once more and not using a map. Whenever you’re not within the temper to thrash it, the Cupra is a reasonably relaxed companion.
Its 229lb ft of torque is offered from relaxation to 4200rpm, giving easy tempo, and, regardless of the 20in wheels that include V3 spec, it rides fairly serenely more often than not: agency, however with bump and thump properly remoted from the cabin by high quality dampers.
That contributes to an general sense of spectacular refinement, and the vary is fairly respectable, too: 200-plus miles per cost is definitely achieved from my 58kWh automotive, even when driving briskly, though counting on the air-con in the course of the current sizzling climate did put a dent in that.
If you happen to usually must do longer distances – or go for the extra highly effective motor – the bigger, 77kWh battery is perhaps a greater choice.
It stays to be seen whether or not the e-Enhance motor suggestions the Born into full sizzling hatch territory, however there’s additionally a effective custom of ‘heat’ hatches that provide simply sufficient leisure to fulfill fans with out compromising their household automotive qualities. It’s a moniker that appears to go well with the Cupra completely.
Second Opinion
I taken care of Alastair’s Born for some time and it actually grew on me. After the preliminary frustration with the infotainment and touch-sensitive steering wheel, I got here to understand the sorted chassis and comfortable driving place. I wouldn’t have minded having the ability to preserve it for a bit longer… IV
