The Cupra Born with its XL battery is right up there with other electric vehicles in our long-haul series. Let’s see how the latter fares against the competition.
With one of the best autonomy/price ratios on the market (it receives the maximum ecological bonus), the Cupra Born VZ XL seems very capable of assuming the role of the first vehicle in the house. Therefore, we have decided to make you pass the test of our main referral paths. Will the compact sports car confirm its status as a vehicle with the ability to make its way at a lower cost?
In order to compare the different electric cars in this exercise under similar conditions, the rules are as follows: departure is at 100% battery, with home charging to be charged, and arrival at destination must be with at least 20% battery. Below, the summary tables allow you to see at a glance where the vehicle you are interested in stands in relation to the others. Without further ado, let’s take a detailed look at what the Cupra Born VZ XL has in store for us.
The characteristics of the Cupra Born
With a 77 kWh battery under the ground, the Cupra Born VZ XL has a WLTP autonomy of 550 kilometers in combined cycle. In our exercise for the day, however, we should not expect to reach such figures, since the rule is to travel the route at the maximum speeds. Equipped with a Combo CCS port, the Cupra Born can be recharged at a maximum power of 120 kW on the various networks available in France: Ionity, Tesla, Fastned, Engie or Totalenergies are just a few examples available for electric vehicles.
The manufacturer announces 30 minutes of charging in ideal conditions to reach 80% battery, which is average for current vehicles. As usual, A Better Route Planner will be used to plan the routes, taking into account here the default fuel consumption reference point for the car model.
Route planning
Put all vehicles on an equal footing, We start trips at 100% battery, taking into account that you have to pay for this level of autonomy the average price per kWh in France, which is currently 0.17 euros. The 77 kWh then represent 13euros : we will take this cost into account when making a balance of each long trip.
The first big trip will simulate a summer vacation from Orleans to Arcachon (530 kilometers). The winter route, for its part, will begin in Caen and end in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc (850 kilometres). To simplify calculations regarding fast charging rates, We estimate that the price per kilowatt hour is 0.68 euros between the different operators. Please note that depending on the cards used and the subscriptions you have, this price may be higher or lower.
For the summer route, the parameters indicated in A Better Route Planner are the following: outside temperature 25 degrees Celsius, no wind, arrival at a charging station with 10% battery remaining and arrival at destination at 20%. For the winter trip, it is essentially the same, apart from the weather, where we choose a temperature of 0 degrees Celsius.
The balance of the different routes
Half an hour of charging for 530 kilometers
Although our summer trip doesn’t exceed the Cupra Born VZ XL’s advertised WLTP range, A Better Route Planner recommends two recharging stops, of 16 and 17 minutes, to arrive with 20% battery in Arcachon. Allego and Ionity are used on this highway route, and note that no fewer than eight Tesla Superchargers are available along the route if needed.
The total duration of the trip including the two charges reaches 5 hours and 5 minutes, that is, a average speed, including load, 104 km/h.
Regarding average consumption, the estimate is 203 Wh/km, which corresponds to a theoretical autonomy of 380 kilometers with 100% battery. Finally, the costs associated with this journey are 35 euros for fast charging, to which must be added the 13 euros for recharging at home, which gives a total of 48 euros for these 530 kilometers approximately.
A trouble-free winter, but with relatively long breaks
The densification of fast charging offers in France allows many vehicles to cross the country without incident. With its 77 kWh battery and its reasonable global consumption, the Cupra Born VZ XL manages to arrive brilliantly in Haute-Savoie from Caen, with four stops to recharge.
If the first stop is relatively short (8 minutes at the Tesla Supercharger in Vélizy), the next three last about thirty minutes, each time for a similar reason: half an hour of charging, and one hour and thirty minutes of driving. In total, it takes 1 hour and 41 minutes to charge, for a total ride time displayed as 9 hours and 6 minutes.
The number of fast chargers available on this hub means that charges can be placed in many different places depending on your preference and estimated battery level. Regarding the costs associated with this trip, we estimate them at 95 euros for fast charging, a total of 108 euros taking into account the charge for leaving home.
Finally, the estimated autonomy in such conditions is 345 kilometerssince consumption is 10% higher than in summer (223 Wh/km).
Consumption, recharging cost and autonomy
The following tables show all the vehicles that have already participated in this exercise, detailing the costs and duration associated with the charge. Thus, you can directly compare the different electric cars that have caught your attention on the same routes, to determine which one is best for you.
| Vehicle | summer trip cost | Summer trip loading time | Total summer travel time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Model 3 Propulsion | €36 – €49 | 31 minutes | 5h09m |
| Tesla Model 3 Long Range | €31 – €45 | 13 – 25 minutes | 4h 56min |
| EV6 58 kWh | €52 – €60 | 38 – 43 minutes | 5h30min |
| bmw i4 | €48 – €58 | 22 – 37 minutes | 5h11min |
| hyundai ioniq 5 | €72 | 36 minutes | 5h16min |
| mercedes benz eqs | €44 | 14 minutes | 4h 48min |
| Tesla Model Y Propulsion | €46 | 34 minutes | 5h30min |
| MG MG4 64 kWh | €66 | 49 minutes | 5h 39min |
| Renault Megane E-Tech EV60 | €67 | 56 minutes | 5h 40min |
| EV6 77 kWh | €56 | 26 minutes | 5h07min |
| Hyundai Kona 64 kWh | €61 | 58 minutes | 5h47min |
| Peugeot e-208 | €73 | 1 hour 13 minutes | 6h09m |
| Tesla Model S Plaid | €46 | 14 minutes | 4h 52min |
| Tesla model S | €34 | 9 minutes | 4h 47min |
| Skoda Enyak iV 80 | €51 | 27 minutes | 5h01min |
| Skoda Enyaq iV Coupe 60 | €58 | 42 minutes | 5h19m |
| VW ID. Buzz | €82 | 48 minutes | 5h 37min |
| MG MG5 | €55 | 1 hour 03 minutes | 5h40min |
| porsche taycan | €61 | 19 minutes | 4h 51min |
| Mercedes EQE 300 | €43 | 23 minutes | 4h 54min |
| Cupra Born VZ XL | €48 | 33 minutes | 5h05min |
| Volkswagen ID.3 Pro S | €46 | 44 minutes | 5h16min |
| Vehicle | winter travel cost | Winter trip charging time | Total travel time in winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Model 3 Propulsion | €102 | 1 hour 42 minutes | 9:16 a.m. |
| Tesla Model 3 Long Range | €101.3 | 1 hour 02 minutes | 8h27 |
| EV6 58 kWh | €120 | 1hr 54min | 9:59 a.m. |
| bmw i4 | €147 | 1 hour 32 minutes | 9:08 a.m. |
| hyundai ioniq 5 | €145 | 1hr 29min | 9:14 a.m. |
| mercedes benz eqs | €115 | 50 minutes | 8:03 a.m. |
| Tesla Model Y Propulsion | €120 | 1 hour 46 minutes | 9:42 a.m. |
| MG MG4 | €109 – €141 | 2h23min | 10:02 a.m. |
| Renault Megane E-Tech EV60 | €104 – €139 | 2h12min | 9:49 a.m. |
| EV6 77 kWh | €143 | 1 hour 14 minutes | 8h 54min |
| Hyundai Kona 64 kWh | €98 – €132 | 2h24min | 10:01 a.m. |
| Peugeot e-208 | €168 | 2h 49min | 10:59 a.m. |
| Tesla Model S Plaid | €104 | 42 minutes | 8:05 a.m. |
| Tesla model S | €88 | 33 minutes | 7:55 a.m. |
| Skoda Enyak iV 80 | €113 | 1 hour 18 minutes | 8h33m |
| Skoda Enyaq iV Coupe 60 | €118 | 1 hour 46 minutes | 9:04 a.m. |
| VW ID. Buzz | €182 | 2h04min | 9:41 a.m. |
| MG MG5 | €122 | 2h36min | 10:01 a.m. |
| porsche taycan | €146 | 58 minutes | 8:05 a.m. |
| Mercedes EQE 300 | €112 | 1 hour 09 minutes | 8:32 a.m. |
| Cupra Born VZ XL | €108 | 1 hour 41 minutes | 9:06 a.m. |
| Volkswagen ID.3 Pro S | €105 | 1 hour 35 minutes | 8h 58min |
The Cupra Born VZ XL can become the first vehicle in the house
With a summer journey time of just over five hours, and nine hours for the winter journey, The Cupra Born VZ XL shows that it has not stolen its reputation as a vehicle suitable for long trips. Indeed, although its fast charging power is not impressive, its controlled consumption shows that it has many advantages to claim.
In terms of fees, we get a cost of 9 euros for 100 kilometers for the summer route and 12.70 euros for 100 kilometers for the winter route. This is still very reasonable, since only a few vehicles manage to do better than the Cupra Born VZ XL in the same exercise. In fact, the Tesla Model 3 shows substantially comparable charging times and costs, while the Kia EV6, Peugeot e-208, Renault Mégane E-tech EV60 or even the MG4 fail to match the Cupra Born.
If your rather successful pencil stroke caught your eye, know that Therefore, the Cupra Born is not just a pretty design.. Its driving sensations are at the rendezvous and its ability to make long journeys without incidents allow it to be the first vehicle in the house. Priced to guarantee you’ll get below the maximum green bonus threshold, it’s certainly a vehicle to be reckoned with.
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