VW ID3 GTX Performance Plus vs Cupra Born VZ

Smouse156 · 25-02-2025 02:51PM #1

Thinking of buying one of the two and just looking for people’s opinions/feedback. Essentially the same car, owned by same parent. Points of note:

Cupra over 2k more expensive (after metallic paint) after all grants
GTX comes with Heads Up display as standard, Cupra is optional extra €1500 if you include the lost VRT relief
Cupra looks better but new GTX looks decent IMO
Cupra has the paddle shift for regen and nicer sports seats although the GTX ones are good too

If both cars cost the same and both had HU display I’d probably go with Cupra. Question is whether it’s worth the extra?

Mr Q · 25-02-2025 03:33PM

The matrix lights are standard on a GTX I think, not available on the Born. This will be important for some.

If you want travel assist its 1.6k on the GTX as part of a pack, €687 on a Born.

The pricing on the Born may increase in March if they drop their SEAI booster deal, making the price gap wider.

But I'd take the Born anyway.

Buddy Bubs · 25-02-2025 03:42PM

Born for me too, just much prefer the styling and thats worth a few quid for me. Keep it at 2k difference though when you start seeing 4, 5k difference then I would be back to GTX.

I presume the 2 are identical performance wise?

Smouse156 · 25-02-2025 03:52PM

I believe they are. Born states 5.6 0-100 vs 5.7 GTX but more of less same.

bazz26 · 25-02-2025 03:54PM

GTX is 286bhp v 326bhp in the VZ. You need to opt for the GTX PP to get 326bhp.

Is DCC standard on the VZ? It's standard on the GTX PP but seems to be optional on the regular GTX. DCC would be higher on my must have list on either over the other things.

Mr Q · 25-02-2025 03:56PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123208617#Comment_123208617

DCC is standard on the VZ.

From some of the reviews it has a better brake feel too.

bazz26 · 25-02-2025 03:59PM

Ok, so a more direct comparison would be the GTX PP vs the VZ.

Smouse156 · 25-02-2025 04:05PM

I’ve edited the title. It was the performance plus I was looking to compare. No idea why one wouldn’t go for that one given the extras for the small cost.

What are people’s thoughts on the Heads Up display? Standard on GTX but expensive extra on Born (especially considering lost VRT relief)

bazz26 · 25-02-2025 04:48PM

I think it comes down to personal choice and nobody here can make the decision for you.

I have a HUD in my current car, had one also in my previous car and love it. Could never go back to a car without one and always on my list of wants on a car I'm buying now but some people might not be bothered or might put some other option higher on their want list.

Zurbaran · 25-02-2025 08:57PM

I went for the GTX pp. In my view the vw lights make the car look more premium and they are supposed to be much better as they are matrix. When you option iq drive you get a capacitive steering wheel although it is a more expensive option. HK audio is standard also, where it's not on the VZ.

Like the Cupra button on the steering wheel but wouldn't use it much and I do prefer the centre console on the VZ as well.

Buddy Bubs · 25-02-2025 09:21PM

I've just got a heads up with augmented reality in the tavascan and I absolutely love it, never drove a car without it before. I'd want it in my next car, it's one of those things that once you have them, you'll always want it. Watch that all the time now rather than drivers display.

So I'd place a value on that for sure. And DCC which is new to me but it's absolutely brilliant for comfort but both cars seem to have it, good job too i imagine they are very firm.

And matrix lights, advantage price wise to GTX here.

And this is coming from someone with 2 Cupras with current pricing I think the GTX PP is the better buy. Cupra still looks better though I won't change my mind on that. I think the interior of the VZ is still far better even though the id3 has improved. Seats in VZ looks glorious.

I would imagine they feel similar enough to drive.

And Born is slightly rarer too, although not exactly a rare sight on the road (standard models I'm talking about here)

It's a tough call. Vw dealers getting a bit of a bad rap here over last while, cupra less so although volumes being smaller might explain that.

Smouse156 · 26-02-2025 08:28AM

Thanks, all good points. Seems GTX is better deal overall with Matrix Lights & HU Display as standard plus 2k cheaper.

KCross · 26-02-2025 12:24PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058398124/vw-id3-gtx-performance-plus-vs-cupra-born-vz

I think you've got your answers and decided already but I'm intrigued by this one…

Cupra has the paddle shift for regen

Does it really? I havent seen that feature in any ID.3, even as an option. ID.3 has the B and D modes but there isnt a way to adjust regen beyond that.

Does the Born really have the ability to let the driver further fine tune the regen on the steering wheel? I cant see it in the spec sheet.

Smouse156 · 26-02-2025 12:29PM

https://youtu.be/cU13TMTK-L0?si=7MAiaR01z_R_su2D

go to 17 mins and they talk about the padels for regen

KCross · 26-02-2025 12:36PM

Thanks, thats interesting. Lots of cars have that but VW didnt seem to want to provide it.

The dynamic regen is what I use on the ID.3 (which Born has too) and it is excellent and what he was describing with the eco mode (which disables the paddles).

I hope that dynamic regen remains the case with the GTX. The paddles in the VZ will please some people though.

Buddy Bubs · 26-02-2025 12:57PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123211261#Comment_123211261

I wouldnt put too much stock in the regen paddles, I have them now in new car, dont have them on the Born, and I only ever leave it fully off or on full regen, dont use the intermediate settings at all. So I use both cars the exact same

KCross · 26-02-2025 01:06PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123211327#Comment_123211327

I'd agree. I dont think I'd use the paddles because the dynamic regen is so good. I was just interested to see that it was in Cupra but not in VW, eventhough they are the same car under the hood. Obviously a design decision by the Cupra team for some reason…. an element of "cool" I suppose. VW drivers are not so cool! 🤣

KCross · 26-02-2025 04:37PM

Just to put the highlighted differences in one post as they are spread across posts and threads…

ID.3 GTX Performance Plus
Advantages

Cheaper (€40k vs €42k for VZ)
Matrix headlights (not an option on VZ)
Heads-up Display (€1153 extra on VZ)
Upgraded Harman Kardon sound system (similar is €528 extra on VZ)
Metallic paint std(excl red) (vs €734 extra on VZ)
Massage seats (not an option on VZ)

Each one of those VZ extras will actually cost more due to reduced VRT relief. I think the way that works is that, for instance, if you were to add the HUD to the VZ it would actually cost you €1729 (1.5 times the price). Am I right?

Born VZ
Advantages

Possibly more comfortable seats
Nicer looking but thats subjective I suppose. Some people prefer understated and plain!
Paddle adjustable regen
Travel assist(Lane following) is €687 vs €1620 on GTXPP

Did I get any of that wrong or any other big ticket items should be added?

Maybe Im biased but it seems to me the only reason to really pick the Born VZ over the GTXPP is the looks side of it. If you look at price and spec the GTXPP is way ahead?

On a side note I see the VZ guide has "Metallic paint" and "Premium metallic paint". Premium is an extra €178. Whats the difference? Is it just an extra layer of paint or is there more to it (harder maybe)?

Mr Q · 27-02-2025 10:24AM

@KCross Electric adjustable memory seats are standard on the VZ. But I don't think there is any massage option on these seats.

I think they just charge more for what in my opinion are the two best colours, the green and blue.

KCross · 27-02-2025 10:29AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123214847#Comment_123214847

But I don't think there is any massage option on these seats.

Correct, I got it from the VZ brochure. It lists the memory seats as standard but it lists the massage function as an optional extra.

Electric adjustable memory seats are standard on the VZ

Ive removed the word electric, just to be clear on that.

Mr Q · 27-02-2025 10:44AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123214857#Comment_123214857

But not on the VZ. That option is only on the other version.

The - means not available on the option list.

Smouse156 · 02-03-2025 10:31AM

Thanks all, seems the GTX PP is a much better buy given the options and lower price. If they increase the SEAI match on Cupra I might be swayed but not on current pricing.

Gumbo · 02-03-2025 11:28AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123211261#Comment_123211261

Our eniro had it too.

I found it a nuisance as every time I got into to. I had riser the car up, never remembered any user profile settings.

Sport on.
hold on.
regen to max.

I’m not a fan of the flappy paddles for regen personally.

Buddy Bubs · 02-03-2025 11:41AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123224490#Comment_123224490

Good call, if the styling differences aren't swaying you then you've made a good decision, best of luck with it, you were in a win win there anyway

VW ID3 GTX Performance Plus vs Cupra Born VZ

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