Hat-trick of wins for VW in What Car Electric Awards
Volkswagen has scooped three prestigious category wins in the 2025 What Car? Electric Car of the Year Awards. The Golf and Passat retained their crowns from last year, for the best hybrid family car and best hybrid estate, while the ID.7 Tourer was named best electric estate.
The What Car? Electric Car of the Year Awards highlight the best electric and plug-in hybrid models available to buy in the UK. Winners are selected by expert judges who evaluate each vehicle based on factors such as driving range, performance, practicality, running costs and overall value for money.
Golf and Passat retain their titles
The Golf – which is available as a plug-in hybrid in Match, Style and GTE trims – impressed What Car? judges with its combination of range, efficiency and everyday useability. It combines a 19.7 kWh (net) battery with a frugal, yet punchy, 1.5 TSI petrol engine – resulting in an all-electric range of up to 88 miles between charges (WLTP combined) and ultra-low CO2 emissions of just six grammes per kilometre. It can also be charged with up to 40 kW of DC electricity at rapid public charge stations.
“In its most affordable form, the Golf eHybrid can cover almost 90 miles on electric power and attracts a lowly six-per-cent benefit-in-kind tax rating,” said What Car? Editor Steve Huntingford. “But its victory certainly isn’t just down to the numbers; it is also one of the most spacious cars in the family car class, plus it manages to combine tidy handling with a pliant ride.”
The Passat, which is available as a plug-in hybrid across all trims, was praised for overall comfort and quality. The latest versions have an all-electric range of up to 81 miles (WLTP combined) and CO2 emissions as low as seven grammes per kilometre, depending on trim. It can also be charged at up to 40 kW DC at rapid public charge stations, while a cavernous 510-litre boot, with the rear seats up, adds to an already super-practical and efficient package for business and domestic drivers alike.
“The Passat has always been a great family estate, and the latest version is the best yet,” said Steve. “It’s a comfortable, quiet and hugely practical choice with a smart interior, while our favoured hybrid version can manage up to 80 miles of electric running. In short, the Passat eHybrid 204 PS is an absolutely superb all-rounder.”
Space, range and refinement among ID.7 Tourer plaudits
This latest accolade for the ID.7 Tourer – being named best electric estate – repeats its success in the overall What Car? Awards announced at the start of the year, and underlines its growing reputation among retail and fleet customers.
The ID.7 Tourer is available in three trims, with its biggest battery (86 kWh net) offering a range of up to 422 miles (WLTP combined). Boot space starts from 605 litres and expands to 1,714 litres with the rear seats folded down. Super-quick charging, with up to 200 kW of DC electricity, is also possible.
Summing up the award, Steve Huntingford said: “A great estate obviously needs a practical boot, and the ID.7 Tourer’s is the biggest of any electric wagon. Meanwhile, passenger space, range and refinement also shame some much more expensive rivals. We particularly like the ID.7 with the optional DCC adaptive suspension, because this irons out even the worst road surfaces.”
Contact our sales team to book your test drive in these award-winning cars!