ADAC tests a whole range of vehicles every year. E-cars are playing an increasingly important role. An electric car ends up in the inglorious last place in the ADAC Autotest 2021, but an electric car can also secure the top position.
E-car wins: BMW iX3 gets the best result in the ADAC test
Every year, the ADAC tests vehicles, and the experts award school grades in the car test. For buyers, the results offer valuable clues. In line with the ever-growing range of electric cars, more and more vehicles with electric drives are appearing.
Landed in the most recent car test from 2021 (view at ADAC). an electric model at the forefront: With an overall rating of 1.7, the BMW iX3 impressed the testers even more than any other car in the past five years. The advantages of the X3 combustion engine variant (plenty of space in the SUV, high level of comfort and safety) have been adopted in the purely electric variant.
The iX3 was particularly convincing due to its special characteristics for an SUV economical consumption of 21.2 kWh per 100 km. The range of 400 km and fast charging with up to 150 kW also ensure an extremely positive result. In second place is the Octavia Combi 2.0 TDI, a diesel from Škoda (1.8). Third place was shared by twelve models with a grade of 1.9, including several electric cars such as the VW ID.4, Polestar 2 and the Mercedes EQA.
Renault Twingo Electric finishes last
Not a figurehead for electromobility is the Renault Twingo Electric. The French city runabout received an overall rating of 4.1. The short range of 150 km and the general comfort are criticized. The ADAC does not see the Twingo Electric as an “all-rounder”, but as a second car that is hardly suitable for the motorway due to the lack of quick charging capability.
For future generations of electric cars, BMW is working on changing the color of the body:
When it came to safety, the Renault did not get a good result. However, just like the impact on the environment, this is classified as particularly important, according to the ADAC. A good overall rating is hardly possible without these factors. The Suzuki Jimny (petrol engine with a rating of 3.7) and the Fiat Panda Cross Hybrid GSE (petrol engine in mild hybrid version, 3.0) also land in the bottom places.
The ADAC evaluates over 300 criteria for all tested cars. This includes space and range. In comparison, however, the different drive types and vehicle classes as well as the price are not taken into account. 2021 were 112 cars tested.