It is the best electric car designed in Spain: it measures 4.04 meters in length, has a range of 445 km, and costs less than 29,000 €.

In recent years, there has been much discussion and talk about SEAT’s future in the automotive industry. With the survival of the original brand becoming increasingly uncertain, everything points to a shift in roles in favor of CUPRA. Volkswagen Group’s newest brand has made significant progress over the past few years thanks to the launch of high-quality products at competitive prices. The CUPRA Raval is the smallest, newest, and cheapest electric car in its lineup.

Although the brand began as SEAT’s sports division, it became an independent brand in 2018 while still maintaining its Spanish and Catalan roots. Its initial models demonstrated this connection (CUPRA León and CUPRA Ateca), but soon after came the CUPRA Formentor, the first product without a counterpart in SEAT. Since then, the company has thrived, even surpassing its parent brand. The 2021 CUPRA Born was the company’s first electric vehicle, but it will no longer be the only one.

Technical specs

Vehicle type

SUV

Dimensions

4,046 x 1.784 x 1.518 mm

Weight

1,690 Kg

Seats

5

Battery type

LFP / NMC

Battery capacity

37 - 52 kWh (net)

Range

300 - 445 Km

Power/Torque

116 - 226 HP / 267 - 290 Nm

WLTP Consumption

13.7 - 15.9 kWh/100 Km

Eco Label

ZERO

CO2 Emissions

0 g CO2/Km

Acceleration

6.8 - 11 sec

Trunk Volume

441 liters

Driving Assistance

Traffic Sign Reader

Parking Camera

Blind Spot Sensors

Cruise Control

Infotainment

Digital Instrument Cluster (10.25 inches)

Multimedia System (12.9 inches)

Price

Starting at 28,320 euros

CUPRA Raval Prices

Although many electric car manufacturers started with the high-end models, it has been proven that lower-tier vehicles are those that most effectively and thoroughly promote the democratization and expansion of electric mobility. These affordable cars are set to become the most popular models within each brand. CUPRA segments its range based on mechanical variants. Different combinations of engines and batteries allow the company to offer customers a more tailored product that fits their needs or budget. This results in a very wide range of prices.

Although it is one of the smallest electric vehicles in the Volkswagen Group, the price of the Raval is slightly higher than expected when compared to other electric B-segment models such as the BYD Dolphin Surf, Renault 5, and Geely E2. The CUPRA Raval is available in Spain at a minimum price of 28,320 euros, before any subsidies or discounts. The most expensive model in the series is the Raval VZ, starting at 37,860 euros, with no offers, promotions, or discounts applied.

Engine and Fuel Consumption

Like its siblings in the VAG Group, such as the Volkswagen ID. Polo and Skoda Epiq, among others, the Born is built on the group’s MEB+ platform — a structure designed exclusively for electric vehicles. In this case, it meets the specifications and requirements of the SUV segment. All versions feature a single engine mounted on the front axle, powered by batteries of various capacities that allow extending or reducing the driving range.

In terms of specifications, the range starts with the Raval 85 kW, equipped with an LFP battery having a net capacity of 37 kWh. It delivers 116 horsepower. Its technical specs claim a WLTP-certified range of 300 kilometers. It features chargers that provide up to 50 kW in DC and up to 11 kW in AC. Given its range and charging power, this is the least versatile and most restrictive version of all.

Next is the Raval Endurance with 211 horsepower. Its lithium-ion battery boosts the net capacity to 52 kWh. With an official consumption of 13.7 kWh/100 km, it achieves a range of 445 kilometers (WLTP). The most powerful version of the CUPRA Raval is labeled VZ. Its 226 horsepower reduces the range to 387 kilometers (WLTP), with an average official consumption of 15.9 kWh/100 km. Both models have identical power characteristics, featuring a charging capacity of 105 kW in DC and up to 11 kW in AC.

CUPRA Raval Dimensions

The Raval is the smallest model in the CUPRA family, positioned just below the Born and the compact CUPRA León. Its dimensions place it squarely in the European market’s B segment, where we find similar models such as the Peugeot e-208 and Nissan Micra, along with the previously mentioned Dolphin Surf and E2. All of these are competitors not only in terms of size but also in performance and price, although the Raval stands out as one of the best options in terms of quality, equipment, and electric performance.

According to the specifications, the Raval measures 4,046 meters in length, 1,784 meters in width (without mirrors), and 1,518 meters in height. These proportions are ideal for the city, where it performs like a fish in water, as well as when moving away from it. Adding to these dimensions is an axle distance of 2.6 meters, which allows it to offer ample interior space, along with a curb weight of around 1,690 kilograms per the technical specifications.

Interior

The market dictates that digitalization is the natural trend. All brands are investing in it to varying degrees of success. Volkswagen Group, including CUPRA, has chosen to minimize the use of physical buttons. The interior design is good, modern, and high-quality. This Spanish brand has selected soft materials with a pleasant texture that enhance the comfort for all passengers. The detailed adjustments and sturdy construction ensure the product will last for a long time.

In the front section, we find the most spacious area of the vehicle. The sporty-style seats provide good support for the body and are very comfortable for long trips. The multifunctional steering wheel, including a start button, allows control of the information displayed on a 10.25-inch instrument panel. The main 12.9-inch screen offers excellent performance, though it takes some time to learn all the functions built into it.

At the back, we find a very spacious seat with a completely flat floor. Three adults can travel there comfortably, though there is a lack of comfort features such as a dedicated ventilation outlet. On the side seats, there are ISOFIX attachments for child safety systems. There are also USB-C ports in the central tunnel and various storage compartments, although there is no comfortable armrest in the middle to enhance the comfort of rear passengers during long trips.

CUPRA Raval Trunk

The overall advantage of electric cars is that their compact design allows for optimizing not only the interior space but also the load capacity. The MEB+ platform ensures optimal use of space. The CUPRA Raval features a spacious trunk with a minimum capacity of 441 liters, making it one of the best SUVs in the market. This volume can be increased by folding the second row of seats in a 60:40 ratio. The loading opening is wide, and the space is well-organized, making it easy to fit larger and bulkier items. The height of the loading surface cannot be adjusted. Unfortunately, there is no second trunk in the front, a feature available on several of its competitors.

Reviews

Gradually, the market is filling up with electric cars. Vehicles from various brands, sizes, and colors that serve as practical alternatives for drivers who are more conscious about emission-free mobility. The CUPRA Raval is one of the best options on the market, despite its price being significantly higher than that of other competitors. It stands out for its design, quality, features, interior space, fuel efficiency, and driving experience. Aside from the price, there are few drawbacks to such a product. It’s an ideal car for everyday use and perfect for short or medium-distance trips without having to change one’s lifestyle.