And when we were asked to score these cars on charm, well, that’s such a subjective thing, but I found the Cupra lacking on that one. It’s so capable. So appealing. But is it charming? Not really. Not in my book, anyway.
Maybe we’re back to the styling again, which I like, but it is very modern and striking rather than having any retro-nostalgia or classic beauty.
The Cupra feels like it’s designed to do its job, and while it does it seriously well, I’m not sure it’s evocative or emotional. I would be entirely understanding if you claimed otherwise, but such is the way of trying to rate something as intangible and personal as ‘charm’.
I like a granary loaf, you like a crusty white. I think the Mini and Alpine are charming, but the Cupra? Not so much. Different tastes apply, and therein lies the real joy of cars and those who love them.
But if we return to more objective measures, the VZ is hard to beat. For a long-way-home car that you can actually get your kids in and which has a useful touring range, a decent boot and a settled ride, this is the best car here.
Sure, the most fun car here won, as it should do, and bravo to this year’s champ. But as an overall fun car to live with? You’re looking at the best. Clever stuff, Cupra. And thank you for giving us a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Makes a refreshing change.
Shock, horror, who’d have thunk it? The bookies’ favourite romps to the top of our final order, overcoming the weight of expectation and delivering a decisive and authoritative victory and a new benchmark for driver reward. Right?
Well, no, funnily enough. At least not quite. Success for the Alpine A290 didn’t come so easily over a day’s close scrutiny on proper UK roads – although it came sure enough.
It wasn’t a walkover, and the car needed every facet of its appeal as a device for driver entertainment, a retro-cool object of desire and a daily-usable proposition to seal the deal. But the Alpine A290 is indeed Autocar’s Best Fun EV for 2025.
