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BMW i3 (60Ah) vs Cupra Raval
Selected trim60Ah · 2013-17118 mi · 21.6 kWh · £32,350
At a glance
In this comparison, BMW i3 leads on running costs and city driving, while the Cupra Raval leads on value for money, motorway range and charging speed.
Which should you choose?
Choose the BMW i3 (60Ah) if...
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 1.8p per mile on off-peak electricity
- you drive in the city - it's compact with an excellent turning circle
Choose the Cupra Raval if...
- you want the most for your money - best overall spec per pound
- you do long motorway journeys - it has the best estimated real-world range at speed
- you need the fastest charging of these options
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The Cupra Raval leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
ValueCupra
BMW
3.5
Cupra
5.2
Motorway RangeCupra
BMW
3.1
Cupra
4.2
Family
BMW
4.9
Cupra
5.1
Too close to call
ChargingCupra
BMW
4.1
Cupra
6.3
Cost Per MileBMW
BMW
9
Cupra
7.7
City DrivingBMW
BMW
9.1
Cupra
8
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Cupra Raval
V1 37kWh
- £5,355 cheaper
- 86 miles more WLTP range
- 181 litres more boot space
- 38 kW faster rapid charging
- 1 more seat
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | BMW i360Ah | Cupra RavalV1 37kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £32,350 | £26,995 (better) |
| Official range | 118 miles | 204 miles (better) |
| Boot space | 260 L | 441 L (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 24 min | 23 min (better) |
| 0-62 mph | 7.2 sec (better) | 9.5 sec |
Size Comparison
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BMW i3
Cupra Raval
Length
BMW i34,006mm-40mm
Cupra Raval4,046mm
Width
BMW i31,775mm-9mm
Cupra Raval1,784mm
Height
BMW i31,598mm
Cupra Raval1,514mm-84mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | BMW i360Ah | Cupra RavalV1 37kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,006 mm | 4,046 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,775 mm (better) | 1,784 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | 1,999 mm (better) | 2,000 mm |
| Height | 1,598 mm | 1,514 mm |
| Turning circle | 9.9 m (better) | 10.9 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 625 mm spare (better) | 616 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | BMW i360Ah | Cupra RavalV1 37kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 4 | 5 (better) |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | 2 | Not available |
| Boot space (seats up) | 260 L | 441 L (better) |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1100 L | Not available |
| Towing capacity (braked) | Not available | 500 kg |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
BMW i3
Not enough peers to make confident percentile claims.
Cupra Raval
- 3rd-largest boot among hatchback EVs in our catalogue at 441 L.
- Uses 138 Wh/km on the WLTP cycle, more efficient than 95% of hatchback EVs we track.
Full specifications
| Specification |  BMW i3 60Ah |  Cupra Raval V1 37kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.01m | 4.05m+40mm |
| Width | 1.77m | 1.78m+9mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.00m | 2.00m+1mm |
| Height | 1.60m | 1.51m-84mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.57m | 2.60m+29mm |
| Ground Clearance | 160mm | Not available |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 260L | 441L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | 1100L | Not available |
| Seats | 4 | 5 (better) |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 9.9m (better) | 10.9m |
| Kerb Weight | 1,270kg (better) | 1,589kg |
| Towing Capacity | Not available | 500kg |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 21.6kWh | 38.5kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 118 mi | 204 mi (better) |
| Max DC Charge | 50kW | 88kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £32,350 | £26,995 (better) |
| Price after EV grant | £32,350 (not eligible) | £25,495 (-£1,500) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Available | 2013–2017 | 2026+ |
* BMW i3: NEDC figure — WLTP testing was not available for this model year
* Cupra Raval: Not yet Euro NCAP tested as of 2026-05. Limited-production / halo / pre-launch / new-brand models are typically rated some time after general sale.
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | BMW i360Ah | Cupra RavalV1 37kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 118 miles | 204 miles (better) |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 75 miles | 139 miles (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 24 min | 23 min (better) |
| Max rapid charge rate | 50 kW | 88 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 7.4 kW | 11 kW (better) |
| Energy consumption | 129 Wh/km (better) | 138 Wh/km |
| Usable battery capacity | 18.8 kWh | 37 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | LFP |
| Battery architecture | 400V | 400V |
| Heat pump | Not standard | Not available |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | BMW i360Ah | Cupra RavalV1 37kWh |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 7.2 sec (better) | 9.5 sec |
| Power | 125 kW (better) | 99 kW |
| Torque | 250 Nm | 264 Nm (better) |
| Drivetrain | RWD | FWD |
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
Reviews and videos discuss each model overall; the specifications above apply to your selected trims.
Prices & deals
Calculate your real costs
For a useful running-cost comparison, factor in your mileage, charging access and current petrol or diesel car alongside the EV estimate.
Compare with petrol or diesel
Compare purchase price, energy, road tax and maintenance with a petrol or diesel alternative.
Calculate company-car tax
Work out monthly Benefit-in-Kind using current and future HMRC rates.
Cost per mile
Compare EV charging costs per mile with petrol and diesel using your charging options.
Check a lease quote
Assess the effective monthly cost alongside the list price and expected depreciation.
Safety & ownership confidence
Euro NCAP - BMW i3 60Ah
Tested 2013
Adult Occupant86%
Child Occupant82%
Vulnerable Road Users57%
Safety Assist55%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Euro NCAP - Cupra Raval V1 37kWh
Cupra Raval V1 37kWh
Not yet Euro NCAP tested as of 2026-05. Limited-production / halo / pre-launch / new-brand models are typically rated some time after general sale.
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | BMW i360Ah | Cupra RavalV1 37kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | Not available |
| Battery warranty distance | 160,934 km | Not available |
What owners say
Aggregated from UK owner forums and communities - the things you only learn after living with the car.
Shared watch-outs for both cars
Owners of every car here flag real-world range. Worth checking on a test drive whichever you choose.
BMW i3
60Ah
Owners love
- Excellent urban driving dynamics with agile handling, quick acceleration, and responsive electric powertrain making it fun and engaging
- Premium interior design and build quality with lightweight carbon fiber construction; won Automotive Interiors Expo Award 2014
- REX range extender provides practical flexibility for occasional longer journeys without replacing daily charging needs
Watch out for
- Real-world range significantly lower than advertised (60-85 miles vs. 118 miles claimed for 60Ah models), with severe winter degradation to 55-60 miles
- Early 60Ah battery models experience capacity degradation over time, limiting long-term viability as sole car
- AC-only charging on early models without DC rapid capability complicates longer journeys and affects resale value
Owner tips
- For 60Ah models, verify battery health via hidden menu diagnostics and only buy as second car or accept potential replacement within two years; consider 120Ah upgrade if available
- Pre-condition cabin before driving and charge to 75-80% maximum to preserve battery health; use Eco Pro Plus mode to maximize range in winter
Cupra Raval
V1 37kWh
Owners love
- Competitive range of 238 miles WLTP, ahead of key rivals like Alpine A290 and Mini JCW Electric
- Spacious interior with 441-litre boot capacity, offering more cargo space than larger competitors like Cupra Leon
- Engaging handling with responsive steering and 15-stage adaptive dampers that allow personalized tuning
Watch out for
- Real-world range approximately 150 miles with safety margin, significantly less than WLTP claims, limiting long-distance suitability
- Retractable door handles are unreliable and difficult to operate smoothly
- Voice command system frequently interrupts conversations and ambient sounds
Owner tips
- Test adaptive dampers across the 15 stages to find the ideal setting for your driving style and road conditions
- Budget for real-world range of 150 miles for trip planning rather than relying on WLTP figures
Buying options
Get a quote
BMW i3
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Cupra Raval
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Frequently asked questions
Is the BMW i3 worth the extra £5,355 over the Cupra Raval?
The BMW i3 costs £5,355 more than the Cupra Raval. For that premium it adds a 2.3s quicker 0-62mph time. The Cupra Raval is not just cheaper - it also offers 86 miles more WLTP range, 38 kW faster peak rapid charging and 181 litres more boot space. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the Cupra Raval comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the BMW i3 or the Cupra Raval?
The Cupra Raval is £5,355 cheaper to buy. Running costs are almost identical - about £144 a year either way, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the Cupra Raval comes out roughly £5,315 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the BMW i3 and Cupra Raval like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 75 miles for the BMW i3 and 139 miles for the Cupra Raval - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The Cupra Raval goes roughly 63 miles further between charging stops. Both rapid-charge to 80% in a similar time, around 23-24 minutes.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the BMW i3 or the Cupra Raval?
The two are within 9 mm on width, so neither is meaningfully easier to thread into a tight space. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 625 mm of total clearance for the BMW i3 and about 616 mm of total clearance for the Cupra Raval. The BMW i3 also turns in a 1.0 m tighter circle, which helps with U-turns and multi-storey ramps.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the BMW i3 or the Cupra Raval?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 87% battery health for the BMW i3 and 90% for the Cupra Raval. That gives the Cupra Raval a modest edge in retained real-world range. The Cupra Raval's LFP-type pack tolerates daily 100% charging, while the BMW i3's NMC-type pack lasts longest kept to about 80% for everyday use.
Go deeper on each car
Visit the full model pages for owner feedback, expert reviews, used prices and battery-health information.
Compare against other rivals
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See both cars in our rankings
EVcarsguide scores every verified EV on price, range, family use and running costs. Here is where this pair appears.
Where the BMW i3 and Cupra Raval rank among EVs under £40,000Where the BMW i3 and Cupra Raval rank among the best small electric carsWhere the BMW i3 and Cupra Raval rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the BMW i3 and Cupra Raval rank among the best city EVsWhere the BMW i3 and Cupra Raval rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the BMW i3 and Cupra Raval rank among EVs with the biggest boots
If neither is quite right
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Further reading
Explore buying and ownership guides to help you choose between these electric cars.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .