Cupra Raval First Look: The Sporty Sub £25k Electric Car
All images in this article have been taken from Cupra Media Gallery
The Cupra Raval is Cupra's first sub-£25,000 electric car, a sporty hatchback built on Volkswagen Group's new MEB+ platform. Prices start from £23,785 for the Origin trim, with the 52kWh battery offering up to 277 miles of WLTP range. The range-topping VZ Extreme reaches 0- 62 mph in 6.8 seconds. Through electric car salary sacrifice at 4% Benefit-in-Kind for 2026/27, the Raval could undercut many petrol superminis on monthly cost.
The full range, from Origin through to VZ Extreme, is open for pre-order now, with deliveries expected to begin later in 2026. Cupra's positioning here is deliberate. While most cars in the sub-£25k electric car bracket lean on practicality, the Raval leans on design and attitude, with a wider track and sportier chassis tuning than its platform siblings, the upcoming Volkswagen ID. Polo and Skoda Epiq.
That puts the Raval in direct competition with some of the most talked-about names in the cheapest electric cars segment - one of the fastest-growing parts of the UK market. For employers and employees comparing a salary sacrifice electric car against a personal lease or company car allowance, the Raval's choice of trims, from the value-focused Origin to the performance-led VZ Extreme, means there's a configuration for most budgets and most driving styles.
What Is the Cupra Raval and What Will It Cost?
The Cupra Raval is a compact electric hatchback named after Barcelona's Raval district, designed to bring sporty styling and handling to the affordable end of the EV market. According to Cupra's official UK specification, the car offers up to 277 miles of WLTP range, a top speed of 109 mph, and charging from 24 minutes on the larger battery. UK prices span £23,785 to £34,810 depending on trim and battery, with most of that range eligible for the UK government's £1,500 Electric Car Grant.
The Raval sits on the same underpinnings as the upcoming Volkswagen ID. Polo and Skoda Epiq, all part of Volkswagen Group's new MEB+ small-EV platform. Cupra has tuned the Raval's chassis distinctly from its siblings, with a wider track and, on VZ models, a lower ride height aimed at sharper, more engaging handling.
Independent testing by Autocar found the range-topping VZ e
ngaging and quick to drive, suggesting Cupra's sportier positioning isn't only marketing.
Five trim levels span Origin, V1, V2, V2 Launch Edition, VZ, and VZ Extreme
Two battery options: 37kWh LFP for Origin, 52kWh NMC for everything above it
Power ranges from 115PS in Origin to 226PS in VZ and VZ Extreme
The full UK range is open for pre-order, with deliveries expected from later in 2026
Buyers will be able to access the Raval through electric car salary sacrifice, which converts gross salary into a fixed monthly payment before tax and National Insurance, reducing the overall cost compared with a personal lease or cash purchase. For a company electric car scheme, the tax treatment is often the deciding factor over straightforward retail finance.
Key Takeaways
UK prices span £23,785 to £34,810 across the range
Up to 277 miles WLTP range on the 52kWh battery
Shares MEB+ platform with VW ID. Polo and Skoda Epiq
Full range open for pre-order now
Cupra Raval UK Price and Specifications
The Cupra Raval line-up spans six configurations, each pairing a specific battery and motor combination. The figures below come directly from Cupra's official pre-order configurator, which is the most reliable source while pricing across the range is still settling ahead of UK deliveries.
Origin uses the 37kWh battery and 115PS motor, with a WLTP range of around 186 miles
V1 and V2 step up to the 52kWh battery and 211PS motor, with WLTP range of 275 and 272 miles respectively
The V2 Launch Edition matches the V2 specification with an additional kit included at no extra cost, limited to 1,000 units
VZ and VZ Extreme use the largest motor at 226PS, with sportier suspension and a WLTP range of around 236 miles
| Variant | Battery | WLTP Range | Power | From Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Origin | 37kWh | ~186 miles | 115PS | £23,785 |
| V1 | 52kWh | 275 miles | 211PS | £28,495* |
| V2 | 52kWh | 272 miles | 211PS | £31,080* |
| V2 Launch Edition | 52kWh | 272 miles | 211PS | £31,080* |
| VZ | 52kWh | 236 miles | 226PS | £33,495* |
| VZ Extreme | 52kWh | 236 miles | 226PS | £34,810* |
*Price shown after the £1,500 Electric Car Grant, applicable to 52kWh variants where the purchase price stays below £42,000. Origin isn't eligible for the grant.
The larger battery's charging rate reaches up to 105kW, bringing a 10 to 80% top-up in around 24 minutes under optimal conditions. The smaller LFP battery in Origin charges at up to 50kW DC, taking roughly 60 minutes for the same window. Inside, every Raval gets a 10.25-inch digital driver display paired with a 12.9-inch infotainment touchscreen, alongside physical buttons retained on the steering wheel for key functions. Boot space is a useful 441 litres across the range.
Buyers ordering before 31 August 2026 currently qualify for launch perks, including free metallic paint on 52kWh models and additional specification on the V2 Launch Edition worth up to £1,500. These offers are time-limited promotional terms rather than permanent features, so anyone weighing up timing should check current details with Cupra before ordering. Compared with a used electric car salary sacrifice route, pre-ordering a new Raval now carries this kind of promotional upside but buyers give up the immediate availability that a used EV scheme offers today.
Key Takeaways
Six configurations span £23,785 to £34,810
52kWh battery reaches up to 277 miles WLTP across the range
VZ and VZ Extreme hit 226PS and 236 miles range
Pre-order perks apply only until 31 August 2026
Cupra Raval Salary Sacrifice Cost Example
For employers considering the Raval as part of their company electric car scheme, the tax treatment is the headline draw. From the 2026/27 tax year, electric cars attract Benefit-in-Kind tax at 4%, against a maximum of 37% for petrol and diesel equivalents, rising further in later years. That gap is what makes electric car salary sacrifice such an effective route into a car like the Raval, particularly for higher rate taxpayers.
A Raval V2 at roughly £400 per month gross sacrifice illustrates this perfectly. The employee's gross salary is reduced by that amount before tax, and National Insurance are calculated, and the only tax due in return is BiK on 4% of the car's list price for 2026/27. Employees typically save 20% to 50% against the equivalent personal lease cost, depending on their tax band and the specific vehicle chosen. These figures are estimates and vary by individual circumstances, so anyone weighing up the numbers should run a personalised quote before committing.
BiK is charged at 4% of list price for 2026/27, rising to 5% in 2027/28
Petrol and diesel equivalents face BiK up to 37%, climbing higher in later tax years
Savings come from income tax and National Insurance relief on the sacrificed amount
The exact monthly figure depends on salary, tax band, and contract term
Once available, the Raval would be sourced through The Electric Car Scheme's multi-funder pricing engine in the same way as any other model, drawing pricing from any UK funder, new or used, while Complete Employer Protection removes the employer's liability if an employee leaves before the contract ends.
The same tax advantage will apply whether an employee chooses a new Raval or an existing used EV through salary sacrifice today, so budget-conscious employees aren't limited to waiting for new stock.
Key Takeaways
4% BiK applies for 2026/27 tax year
Petrol and diesel BiK reaches up to 37%, rising in later years
Employees typically save 20-50% versus leasing
Multi-funder engine sources new or used cars
Cupra Raval vs the Affordable EV Field
The sub-£25,000 EV bracket has grown more competitive over the past year, and the Raval enters a field that already includes some well-established names. Buyers comparing options will want to weigh range, performance, and practicality against asking price rather than focusing on badge alone.
The Renault 5 offers up to 252 miles of WLTP range, with entry prices from around £21,495 after the government grant
The MG4 EV competes strongly on space and value, though it lacks the Raval's sportier chassis tuning and wider track
The Volkswagen ID. Polo shares the Raval's platform, and VW's own specification page confirms up to 280 miles of range, though UK pricing hasn't yet been formally confirmed
Other leasing companies typically position these models head-to-head on price alone, without factoring in the salary sacrifice tax advantage available through schemes like this one
Where the Raval distinguishes itself is in acceleration and chassis feel. The VZ Extreme's 6.8-second 0- 62 mph time is unusually quick for a car at this price point, and the wider track gives it a noticeably different driving character from its platform siblings.
For employees comparing options through a salary sacrifice electric car scheme, the decision often comes down to whether range or driving dynamics matter more for daily use. Buyers leaning toward an outright range may prefer the Renault 5 or the longer-range ID. Polo variants, while those wanting a sportier drive are likely to find the Raval the more engaging choice.
Key Takeaways
Raval's 277-mile range beats the Renault 5's 252-mile maximum
VW ID. Polo shares the platform; official pricing not yet confirmed
VZ Extreme offers unusually quick acceleration for the price
Salary sacrifice tax treatment applies across all comparable EVs
Getting a Cupra Raval Through The Electric Car Scheme
The Cupra Raval isn't yet available to lease through salary sacrifice, since the car hasn't reached UK deliveries. Employers and employees wanting to explore Cupra in the meantime can browse the rest of the Cupra range on The Electric Car Scheme's quote tool, with Raval pricing added once the model becomes available to order through the scheme.
Employers wanting to add the Cupra Raval to their company car policy can do so through The Electric Car Scheme's multi-funder pricing engine, which sources pricing from any UK funder for new or used vehicles. This avoids the restrictions of single-funder schemes and typically results in more competitive monthly costs for employees, whether they're looking at a Raval, a salary sacrifice electric car from a rival brand, or a used alternative.
"The sub-£25k EV is where the market gets interesting, and the Raval brings design and a bit of attitude to it. On salary sacrifice at 4% benefit-in-kind for 2026/27, a car like this lands at a monthly cost that undercuts plenty of petrol superminis”
Gaurav Ahluwalia, Director of Marketing at The Electric Car Scheme.
The Electric Car Scheme is B Corp certified and was named EV Salary Sacrifice Provider of the Year 2026 by SME News, reflecting its position in the UK market. Every scheme includes Complete Employer Protection from day one, meaning employers carry no financial liability if an employee leaves the business mid-contract. Customers rate the service 4.9 out of 5 on Trustpilot from over 1,000 verified reviews, with 97% saying they'd recommend it, a track record detailed further in the EV salary sacrifice statistics report.
Key Takeaways
The Raval is not yet available to lease via salary sacrifice, but you can browse the wider Cupra range on the quote tool nowbuys
Complete Employer Protection included from day one
B Corp certified, Provider of the Year 2026
4.9/5 Trustpilot rating from 1,000+ reviews
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Is the Cupra Raval?
The Cupra Raval starts from £23,785 for the entry-level Origin trim with the 37kWh battery. Prices rise through the range to £34,810 for the top-spec VZ Extreme model after the £1,500 Electric Car Grant, depending on battery size and equipment level.
Can You Salary Sacrifice a Cupra Raval?
Yes, the Cupra Raval is eligible for electric car salary sacrifice through providers offering multi-funder pricing once the car reaches UK roads. Employees benefit from 4% Benefit-in-Kind tax for the 2026/27 tax year, alongside income tax and National Insurance savings on the sacrificed amount.
When Is the Cupra Raval On Sale in the UK?
The full Cupra Raval range is open for pre-order now, with deliveries expected to begin later in 2026. Buyers ordering before 31 August 2026 currently qualify for launch perks on 52kWh models, though exact delivery timing varies by trim and should be confirmed with a Cupra retailer.
Cupra Raval vs VW ID. Polo: What Is the Difference?
The Cupra Raval and Volkswagen ID. Polo share the same MEB+ platform but differs in tuning and positioning. Cupra has given the Raval a wider track and sportier suspension, while the ID. Polo is expected to launch later in 2026 with UK pricing not yet formally confirmed.
Does the Cupra Raval Qualify for the Electric Car Grant?
The 52kWh battery variants, V1, V2, V2 Launch Edition, VZ, and VZ Extreme, qualify for the UK Government's Electric Car Grant of £1,500, provided the purchase price stays below the scheme's £42,000 threshold. The Origin trim's smaller battery isn't eligible for the grant.
The Cupra Raval lands in a UK market where sub-£25,000 EVs are increasingly competitive on range, performance, and price. With WLTP range up to 277 miles and a starting price of £23,785, it gives buyers a sportier alternative to established rivals like the Renault 5 and the upcoming VW ID. Polo, without a significant cost penalty.
For employers and employees evaluating their options, the tax treatment remains the deciding factor. At 4% Benefit-in-Kind for 2026/27, salary sacrifice continues to offer some of the strongest savings available on any new car purchase route, electric or otherwise. As more affordable EVs reach the market, the gap between list price and real-world cost through salary sacrifice is likely to keep narrowing further.
Are you an employer?
BOOK A DEMOAre you an employee?
SEE AVAILABLE CARSYou might also like…
Last updated: 29/06/2026
Our pricing is based on data collected from The Electric Car Scheme quote tool. All final pricing is inclusive of VAT. All prices above are based on the following lease terms; 10,000 miles pa, 36 months, and are inclusive of Maintenance and Breakdown Cover. The Electric Car Scheme’s terms and conditions apply. All deals are subject to credit approval and availability. All deals are subject to excess mileage and damage charges. Prices are calculated based on the following tax saving assumptions; England & Wales, 40% tax rate. The above prices were calculated using a flat payment profile. The Electric Car Scheme Limited provides services for the administration of your salary sacrifice employee benefits. The Electric Car Scheme Holdings Limited is a member of the BVRLA (10608), is authorised and regulated by the FCA under FRN 968270, is an Appointed Representative of Marshall Management Services Ltd under FRN 667174, and is a credit broker and not a lender or insurance provider.
Copyright and Image Usage: All images used on this website are either licensed for commercial use or used with express permission from the copyright holders, in compliance with UK and EU copyright law. We are committed to respecting intellectual property rights and maintaining full compliance with applicable regulations. If you have any questions or concerns regarding image usage or copyright matters, please contact us at marketing@electriccarscheme.com and we will address them promptly.
