Cupra is going smaller, and it's doing it first. The Raval is the brand's most compact and most accessible EV to date, built on Volkswagen Group's new MEB+ front-wheel-drive platform. It also beats its platform siblings, the VW ID. Polo and Skoda Epiq, to market, which says a lot about how seriously Cupra is taking this one.

Performance & Range and Charging

The Raval comes with a choice of two batteries. The entry-level 38kWh unit pairs with either a 116hp or 135hp motor, delivering up to 323km of range. DC charging tops out at 90kW, getting you from 10 to 80% in 27 minutes.

Step up to the 52kWh battery and things get more interesting. A 211hp version offers up to 448km of range, while the range-topping VZ model pushes to 226hp and 290Nm of torque, trading a little range at 394km for a more spirited drive. The larger battery charges at up to 130kW, hitting 10 to 80% in just 23 minutes.

Design and Interior

The Raval stays true to the Urban Rebel concept that previewed it, which is no bad thing. The shark nose, triangular Matrix LED headlights, and sharp body creases are all present and correct. Flush door handles, an active aero grille, and optimised wheels make it the most aerodynamically efficient Cupra yet.

Inside, a 12.9-inch touchscreen and 10.25-inch driver display are carried over from larger Cupra models, now running on a new Google Android system that's noticeably easier to navigate. Copper trim accents and detailed dashboard styling keep things distinctly Cupra. The real talking point, though, is the door-mounted projector lights, a first on any production car, casting configurable light patterns around the armrest area. It's a small touch that makes a big impression.

Price

The Cupra Raval is expected to start from €26,000 inclusive of grants, with first deliveries due in September.

It's shaping up to be one of the more compelling affordable EVs coming to the Irish market. We'll have more once we get it out on Irish roads.

Verdict

The Raval feels like a genuinely important moment for Cupra. It brings the brand into a price bracket that will attract a whole new audience, without watering down the things that make Cupra worth buying in the first place. The design is sharp, the interior punches above its class, and the range and charging figures are more than competitive for a car of this size.

At €26,000 with grants, it undercuts plenty of rivals while offering more than most. If this is what affordable electric motoring looks like in 2025, the segment just got a lot more interesting.