2023 Cupra Born electric hatch scores five-star ANCAP safety rating

The Cupra Born has been awarded five stars in ANCAP safety testing ahead of its on-sale date early next month.

“It’s great to see another fully-electric model enter our market with the maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating,” ANCAP chief executive, Carla Hoorweg, told Wheels.

The Born was given five stars based on its Euro NCAP safety testing completed under the 2020-22 protocol. A stricter set of tests has been implemented for the next two years – read more about the changes here.

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The Cupra Born becomes the second small electric car rated five stars under the 2022 protocol, following the GWM Ora.

It scored high marks in adult and child occupant protection, with 93 and 89 per cent respectively. ANCAP praised the Born’s ability to protect children in age-appropriate child restraints, and solid scores across the board in adult tests.

The Born scored a little lower, but still strongly, in safety assist (80 per cent) and vulnerable road user protection (73 per cent). ANCAP knocked down Born's rating due to the AEB system’s inability to detect pedestrians in reverse or in crossing scenarios.

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Active safety features include forward AEB with pedestrian, cyclist, and junction detection; reverse AEB; 360-camera; blind-spot monitoring; rear cross-traffic alert; lane-trace assist; and adaptive cruise control.

Cupra is set to release the Born in Australia next month priced from $59,990 before on-road costs. It boasts driving ranges of between 475-511km (WLTP) and 170kW/320Nm outputs.

The Born’s five-star score is encouraging after ANCAP’s plea that only five-star safety-rated cars should be eligible for government EV incentives.

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“The momentum for safe and green models is growing, and this rating will provide further confidence to consumers and regulators to embrace safety and environmental credentials as a non-negotiable package,” Hoorweg added.