Cupra Raval is coming for the Renault 5 with £24k starting price

Cupra has confirmed pricing for its new Raval compact EV will start from under £24,000 when it goes on sale this summer.

The Raval is Cupra’s answer to the Renault 5 and is the first car based on the MEB+ platform. Later this year, Volkswagen will launch the ID.Polo and ID.Cross based on the same underpinnings, while Skoda will introduce the Epiq.

Raval prices will start at £23,785 and the supermini will be available in four trim levels and with two battery and three motor options, ranging from the entry-level Origin to the Alpine A290-challening VZ.

That price could come down further if the Spanish-built car secures approval for the Government’s Electric Car Grant.

Positioned as the sportiest of the four Urban Car Family models, the Raval is Cupra’s third all-electric model but the first project where the Spanish brand has led development for the VW Group. Its aggressive styling reflects the brand’s efforts to create a more distinct identity, with elements shared with the updated Born.

The Raval UK range will start with the Origin grade, which uses a 37kWh battery and 114bhp front-mounted motor for a range of around 185 miles. That puts it in direct competition with the 40kWh Renault 5, which costs from £21,495 thanks to the ECG.

Above the Origin, V1 and V2 trim levels will be available with the 37kWh battery and a 133bhp motor, or a 52kWh battery mated to a 208bhp motor. Cupra says the larger battery gives the Raval a maximum range of 280 miles while DC charging of up to 130kW allows a 10-80% recharge in 23 minutes.

V1 trim costs from £26,995 to £29,995 depending on the powertrain, while the V2 is priced from £29,850/£32,580.

At the top of the range and priced from £36,310 is the VZ trim, which we drove late last year. This uses the same 52kWh battery but gets a retuned motor producing 222bhp, for a range of 250 miles. It also gets Cupra’s adaptive dynamic chassis control, bespoke steering hardware and an electronic limited-slip differential for a hot hatch driving experience.

Full trim specifications haven’t been confirmed but we know that the Raval gets a 10.25-inch digital cockpit and 12.9-inch infotainment screen, heated sports seats upholstered in sustainable fabrics, full LED lights and 18-inch or 19-inch alloy wheels.