Cupra Raval EV adds cheaper LFP battery option in Europe

Cupra has started rolling out lower-priced versions of its new pint-size Raval electric vehicle (EV) in Europe, reducing the cost of entry to less than €30,000 (A$49,211).

The Cupra Raval Plus serves as the new entry point into the Spanish brand's electric hatchback range, but is technically the mid-range trim level. An even more affordable 'Raval' grade with a targeted price of €26,000 (A$42,649) is due to hit the European market later this year.

In the brand's home market of Spain, the Raval Plus is more than €5000 ($8201) cheaper than the existing Raval Endurance. Naturally, the lower price reduces the level of standard equipment, and also swaps out the 155kW electric motor for a 99kW unit, as well as a smaller 37kWh LFP battery compared to the Endurance's 51.5kWh lithium-ion unit.

Looking for your next car? We'll help you research and compare so you choose with confidence.

The smaller LFP battery, debuting in this new Raval variant, offers 300km of WLTP-certified driving range on a full charge, and supports 11kW AC and 88kW DC charging. Using the latter, the Raval Plus can be charged from 10-80 per cent in as little as 23 minutes.

Cupra doesn't quote a 0-100km/h acceleration time for the cheaper Raval, though it does claim a top speed of 160km/h – the same as the more powerful variants. Combined energy consumption is quoted at 13.9kWh/100km based on WLTP testing.

Key standard equipment includes LED headlights and tail-lights, 18-inch alloy wheels, configurable drive modes including Cupra Mode, as well as a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, and a 12.9-inch infotainment touchscreen. Both displays run the Volkswagen Group's new Android Automotive-based operating system.

The Plus variant is available with a trio of optional packages – Edge, Drive and Light & Sound – allowing owners to up-spec their Raval with features like a vehicle-to-load (V2L) charging function, digital key, surround parking cameras, as well as a 12-speaker premium sound system from Sennheiser.

While you can configure and order your Raval Plus online in selected markets like Spain now, first deliveries aren't expected to commence until "mid-September".

It's unclear when the Cupra Raval is due to arrive in Australia, despite the Spanish brand's local arm all but confirming it for a future launch Down Under.

Given the Raval is only just starting to hit European roads now, it's unlikely we'll see it in Australia until at least next year, and more likely the second half of 2027 at that.

Measuring 4046mm long, 1784mm wide and 1518mm tall on a 2600mm wheelbase, the Raval has roughly the same footprint as the existing Volkswagen Polo – which makes sense given it's a twin under the skin to the new all-electric VW ID. Polo – but it packs a massive 441 litres of boot space.

As for price and positioning, direct conversions from euros or British pounds don’t tell the whole story. The Raval is positioned below the cheapest Leon Hatch in its home market of Spain, where it kicks off at €31,632 (A$52,828) with a six-speed manual – whereas the Australian model kicks off from $46,990 in a higher spec.

Even if Cupra Australia opts to not bring in the cheaper 37kWh Raval variants, the 51.5kWh Endurance starts from €33,800 (A$55,444), or about lineball with the base mild-hybrid Leon Hatch in Spain, which again has a lower level of standard specification than Australian models.

MORE: 2026 Cupra Raval revealed as affordable baby hot hatch EV