Volkswagen ID.3

What’s the story?

VW claims the ID.3 is the third most important car it has ever produced, following on from the original Beetle and the world-conquering Golf. It’s designed to be the face of an electric revolution, with an array of Id-badged EVS coming in the near future. Unlike a previous electric fettling of the Golf (which got a mixed reception), the ID rolls on a bespoke platform, housing a choice of three battery-pack sizes: 45, 58 or 77kwh. Range, erm, ranges from 260 to 340 miles, with prices rising to around £40,000 for the most powerful and lavishly equipped versions.

Is it any good?

It really is. It has that reassuringly solid Volkswagen feel to it the moment you set foot inside. The ID.3 dwarfs the e-208 when the two are parked side by side, and that means you get a decent amount of interior room – with lots of space between the front occupants thanks to the lack of a transmission tunnel. There’s a slick 10in infotainment system that spans the centre console, and most of the in-car functions are taken care of by touch-sliders. It drives great, sealing you off from the outside world in a quiet cocoon of chill; and while a 62mph time of 7.3 seconds means it’s not quite a GTI, it still impresses when pulling away from traffic lights.

Price from £32,300 / stuff.tv/id3

● 201hp ● 0-62mph in 7.3 seconds

● Top speed 99mph ● Up to 340-mile range

Stuff says

A reassuringly solid product that looks ice-cold but is equally good at the mundane stuff