CUPRA Raval V2 Launch Edition Review

[jezyg]

What is it?



The Raval is CUPRA’s first small EV, sitting below the Born and aimed at delivering everyday usability, strong efficiency, and the signature Cupra driving feel in a smaller footprint. Parked next to my current Ibiza, it is taller and slightly wider. Overall, it looks slightly bigger, but those upgrading from Ibiza will notice increased interior space and a larger boot. The Plasma Iridescent metallic paint gives the Raval a chameleon-like metallic finish that shifts between deep purple, graphite grey and black depending on the light, giving the Raval an almost holographic presence on the road.



This V2 Launch Edition is the current best trim for specifications as a launch model, with electric seats, dynamic interior lighting, Sennheiser audio, 19” wheels, all bundled at the same price as a V2. This will be replaced by the standard V2 trim, losing the drive pack and matrix LED lights, with different 19” Maverick alloy wheels, but the Vandal alloy wheels will...

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[Syphon]

Thanks for the review @jezyg !

Scott

 

[jezyg]

Thanks for the review @jezyg !

Scott

Thanks for asking - enjoyed it and supporting Seatcupra.net!

 

[RPGWiZaRD]

Thanks for review!

This might be the first one I see in Plasma color without black roof and I like it, looks great from the picture from behind. I find it interesting how it's a +400€ extra for black roof and +850€ (!) extra for Vandal rims in Finland compared to +£0 and £90 respectively in UK. I think my mind starts to selectively "prefer" the look without those options based on the cost factor alone. haha

 

[emarsh7]

I have about 3500 on my Dynamic Plus (V2) Launch Edition.

The car drives like I would expect it to. That part I'm pleased with. (This is my forth new VAG vehicle in the last 13 years.)

There are software glitches but I'm going to have to assume they will be sorted out in time.

There are two things that irritate the hell out of me. They are both design decisions.

The biggest one is that Cupra not only doesn't provide a good media player for USB/SD, the are deliberately forcing users to streaming models. I'm guessing that this is viewed as a revenue stream. There is the Android Auto option but sound quality suffers and the link is often broken.

The second one is that only one key is provided. I was told that the Smart Card would be used as a second key, but unfortunately for the Smart Card to function one must own one of selected list of smartphones. I found out all this after paying for my car. I'm not replacing my phone so after complaining they are selling me a second key for €250.

 

[RPGWiZaRD]

"must own one of selected list of smartphones" You mean it needs certain models or? Most Android and iPhones I assume are supported?

I plan to use keyless entry myself (I suppose it works based off recognising phone being near the lock).

 

[emarsh7]

"must own one of selected list of smartphones" You mean it needs certain models or? Most Android and iPhones I assume are supported?

I plan to use keyless entry myself (I suppose it works based off recognising phone being near the lock).

There is a short list of smartphones that work. Apple, some Samsung models. I don't have the list, this is what my sales person told me. My Motorola Moto G-86 doesn't work. I suggest that you discuss this with your sales person and if needed see if they will give you a discount on a second key.

 

[RPGWiZaRD]

There is a short list of smartphones that work. Apple, some Samsung models. I don't have the list, this is what my sales person told me. My Motorola Moto G-86 doesn't work. I suggest that you discuss this with your sales person and if needed see if they will give you a discount on a second key.

OK Well I happen to have a Samsung S23 so I'd be suprised if that wasn't supported, although I've already planned to possibly switch to a S25 if there's some good Black Friday deals. Will check if there's a compatibility list available.

EDIT: Regarding Samsung phones it seems to be set up via Samsung Wallet that I personally never started using (as I'm a Google wallet user instead), weird decision to opt for Samsung wallet imo, oh well guess I can set it up if I have to. Pixel phones seems to be using Google Wallet. Perhaps it's possible to pick... or it's locked to Samsung Wallet with Samsung phones, will see, I don't see why it would have to be if Google Wallet is also supported with Pixel phones.

 

[jezyg]

I have about 3500 on my Dynamic Plus (V2) Launch Edition.

The car drives like I would expect it to. That part I'm pleased with. (This is my forth new VAG vehicle in the last 13 years.)

There are software glitches but I'm going to have to assume they will be sorted out in time.

There are two things that irritate the hell out of me. They are both design decisions.

The biggest one is that Cupra not only doesn't provide a good media player for USB/SD, the are deliberately forcing users to streaming models. I'm guessing that this is viewed as a revenue stream. There is the Android Auto option but sound quality suffers and the link is often broken.

The second one is that only one key is provided. I was told that the Smart Card would be used as a second key, but unfortunately for the Smart Card to function one must own one of selected list of smartphones. I found out all this after paying for my car. I'm not replacing my phone so after complaining they are selling me a second key for €250.

I have the same issue even though my phone is over 18 months old does not support UWB, so cannot walk up to and away to unlock. Not set up the Smartcard yet, but will stick with using the key until I upgrade my phone early next year. Agree it is a pain as my wife's phone supports it, only issue was that when she walked to her car my car opens so now removed digital key from her phone.

 

[RPGWiZaRD]

I have the same issue even though my phone is over 18 months old does not support UWB, so cannot walk up to and away to unlock. Not set up the Smartcard yet, but will stick with using the key until I upgrade my phone early next year. Agree it is a pain as my wife's phone supports it, only issue was that when she walked to her car my car opens so now removed digital key from her phone.

Wait what? It needs UWB for this feature? I Wonder why, if so I'm out of luck as I remember once checking if S23 supported UWB and the base S23 doesn't but S23+ and Ultra does.... go figure...

What makes me even more sad if that's the case is that S25 I've been thinking about had a very good sales for a short while a little while ago at 499€ (currently 699€) and was thinking of possibly swapping my phone to my mom as her is an old A41 without support since a while already.

 

[jezyg]

Wait what? It needs UWB for this feature? I Wonder why, if so I'm out of luck as I remember once checking if S23 supported UWB and the base S23 doesn't but S23+ and Ultra does.... go figure...

What makes me even more sad if that's the case is that S25 I've been thinking about had a very good sales for a short while a little while ago at 499€ (currently 699€) and was thinking of possibly swapping my phone to my mom as her is an old A41 without support since a while already.

I had to work this out for myself at the weekend I have an S25 which does not support UWB nor does the S26, if you look in Samsung Wallet the key will say BLE and NFC and no UWB. It is pants; at least I upgrade in the next three months so will be top of my feature list now. It is standard on all iPhone 11 onwards and 15 longer UWB range. Only the budget iPhone e models do without UWB.

 

[RPGWiZaRD]

I had to work this out for myself at the weekend I have an S25 which does not support UWB nor does the S26, if you look in Samsung Wallet the key will say BLE and NFC and no UWB. It is pants; at least I upgrade in the next three months so will be top of my feature list now. It is standard on all iPhone 11 onwards and 15 longer UWB range. Only the budget iPhone e models do without UWB.

That's crazy that also S25 and S26 (smallest version) does not come with it and seems Pixel develops this same tactics too as some upsell strats I suppose, that's annoying. I don't mind paying extra for a better phone but I do not want a bigger phone, 6.1 ~ 6.2" is perfect for my tastes and also I do not want iPhones.... wonder if there's ANY option left then...

 

[jezyg]

That's crazy that also S25 and S26 (smallest version) does not come with it and seems Pixel develops this same tactics too as some upsell strats I suppose, that's annoying. I don't mind paying extra for a better phone but I do not want a bigger phone, 6.1 ~ 6.2" is perfect for my tastes and also I do not want iPhones.... wonder if there's ANY option left then...

See it the S27 comes with it? Does seem strange to not have on smaller screen models?

 

[RPGWiZaRD]

See it the S27 comes with it? Does seem strange to not have on smaller screen models?

Pixel Pro models offer it that are more compact but that one has like very fancy camera options, the Pixel 10 Pro is like ~800€ and above here atm so a little bit costly for fancy camera setup that isn't important to me personally but that's a more reasonable 6.3" size with UWB support.... don't fancy picking any older Pixel series either than one generation behind. Guess will have to wait and pray for some good Black Friday deals.

Or just settle for key fob with keyless entry, at least I hope that works at the very least. It's just too convenient to walk up to the car and just touch the handle to unlock and have it lock automatically when you walk away, wouldn't go back to having to manually lock/unlock.