2023 Volkswagen ID.3: Behind the Wheel

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【Summary】The 2023 Volkswagen ID.3 receives a mid-life refresh with minor changes to the exterior and improvements to the interior quality. It comes in two models, Pro and Pro S, with different battery sizes. The range and faster charging make it a popular choice, but it is considered expensive for what you get. The interior features soft-touch finishes and comfortable seats, but still has a lot of hard plastics. The infotainment system has been improved but is still not great. The ID.

FutureCar Staff Aug 25, 2023 5:03 PM PT

Volkswagen's electric revolution began with the ID.3, the first purely electric model from the brand. It has become a top seller in the UK, representing the third generation of VW vehicles after the Beetle and the Golf. The ID.3 is designed to be affordable and practical, catering to the mass market. While this size of car is popular in Europe, it may not be as popular in North America where larger vehicles are preferred. The ID.3 is built on VW Group's MEB platform and has recently received a mid-life refresh.

The new VW ID.3 (2023) has made some improvements to the interior, focusing on enhancing the quality of finishes. It still offers a good range and faster charging, making it a popular choice. However, some may find it expensive for what it offers. Pros of the ID.3 include its great appearance, practical size for city driving, and good battery economy. On the other hand, the cons include minimal changes from the previous model and a slightly fiddly interior tech.

While the new ID.3 is a facelift rather than a complete redesign, there are some noticeable changes to the exterior. The front of the car has been made sportier with openings for airflow and cooling. The removal of the black bar under the windscreen gives the front a cleaner and more appealing look. The model badging and decals on the rear quarter have also been removed, resulting in cleaner lines overall. These changes, although small, contribute to the sleek aesthetic of the ID.3.

The interior of the new ID.3 has seen improvements in terms of quality. VW has focused on increasing the amount of soft-touch finishes and introducing stitching to reduce the amount of plastic. However, the center console and door panels still feature harder plastics. The car offers plenty of space, thanks to the MEB platform, with comfortable seating and ample knee space in the rear. The ID.3 also has a decent amount of boot space, although not as much as some competitors.

The ID.3 features VW's unique arrangement of the central display and driver display. While the smaller driver display may take some getting used to, the addition of a heads-up display (HUD) provides useful information without taking your eyes off the road. However, the user interface on the main display is still not as intuitive as desired and may not compete with smartphone-based systems like Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.

In terms of performance, the ID.3 is available with two battery options: 58kWh and 77kWh. The larger battery provides a range of 347 miles, which is impressive. The car is powered by a single motor driving the rear wheels, delivering a 0-62mph time of 7.2 seconds. The new model also supports faster charging, up to 170kW, allowing for quicker top-ups. The ID.3 offers a pleasant driving experience, with good efficiency and maneuverability.

Overall, the VW ID.3 is an important car for the brand as it aims to dominate the electric vehicle segment. While it may not bring significant changes compared to its predecessor, it offers a familiar and enjoyable driving experience. The introduction of the heads-up display and faster charging rate are attractive features. However, the price of the ID.3 has increased, making it relatively expensive compared to some competitors.