5 Minutes
Cupra's sporty subcompact goes electric
Cupra has stepped into the subcompact EV arena with the Raval, a production-ready hatchback based on Volkswagen Group's front-biased MEB+ platform. Spied testing in near-production trim, the Raval is aimed at drivers who want a compact, performance-oriented electric car without the premium price tag.
What we saw on the road
Recent spy photos show a largely finished vehicle wearing targeted camouflage to conceal a full-width rear light bar and an illuminated Cupra logo. The test car featured flush pop-out door handles for both front and rear doors, black five-lug wheels, summer low-rolling-resistance tires and rugged black body cladding — a styling touch that pairs neatly with high-impact paint choices and a sporty stance.
Cupra appears to be dialing up the visual aggression compared with other MEB+ family members, keeping the Raval lower-slung and fitted with sport-focused cues.
Performance and driving kit
Cupra has already signalled that the Raval will be the most performance-minded model among the subcompact MEB+ cars. Highlights announced at IAA Mobility 2025 and visible on the prototype include:
- Sport-tuned suspension and lower ride height
- Progressive steering with an ESC Sport mode and ESC OFF option
- DCC Sport adaptive dampers
- CUPBucket sport seats and 19-inch wheel option
- Electronic limited-slip differential branded VAQ
The hot-hatch Raval VZ is expected to produce 166 kW (223 hp), placing it above the Polo GTI's 204 hp in outright output, though well below the eye-catching 429 hp of the UrbanRebel concept that previewed this family. Powertrains will be front-wheel drive only, with two battery options and standard DC fast charging.
Braking and chassis notes
A notable detail: unlike many MEB models that use rear drum brakes to save cost, the Raval will be equipped with rear disc brakes. That aligns with Cupra’s focus on sharper handling and braking performance for customer buyers who want a more engaging drive.
Size, pricing and production
Measured at around 4,046 mm in length with a wheelbase of roughly 2,600 mm, the Raval sits squarely in the B-segment. Production is scheduled to start in Spain in 2026, and Cupra has targeted an accessible starting price below €27,000, which currently equates to approximately £23,450 or $31,220.
How it fits in the VW Group lineup
Cupra positions the Raval as its electric answer to the SEAT Ibiza, while Volkswagen will offer an ID. Polo and Skoda will sell a sibling called Epiq. Despite shared underpinnings, Cupra's version is engineered to be the sportiest of the trio, borrowing performance hardware that could mirror features later offered in the ID. Polo's GTI-equivalent trim.
"This is Cupra's electric hot-hatch for the city and beyond," one engineer familiar with the project told our photographers, noting the emphasis on driving dynamics over outright power.
Quick spec highlights
- Platform: MEB+ (front-biased)
- Length: ~4,046 mm
- Wheelbase: ~2,600 mm
- Raval VZ power: 166 kW / 223 hp
- Wheels: up to 19 inches, supports 235 mm tires
- Drive: FWD-only
- Brakes: rear discs (not drums)
- Production: Spain, from 2026
- Estimated starting price: under €27,000
Market outlook
The Raval arrives into a crowded and rapidly electrifying B-segment, where buyers expect compact dimensions, everyday practicality and a dose of personality. Cupra's strategy is clear: differentiate through driving dynamics and sport styling while keeping costs competitive. That approach could attract younger buyers and enthusiasts who previously turned to hot hatches with internal combustion engines.
For shoppers, the Raval promises an appealing mix of everyday usability, aggressive styling and performance-focused hardware at an accessible price. With deliveries planned for 2026, expect Cupra to sharpen the model's final specs and options closer to launch, including detailed range figures for each battery choice.
Whether it becomes the go-to electric hot hatch in Europe will depend on real-world range, pricing transparency and how it compares to the ID. Polo and Skoda Epiq in trim, tech and driving feel. For now, the Cupra Raval looks like the most driver-focused MEB+ subcompact to date.
Source: autoevolution
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