The new Cupra Raval comes in a small size but with big attitude

Cupra used to be a badge on the fastest Seat cars, but now it is a brand that stands on its own and is going from strength to strength. The Spanish company revealed its newest and smallest model, the Cupra Raval, proving that electric cars do not have to be boring. Most EVs seem to be getting bigger and heavier, but the Raval is a small hatchback that wants to be the "cool kid" on the street. It plans to take on the Renault 5 when it arrives in showrooms in the summer of 2026.

The Cupra Raval looks like it is up for a fight - very aggressive even when it's parked up. It measures just over 13 ft long, which makes it perfect for narrow city streets. But do not let that small size fool you. The wheels are pushed out to the corners with a 102.4 inches wheelbase. This design creates a lot of room inside for passengers. Even the trunk is surprisingly large, offering 15.6 ft³ of space - more room than you find in some much larger cars.

Under the skin, the Raval uses a new MEB+ platform from the Volkswagen Group. This is a dedicated setup for smaller electric cars and unlike the bigger Cupra Born or the VW ID.4, which usually push power to the back wheels, the Raval is a front-wheel-drive car. This helps keep the car affordable and leaves more room for groceries in the back. This tech is shared with the upcoming VW ID. Polo and the Skoda Epiq, but the Cupra version is definitely the one that spent more time at the gym.

Buyers will have several choices when it comes to how much power they want. The basic Cupra Raval comes with a 114 hp (116 PS) motor and a 37 kWh battery. This version can travel about 186 miles on a full charge. It is not a speed demon, and the charging is a bit slow at 50 kW. If you want something a bit better, the Raval Plus uses the same battery but bumps the power up to 133 hp (135 PS). More importantly, it can charge much faster at 88 kW. This means you can go from 10% to 80% battery in about 23 minutes.

For drivers who want to drive longer distances, the Endurance trim is the smart pick. It uses a larger 52 kWh battery pack. This battery gives the car a range of about 280 miles. It also has a more powerful 208 hp (211 PS) motor. This version can charge at speeds up to 105 kW, so you will not spend your whole afternoon sitting at a charging station. It strikes a good balance between being quick and being practical for daily life.

If you really like to drive fast, the VZ model is the star of the show. It is a true electric "hot hatch." It uses the same 52 kWh battery but cranks the power up to 222 hp (226 PS). It can go from zero to 62 mph in 6.8 seconds, making it a direct rival for the sporty Alpine A290. The range drops slightly to about 249 miles because of the extra power, but most people who want a fast car will probably think that is a fair trade.

Cupra did more than just add a big motor to make the VZ fun. This version has been lowered by 0.59 inches, and is also 0.39 inches wider. It features a special electronic limited-slip differential that helps the car grip the road when turning corners. There is even a feature called "e-launch." This makes the car take off quickly from a stoplight while playing fake engine sounds through the speakers. It might be a little cheesy, but it adds to the fun personality of the car.

Inside the cabin, the Cupra Raval feels very modern, though it might frustrate some people. It has a 10.25-inch screen for the driver and a big 12.9-inch touchscreen in the middle for everything else. Sadly, Cupra followed the Volkswagen trend of removing almost all physical buttons. To change the temperature, you have to use touch sliders that can be hard to use while driving. At least the steering wheel still has real buttons you can click. If you go for the VZ Extreme version, you get bucket seats made with 3D-knit fabric and bright "Sulfur Green" 19-inch wheels.

When it finally goes on sale this summer, the Cupra Raval should start at a price of around $30,500. Cupra is betting that young drivers will prefer the sharp, aggressive style over the more rounded look of the Renault 5.

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