VW’s sporty Spanish brand, Cupra, has revealed its smallest EV yet. Called the Raval, this subcompact sister to the upcoming electric VW ID. Polo and Skoda Epiq hits European roads later in 2026 with bags of attitude and the aim of stealing sales away from Renault’s popular 5.

Also: Cupra Born Again With Real Buttons And A New Face

At just over 4 meters (157.4 inches) long the Raval sits in supermini territory but stretches expectations with a 2,600 mm (102.4 inches) wheelbase and a surprisingly roomy 441 liter (15.6 cu-ft) trunk. It’s wider and lower than you might expect too, giving it a squat, planted stance that screams more fun than frugal.

Underneath, it rides on the Volkswagen Group’s new MEB+ platform, which it’ll share with the ID. Polo and Epiq. Think of it as the budget friendly evolution of the architecture used in bigger EVs like the ID.4 and Born, but tuned here for smaller, cheaper cars, and set up to the drive the front wheels, rather than the rears, or all four.

Buyers get plenty of powertrain choice. Entry level versions badged simply Raval pair a 114 hp (116 PS / 85 kW) motor with a 37 kWh battery, good for around 186 miles (300 km) of range, though limited to just 50 kW DC charging. Step up a rung on the configuration ladder to Raval Plus and you’ll find a 133 hp (135 PS / 99 kW) motor using the same pack, although this time charging peaks at up to 88 kW DC for a 10 to 80 percent top up in roughly 23 minutes.

Hot Hatch Punch

Move into the bigger battery cars and things get spicier. The 52 kWh pack brings 208 hp (211 PS / 155 kW) in the Endurance trim and delivers around 280 miles (450 km) of range, with charging speeds up to 105 kW.

That should be feisty enough for most buyers, but if it’s not, there’s the VZ hot hatch. It pushes output to 222 hp (226 PS / 166 kW) and will hit 62 mph (100 kmh) in 6.8 seconds making it a rival for the Alpine A290, not to mention VW’s ID. Polo GTI. Range drops slightly to around 249 miles (400 km), but speed demons might think it a price worth paying.

Cupra hasn’t just chased power numbers, either. The Raval’s chassis sits 15 mm (0.59 inches) lower than the base MEB+ setup used on the ID. Polo and runs a 10 mm (0.39 inches) wider track, with adaptive dampers, progressive steering, and an electronic limited slip differential on the VZ. There’s also one pedal driving and a dramatic e launch feature for stoplight getaways complete with synthesized sound effects.

Big On Screen, Short On Buttons

Inside, drivers are treated to a usefully large 10.25-inch digital cluster and a 12.9 inch infotainment system, though unlike the ID. Polo, which has multiple physical buttons for features like the climate control the Raval is button-light and stuck with the old-style VW interface and its annoying temperature sliders. At least you get real physical switches on the chunky steering wheel.

Go for the launch edition Raval VZ Extreme and you’re treated to CUP bucket seats with 3D knit technology upholstery, as well as Sulfur Green 19-inch wheels and a Manganese matt exterior finish. At the other end of the scale, prices are expected to start at around €26,000, or just under £23,000 in the UK, when the Raval arrives in summer 2026. That puts the smallest Cupra in a head-on battle with the Renault 5 – which would you pick?

Cupra

Cupra has confirmed the Raval will debut on April 9, and with just weeks to go, it’s dropped a teaser that gives us our first real taste of its smallest electric car yet. It’s only one image, but it’s enough to get us excited about a baby EV that should be both fun to drive and affordable.

The shot as provided by Cupra shows the rear end reflected in water, though flipping it reveals the details more clearly. The lighting signature is the standout feature. Triple triangle LED elements sit at each corner, connected by a full-width light bar with a textured, mesh-like look that feels suitably dramatic. An illuminated Cupra badge takes center stage, a detail we last saw on the facelifted Born.

Related: Cupra’s Smallest EV Just Drove Around Naked Hoping Nobody Would Notice

We can also make out a roof spoiler at the top of the hatch door and a set of black and bronze alloy wheels wrapped in chunky Bridgestone tires, hinting at a sportier edge than your average small EV, and probably telling us that we’re looking at the VZ hot hatch version.

The Raval rides on VW Group’s new front-wheel drive MEB+ platform and measures just over 4,000 mm (157.5 inches) long, placing it firmly in the subcompact class. It shares its underpinnings with the upcoming VW ID. Polo and Skoda Epiq, though Cupra has reportedly led chassis development.

The Driver’s Choice

That influence shows in the setup. Engineers have lowered the suspension by around 15 mm versus the VW and Skoda equivalents, even on the base cars, stiffened things up, and added progressive steering to give it a more engaging feel. It’s meant to be the enthusiast’s option in this trio.

Cupra

Power options though, cover a broad range. Entry-level versions are expected to offer 114 hp (116 PS / 85 kW) or an optional 133 hp (135 PS / 99 kW), both paired with a 38.5 kWh battery. Step up and you get a single, front-mounted electric motor producing around 208 hp (211 PS / 155 kW) with a 55 kWh pack.

That mid-tier setup should deliver a 0 to 62 mph time of around 7.2 seconds and a WLTP range of up to 278 miles or 450 km. It’s a solid balance of performance and efficiency for everyday use.

VZ Equals GTI

But we’re naturally drawn towards the VZ, Cupra’s take on the ID. Polo GTI, the first electric VW to wear that legendary hot hatch badge. With 233 hp (226 PS 166 kW), an electronic differential, and a wider track, it promises sharper responses and more punch, even if range dips to around 249 miles (400 km).

With prices expected to start around €26,000 (£23,000) and a funkier, more youthful design than its VW and Skoda cousins, the Raval looks set to bring some real personality to the affordable EV space.

Baldauf

Cupra hit the brakes on their American road trip, but the company isn’t resting on their laurels. That’s clear today as the automaker has introduced an updated Tavascan.

Set to be launched this summer, the updated model has a new entry-level variant that features a 58 kWh battery pack as well as an electric motor producing 188 hp (140 kW / 190 PS). The company was coy on additional details, but said the model will deliver an “engaging driving experience” and have around 270 miles (435 km) of range.

More: Cupra Born Gets Born Again With Real Buttons And A New Face

There’s no word on pricing, but the entry-level variant should be significantly cheaper than the existing Endurance and VZ trims, which use a larger 77 kWh battery. Those models are also far more powerful as they’re rated at 282 hp (210 kW / 286 PS) and 335 hp (250 kW / 340 PS), respectively.

Speaking of the Endurance and VZ, they gain a new Launch Control function. All models also appear to have a new one pedal driving mode, which applies the regenerative brakes as soon as you lift off the accelerator.

Updated Interior With New Tech

The changes continue inside as the Tavascan has been equipped with a larger 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and a new infotainment system running Android OS. The latter promises a more intuitive user experience as well as access to an assortment of popular apps.

Despite the focus on technology, Cupra is rocking it old school with a new steering wheel that has physical buttons. That’s a welcome change, but the touch sliders remain.

On the subject of climate control, the crossover has “new electric air vents that activate even before the driver enters the cabin.” As Cupra explained, the system detects the key approaching the vehicle and begins to pre‑circulate air. Once people step inside, the vents apparently adjust direction based on where they’re sitting and the position of the sun. The vents can also be controlled by voice command for “added convenience.”

Needlessly complicated air vents aside, the updated Tavascan has digital key technology that enables owners to unlock, start, and share access to the vehicle using a smartphone. One ‘key’ is reserved for the owner, while four others can be shared.

Buyers will also find a new premium audio system with Sennheiser Contrabass technology. It uses “psychoacoustic techniques to deliver deep, punchy low‑end frequencies” to deliver a “rich, enveloping soundscape.”

Other Minor Changes

On the styling front, there isn’t much to report other than a new Dark Void paint job. The purple hue is described as a “deep and expressive new color that enhances the sculptural presence of the Tavascan and reinforces its progressive identity.

Last but not least is a new vehicle‑to‑load function, which is enabled via a dedicated adapter that plugs into the charging port. It effectively turns the crossover into a massive battery bank.

The VW ID. Polo is edging closer to its debut, and the camouflage is gradually coming off like a present that someone started unwrapping revealing more of its sculpted bodywork with each sighting. Our spies spotted two examples of the upcoming “people’s EV,” both ditching the colorful disguise used in official teasers.

More: Volkswagen Gives First Official Look At Golf MK9

The pair of subcompact hatchbacks was photographed during a charging stop somewhere in the snowy reaches of Northern Europe. One prototype sits on the familiar 19-inch five spoke alloy wheels we have already seen on earlier test cars. The other, however, appears to be trying something slightly more interesting.

Interesting Wheel Design

SH Proshots

We are looking at a different wheel design finished in black with copper accents, the sort of thing that appears to have wandered over from a Cupra showroom. More specifically, they closely resemble the alloys fitted to the related Cupra Raval. Yet the center caps carry VW logos, so either the parts bin is being shared quite freely or someone in Wolfsburg simply liked the look and borrowed it.

More: VW Promised A €25k ID. Polo, But You Might Wait A While To See It

Our spy photographers didn’t need to chase down interior shots this time because Volkswagen has already shown it. In fact, a camouflaged prototype of the ID. Polo appeared at the Car Design Festival 2026 last weekend, greeting visitors with its doors left open.

Physical Controls Return

The dashboard sticks to a minimalist layout, anchored by a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster that runs retro inspired graphics, alongside a 12.9-inch infotainment display.

More intriguing is what sits beneath the screen. VW has fitted a proper row of physical switches, along with an actual volume knob on the center console. Pair that with the clicky buttons on the two spoke steering wheel and it becomes fairly obvious that Wolfsburg may be admitting the all touchscreen trend went a bit too far.

The cabin itself is trimmed in modern recycled fabrics, which cover large sections of the dashboard and door cards, giving the interior a contemporary feel without leaning too heavily on glossy plastics.

The rest of the 4,053 mm (159.5 inches) long bodywork appears to be shared between the two prototypes. The GTI version, however, should be easy to spot thanks to a redesigned bodykit that adds bumper extensions, unique wheels, and a roof spoiler.

SH Proshots

Plastic tape covers portions of the grille and the LED headlights. Around the back, VW has applied vinyl over the full-width LED taillights, making them resemble those of the current ICE-powered Polo.

Overall, the ID. Polo looks fairly sporty. Pronounced fenders, sculpted profile lines, sturdy proportions, and deep bumpers give it a planted stance even at this early stage. Like the ID.2all concept before it, the production version was signed off by Andreas Mindt, who was recently promoted to Head of Design for the entire VW Group.

Powertrain Options

The ID. Polo will share Volkswagen Group’s MEB+ platform with the Cupra Raval, the VW ID. Cross, and the Skoda Epiq. Expect a choice of electric powertrains producing 114 hp, 133 hp, and up to 208 hp, depending on how much pace you want from your electric hatch.

More: Cupra’s Smallest EV Just Drove Around Naked Hoping Nobody Would Notice

At the top of the lineup will sit the inevitable GTI-badged hot hatch. That version is expected to produce 223 horsepower, giving the compact EV some proper pace. At launch, the hatchback will use a 52 kWh battery pack, while a smaller 37 kWh unit is expected to arrive later for entry level variants.

The Cupra Born has always been the cooler, more rebellious cousin in Volkswagen’s electric hatchback family. Now the Spanish brand has given it a facelift that sharpens the looks, upgrades the cabin and adds a bit more range, while quietly fixing one of the few annoying features from the original ID.3 twin.

The makeover starts on the outside, where the Born now adopts Cupra’s latest design language. The nose gets a more aggressive shark-like shape and new triangular Matrix LED headlights that echo the styling of newer models like the Tavascan and Formentor.

Related: Cupra’s Smallest EV Just Drove Around Naked Hoping Nobody Would Notice

Taillights now include an illuminated Cupra logo integrated into a full light bar and new wheels arrive in 19 and 20-inch sizes wrapped in wider 235 mm tires. Cupra says the extra rubber helps improve grip and handling, which was already great, though it did come at the expense of a firm-ish ride.

Real Buttons

But inside is where one of the most welcome changes happens. The previous car’s frustrating haptic steering wheel controls have been replaced with actual physical buttons. It’s a shame Cupra didn’t replace the nasty touch-slider temperature controls on the main screen while they were at it, but that’s the drawback of sharing tech between multiple brands.

That 12.9-inch touchscreen introduced in a 2024 update is carried over, but gains a new Android based operating system. The digital gauge cluster has grown, though, from a tiny 5.3 inch display to a much more usable 10.25 inch screen.

Material quality, which was always better in the Born than in the VW ID.3, has also been further improved with redesigned door panels, softer surfaces and recycled textiles made from marine plastics. Rear passengers now get air vents as well, which might not sound exciting but is something the previous model lacked.

Less Power, More Miles

Under the skin the Born still rides on Volkswagen Group’s MEB electric platform, but the powertrain lineup has been tweaked, and now comes with a one-pedal driving mode. The entry-level Born Plus uses a 58 kWh battery and a 187 hp (190 PS / 140 kW) motor, down from 201 hp (204 PS / 150 kW) before. The payoff is in range, which increases from 264 miles (425 km) to 280 miles (450 km).

Step up to the larger 79 kWh battery in the Endurance and you’ll get around 372 miles of range (600 km) – up from 366 miles (590 km) – along with faster 185 kW charging and a power boost to 228 hp (231 PS / 170 kW). That grows to 322 hp (326 PS / 240 kW) in the VZ hot hatch, and since you get to keep all of the Endurance’s 372 range miles while gaining nearly 100 horses, it looks like the pick of the lineup.

The new-look Born hits European dealers this summer, but it better enjoy the spotlight while it can, because this year Cupra launches its little brother, the all-new Raval.

Cupra

Automakers usually hide their future cars under enough camouflage to confuse a satellite. But the upcoming Cupra Raval has just been spotted testing completely undisguised, logos and all, as if someone forgot the secrecy memo.

From the outside, it’s exactly the feisty little hatch Cupra hinted at with its earlier teasers, only much more visible. The proportions are tight and athletic, and the design’s mix of chunky wheelarch trims and slim, tapering glass areas cleverly combines sporty hatch and crossover themes, rather than choosing one path over the other.

MEB Remastered

The Raval measures just over 4,000 mm (157.5 inches) long, which places it squarely in the subcompact class, along with its close cousins, the VW ID. Polo and Skoda Epiq, all of which ride on VW’s new front-wheel drive MEB+ platform. They’ll all be built in Spain, though Cupra reportedly led the chassis tuning development for the entire project.

That probably explains why the Raval is pitched as the spicy member of the family. Engineers lowered the suspension about 15 mm, stiffened the setup, and added progressive steering.

More: Cupra’s New EV Troublemaker Looks Like It Has Circular Saw Blades For Wheels

Power should start with a single, front-mounted electric motor producing around 208 hp (211 PS / 155 kW) and mated to a 55 kWh battery, a setup that costs extra in the ID. Polo and Epiq. Their base models come with 114 hp (116 PS / 85 kW), or an optional 133 hp (135 PS / 99 kW) motor, both with a 38.5 kWh pack.

Based on what we know of the 208 hp Epiq, the entry-level Cupra with the same output should get to 62 mph (100 kmh) in around 7.2 seconds, and though Skoda claims 267 miles (430 km), the Spanish firm has previously promised 278 miles (450 km) of range on the WLTP cycle.

The Hot One

If you really want a Cupra that lives up to the brand’s sporty promise though, you’re going to want the VZ. It’s Cupra’s equivalent to the ID. Polo GTI and gets a 233 hp (226 PS / 166 kW) motor and electronic differential along with wider track widths and sportier chassis hardware. The range drops slightly to 249 miles (400 km), but the extra punch should make up for it.

More: Cupra Already Makes The Best VW ID.3, Now It’s Teasing A Better One

Cupra plans to launch the Raval in 2026 with prices expected to start around €26,000 ($30,000). Based on these undisguised prototypes, the production version looks ready, so the reveal must be imminent.

Baldauf