Introduction to the Cupra Raval EV
Cupra, a Spanish car brand known for its racing-inspired design and performance, has unveiled a new small electric vehicle (EV) that promises to be a strong contender in the growing EV market. The Raval EV is set to start from just under £23,000, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious buyers looking for an affordable and stylish electric car.
This model marks the beginning of a wave of small EVs from the Volkswagen Group, which owns Cupra. The Raval will compete directly with Renault’s new small, affordable electric options, including the popular R5 EV. This competition between Spain and France is expected to drive innovation and value for consumers.
The Raval is the smallest car in Cupra’s lineup and serves as the entry point into the brand’s electric vehicle range. It shares the same MEB platform as the upcoming VW ID. Polo, ensuring compatibility and efficiency in production.
Key Features and Specifications
The Raval is scheduled to arrive later this summer, and if it qualifies for the Government’s Electric Car Grant (ECG), it could match the starting price of its French competitor, the Renault 5 EV. However, the ECG is already included in the Renault 5’s starting price of £21,495, while the Raval starts at £22,785 before any discounts.
In addition to the Renault 5, the Raval will also face competition from the Vauxhall Corsa Electric and the new Kia EV2, which starts at £24,245. Despite this, the Raval offers a compelling combination of features and performance.
One of the standout aspects of the Raval is its battery options. It shares the same battery configurations as the Skoda Epiq and Volkswagen ID Polo and ID Cross. Buyers can choose between a 37kWh Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery or a larger 52kWh Nickel Manganese Cobalt (NMC) battery.
The 37kWh battery is paired with an 114bhp electric motor in the ‘Core’ entry spec, delivering 186 miles of range, which is ideal for city driving. Higher trims, such as the V1 and V2, offer more power and longer ranges. The V1 and V2 trims can be paired with a 134bhp motor and the smaller battery or a 222bhp motor with the larger 52kWh battery, boosting the range to 279 miles. This surpasses the Renault 5’s maximum range of 252 miles.
The top-of-the-line VZ trim is only available with the larger 52kWh battery and a 222bhp motor, offering a range of 248 miles. While it sacrifices some range for increased power, the VZ trim delivers a 0-62mph acceleration time of seven seconds and a top speed of 108mph. This trim will compete with the Alpine A290, which starts at just over £30,000.
Performance and Design
As a sports brand, Cupra has ensured the Raval delivers on performance. It features a sports chassis with lower suspension than other MEB Plus EVs—15mm lower and 10mm wider—and steering tuning designed to enhance agility. The ‘Sport’ mode adjusts traction control, and there is a launch control option called ‘E-launch.’ The Raval also includes sporty start-up sounds and customizable interior lighting.
The Raval incorporates the Volkswagen Group’s Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) Sport adaptive dampers and allows full deactivation of the stability control system. These features contribute to a dynamic driving experience.
Exterior and Interior Design
The exterior of the Raval draws inspiration from the Urban Rebel concept revealed in 2022, featuring a sporty sloping roofline, a ‘sharknose’ design, and Matrix LED lights. Cupra has emphasized lighting in both the exterior and interior, with backlit vents on the front grille, a full-width rear lightbar, and lighting used almost like a material on the inside. The front doors feature animations projected onto them.
Inside, the Raval boasts a 10.25-inch instrument display, the largest of any Cupra model yet, and a 12.9-inch touchscreen sourced from the Born EV. Physical buttons accompany the touchscreen, along with haptic buttons on the steering wheel.
Certain versions of the Raval include Cupra’s ‘Cup’ bucket sports seats, made from a new sustainable ‘3D knit’ material that is one piece without stitches. Despite being 278mm shorter than the Cupra Born EV, the Raval offers more boot space due to the electric motor being positioned under the bonnet rather than the boot floor. It provides 430 litres of storage, which is 45 litres more than the Born. However, the inclusion of a 12-speaker Sennheiser sound system reduces the boot space by around 20 litres.
Pricing and Availability
All versions of the Raval will be available for purchase in the UK starting from 1 July. The Raval Core, equipped with the smaller battery, starts at £22,785. The V1 trim with the same battery costs £26,995, while the V2 trim is priced at £29,580.
For the larger 52kWh battery models, the V1 trim starts at £29,995, and the V2 trim goes up to £32,580. The top VZ trim starts at £35,705. Two launch trims will also be available: the Launch Edition at £33,995 and the VZ Extreme at £36,530.
The Launch Edition includes autonomous safety kit, fancier bucket seats, and a better sound system. The VZ Extreme features Cupra’s 3D-knitted bucket seats, Sulfur Green 19-inch alloy wheels, a matte exterior paint finish, and a 222bhp electric motor.
Cupra expects the Raval to qualify for the Government’s Electric Car Grant, which would provide a £1,500 discount for the lower Band 2. If this discount is applied, the Raval will cost less than the R5 E-tech.
