• Good rear seat space
• Boot nothing to write home about
• Big battery model only a four seater

Like the ID.3, the Born is around the same size as a typical hatchback such as a Golf or Ford Focus but has more space inside than you might think.

That said, it feels a little narrower than the equivalent Leon despite being a little wider on the outside, but those in the front are very unlikely to clash elbows. Try to fit three in the back of the smaller battery version and the centre passenger is likely to feel somewhat pinched, but a flat floor is welcome.

The exception to this is the big-battery version – something has to go to accommodate those extra cells and it is the middle seat in the rear that loses out, meaning you might be able to drive further in the 77kWh version but only four of you will make the trip. Instead you get a slightly concave section that allows you to put small items in. It’s a handy spot but it does rule out you being able to sit anyone there at all, even if it is for an in-car picnic to escape the rain.

Head and leg room in the back is generous for a car of this size although the floor is a little higher than a regular car’s, also on account of the batteries underneath. Even so, a family of four with a couple of teenagers should have plenty of space.

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Boot space and storage 

One payoff of that lost middle seat in the rear is that, regardless of which model you go for, the Born’s boot is a reasonable 385 litres, five litres more than you’d get on a VW Golf. It’s deep with a usefully squared off shape, although many rivals offer more carrying capacity for the same or less cash. The MG 5 in particular gives the Born a right kicking, especially as it’s so much cheaper. There are at least plenty of useful storage areas for front seat passengers in the Born, though.

There’s no adjustable height boot floor so you’ll need to contend with a hefty loading lip, and it’s a shame you don’t get a storage area under the bonnet like many other electric cars, although at least there’s a handy cubby under the floor for the charging cable.

Is it easy to park?

The Born is around the size of a typical family hatchback (like the ubiquitous Golf) so finding a space big enough shouldn’t be too much of an issue. Helping matters are a tight turning circle, front and rear parking sensors along with a rear-view camera on every single model.

The view over your shoulder is hampered by exceedingly thick rear pillars and the dramatically dropping nose means you can’t see where the front corners are either. We also found the MPV-like split windscreen pillars can obstruct your view coming out of junctions.

Safety

• Five-star Euro NCAP rating
• All the latest safety features you’d expect
• Lane-keeping assist isn’t perfect

Despite being fundamentally identical to the Volkswagen ID.3, the Cupra Born has its own crash test result from the Euro NCAP team. It, like the ID.3, manages a five-star score, and the testing process hasn’t changed much in between the two assessments.

There are some minor differences in the section scores, but they come down to slight vagaries in the spec and the Born still performs admirably.

It does mean some of the ID.3’s less endearing features are also present: the lane keep assist system is far too active, for instance.