Cupra Raval lands with hot VZ version and sub-£23k price tag
Cupra Raval has arrived as the brand’s new entry-level EV, with sales set to begin on July 1 and pricing starting from under £23, 000. The small hatchback is positioned as Cupra’s most affordable electric model so far, and the company says it is aimed squarely at the fast-growing small-EV segment. A hotter VZ version sits at the top of the line-up and is being lined up as a rival to the Alpine A290.
What Cupra Raval brings to the line-up
The Cupra Raval is the smallest car the brand has shown to date, but it is also one of the most important. It uses VW Group’s latest MEB Entry+ platform, which is designed to bring costs down while giving the car shared underpinnings with upcoming Volkswagen and Skoda models. Cupra has also said the model keeps performance central to the brief, despite the focus on affordability.
At 4. 05 metres long, 1. 78 metres wide and 1. 52 metres tall, the Raval is slightly larger than the Renault 5. It has a 430-litre boot, helped by a large underfloor compartment, and Cupra says the car is the sportiest of the group’s incoming small EVs thanks to a suspension setup that sits 15mm lower and 10mm wider than the basic configuration.
Power, range and charging
Four trims, four powertrains and two battery packs are planned. The base Core version pairs a 114bhp front motor with a 37kWh LFP battery and a claimed range of around 185 to 186 miles. That battery can be charged from 10% to 80% in 27 minutes at up to 90kW.
Higher V1 and V2 trims bring more power and the option of a 52kWh NMC battery. With that larger pack, the claimed range rises to around 279 to 280 miles, and charging can go up to 130kW for a 10% to 80% refill in 23 minutes. Those versions can also be specified with a more powerful motor, while the range-topping VZ uses the 52kWh battery and a 222bhp motor.
The Cupra Raval VZ is claimed to do 0-62mph in 7. 0 seconds and reach 108mph, while its range drops to nearer 250 miles. Cupra says the model is engineered to deliver a dynamic and emotional driving experience that sets it apart from other urban EVs.
Cupra Raval VZ targets the hot hatch crowd
The VZ gets front-wheel drive through an electronic limited-slip differential, plus a different front suspension design, reworked knuckles and DCC Sport adaptive dampers. Cupra also says the stability control system can be switched fully off, giving drivers more adjustability. The wider remit is clear: this is the version built to bring a sharper edge to the Cupra Raval name.
There are also visual and cabin touches aimed at making the car feel more special. The exterior keeps the shape of the 2022 Urban Rebel concept, with a prominent sharknose and sloping roofline, while the interior includes dashboard projectors that can shine animations onto the front door cards. Cupra creative director Francesca Sangalli said the brand uses light “almost like a material” to make the experience more immersive.
Why this matters now
The arrival of the Cupra Raval matters because it opens a new phase for VW Group’s small-EV plans. Cupra says the model sits at the start of a broader wave of compact electric cars, with the shared platform meant to support several future launches in the same segment.
For now, the key date is July 1, when the Cupra Raval goes on sale from under £23, 000. What happens next will be judged on whether the entry car can match its low price with the sharper character and stronger performance Cupra is promising.
