Name: Volkswagen ID.3
Brand: Volkswagen

Driven and reviewed by

Ginny Buckley

27 Aug 2024

VW is investing massively in electric cars. It believes that it can produce the next ‘people’s car’ in the same way that it did with the original Beetle and then the Golf. The ID.3 is the car that it thinks will spearhead that revolution and is the first in a long series of interesting models it has planned, ranging from a beach buggy to a reborn version of its classic camper van. It had a troubled start in life, but the 2023 facelift car fixed a lot of those issues and the ID.3 is now much closer to what VW's electric family car should always have been.

Read on for our verdict on the VW ID.3, or click through for a more in depth look at the range, practicality, performance and pricing.

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Introduction

Volkswagen has, of course, dabbled in electric cars before the ID.3’s arrival, with battery-powered versions of the Golf and Up! city car. The ID.3 is a bit different as it's the first VW to be designed from the ground up solely as an electric vehicle. All of the brand’s future electric cars will use the ID.3 core structure (referred to as the MEB platform) and layout, so it has gone all-out to make sure it is impressive.

How often you need to charge depends on the battery size you choose. There are two different sizes, which means you can decide on the best compromise between price and range. The bigger 77kWh packs are obviously more expensive, so it only makes sense to choose one if you need to do long journeys frequently or don’t have access to a charger every day.

The 58kWh 'Pro' battery pack strikes the best balance between cost and performance. It gets the same 201bhp electric motor as the 77kWh 'Pro S' battery pack, which powers the rear wheels and helps the ID.3 Pro to a WLTP range of up to 264 miles. That translates to around 190-240 miles in the real world. DC rapid charging allows the ID.3 to recharge at speeds of up to 120kW in the Pro, or 170kW in the Pro S.

Practicality is good, with very decent passenger space and a big boot, while perceived interior quality also improved noticeably with the 2023 updates. Sure, a Skoda Enyaq is still much more roomy (if also more expensive) and a Cupra Born looks cooler and has a bit more of a sporty feel to it. Other rivals include the Kia EV3, Hyundai Kona Electric, MG4 EV, BYD Atto 3, Nissan Leaf and Renault Megane E-Tech , so the ID.3 is hardly short if competition.

Verdict

Could the ID.3 make VW fans - and other buyers out there - go electric? We reckon it could. Early problems with the infotainment and control system have been ironed out, and the range now caters really well to those looking for a mid- or long-range family car that's well priced, spacious, comfy and safe. We'd like heated seats and the sunroof to be more affordable, individual options, and it's a shame that a heat pump is also a pricey option. The way you're forced to add pricey equipment packs is one of the big frustrations with the Volkswagen. Even so, with some very competitive monthly finance deals on offer, and a much-improved cabin finish and touchscreen, the ID.3 is now one of the most recommendable electric family cars.

Read on for a more in depth look at the range, practicality, performance and pricing of the VW ID.3.