By Breda Corrigan
The new ID.3 continues to advance electric mobility at Volkswagen. The clear lines of the exterior give the new ID.3 a more mature look, and the interior is characterised by high-quality materials, while numerous assistance systems are included as standard features. While it was very well received by Irish EV buyers at launch, the original ID.3 was let down by indifferent material quality, a clunky infotainment system and cumbersome controls, but the revised ID.3 promises to address these issues.
Upmarket Look & Feel.
In order to address the first issue, the new ID.3 features upgraded materials throughout the cabin, with the most obvious areas to receive attention being the seats, dashboard and door trims – all of which was done in an effort to create a more upmarket interior look and feel. The infotainment system now features VW’s latest software, and this makes the system more user-friendly and quicker to respond to commands than before, with the central touchscreen display now offering even greater clarity and higher resolution. As before, there are very few physical buttons on the dashboard, with most functions controlled courtesy of the infotainment screen or with voice commands. Touch-sensitive slider controls for adjusting the media volume and interior temperature are still located at the bottom of the touchscreen, and are relatively easy to use when on the move. The revised ID.3 benefits from a light reworking of the exterior, which provides the car with a more cohesive overall appearance that does without the black plastic trim that featured on the bonnet of the original model. Other exterior tweaks include a reprofiled front bumper and a revised rear light cluster. The ID.3’s microfibre seat upholstery is made from 71% recycled materials and no animal-derived products are used inside at all.
Four Trim Levels.
There are 4 trim levels available in the new ID.3: Pro, Pro Plus, Pro S, and top-spec Pro S Plus. Key standard features in entry-level Pro trim includes; adaptive cruise control with speed limiter, Keyless-Go central locking with SAFELOCK, armrests for both front seats, 10-colour ambient lighting, central control unit, Climatronic air-conditioning, DAB radio, driver alert system, drive profile selection, electric auxiliary air heater, electrically-operated and power-folding door mirrors, heat-insulating windscreen, heated washer nozzles, high beam control (Light Assist), LED headlamps, LED rear combination lamps, leather steering wheel, mobile phone interface, Park Distance Control (parking sensors), Natural Voice Control, lane keeping assist, ‘Play’ & ‘Pause’ foot pedals, private emergency call system, sound deadening package, Wired & Wireless App Connect, dynamic road sign display, and manual height adjustment for the front seats, along with ISOFIX child seat anchorage points on outer rear seats and on the front passenger seat with airbag deactivation. Enhanced levels of functional equipment, comfort and assistance packages come as standard on a varying scale across the other ID.3 trim levels, and a host of optional extra packages are available for buyers looking for ultimate personalisation.
Impressive Power & Range.
Power comes from the same permanent magnet synchronous electric motor as before, with power provided to the rear wheels via a single-speed transmission. Pro and Pro Plus versions of the ID.3 come with a 58kWh battery with a range of up to 428km, while Pro S and Pro S Plus versions benefit from a bigger 77kWh battery with a range of up to 557km from a full charge. Producing 204hp and 310Nm of torque, the ID.3 58kWh can sprint from 0-100km/h in just 7.4-seconds, with the slightly heavier 77kWh versions taking just 0.5-seconds longer to reach 100km/h. The ID.3 can achieve a full charge (0-100%) via a domestic wallbox charger (11kW) in approximately 7.5 hours, while a 5-80% charge at a DC public fast-charging station can be completed in as little as 30 minutes.
Test Car Details.
My ID.3 Pro S 77kWh test car looked stunning in its Dark Olivine Green metallic paintwork with a contrasting black roof and black door mirror covers, along with its optional 20” Sanya alloy wheels in lieu of the standard 19” Wellington alloys that come as standard. Additional standard Pro S equipment includes heated front seats, unsplit rear seat bench with a split-folding backrest and a centre armrest, 4 seats (2 up front and two at rear), and a front passenger-side exterior mirror lowering function (when reverse gear is engaged). As before, the regenerative braking function is accessed by pressing the B mode button on the gear selector, which is still conveniently located on the end of the 5.3-inch digital instrument display. The high seating position allows for excellent outward vision, and the flat floor provides above-class-average levels of accommodation for all occupants, with impressive leg and headroom throughout. Boot capacity measures in at a respectable 385-litres with the rear seats in place, but this can be expanded to 1,267-litres when the rear setbacks are folded down. The ID.3 feels equally at home on a twisty back road as it does on a fast-moving motorway, as the well-damped chassis provides impressive body control, irrespective of the road surface. The car responds swiftly when then accelerator pedal is pressed and its nimble steering set-up operates in a light and precise fashion. The original ID.3 was known for its predictable and dependable handling characteristics, and the revised ID.3 also excels in that respect, while its impressive refinement, comfortable ride quality and competent driving dynamics ensure it remains one of the best electric hatchbacks on sale. With ‘We Connect digital services’, drivers can transform their ID.3 into a connected car, as the built-in SIM card can connect it to the internet on request. In addition, the ‘We Connect ID smartphone app’ provides the driver with important information about their car even when on the move. For example, you can check the remaining range, or if all of the doors and windows are closed, along with the option to start and stop charging, and adjust the air-conditioning system to your individual preference.
Verdict & Pricing.
With the introduction of the revised ID.3, it is clear to see that Volkswagen has succeeded in addressing the shortcomings of the first generation car. The minor tweaks that the revised ID.3 has received will undoubtedly boost its appeal even further than before. The new VW ID.3 is priced from just €37,112 (after state subsidies, and inclusive of delivery & service plan). Price as tested (excluding extras fitted to test car) is €42,440.
