The ID.3 has changed the way we think about Volkswagen. And about affordable electric cars. But there's been quite a bit for the brand to iron out since this model first arrived on our market in 2020. This updated version is smarter, has a more up-market cabin, better media connectivity and charges faster. Time to give this EV a second look.

Volkswagen's most significant global EV is this one, the mid-sized ID.4 crossover, here usefully improved. An upgraded motor brings significant increases in both pulling power and driving range, while inside, the cabin's more media-savvy and user-friendly. As before, this contender's practical, decent to drive and reasonable value. And there's the option of AWD if you want it.

With the ID.5 mid-sized coupe-SUV, Volkswagen offers a more aspirational kind of mid-sized EV crossover. It certainly has a dash more pavement presence than the ID.4 SUV it's entirely based upon: and in top GTX hot hatch form, it better showcases the brand's more potent AWD dual motor powertrain. It's been considerably improved in this updated form; enough to now make it worth asecond look? You might just think so.

The Volkswagen Polo supermini model line is one of the most successful in supermini history. This improved version of the MK6 design is more advanced than before and comes with a smarter, more up-market look. Features like a digital instrument panel and a whole raft of camera-driven safety and autonomous driving kit also borrow much from the class above.

Think of a Volkswagen Polo with a more adventurous image, a slightly larger cabin and a more flexible interior. You're picturing this car, Volkswagen's smallest SUV, the T-Cross, here usefully improved with a sharper look and an updated cabin. As before, it's trendy, quite sophisticated and very acceptably efficient, thanks to its 1.0-litre TSI petrol and 1.5 TSI petrol engine options. And you can make it very much your own. What's not to like?

The T-Roc set a more fashionable trend for compact Volkswagen SUVs, representing the brand in the affordable style-conscious end of the fast-growing mid-sized crossover segment. Now it's been lightly updated with a sharper look inside and out. As before, almost everything you can't see on this car comes from a Golf hatch, which is no bad thing. As for the stuff you'll admire in the driveway, well it all looks satisfyingly fashionable.

Volkswagen has added further to its already extensive line-up of compact SUVs with this trendier-looking model, the Taigo. This car shares much with both the Polo supermini and the brand's existing entrant in the compact Crossover class, the T-Cross, but brings a more avant garde vibe that will appeal more to the segment's fashionistas. And of course with it, you get all the usual reassuring Volkswagen attributes of quality and sound engineering.

Volkswagen's improved Tiguan Allspace 7-seat SUV gets revised design, extra control and assist systems and new premium features. And, of course, it's still as practical as ever. Could it be all the car you'll ever really need? Potential buyers will probably see this car in just that way.

The EX30 is a different kind of Volvo, a small EV crossover for a new era and a model that will bring enormous conquest sales for the brand. It's more affordable than you might be expecting and would perhaps make an ideal second car for upwardly mobile families embracing the EV revolution.

Volvo's XC40 is much more than just a smaller version of the brand's larger SUVs. It gets its own 'CMA' platform, a very distinct design to set itself apart and lots of potential for electrification. The result is a slightly unusual alternative to premium-branded compact SUVs like Audi's Q3 and the BMW X1. Here's the most recent lightly updated version, which offers mild hybrid, PHEV and full-EV options.