Cupra Raval Review

The Raval is CUPRA’s smallest car to date, measuring just over four metres long and sitting below the popular Born in the range. Underneath it uses the Volkswagen Group’s clever new MEB Plus electric platform, which has been developed specifically to make smaller electric cars more affordable. Alongside the Raval, you'll also find the new Volkswagen ID.Polo and Skoda Epiq using the same tech. 

CUPRA has worked hard to give the Raval its own distinctive character though, with a low nose, angular LED lighting and plenty of sharp surfacing. It's unmistakably a CUPRA and deliberately avoids the retro approach some rivals have followed, like the excellent Renault 5. 

There is substance beneath the design, too. Its dedicated EV platform gives the Raval a long wheelbase for its overall length, creating considerably more passenger space than its compact exterior suggests. A family of four will happily fit in the Raval, while the boot will swallow up a weekly shop. 

The current UK range is centred on either a 37kWh or 52kWh battery, with a modest range of just over 200 miles for the smaller battery, and up to just over 270 miles for the larger battery. V1 and V2 trims will appeal to most buyers, but at the top of the range is the VZ and VZ Extreme models. Not only do these get a smidge more power for snappier performance, they have a wider track, come with adaptive suspension and have a clever electronic limited slip differential. If you're looking for a small eletric hot hatch, this could be the car for you. At the other end of the range is the yet to be launched Raval Origin. Expected during 2027, this new entry-level offering promises to be even more affordable than the V1. 

That breadth makes the Raval one of the standout small EVs on sale, with range, practicality and performance to suit almost any buyer after a small EV.

We reckon the CUPRA Raval in V2 trim with the larger 52kWh battery is the one to go for. 

While the entry-level V1 model comes well equipped, the V2 enjoys a couple more luxuries, including more supportive sports seats, slick ambient lighting and some snazzier 19-inch alloy wheels. The bigger battery brings a bit more flexibility when it comes to range, while performance is a bit more brisk. That said, if you're likely to be using the Raval for regular short trips, then the smaller battery will fit the bill here. 

The VZ is a slightly different proposition. With a bit more power, adaptive suspension and an electronic limited slip differential, this is the one to go for if you're after an EV that behaves more like a hot hatch.

The CUPRA Raval starts at £26,995 for the entry-level V1 model with the smaller battery, though that's before the £1,500 saving of the Electric Car Grant is taken into account. That undercuts the entry-level Vauxhall Corsa Electric and MINI Cooper Electric, but does set you back a bit more than either the Peugeot E-208 or Renault 5 E-Tech. 

Move up to the Raval V2 with the larger battery and prices start at £32t,580 before the Electric Car Grant, with the hot VZ model starting at £34,995, which prices it pretty much identically with the new Peugeot E-208 GTI. 

With the CUPRA Raval sharing the same mechanical platform as the VW ID.Polo and Skoda Epiq, it's likely that these two small EVs are going to be the closest natural alternatives to the Raval. We're still yet to drive these two cars, but once we do, we'll update here.

Those two options aside, there's also the Renault 5 E-Tech. With its distinctive retro styling, smart interior and competitive pricing, it's a tempting option, though the CUPRA Raval offers considerably more boot space and better rear seat accommodation.

Elsewhere, there's the Peugeot E-208 and Vauxhall Corsa Electric. Both are established alternatives with efficient electric powertrains, although neither feels as fresh or spacious as the Raval. There's also the recently launched Kia EV2, with its more upright, SUV-like design and functional cabin. And don't discount the MINI Cooper Electric - it's stylish and enjoyable to drive but less practical, particularly in the rear seats and boot.

The CUPRA Raval may have pretty compact external dimensions, but you'll be surprised how much space there is inside. We tested the V2 Launch Edition that came with bucket seats, and unlike some EVs, you feel like you're sitting in the Raval, rather than perched on top. There's also a good amount of adjustment in the seating and column reach from the steering wheel, meaning you should be able to get a nice and comfy driving position.

Like a lot of recent VWG cars, the Raval has its drive selector mounted to the right of the steering column, which frees up space in the central console for a good amount of storage. It also sits reasonably high, contributing to a more cockpit like feel. 

Rear-seat passengers haven't been compromised either and is where the dedicated electric platform really pays off. There is enough legroom for adults to sit behind similarly sized occupants in the front, and with no central transmission tunnel to worry about, a third person sitting in the back won't have to have their legs straddling either side of it. That said, you might want to think twice about doing it on longer journeys, but it's still impressive for a small car. And perhaps just as importantly, the CUPRA Raval has two ISOFIX fastenings in the back, while the rear doors open pretty wide when you have to lean in and fasten seatbelts for kids. 

If you're thinking that the boot must be small, think again. The CUPRA Raval has a 441 litre boot, an exceptional figure for a small hatchback and larger than the boot space in many cars from the class above, and comfortably beats the Peugeot E-208’s 309 litres, the Renault 5 E-Tech’s 326 litres and Kia EV2's 362 litres. The boot floor can be positioned at different heights, providing a flatter loading area or maximising outright capacity. At its lowest setting the space is deep, although that creates a more noticeable lip when lifting heavier items out.

The CUPRA Raval measures 4,046mm long, 1,784mm wide and 1,514mm high - this makes it nice and compact to thread through busy city streets and place in small parking spaces. 

Compared to other small electric cars, the CUPRA Raval is almost identical in size to the VW ID.Polo, Renault 5 and Peugeot E-208 and a bit smaller than the Skoda Epiq.  

The CUPRA Raval's infotainment system is based around a large 12.9-inch touchscreen display that acts as your gateway to pretty much all the Raval's settings. It's pretty easy to navigate, the display is crisp and responses are nice and quick. Underneath the display you'll also find some touch-sensitive controls for climate and volume. Key driving info is displayed on a 10.25-inch digital dash that's clear and easy to read. 

The steering wheel itself also has a decent array of physical controls, including dedicated controls for drive modes and 'CUPRA' mode - everything gets turned up to 11, with settings at their most aggressive or sensitive. 

Chances are you'll want to connect your smartphone, and the Raval comes with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, while there's also wireless phone charging in the central console. And sticking with phones for a sec, the My CUPRA app allows iowners to check charging status, schedule charging and precondition the cabin remotely. More than one device? There are a couple of USB-C sockets up front. 

What else? The standard car has a seven-speaker audio system, but move up to the V2 and there's a 12-speaker Sennheiser stereo, which includes a subwoofer for more punch. 

Despite the modest price tag, the Raval makes a good first impression, with contrasting textures, fabrics and copper detailing to give the cabin a chunk of personality. We really like the way the ambient lighting projects a mini graphical light display onto the door panels. It might sound a bit odd, but it does look really slick once the sun drops. Just bear in mind you'll only find it on V2 spec cars and above. 

Speaking of V2 models, these get electrically adjustable Dinamica bucket seats, while the VZ has more supportive bucket seats trimmed in vegan leather. VZ Extreme goes further with distinctive knitted bucket seats.

The CUPRA Raval is offered with two battery sizes: a smaller 37kWh pack and a larger 52kWh option.

The 37kWh battery is available on V1 and V2 models and powers a front-mounted motor driving the front wheels. Output is 135PS, with 0 to 62mph taking 9.5 seconds. We've yet to drive this version, but that should be more than adequate for urban use, while its official range of up to 203 miles also makes it best suited to shorter, regular journeys rather than frequent long-distance driving.

The 52kWh battery is offered in two flavours. In V1 and V2 trims, it is paired with a 210PS motor, cutting the 0 to 62mph time to 7.1 seconds and increasing official range to as much as 276 miles. That makes this the more versatile all-rounder, with enough performance for easy motorway joining and overtaking as well as everyday town driving.

The VZ and VZ Extreme use the same 52kWh battery but increase output to 225PS, reducing the 0 to 62mph time to 6.8 seconds. The trade-off is efficiency, with official range falling to 239 miles.

We haven't driven the more powerful VZ model yet, but the V2 model we drove with the larger 52kWh battery impressed. The Raval is a really nice small EV on the road, and while it might lack some of the mechanical tricks that the VZ model has up its sleeve, it still feels properly agile and fun to drive.

Acceleration won't push you back into your seat, but it's quick enough off the line and when you find yourself with a clear bit of twisty road, the steering is direct and grip is very good. The firm suspension does a good job balancing a sporty feel without sacrificing comfort too much. Perhaps just as importantly for a small EV, round town and the Raval is easy to place and the 10.9m turning circle (11m on the Extreme model) is really useful in tight spaces.  

The Raval feels impressively settled on the motorway as well, with good high-speed stability and enough composure to make longer journeys feel easy rather than tiring. Refinement is strong for a small EV, with little wind noise and smooth, quiet power delivery.

The CUPRA Raval scored four stars in Euro NCAP testing with its standard safety equipment and a full five stars when fitted with the optional Safety Pack. While this might seem a little disappointing for the standard car, it still has a very good level of crash protection when you drill down into the results. This sees the standard car score 91% for Crash Protection and 95% for Post Crash Safety, with it scoring 58% for Safe Driving and 66% for Crash Avoidance. 

The optional Safety Pack adds predictive adaptive cruise control and front traffic alert, raising the Safe Driving and Crash Avoidance scores for a full five star result. As well as this, the Raval also includes automatic emergency braking, driver monitoring and a centre airbag, while its systems can warn occupants if a door is about to be opened into the path of a cyclist.

The CUPRA Raval sees DC charging peak at 105kW for the 52kWh models, which in real-world conditions means that you can expect to top up the battery from 10% to 80% in approximately 24 minutes with a suitable rapid charger. The smaller 37kWh battery charges at up to 88kW, and will take around 23 minutes for the same percentage charge.

Charging on the go at a rapid charger will cost roughly £28.50 for the 37kWh battery model, while you're looking at around £40 for the larger 52kWhf battery. 

To keep costs down, a home charger will be essential, with overnight charging from a 7kW wallbox easily achievable, while preconditioning through the app allows the cabin to be heated or cooled before departure without using energy from the battery. As for costs, you're looking at just under £10 roughly for the smaller battery, and around £13.50 for the bigger battery. 

Just like every other new CUPRA, the Raval comes with the brand's impressive five-year/90,000 mile warranty (whichever comes first). On top of that, the high voltage battery has additional protection for eight years or 100,000 miles.

The Raval will need to be serviced every two years rather than annually. Its first scheduled visit is due at two years old and includes an EV inspection and battery health check, with brake fluid and the pollen filter also covered under CUPRA’s current e-CARE servicing. 

Insurance groups for the CUPRA Raval are actually pretty modest, especially when you consider it's an EV that can attract a higher premium. This sees the lower-powered Raval V1 sit insurance group 14, while the more powerful version of the V2 sits in group 20. Even the more powerful VZ and VZ Extreme fall into insurance group 22. 

As is always the case, premiums will still vary significantly depending on driver age, location and claims history. 

Just like other new electric cars, the CUPRA Raval is no longer exempt from Vehicle Excise Duty, which means from the second year of taxation, you'll be paying the annual standard rate of £200. On the plus side, the Expensive Car Supplement now applies to new zero emission cars with a list price above £50,000, which no current Raval meets, which avoids an additional £440 from years two to six.