For anyone thinking of a Polo-sized EV from VAG…….

[richl123]

Here is the Ravel version
https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/cupra/raval

[SRGTD]

Here is the Ravel version
https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/cupra/raval

Thanks for posting.

Given the choice between the Raval and Renault 5, I think I’d still be swayed towards the Renault in spite of the Raval’s larger boot, perceived more ‘premium’ materials used in the interior and more rear seat passenger space. I wouldn’t buy the performance version of either the Renault 5 (the Alpine A290) or the Raval for the same reasons I got rid of my Polo GTI.

The main reasons I’d go for the Renault 5 are;

• it was launched at the end of 2024 so hopefully any teething troubles have been identified and resolved.

• it gets a heat pump as standard (an expensive option on both the Raval and ID Polo).

• it has a more sophisticated independent rear suspension set up - unusual for B segment cars. The the Raval (and ID Polo) has to make do with a beam rear axle.

• the larger battery (52kWh) version of the Renault 5 benefits from the band 1 EV grant of £3,750; all models of the Raval (and presumably the ID Polo) get the lower band 2 EV grant of £1,500.

• it has physical buttons for HVAC. The Raval’s HVAC system is less user friendly (IMHO) as adjustments need to be made through the touchscreen.

• Feedback over on the Seatcupra.net forum on after sales experience at Cupra dealers is quite negative; long wait times (often months) to get an appointment, lack of courtesy vehicles and often multiple visits required before issues are resolved. By comparison, my experience of the Renault dealer I use with my Clio has been excellent. For me, good after sales service is an important factor in the overall ownership experience and is something that’s probably not considered much, if at all, by many customers when they’re sitting in a shiny new car in the dealer’s showroom.

Comparing the Raval and Renault 5 is no doubt ‘swings and roundabouts’ in many respects and ultimately, it’ll boil down to what features and qualities potential customers consider important to them.

I hope the Raval - and VW’s ID Polo - will do well and I’m sure they will as they’re well packaged and initial reviews of the Raval are very positive. However, based on my personal experience of a noticeable drop in build quality over the years of the VW’s I owned, along with declining customer service I experienced (hopefully, my experience was the exception rather than the norm), I can’t see me being tempted back to VAG for my next car - after 22 years as a loyal VW customer it was time for a change for me.