Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

Volkswagen ID.3 review

The Volkswagen ID.3 is a fine electric family hatchback, but its on-board tech remains a source of contention

Overall Auto Express rating

4.0

How we review cars
  • Decent range
  • Good refinement
  • Spacious cabin
  • Fiddly infotainment system
  • Pricey options list
  • Larger screen is still to come
Find your Volkswagen ID.3
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car
Advertisement

The Volkswagen ID.3 is an accomplished all-electric family hatchback. While it’s not a class leader, it gets the basics right, thanks to competitive pricing, decent range and a composed driving experience – all wrapped up in a practical package with a sharper look thanks to an earlier-than-expected facelift.

Interior quality has taken some steps in the right direction, too. However, the infotainment system is as slow and irksome as ever, and the touch-sensitive climate controls remain a bugbear. More software improvements, a larger central touchscreen and illuminated controls are coming in 2024, but we wish they’d arrive a little sooner.

About the Volkswagen ID.3

Before EVs took the world by storm, Volkswagen produced electric versions of its up! city car and Mk7 Golf hatchback, simply badged as the e-up! and e-Golf. It then spent a few years on the back foot in the wake of the dieselgate emissions scandal, but it’s fair to say the Volkswagen Group is once again on the march, having refocused its efforts towards a gleaming electric future.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The first member of its ID-badged all-electric models was the ID.3 hatchback. It made its debut in 2019 and hit the street the following year, with VW hoping that the ID.3 would one day become as iconic as the original Beetle and Golf.

Since then, the company’s stable of EVs has grown to include the ID.4 SUV, ID.5 coupe-SUV, ID. Buzz minibus and ID.7 saloon. More are on the way, the most important of which is likely to be the affordable electric supermini previewed by Volkswagen’s retro-inspired ID.2all and ID. GTI concepts.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

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 and hybrid hatches like the Golf, Ford FocusHonda Civic and Toyota Corolla.

However, its closest competitors are fellow electric hatchbacks, including the long-lived Nissan Leaf, sporty Cupra Born, classy Renault Megane E-Tech, comfort-focused Citroen e-C4 and much more affordable MG4 EV.  

There’s also a raft of compact electric SUVs available for similar money, most notably our 2023 Car of the Year, the Hyundai Kona Electric, and its sister car, the Kia Niro EV. Higher-spec versions of the ID.3 also come close to matching the entry-level Tesla Model 3 on price, and customers may be persuaded by the saloon’s 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 that’s 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 driver’s display, 10-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlayAndroid 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, spent six months with the Volkswagen ID.3 as part of our long-term fleet. It was the first time he’s had the keys to an all-electric car, and he was left feeling very impressed with how simple the VW is to drive. The smooth and refined powertrain makes it the perfect urban runabout for him and his family, and he’s convinced that it’d make a great starting point for any EV newbies.

However, despite improvements to the much-maligned infotainment system, Andy still felt that it was far from perfect, and quickly became frustrated with how long it took to complete simple actions. You can read the full long term test here… 

Skip advert
Advertisement

Our latest car deals

Audi A3

Audi A3

RRP £28,085Avg. savings £1,458 off RRP*Compare Offers
Nissan Juke

Nissan Juke

RRP £23,500Avg. savings £4,311 off RRP*Compare Offers
Volkswagen Polo

Volkswagen Polo

RRP £21,210Avg. savings £1,862 off RRP*Compare Offers
Vauxhall Corsa

Vauxhall Corsa

RRP £18,505Avg. savings £3,518 off RRP*Compare Offers
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

More on ID.3

Show me:
New Volkswagen ID.3 and ID.4 set for 2026 arrival with major overhauls inside and out
Volkswagen ID.3 GTX - full front

New Volkswagen ID.3 and ID.4 set for 2026 arrival with major overhauls inside and out

Volkswagen has confirmed that both the ID.3 and ID.4 will be getting major changes
News
22 Nov 2024
Volkswagen ID.3, ID.4 and ID.5 now nearly £5,000 cheaper thanks to new Pure models
Volkswagen badge

Volkswagen ID.3, ID.4 and ID.5 now nearly £5,000 cheaper thanks to new Pure models

VW’s ID.3 electric hatchback range received the biggest discount of £4,850, and now starts from £30,850
News
20 Nov 2024
Car Deal of the Day: all-electric VW ID.3 is great value at £192 per month
Volkswagen ID.3 - front tracking

Car Deal of the Day: all-electric VW ID.3 is great value at £192 per month

This fabulous VW ID.3 hatchback deal at less than £200 a month is our Deal of the Day for 5th October
News
5 Oct 2024
New Volkswagen ID.3 GTX 2024 review: electric hot hatch lacks the wow factor
Volkswagen ID.3 GTX - front

New Volkswagen ID.3 GTX 2024 review: electric hot hatch lacks the wow factor

The new Volkswagen ID.3 GTX is an impressive fast family car, but is let down by a lack of excitement from behind the wheel
Road tests
13 Sep 2024
New Volkswagen ID.3 GTX Fire+Ice pays homage to EV’s hatchback heritage
Volkswagen ID.3 GTX Fire and Ice special edition - front static

New Volkswagen ID.3 GTX Fire+Ice pays homage to EV’s hatchback heritage

More specifically, the Volkswagen ID.3 GTX Fire+Ice is a tribute to the Mk2 VW Golf Fire and Ice special edition
News
9 Sep 2024
New Volkswagen ID.3 GTX: pricing, specs and performance stats for the electric GTI
Volkswagen ID.3 GTX - static front 3/4

New Volkswagen ID.3 GTX: pricing, specs and performance stats for the electric GTI

VW has finally given its ID.3 electric hatchback some serious firepower, and it all goes to the back wheels
News
27 Aug 2024
Best low emission green cars in the UK
Best low emissions green cars - header image

Best low emission green cars in the UK

Low emissions and good fuel economy go hand-in-hand, and these cars deliver the best of both
Best cars & vans
22 Aug 2024
Volkswagen ID.3 Pro S long-term test: a great choice for electric car newbies
Auto Express chief sub-editor Andy Pringle holding two L-plates while standing next to the Volkswagen ID.3

Volkswagen ID.3 Pro S long-term test: a great choice for electric car newbies

Final report: Andy is no longer an EV learner as he says goodbye to VW
Long-term tests
16 May 2024
Volkswagen ID.3 Harlequin Edition lives up to its name on April 1
Volkswagen ID.3 Harlequin Edition

Volkswagen ID.3 Harlequin Edition lives up to its name on April 1

Don't be fooled! Volkswagen has revealed the VW ID.3 Harlequin Edition for April 1
News
31 Mar 2024
Jeep Avenger vs Kia Niro EV vs Volkswagen ID.3: low-cost compact EVs duke it out
Jeep Avenger, Kia Niro EV and Volkswagen ID.3 - front tracking

Jeep Avenger vs Kia Niro EV vs Volkswagen ID.3: low-cost compact EVs duke it out

Electric car prices are already being slashed to meet new sales targets. We line up Jeep, Kia and VW rivals to see what’s on offer
Car group tests
24 Feb 2024
Car Deal of the Day: Volkswagen ID.3 is a fun, family EV for £264 per month
Volkswagen ID.3 - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: Volkswagen ID.3 is a fun, family EV for £264 per month

The ID.3 is an excellent electric offering with great range and a smart interior - that’s enough to make it our Car Deal of the Day
News
22 Jan 2024
Skip advert
Advertisement
Deal of the Day: facelifted Volkswagen ID.3 arrives with a massive £7,925 discount
Volkswagen ID.3 - front cornering

Deal of the Day: facelifted Volkswagen ID.3 arrives with a massive £7,925 discount

Volkswagen has just improved its all-electric family hatch and there are already bargains to be had - this one is our Deal of the Day for 3 January
News
3 Jan 2024
Are EVs cheaper to run than petrol or diesel cars right now? We have the answers!
Porsche Taycan charging

Are EVs cheaper to run than petrol or diesel cars right now? We have the answers!

We explore the Total Cost of Ownership for a range of comparable electric and petrol cars with telling results
News
20 Oct 2023
New Volkswagen ID.3 GTX: first spy shots and all the latest on VW’s electric hot hatch
Volkswagen ID.3 GTX - front cornering

New Volkswagen ID.3 GTX: first spy shots and all the latest on VW’s electric hot hatch

Volkswagen’s family-friendly ID.3 will soon get the sporty GTX treatment
News
7 Sep 2023
Volkswagen ID.3 vs MG4: 2023 twin test review
Volkswagen ID.3 vs MG4 - front tracking

Volkswagen ID.3 vs MG4: 2023 twin test review

Is it second time lucky for the Volkswagen ID.3? We see if early updates can see off the MG4
Car group tests
2 Sep 2023
New Volkswagen ID.3 2023 facelift review
Volkswagen ID3 facelift - front

New Volkswagen ID.3 2023 facelift review

We get behind the wheel of revised Volkswagen ID.3 EV, which has enhanced interior quality and upgraded tech
Road tests
4 Aug 2023
Used Volkswagen ID.3 (Mk1, 2020-date) review
Used Volkswagen ID.3 - front

Used Volkswagen ID.3 (Mk1, 2020-date) review

A full used buyer’s guide on the all-electric Volkswagen ID.3 that’s been on sale since 2020
Used car tests
6 Jun 2023
Volkswagen ID.3 58kWh review
2023 Volkswagen ID.3 - front tracking

Volkswagen ID.3 58kWh review

Volkswagen has refreshed the ID.3 to keep up with the ever-increasing competition, but some original bugbears remain
Road tests
2 Jun 2023
New 2023 Volkswagen ID.3 facelift on sale from £37,115
Volkswagen ID.3 2023 facelift - front

New 2023 Volkswagen ID.3 facelift on sale from £37,115

Volkswagen’s all-electric alternative to the Golf has been given a refresh
News
26 Apr 2023
Best new cars for under £400 per month
Best cars for £400 a month - header

Best new cars for under £400 per month

Got some cash to splash? These are the best new cars for under £400 per month
Best cars & vans
8 Feb 2023
New Volkswagen ID. X concept ride review
Volkswagen ID. X concept - front

New Volkswagen ID. X concept ride review

We sample the one-off Volkswagen ID. X hot hatch from the passenger seat
Road tests
20 Jan 2023
Best tax-free cars
Best tax-free cars - header

Best tax-free cars

Want to pay nothing in VED road tax? These days that means buying an electric car so here are our top tax-free cars to buy
Best cars & vans
13 Jan 2023
The best long-term car tests 2022
Best long-term tests 2022- header image

The best long-term car tests 2022

These are our favourite long-term cars from the past year
Car group tests
30 Dec 2022