Car of the Year Awards 2026: Best small electric car to drive
The Volkswagen ID 3 is a good electric car, but let’s face it: it’s mild on the Nando’s peri-ometer scale. The closely related Cupra Born, on the other hand, is a bit spicier.
The Born gets its extra kick thanks to more power, with even the entry-level version packing 228bhp to the ID 3’s 201bhp. The 0-62mph sprint happens in just 6.6sec, making it almost hot hatch-quick straight out of the gate. You don’t really need to go all the way up to the 326bhp VZ version to be impressed with the Born’s performance.
The handling is sharp, too. Every version has plenty of grip and impressively precise steering, plus the Born’s composure on a twisty road is top notch. The MG 4 and Renault Megane can’t match it. The Renault 5 can’t, either, but just bear in mind that the Born is a considerably more expensive buy.
Still, it could be worth it if you truly value the driving experience. And it’s not like the Born is too spicy to be digested, either, because it remains a quiet, comfortable, practical car – like the ID 3. It’s also still good on range, with the 59kWh Born officially managing 264 miles on a full charge. The ID 3 can go only five miles farther.
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