Cupra Born vs MG4: What salary sacrifice EV should I lease?

Two electric titans go head-to-head in the ultimate EV showdown

Choosing between the MG4 EV and CUPRA Born is like being asked to pick your favourite child – they’re both brilliant, just in different ways.

These two electric hatchbacks are absolutely flying out our proverbial doors, and for good reason. They’re both gorgeous to look at, fantastic to drive, and when you lease them through a salary sacrifice scheme, they won’t leave your wallet crying into its cornflakes.

If you’re wondering what electric car salary sacrifice is, here’s the short version: it’s an employee benefit that lets you drive a brand-new car while saving money each month.

You sacrifice a portion of your gross salary (before tax), which means you pay less income tax and National Insurance.

The only catch? You’ll still pay Benefit in Kind (BiK) tax (like you would on a company car), but with BiK on EVs being much lower than on petrol or diesel, you’ll still be laughing all the way to the bank.

So, let’s put these two electric beauties under the microscope and see which one deserves a spot on your driveway.

The contenders

We’re comparing the entry-level CUPRA Born V1 with its 58kWh battery to the top-spec MG4 EV Trophy trim.

The Born V1 is the most affordable option in the range that still delivers serious value with a generous kit list and competitive performance that’ll make you grin every time you step on the accelerator.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting – the fact that you can splash out on the range-topping MG4 EV and still come in cheaper than the entry-level Born tells you everything about the incredible value the Chinese manufacturer offers.

If you’re after even greater savings, the entry-level MG4 EV SE and SE Long Range are equally impressive and will leave even more pennies in your pocket.

The numbers game

Based on a 36-month lease with 10,000 miles per year, both EVs come in around £100 a month cheaper when leased through salary sacrifice compared to a standard personal lease deal.

The biggest winners?

Those in the 40% tax bracket, who can save around £200-£250 a month compared to standard Personal Contract Hire.

Both cars sit pretty at the 3% BiK rate (the current lowest banding), but even with the 1-2% price rises over the next four years, you’ll still make a substantial saving compared to BiK rates on combustion engine vehicles.

All prices are correct at time of publishing, but subject to change

Behind the wheel

Both cars are an absolute hoot to drive – they’ve got that instant electric torque that pins you to your seat and makes overtaking feel effortless.

But let’s dive into what makes these cars stand out.

MG4 EV: The composed commuter

Choose the MG4 EV as your salary sacrifice electric car, and you’re in for a treat.

It’s quiet, controlled, and surprisingly refined for something at this price point. The steering’s responsive without being twitchy, and the ride comfort hits the sweet spot – firm enough to feel planted, but not so firm it’ll rattle your teeth going over British roads (and potholes).

Whether you’re threading through city traffic, bumbling down country lanes, or eating up motorway miles, the MG4 takes it all in its stride.

CUPRA Born: The sophisticated speedster

Don’t let the Born’s hot hatch looks fool you – this isn’t some boy racer machine.

It’s mature, it’s refined, and it’s incredibly easy to get along with.

Like the best Volkswagen Group products, you know exactly what you’re getting: smooth handling, composed performance, and comfort levels that make every journey a pleasure.

It’s a very well-rounded car that manages to be both exciting and sensible. A rare combination indeed.

Style and substance

When it comes to turning heads, both the MG4 EV and CUPRA Born know how to work a crowd, albeit in very different ways.

MG4 EV

The MG4 EV commands attention with its increased ride height and confident road presence.

Bold creases and curves give it serious kerb appeal, while those sharp LED headlights add a premium touch that punches well above its price bracket.

Inside, it’s well put together without trying to be something it’s not – honest, functional, and surprisingly spacious.

CUPRA Born

The CUPRA Born goes for a more aggressive, in-your-face approach with intricate detailing that screams performance credentials.

Those copper interior finishes and neat stitching throughout create a cabin that feels genuinely premium.

The materials are a step up from the MG4, with soft-touch surfaces and a mixture of textures that create a properly inviting environment. It’s clear where that extra money goes.

Range and charging: The electric essentials

This is the bit that makes people unduly anxious – just how far can each car go before it needs recharging?

Spoiler alert: both the MG4 and the Born boast competitive ranges that’ll get you where you need to be.

MG4 EV

The MG4V EV Trophy model packs a generous 64kWh battery that delivers a WLTP Comb range of up to 281 miles, ideal for everything from daily commutes to weekend adventures.

Charging is refreshingly straightforward: hook it up to a 150kW public rapid charger and you’ll go from 10-80% in just 35 minutes.

At home with a 7kW wallbox?

You’re looking at around eight hours for a full charge. Perfect for plugging in after work and waking up to a full tank.

CUPRA Born

The 58kWh battery in the Born V1 delivers a WLTP Comb range of up to 264 miles – marginally less than the MG4 EV, but still more than enough for most people’s needs.

Charging times are practically identical.

It’ll take 35 minutes to get from 10 to 80% with a 120kW rapid charger, or about nine hours overnight with a 7kW home charger.

If you need more range, CUPRA offers a larger 77kWh battery option that stretches to 343 miles, but you’ll pay considerably more for the privilege.

Practicality: Real-world usability

Both cars excel beyond the daily commute and make surprisingly good family transport.

MG4 EV

With 363 litres of boot space, plus underfloor storage for the charging cables, the MG4 swallows a surprising amount of stuff.

The rear seats offer generous head and legroom that’ll keep passengers happy, even on longer journeys.

CUPRA Born

The Born narrowly edges ahead with 383 litres of boot space – roughly equivalent to one extra weekend bag.

Not a massive difference, but every little helps when you’re trying to fit in the weekly shop plus the kids’ sports kit.

Tech talk

Neither car is going to give Tesla sleepless nights in the technology stakes, but both offer everything you need for modern motoring.

MG4 EV

The MG4 EV keeps things straightforward with a 10.25-inch touchscreen and seven-inch digital driver display.

The menus are clearly labelled and easy to navigate – refreshing in a world of overly complicated infotainment systems.

You won’t get every bell and whistle, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come as standard, so you can bring your own smartphone smarts along for the ride.

CUPRA Born

The CUPRA Born’s infotainment system divides opinion like Marmite.

Volkswagen Group’s decision to ditch physical buttons in favour of touch-sensitive sliders sounds modern, but can be fiddly in practice.

The lack of backlighting on those sliders makes them tricky to use in low light, and some menus aren’t as intuitive as they could be. It’s a system you learn to live with, rather than love from day one.

Both cars scored the full five stars in their Euro NCAP safety tests and come loaded with modern safety tech including adaptive cruise control, driver alert recognition, and traffic sign recognition as standard.

The verdict: Which should grace your driveway?

Choosing between the two depends on what matters most to you.

Pick the MG4 EV if:

• Value for money is your top priority
• You prefer simpler, more intuitive tech
• You want to save the maximum amount through salary sacrifice
• You’re new to EVs and want something uncomplicated

Pick the CUPRA Born if:

• You want a more premium cabin feel
• The extra boot space matters for family life
• You don’t mind paying a bit more for perceived quality
• You like the idea of driving something a bit more exclusive

Both are excellent choices that’ll serve you brilliantly, whether you’re commuting to the office or heading off on family adventures.

The MG4 represents outstanding value and effortless electric motoring, while the CUPRA Born adds an extra dollop of style and sophistication.

Either way, you’ll be driving away with a massive smile on your face – and more money left in your pocket each month.

Now that’s what we call a win-win situation.