Best electric premium hatchback on the horizon?

[272BHP]

Currently have a Tesla Model 3P and although it is fast and ok to drive I would really prefer something that is better screwed together and also a hatchback. Signed up for a i4 M50 but have gone off the idea and cancelled as it is just too big and heavy.

What I really want is a Golf GTI sized car with an electric powertrain. I am aware that the ID3 GTX will be out next year and I am watching closely but the specs seem pretty underwhelming for what will undoubtedly be a high price.

Anything else that fits the bill? could probably wait another 18 months or so.

[272BHP]

1800kg and 228bhp seems pretty underwhelming coming from the Tesla M3P. Hell, even my old 1300kg 188bhp i3s is more impressive than that.

Even next years ID3 GTX has only the 300bhp compared to the near 500bhp of the Tesla. Seems odd that there is no real competition from a performance perspective even now.

[272BHP]

Evanivitch said:

If you're just going to play it by numbers then sure, not much is going to beat the M3P in that bracket. But then it's somewhat a one-trick pony in that regard.

I don't expect anything to beat it. I would be quite happy with something a league or two below but 7 second 0-60 compared to 3.1 sec 0-60 is more than a few rungs below.

[272BHP]

The Polestar, EQA and Audis are all just a bit too big.

The ID3 or Born are the ideal size and look perfectly packaged it is just the power trains that seem a bit lack lustre at the moment.

[272BHP]

georgeyboy12345 said:

Not to mention the infotainment systems on the VWG offerings are horrendous

There really is a massive gap in the market for this kind of car, because I’d also like one!

Infotainment doesn't even register for me. So long as it can tune into radio stations that's all I care about.

I hate the bloated tech of the Tesla

[272BHP]

Frimley111R said:

I doubt there is much in it in terms of size. The EQA and Q4 are probably smaller than your Tesla?

Just looked at both of those and they look like frumpy family cars - couldn't have one of those on the drive.

[272BHP]

jaydeeuk1 said:

So you want an EV, with similar performance to the m3p, which will obv need a meaty battery pack, yet be light (to me, light is under 1200 kilos)

Given that the tiny carbon tubbed BMW i3s was 1300kg then no I expect any hatchback EV to weigh about 1600-1800kg.

Not interested in parity with a M3P at all but I don't think an ID3 sized EV with around 350bhp should be beyond the realms of possibility.

[272BHP]

page3 said:

It’s a segment all but abandoned by the industry, especially for EVs.

Almost everything coming out is a SUV or crossover. The id3 (and derivatives) is one of the few that fits in that segment. Even the trusty Leaf and Ioniq Electric haven’t been replaced by similar segment cars.

At Fully Charged we had the opportunity to look at quite a lot. The small car market seems to be picking up - mini, smart, Honda, Peugeot, fiat etc all there. But not the size up.

I ended up with a Model 3. It’s too big and isn’t a hatchback, but it’s the closest I could find that I liked.

It is weird isn't it? I much preferred my BMW i3s to my Tesla M3P, except for range and pace - I just need 50 mile more range and a little bit bigger and it would have been perfect.

But of course the i3 was way ahead of its time and costs far too much to manufacture so we won't see its like again.

[272BHP]

DMZ said:

Maybe the upcoming Macan EV is the answer? It’s kinda the global market friendly Porsche hot hatch. The sportier versions are quite low.

Yeah we have an eye on that one. Still might be a bit big and I wouldn't really call it a hot hatch, more like a sporty small SUV.

[272BHP]

The more I think about it the more I just want to try and get back in one of the last BMW i3s

So close to perfection - we will surely never see its like again.

[272BHP]

Europa Jon said:

Well, the 200kW Smart coming in 2023 is the only one so far to meet the OP's brief (as long as the interior really will be as good as the maker claims). As for looks, coming from a Tesla means it'll be prettier!

Meet my brief? good god no, it looks a monstrous thing. Automotive cardigan and slippers.
I wouldn't be seen dead in one of them.

I am not a great fan of the Tesla's looks but it kicks that Smart car right in the goolies.