Volkswagen ID.3 review

Driving position

The VW ID.3 really stands out for the amount of space it offers – it’s similar in size to a VW Golf, but is said to have as much passenger space as a Passat.

Because it was built from the ground up to be an electric-only model, VW has made the best use of the available space, including pushing the wheels far out into the corners to maximise interior space.

The ID.3 has comfortable and adjustable seating with plenty of customisation, so despite its fairly compact size, taller drivers can easily find their right position.

You sit slightly higher than you would in something like a Golf to make space for the batteries under the floor, so it’s good for drivers who like to sit upright and have a good view of the road.

There are extra panels on the A-pillars (the bits of metal between the windscreen and the front doors), so blind spots out the front are pretty minimal.

Rear visibility is more limited, and the rear windscreen is slightly narrower than in other hatchbacks, but it’s not a problem. All cars have front and rear parking sensors, and most trim levels apart from the most basic ID.3s have a reversing camera.

Our biggest gripe with the ID.3 is the windscreen wiper setup, though. They’re both hinged in the bottom corners of the window, so they open outwards, except the passenger side wiper opens first, so there’s a delay before the driver’s side gets wiped.

It’s great if you live in a country where the driver sits on the left of the car, but in the UK, it’s a massive oversight, and it’s very disappointing that Volkswagen didn’t address this when it facelifted the car.

Tech and features

The ID.3 might seem like a new car, but it has already received several updates including a pretty substantial mid-life facelift. You won’t necessarily need a newer model, though, because even the earliest came with plenty of kit.

We’re talking about a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, keyless start and adaptive cruise control.

It’s worth mentioning that VW got a bit of stick for its infotainment system in early ID.3s, including the fact that Apple CarPlay and Android Auto wasn’t available initially.

However, this came with a later software update, and many owners have already sorted this for free with their local dealerships, but if you’re buying secondhand and your ID.3 doesn’t have smartphone connectivity, VW will sort it for you.

Facelifted models sold from late 2023 have an improved infotainment system that feels easier to use, so if you can afford one of these, we think you’d be able to tell the difference. It’s also noticeably bigger, at 12.9 inches.

Some of the options we love include the augmented reality head-up display which shows sat-nav directions in front of you as if they were on the road in real life and Park Assist Plus, which remembers your recent moves in Drive so that, if you get stuck, it can replay them when you’re in Reverse to save you having to figure out the steering.

Some low-spec models have substandard sound systems – we’re talking two speakers – but if you’re just a casual listener, it’s acceptable.

Electric motors and power

VW has offered a number of motor and battery configurations in the ID.3 over the years, but the one that stands out the most is the popular ‘Pro Performance’ model.

It has the punchy 204hp motor, which brings 0-62mph acceleration down to the 7.3-second mark – almost hot hatch territory.

Other configurations include the slower Pro, with a 145hp motor, and the Pro S with the same 204hp motor as our pick of the bunch but a bigger battery (more on that below).

VW also sold a Pure Performance version for a few months in 2021, with a 148hp motor and the smallest battery pack.

If you like a bit more performance, there’s also the ID.3 GTX Performance hot hatch, which we’ve driven and reviewed separately.

Handling and ride comfort

The ID.3 is one of the most fun electric hatchbacks you can buy, because unlike many combustion engine-powered hatchbacks, it’s rear-wheel drive.

It gives you the feeling that the car is being pushed along, which is the favoured setup among car enthusiasts, but it’s also beneficial for the electric powertrain.

Some small front-wheel drive EVs, like the Renault Zoe, struggle to put all of their power down from a standstill, so at roundabouts they can spin the wheels.

We lived with the ID.3 for several months and never felt this to be a problem, thanks to its sporty drivetrain.

The low centre of gravity from the battery’s placement under the floor also helps the ID.3 feel planted on the road, which all translates to better-than-expected handling from what is essentially a regular family hatchback.

Boot space

Chances are if you’re buying an ID.3, you might be coming from a similar-sized hatchback like this car’s combustion counterpart, the Golf.

If so, you’re in luck, because even though the combination of batteries and electric motor takes up a fair bit of space, they’re all packaged away neatly, so the ID.3 has a pretty standard hatchback boot.

In pre- and post-facelift cars, it measures 385 litres – within a few litres of the Golf. In fact, the ID.3 has a bigger boot than key rivals like the MG4, Vauxhall Astra Electric and Peugeot e-308.

Rear seats

We’ve already mentioned that the wheels have been pushed into the far corners of the car. The benefit of having this long wheelbase is that the ID.3 has plenty of rear legroom.

The car’s high roofline continues all the way to the boot, too, so you shouldn’t have any problems sitting upright.

Compared with cars like the Vauxhall Astra Electric and Peugeot e-308, which are also available with regular petrol engines, the ID.3 feels considerably more spacious.

Storage solutions

The minimalist interior means that all your loose odds and ends can hide away beneath the sliding cover on the centre console, but that’s about all the space you have, because unlike some models that have extra storage under the armest, VW uses smaller armrests on each of the front seats, so there’s no storage cubby.

The glovebox isn’t as massive for right-hand-drive ID.3s, which is a shame. It’s because the car was built first and foremost for the left-hand-drive market, so some electrical parts that used to sit behind the steering wheel never moved over in the transition to right-hand drive.

Between that sliding cover and the two cupholders on the centre console is a sloping wireless phone charger, which we really like, because it means that your phone isn’t lying upright and tempting you with distractions – it’s as much a safety feature as a tech add-on.

Safety

That probably wasn’t a consideration when the ID.3 was safety tested, but it’s still worthy of five stars.

It scored strongly across the board, with strong performance for safety assist systems like Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) and lane-keep assist.

Range and charging

Most cars sold have the mid-range 58kWh battery pack, which will do up to around 260 miles between charges, and that’s more than enough for most drivers. It’s the one we’d recommend.

There’s also a bigger 77kWh battery capable of more than 340 miles according to official tests, but we don’t think it’s worth spending extra for the extra range unless you regularly do long trips – even then, rapid charging will get you an 80% charge in any model in about half an hour.

Post-facelift, the mid-range model has a slightly bigger 59kWh battery, which could afford you a few extra miles.

The biggest difference pre- and post-facelift is with the smaller-range Pure model, so pay attention to which car you’re getting.

Earlier cars have a 45kWh battery and a 215-mile range, but this increased to 241 miles from a 52kWh battery in 2023-onward cars.

The GTX has the biggest battery available, at 79kWh, so it’ll do a touch under 370 miles.

Reliability

VW has been building electric cars for years, and although the ID.3 was the first car in the ID range, it followed on from VW’s prior experience building the e-Golf and e-up.

As such, the ID.3 has proven to be a reliable and long-lasting electric family hatch, and one that’s proven its value for money in the long term.

Insurance groups

Insurance groups for the ID.3 range from 18-30, which isn’t too far off the mark of a Golf, which sits between 14-27.