First Drive - EV Review - Volkswagen ID.3
Volkswagen ID.3 EV Review
The Volkswagen ID.3 is easy to drive around town
In terms of importance to the brand, Volkswagen puts its ID.3 alongside icons such as the Beetle and Golf. It’s understandable, then, why VW has thrown the works at this EV, which kicks off its electric ‘ID’ sub-brand.
It’s why it uses a brand new platform made specifically for EVs, while clever in-car tech and futuristic materials combine with the aim of making the ID.3 one of ‘the’ electric cars to beat. We’ve been finding out what it’s like
What’s new?
As we’ve touched upon, the ID.3 uses a clever new platform - called MEB - which has been designed with electric cars in mind. It’s modular, so it can be used to underpin electric cars of various sizes, which is why you’ll also find it underneath other Volkswagen Group models like the Skoda Enyaq iV and Cupra Born, to name just two.
But it also means that the ID.3 can deliver plenty of interior space and a well-sized boot, beyond what you might expect from a car of this size.
What’s under the bonnet?
You can get the ID.3 with a number of different battery and electric motor options, which means you’re able to tailor it depending on the type of driving you’re doing. You’ve got either 58 or 77kWh battery options, which are capable of delivering up to 264 or 329 miles of range, respectively.
Rapid charging means that topping up the larger battery from 0-80 per cent should take as little as 38 minutes, or overnight if you’re using a regular 7kW home charger.
What’s it like to drive?
The Volkswagen ID.3 is remarkably easy to get along with. The gear selector feels a little alien at first - it’s mounted on the steering column rather than down in the middle - but aside from that, it all feels very intuitive and simple. The steering is light but not overly so, plotting a happy middle ground that ensures it feels stable yet easy to pilot around narrow roads and lanes.
It’s not an overly large car, either, which means that it’s ideal for life in town. Visibility is good, too, with plenty of glass contributing to a nice, airy cabin.
How does it look?
The good news with the ID.3’s styling is that it’s immediately noticeable as a Volkswagen. That big badge on the nose is a bit of a giveaway, of course, but the rest of the car’s design all leans towards other cars from the brand. It’s available in a variety of eye-catching colours, too, while contrasting black sections give it a more dynamic appearance.
The ID.3 has been recently revised, too, bringing redesigned headlights that have been created to mimic ‘eyes’ at the front of the car.
What’s it like inside?
As we’ve mentioned already, the ID.3’s MEB platform means that it’s got a surprising amount of space inside. The rear seats provide excellent levels of both head- and legroom, which means that this car will be just as practical as a Golf for families.
In fact, at 385 litres, the ID.3’s boot is five litres larger than the one you’ll find in the Golf. Plus, if you fold down the rear seats this expands to a very impressive - and very usable - 1,267 litres.
What’s the spec like?
All versions of the ID.3 get Volkswagen’s latest infotainment system. It’s one that controls pretty much all auxiliary aspects of the car; you’ll find the heating and ventilation controls here alongside the ‘usual’ media and navigation functions. It means that the ID.3 has a largely button-free setup which makes things look less cluttered.
All cars get LED headlights as standard, too, alongside front and rear parking sensors and keyless entry.
Verdict
The ID.3 really does feel like a modern interpretation of what a Volkswagen ‘really’ is. It might not be quite as sharp to drive as a Golf, but it manages to deliver in all other areas - particularly when it comes to space.
With a decent range, it’s not restricted to shorter trips, either. Throw in generous levels of standard equipment and you’ve got a very appealing EV option.
