CUPRA Born vs Abarth 500e
Two electric Hatchbacks go head to head. Which EV is the better buy for Australian drivers in 2026?
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Price Breakdown
The CUPRA Born starts from $59,990 before on-road costs, while the Abarth 500e opens at $60,500. That makes the CUPRA Born the more affordable entry point by $510.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $65,989 and $66,550 respectively.
Both models qualify for Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) exemption, which is a significant advantage for salary-sacrificed novated leases. Depending on your tax bracket, this can save $5,000-$15,000+ per year compared to an equivalent ICE vehicle.
Safety Rundown
The CUPRA Born holds a 5-star ANCAP rating vs 4 stars for the Abarth 500e.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. The CUPRA Born packs more ADAS features with 8 out of 10 key systems fitted, compared to 4 in the Abarth 500e.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 6 in the CUPRA Born and 6 in the Abarth 500e.
Feature Showdown
The CUPRA Born features a 12-inch touchscreen paired with a 5.3-inch digital dash, while the Abarth 500e gets a 10.3-inch display and 7-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The CUPRA Born stands out with ambient lighting that you will not find on the Abarth 500e. The Abarth 500e counters with wireless charging and JBL audio. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the CUPRA Born gets cloth upholstery while the Abarth 500e offers synthetic leather. Climate control is 2-zone in the CUPRA Born and 1-zone in the Abarth 500e.
Drivetrain
The CUPRA Born uses a Electric Motor producing 170kW and 310Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a RWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 7 seconds.
The Abarth 500e responds with a Electric making 113kW and 235Nm, paired to a single-speed automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 7 seconds.
The CUPRA Born has the clear power advantage at 170kW vs 113kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Battery: 82kWh (CUPRA Born) vs 42kWh (Abarth 500e), giving WLTP ranges of 511km and 253km. DC fast charging peaks at 170kW (CUPRA Born) vs 85kW (Abarth 500e).
Space & Comfort
The CUPRA Born measures 4,322mm long on a 2,766mm wheelbase, 649mm longer than the Abarth 500e at 3,673mm (2,322mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the CUPRA Born generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 385L in the CUPRA Born and 185L in the Abarth 500e, giving the CUPRA Born a 200L advantage. The CUPRA Born seats 5 vs 4.
0Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
9.4m to 10.2m
Based on 10.2m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 9.4m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
True Cost to Own
Running cost data is not yet available for both models. We will update when figures are confirmed.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (CUPRA Born) vs 3 years / 150,000km (Abarth 500e). The CUPRA Born has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the CUPRA Born if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, need more boot space, value a longer warranty, or prefer CUPRA's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Abarth 500e if: You or prefer Abarth's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The CUPRA Born takes 9 of 9 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. If boot space matters, the CUPRA Born has a clear edge. The CUPRA Born adds peace of mind with a longer 5-year warranty. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, CUPRA Born and Abarth 500e?
The CUPRA Born is the cheapest at $59,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Abarth 500e by $510.
Which has the longest driving range?
The CUPRA Born has the most range at 511km (WLTP).
Which charges fastest?
The CUPRA Born accepts the highest DC charging at up to 170kW.
Which is safest?
The CUPRA Born has the highest ANCAP rating at 5 stars.
Which has the most boot space?
The CUPRA Born has the largest boot at 385L.
Which has the best warranty?
The CUPRA Born has the longest warranty at 5 years / 1000k km.
Which is the most powerful?
The CUPRA Born makes the most power at 170kW.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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