Cupra Raval: Has Cupra Fixed VW's Mistakes?

TL;DR

The Cupra Raval improves on first-gen VW Group EVs with a new platform and hot hatch hardware, but disappoints with a familiar, haptic-heavy interior.

Key Points

• 1.Cupra led engineering on the new MEB Plus platform. As reward for doing the 'top hat engineering' on the updated platform, Cupra launches the Raval before VW and Škoda siblings, which will follow with softer, brand-appropriate tuning.
• 2.The Raval offers two battery options and decent but unremarkable charging. A 37 kWh LFP pack gives ~186 miles and 90 kW charging; the larger 52 kWh NMC pack delivers ~248 miles and 130 kW charging, using new cell-to-pack technology that is ~10% more energy dense.
• 3.The VZ performance variant is the headline model, priced around £36,000. It produces 222 hp, hits 0–60 in under 7 seconds, and comes with an electronic limited-slip differential, dynamic chassis control, 15-stage adjustable suspension, and wider sticky tires — echoing the Alpine A290 approach of handling over raw speed.
• 4.The interior is evolution, not revolution, which frustrated the reviewer. The same haptic touch sliders universally criticised for six years remain, despite VW's newer ID Cross featuring proper tactile switches — suggesting VW saved the premium interior upgrade for its own upcoming launch.
• 5.Most original gen-one irritations have been iteratively resolved. The infotainment screen is now acceptably fast, haptics more responsive, the gauge cluster is larger, physical buttons return to the steering wheel, rear window switches are back, and regen paddles are new for VW Group EVs.
• 6.Overall first impressions are cautiously positive but slightly underwhelmed. At £23,000–£36,000, it faces stiff competition top and bottom; design won't challenge the Renault 5 for awards, but the real test — new front-wheel-drive chassis dynamics on a twisty road — is still to come.