Volkswagen ID 3 Compact Electric Hatchback with a Modern Touch

Volkswagen ID.3 review: an accomplished family EV with one major caveat

More reviews

Car group tests

Long-term tests

Road tests

Used car tests

As a five-door family hatchback, which is only slightly larger than the latest VW Golf, the list of ID.3 of rivals stretches far and wide. Among them are traditional petrol,diesel andhybrid hatches like the Golf,Ford Focus,Honda Civic andToyota Corolla.

However, its closest competitors are fellow electric hatchbacks, including the long-livedNissan Leaf, sportyCupra Born, classy Renault Megane E-Tech, comfort-focusedCitroen e-C4 and much more affordableMG4 EV.

Theres also a raft of compactelectric SUVs available for similar money, most notably our2023 Car of the Year, theHyundai Kona Electric, and its sister car, theKia Niro EV. Higher-spec versions of the ID.3 also come close to matching the entry-levelTesla Model 3 on price, and customers may be persuaded by the saloons extra size, performance and high-end image.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Volkswagen initially offered the ID.3 with a choice of no fewer than eight trim levels, three battery sizes, and various power outputs for the rear-mounted electric motor. Thankfully, Volkswagen has scrapped the confusing trim structure in favour of four trim levels: Pro Essential, Pro Match, Pro S Essential, and Pro S Match. All Pro models come with a 58kWh battery thats good for a range of up to 265 miles, while Pro S versions get the larger 77kWh battery that boosts the maximum range to 347 miles.

A high-performance GTX model will be coming soon, but for now, all versions use a 201bhp electric motor, still driving the rear wheels. Standard equipment includes a 5.3-inch digital drivers display, 10-inch touchscreen,Apple CarPlay,Android Auto, keyless go,LED headlights, front and rear parking sensors and lots of driver-assistance tech.

A critical differentiation between Pro and Pro S models is that Pro versions have the additional versatility of five seats, while Pro S models have only four.

Volkswagen ID.3 Pro S long-term test

Our chief sub-editor,Andy Pringle, runs the facelifted Volkswagen ID.3 on our long-term fleet. Its the first time hes had the keys to an all-electric car, and hes been impressed with how simple it is to drive. The smooth and refined powertrain makes it the perfect urban runabout for him and his family.

However, despite improvements to the much-maligned infotainment system, Andy still feels its far from perfect and gets frustrated with how long it takes to complete actions once he presses a button. You can read the full long term test here...

Volkswagen ID.3 review

Volkswagen ID.3 verdict

By bringing forward the cars mid-life facelift, the Volkswagen ID.3 retains its competitive edge in a crowded part of the market. A simple lineup of batteries and specs means choosing the right car for you is easy, while big improvements in cabin quality finally make the VWs electric family hatchback feel worthy of its near-40k starting price.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Its not without its issues, however. That aforementioned facelift didnt include changes to the slow, glitchy and troublesome infotainment system those looking for improvements there will need to wait until mid-2024 when VW is set to introduce a new 12-inch screen with backlit climate controls. Its possible that these upgrades would allow the ID.3 to catch and possibly even surpass rivals from Renault, Kia and even Tesla.

Range details, specs and alternatives

The ID.3 was the first entry in Volkswagens rapidly expanding lineup of bespoke electric cars (following the ageing e-up! city car) which now includes the ID.4 SUV, ID.5 coupe-SUV and ID. Buzz minibus, while the ID.7 saloon is due to arrive later this year. Its also the model that Volkswagen hopes will come to define how we see the next generation of family cars, in the same way the Beetle and Golf did in their respective eras. Its clear that this is a very important EV for the German automaker.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Competition includes cars of all shapes, sizes, and fuel types. On one hand you have traditional petrol and diesel-powered hatchbacks like the Ford Focus, Vauxhall Astra and Volkswagen Golf. Then there are electric models such as the budget-friendly MG4 EV, sporty Cupra Born, long-lived Nissan Leaf, and stylish Renault Megane E-Tech. There are also a smattering of other zero-emissions family cars in the same price range, including the Kia Niro EV, the new Hyundai Kona Electric and even the Tesla Model 3.

The Volkswagen ID.3 lineup was facelifted in mid-2023 12 months earlier than originally planned. The main reason for this was to address a variety of common criticisms, particularly regarding interior quality. With the update came a simplified model lineup, now with just two specs and two batteries to choose from. Prices are more competitive too, with the base ID.3 starting from just over 37k.

That entry-level car is now badged Pro and comes with a 201bhp rear-mounted electric motor and a 58kWh battery good for 265 miles of range. All cars get at least 18-inch alloy wheels (the horrid plastic wheel trims of the old car have been ditched) and LED lights, plus a 10-inch touchscreen, 5.3-inch digital instrument display and keyless entry and start. Every 58kWh model also gets 120kW rapid charging.

Upgrading to Pro S gets the same motor but adds a larger 77kWh battery for a longer 347-mile range there is no option to match the S spec with the smaller battery at the moment. These cars up the kit count with bigger wheels, and fancier seats with electric lumbar support.

Youll pay almost 6k more for the Pro S, but youll benefit from much faster 170kW charging, which means the range-topper can perform a 10-80% top-up four minutes faster (28 minutes total) than the Pro, despite its bigger battery.

Click here to see why you can trust DrivingElectric reviews, or for a more detailed look at the Volkswagen ID.3, read on for the rest of our in-depth review

2024 Volkswagen ID.3 Owner's Manual

2024 Volkswagen ID.3 Owner's Manual

Loading...

2024 Volkswagen ID.3 is a compact electric hatchback from the German manufacturer designed for five seats. The car received an updated front part and stern. The developers also worked on filling the interior. The manufacturer calls the restyling model the second generation. Now the range of electric models from Volkswagen includes 6 models.

2024 Volkswagen ID.3 Specifications

The length of the updated Volkswagen ID.3 is 4264 mm, the width is 1809 mm. Body height is 1564 mm, wheelbase 2770 mm. The car was created on the MEB platform.

The car is equipped with a synchronous motor, which is located behind. The unit with a capacity of 150 kW produces 204 horsepower and a torque of 310 Nm. Rear-wheel drive allows you to ensure high-quality traction, maneuverability and obedience of the hatchback. The engine is equipped with a two-speed gearbox with a differential.

Two lithium-ion batteries with a capacity of 58 or 77 kWh are available for the Volkswagen ID.3. For the top configuration, the range reaches 546 km. The battery is mounted on the floor of the car, where it is protected by a strong frame and underbody.

Thanks to the built-in water cooling, it is possible to maintain the ideal operating temperature of the battery. At the charging station, it takes 30 minutes to charge the battery up to 80% from 5 and 35 minutes for a more powerful configuration.

Advantages and disadvantages

The manufacturer presents a model with a complete update. It is not only the software of the technology, but also the external characteristics and the interior.

Despite the fact that the model is just being prepared for the markets, it was possible to highlight several main advantages of the model:

Exquisite interior design; Bright appearance and dynamic design; Comfort while driving.

Despite the large range of modern technologies and equipment, users also found minor shortcomings, namely the discomfort of using multimedia while driving, as well as a lower power reserve indicator compared to competitors.

Exterior

The updated appearance of the hatchback attracts attention. The developers added Dark Olive Green to the palette of refined colors. After the improvement, the use of higher-quality materials in the interior is noticeable.

The exterior of the car impresses with modern and refined lines. Smooth body lines, A-pillars and rounded pillars create a dynamic exterior. The air intake openings have changed their appearance, and together with other surfaces add confidence and freshness to the overall look. Electric radiator shutters open only when there is a need for cooling.

A new design of the bumper and a visually elongated hood have improved the external characteristics. This result was achieved thanks to the removal of the strip under the windshield, as well as additional recessed sections of the glass on the sides. The optimized flat design of the wheels improves air passage.

The updated Volkswagen ID.3 now shows muscularity and a sporty character. In general, the changes affected the improvement of aerodynamic performance.

The modern design is complemented by LED headlights of the main optics, as well as two-component lights at the back. The rear lights are divided into two parts, one of which is located on the luggage compartment lid.

Interior

The interior is dominated by high-quality materials, functionality and enough space. Thanks to the modern design and compact architecture of the MBA platform, it was possible to emphasize the elegance of the model. The upholstery of the seats and interior impresses with its softness and comfort. The instrument panel is visually divided by a decorative seam of the upholstery.

Background lighting with an available spectrum of 30 colors adds a special atmosphere to the interior.

The luggage compartment has a volume of 385 liters. If the rear row of seats is folded, the volume increases to 1267 liters.

Technologies

A large 12-inch high-resolution multimedia screen is installed on the central console. The system includes not only navigation, but also Apple CarPlay and Android Auto applications.

The touch controls for adjustment are somewhat difficult to use, especially while driving. The lack of illumination makes it difficult to use them in the dark.

The device display with a diagonal of 5.3 inches is located separately. Data is controlled using switches on the steering wheel.

The technological equipment of the model also includes Hello ID voice control. After improvement, the function reacts faster and recognizes commands, access to Cloud data is also provided, provided an Internet connection.

The AR projection display provides information about the cars operation and allows you to see navigation prompts at eye level. For this, data from the camera, navigation map and radar are used.

Safety systems

In the spectrum of safety technologies, the 2024 Volkswagen ID.3 received all the necessary protection systems:

Autonomous emergency braking; Staying in ones lane; Monitoring of blind spots; Circular view camera; Notification of cross traffic behind the car; Adaptive cruise control.

The passive safety system includes central airbags, frontal airbags, side airbags, and curtains.

2024 Volkswagen ID.3 owners manual PDF

On this page you will also find user manual for the 2024 Volkswagen ID.3 car. The main sections of the manual include: Vehicle overviews, Symbols in the instrument cluster, ID display (power meter, charge level, road sign display), Air conditioning system (cooling modes), Keyless access, Troubleshootings, Battery charging, Brake system faults, Faults in electic drive, Parking distance control, Emergency Braking System (Front Assist).

We also have owner's manuals for other vehicle years:

You can ask a question about your car - 2024 Volkswagen ID.3 by clicking on the link below. Please describe your question in as much detail as possible. We try to respond to each of our visitors. This service is currently free.

Ask your question on the page Need Help!

Volkswagen ID 3 review

As a cash purchase, the cheapest VW ID 3 Pro will set you back about the same as the entry-level Niro EV and the top-spec MG4 EV Trophy Extended Range, but more than the Leaf and the Zoe. Meanwhile, the more expensive ID 3 Pro S costs almost as much as the Model 3.

As a company car, the ID 3 will save you a heap of cash over a petrol or diesel because electric carbenefit-in-kind (BIK) tax is very low. The ID 3 should look after private buyers too, thanks to very slow predicted depreciation (strong resale values mean competitive PCP finance rates).

The ID 3 Pro can fast charge at up to 120kW and the Pro S 170kW. As a result, the Pro should charge from 5-80% in around 35 mins, while the faster charging Pro S should do the same charge in around 30 mins. On an 11kW public charger, the Pro will go from 0-100% in 6hr 15mins, while the Pro S will take 7hr 30mins. The Model 3 can charge even faster, and the Tesla Supercharger network is the best at the moment in terms of reliability and proliferation.

No matter which of the ID 3 versions you go for, you get plenty of standard kit to help justify the price tag. The entry-level Pro has 18in alloy wheels, wireless phone-charging, electrically heated and folding side mirrors, heated windscreen washer jets, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, adaptive cruise control anddual-zone air conditioning.