Cupra Born review

Prices start at £35,995, an admirably small jump of just £500 ish over the old base model despite the array of improvements that have been made between versions. That nets you the 58kWh battery and weediest powertrain in entry-level V1 trim.

The more powerful mid-spec Born with the 79kWh battery pack is £36,995, so that’s likely to make sure the entry car doesn’t get a look in. There's no confirmation yet how the Electric Car Grant will be applied, but expect a discount of some kind when the Born hits showrooms this summer.

Then it’s £38,045 for the V2 spec and base powertrain, or £39,995 for the more powerful and rangier configuration. Quite why the jump is £2k here but only half that in V1 trim is anyone’s guess.

Then there’s the VZ. Hope you’re sitting down, it’s £45,995. Yowzers, that's as much as a GR Yaris. Obviously you get the most powerful and most range-endowed motor and battery combo, and all the accoutrements that come with ‘em… but that’s a lot of money for a hatch. Even a hot one.

And what kit do I get with all of that?

The Born V1 comes with 19in alloy wheels, LED headlights, the 12.9 and 10.25in screen setup, a seven-speaker audio system, four USB sockets, a wireless phone charger and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, ambient lighting, dual-zone air con, a heated steering wheel and heated front seats, a rear-view camera, adaptive cruise control, V2L capability (e.g. for charging laptops) and an all-you-can eat buffet of active safety aids.

The V2 spec adds welcome lights to the mirrors, rear tinted windows, an HUD, the Dinamica front seats with electronic adjustment and a top-view camera with parking assistance. To name but a few.

Finally, the VZ features a more advanced Sennheiser audio system, CUPBucket seats and the dynamic chassis control, plus 20in 'Firestorm' alloys. If you've got the money to burn it's by far the most exciting to drive, but if B-road slaying isn't a priority then the V1 will hardly leave you short-changed.

There are a couple of items that are determined by the battery rather than trim: regen paddles, the Cupra mode, launch control and the 183kW peak charging rate all belong to the bigger 79kWh pack.

The warranty is five years or 90,000 miles.