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BMW i3s vs Cupra Born
Selected trim120Ah · 2018-22177 mi · 42.2 kWh · £37,670
At a glance
In this comparison, BMW i3s stays competitive across the board, while the Cupra Born leads on value for money, motorway range and family practicality.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Cupra Born 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 most family-friendly option with good safety and space
- you need the fastest charging of these options
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 1.6p per mile on off-peak electricity
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The Cupra Born wins almost every category - it's the clear choice unless price is the deciding factor.
ValueCupra
BMW
2.9
Cupra
5.6
Motorway RangeCupra
BMW
2.1
Cupra
6.3
FamilyCupra
BMW
4.9
Cupra
8.1
ChargingCupra
BMW
2
Cupra
6.7
Cost Per MileCupra
BMW
3.4
Cupra
9.6
City Driving
BMW
8.1
Cupra
7.7
Too close to call
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Cupra Born
V1 58kWh
- £1,675 cheaper
- 124 miles more WLTP range
- 125 litres more boot space
- 55 kW faster rapid charging
- 1 more seat
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | BMW i3s120Ah | Cupra BornV1 58kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £37,670 | £35,995 (better) |
| Official range | 177 miles | 301 miles (better) |
| Boot space | 260 L | 385 L (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 42 min | Not available |
| 0-62 mph | 6.9 sec (better) | 8 sec |
Size Comparison
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BMW i3s
Cupra Born
Length
BMW i3s4,006mm-318mm
Cupra Born4,324mm
Width
BMW i3s1,791mm-18mm
Cupra Born1,809mm
Height
BMW i3s1,590mm
Cupra Born1,540mm-50mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | BMW i3s120Ah | Cupra BornV1 58kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,006 mm | 4,324 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,791 mm (better) | 1,809 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,028 mm (better) | 2,070 mm |
| Height | 1,590 mm | 1,540 mm |
| Turning circle | 9.9 m (better) | 10.2 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 609 mm spare (better) | 591 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | BMW i3s120Ah | Cupra BornV1 58kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 4 | 5 (better) |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | 2 | Not available |
| Boot space (seats up) | 260 L | 385 L (better) |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1100 L | 1267 L (better) |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
BMW i3s
Not enough peers to make confident percentile claims.
Cupra Born
- 301 mile WLTP range, longer than 95% of hatchback EVs we track.
- Peak DC charging of 105 kW, faster than 85% of hatchback EVs in our catalogue.
- At 4,324 mm, longer than 85% of hatchback EVs we track.
Full specifications
| Specification |  BMW i3s 120Ah |  Cupra Born V1 58kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.01m | 4.32m+318mm |
| Width | 1.79m | 1.81m+18mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.03m | 2.07m+42mm |
| Height | 1.59m | 1.54m-50mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.57m | 2.77m+196mm |
| Ground Clearance | 154mm | Not available |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 260L | 385L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | 1100L | 1267L (better) |
| Seats | 4 | 5 (better) |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 9.9m (better) | 10.2m |
| Kerb Weight | 1,340kg (better) | 1,899kg |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 42.2kWh | 58kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 177 mi | 301 mi (better) |
| Max DC Charge | 50kW | 105kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £37,670 | £35,995 (better) |
| Price after EV grant | £37,670 (not eligible) | £34,495 (-£1,500) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Available | 2018–2022 | 2026+ |
* Cupra Born: Heat pump: an option, not standard.
* Cupra Born: Manufacturer lists no trailer towing capacity.
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | BMW i3s120Ah | Cupra BornV1 58kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 177 miles | 301 miles (better) |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 118 miles | 250 miles (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 42 min | Not available |
| Max rapid charge rate | 50 kW | 105 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW | 11 kW |
| Energy consumption | 166 Wh/km | Not available |
| Usable battery capacity | 37.9 kWh | 58 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | NMC |
| Battery architecture | 400V | 400V |
| Heat pump | Not standard | Not standard |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | BMW i3s120Ah | Cupra BornV1 58kWh |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 6.9 sec (better) | 8 sec |
| Power | 135 kW | 140 kW (better) |
| Torque | 270 Nm | 310 Nm (better) |
| Drivetrain | RWD | RWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests. One car has more review coverage than the other - we show that rather than guessing.
BMW i3s
120Ah
No critic reviews gathered yet for this car.
Cupra Born
V1 58kWh
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
BMW i3s
All 3 videos
Reviews and videos discuss each model overall; the specifications above apply to your selected trims.
Prices & deals
New and used prices
Current pricing and recent used-market behaviour.
| Measure | BMW i3s120Ah | Cupra BornV1 58kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Used market price from | £12,260 | £14,295 |
| Average used price | £15,600 | £14,295 |
Used prices are indicative figures gathered from independent UK dealer listings and change frequently.
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 i3s 120Ah
Tested 2013
Adult Occupant86%
Child Occupant82%
Vulnerable Road Users57%
Safety Assist55%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Euro NCAP - Cupra Born V1 58kWh
Tested 2025
Adult Occupant89%
Child Occupant87%
Vulnerable Road Users76%
Safety Assist76%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | BMW i3s120Ah | Cupra BornV1 58kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | 160,934 km | 160,934 km |
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 i3s
120Ah
Owners love
- Excellent handling and engaging driving dynamics with quick steering response and instant torque, making it fun and responsive around town
- Outstanding reliability on 2019+ models, with many owners reporting 60k-100k+ miles with no major faults
- Impressive acceleration performance despite modest power output, competitive with much larger vehicles from 0-40 mph
Watch out for
- Real-world range significantly lags advertised figures, particularly in winter (100-120 miles realistic versus 150+ claimed), limiting journey flexibility
- Limited battery capacity on older models restricts longer journeys and requires careful trip planning
- Range Extender adds substantial weight, reduces EV range, and produces loud engine noise with modest fuel efficiency (34 mpg)
Owner tips
- Target 2019+ models with 42 kWh battery for better reliability and range; avoid pre-2015 models and early Range Extender variants
- Install a dedicated home fast charger rather than relying on standard sockets—essential for convenient daily charging and cost savings
Cupra Born
V1 58kWh
Owners love
- Owners rate the handling, rear-wheel-drive steering feel and comfortable, supportive seats
- Good real-world efficiency, with owners reporting around 4 miles per kWh and 220-320 miles depending on battery
- The 326PS VZ fixed the early cars' lack of punch, with much stronger mid-range acceleration
Watch out for
- Wide A-pillars create a large blind spot at junctions and roundabouts
- The brake pedal feels long and vague at low speed, and regeneration cannot be adjusted much
- The Born is heavy, so the VZ feels less quick than its power suggests and is expensive new
Owner tips
- Check whether a car has the optional heat pump if you do a lot of winter driving
- The 2022-2024 77 kWh car has four seats; later 79 kWh cars seat five
Buying options
Get a quote
BMW i3s
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Cupra Born
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Frequently asked questions
Is the BMW i3s worth the extra £1,675 over the Cupra Born?
The BMW i3s costs £1,675 more than the Cupra Born. For that premium it adds a 1.1s quicker 0-62mph time. The Cupra Born is not just cheaper - it also offers 124 miles more WLTP range, 55 kW faster peak rapid charging and 125 litres more boot space. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the Cupra Born comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the BMW i3s or the Cupra Born?
The Cupra Born is £1,675 cheaper to buy. The Cupra Born is cheaper to charge, roughly £128 a year versus £184 for the BMW i3s, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the Cupra Born comes out roughly £1,955 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 i3s and Cupra Born like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 118 miles for the BMW i3s and 250 miles for the Cupra Born - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The Cupra Born goes roughly 132 miles further between charging stops.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the BMW i3s or the Cupra Born?
The two are within 18 mm on width, so neither is meaningfully easier to thread into a tight space. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 609 mm of total clearance for the BMW i3s and about 591 mm of total clearance for the Cupra Born.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the BMW i3s or the Cupra Born?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 84% battery health for the BMW i3s and 84% for the Cupra Born. That is close enough that capacity loss should not decide between them. Both use NMC-type cells, so for daily use keep the charge limit near 80% to slow degradation. Both batteries carry a 8-year manufacturer warranty.
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
Compare similarly sized and priced electric cars before finalising your shortlist.
More BMW i3s comparisons
More Cupra Born comparisons
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 i3s and Cupra Born rank among EVs under £40,000Where the BMW i3s and Cupra Born rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the BMW i3s and Cupra Born rank among the best city EVsWhere the BMW i3s and Cupra Born rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the BMW i3s and Cupra Born rank among EVs with the biggest bootsWhere the BMW i3s and Cupra Born rank among Best Used Electric Cars Under £10,000 (UK)
If neither is quite right
Explore other verified electric cars that may better suit the priorities this pair does not meet.
Further reading
Explore buying and ownership guides to help you choose between these electric cars.
GuideBuying a Used BMW i3 (2013-2022): 60Ah vs 94Ah vs 120Ah, REx, Warranty & What to Check
A used BMW i3 buyer’s guide: the three battery sizes, i3 vs i3s, the range extender explained, battery warranty left, the motor electronics fault to ask about, real-world range, what to pay and a printable checklist.
GuideBuying a Used CUPRA Born (2022 on): Which Battery, the Battery Recall, Range & What to Check
A used CUPRA Born buyer’s guide: 58, 59, 77 or 79 kWh and e-Boost explained, the four-seat 77 kWh car, the 2026 battery recall, warranty left, real-world range, what to pay and a printable checklist.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .