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Volkswagen ID3 Explored - Cost, Range, Compared & More

Volkswagen ID3 Explored - Cost, Range, Compared & More

Volkswagen ID.3 - Lets dive deep on what makes up this marvellous family hatchback

Are you curious about what makes up the VW ID.3, what type of car this is, is it fully electric, or even, what is the ID3's range? Then you have come to the right place. Let's explore this small family car in detail.

ID3 design

This small modern family hatchback was designed by Klaus Bischoff, Marco Antonio Pavone, Felipe Montoya Bueloni, and Akos Szaz, and has a clear futuristic shape and design.

Exterior design

The first thing you will note when you look at the new Volkswagen ID.3 is its futuristic appearance from its front Matrix LED headlights, to its clean sliding roofline to the rear, and distinctive alloy wheel design.

Interior design

Even though this is a small family hatchback, the design in the cabin feels far from cramped. It has a more comfortable and futuristic appearance, with plenty of legroom, and a large responsive touch display centre console. However, what makes the cabin stand out is the adaptable ambient lighting.

When it comes to the adaptable ambient lighting, you can personalise your ID3 to how you want it by choosing from up to 10 ambient interior lighting colours; with 30 more as optional extras. This lighting illuminates the dash, the phone storage compartment, as well as the doors.

 

Volkswagen ID.3 Interior White Steering Wheel and Infotainment system, couple sat in front seats looking at phone
Blue Volkswagen ID.3 Exterior, looking down at couple getting into ID.3, can see roof, bonnet and side of the car
Couple sat on bonnet of Volkswagen ID.3 with headlights on front side view

What advanced safety features does the ID3 have?

The ID 3 can comes with a huge number of advanced safety features such as:

AR Heads up display

The AR Heads up display gives you useful information projected straight onto the windscreen. This allows you to see key information such as your speed, where to turn and more, without needing to take your eyes off the road.

Voice Assistant

To make driving easier the ID3 comes with its own Voice Assistant so the days of fumbling around trying to find certain buttons, that you don't use often, whilst you drive is now a thing of the past. This system allows you to control the following with your voice:

  • The radio
  • Navigation system
  • Your phone

How do you active the ID3's voice control?

To activate the Voice Control feature all you need to do is just say "Hello ID" and talk to the system.

ID Light

The ID Light feature gives you visual notifications that make life that little bit easier when you are trying to navigate through traffic. If you use voice control, a light signal will respond to your voice, or when you leave your ID.3, the ID Light will say goodbye to you in its own way.

Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)

Adaptive Cruise Control, or ACC, keeps the ID3 at a set speed. If another car or vehicle then gets close to your car, the smart system can then apply the brakes keeping you a safe distance from the vehicle ahead of you. When the road then becomes clear, it can then increase your speed for you back to your desired limit.

Air Care Climatronic air conditioning system

The Air Care Climatronic air conditioning system is more than just an air con system. The Climatronic system doesn't just adjust the temperature in your cabin based on the temperature you have set, it automatically adjusts the blowers speeds, and air distribution. It then monitors an impressive amount of factors, such as the position of the Sun, how intense it is and adjusts hot and cold air accordingly to just one side of the cabin, for instance.

Car2X - intelligent vehicle networking

Car2XZ Volkswagen class as a Technological milestone. This has further been honoured by Euro NCAP by giving the system its Advanced Award. So why all the fanfare - what does it do?

Car2XZ is an standard advanced traffic hazard system which can connect to other vehicles and alert you to key information, ahead of any visual signs appearing. For instance, this system can highlight to you the direction of emergency vehicles approaching you with their emergency sirens on, with an approximate distance, or a broken down car around the corner coming up ahead. In tests, this system identified these cases 11 seconds before drivers could have responded themselves.

Driver alert system with fatigue detection

Around 25% of all motorway accidents are caused by tired drivers. That's where the Driver alert system with fatigue detection system comes into its own. This system uses sensors to monitor your alertness, and behaviour. If anything out of the normal then occurs, such as erratic steering, or lane drift, both an audible sound will play in the cabin and a visual notification to help you to remain alert.

Dynamic road sign display

The Dynamic road sign display feature can read the road signs - and display the speed of the road for you - for those times that you may have accidentally missed the road speed limit change.

Front Assist - Autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist monitoring

The Front Assist - Autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist monitoring system uses sensors to monitor the road ahead. If a pedestrian, cyclist, or vehicle suddenly stops or gets in your way, the car can then automatically apply emergency braking measures in a split second to help to prevent accidents from occurring.

Lane Assist

As we learned earlier, that around 25% of motorway accidents are caused due to tiredness, the Lane Assist system can help to prevent accidents from occurring if the car starts to drift out of your lane. By keeping you more centred in your lane automatically.

 

Volkswagen ID.3 Ambient Lighting, steering wheel, infotainment and passenger door blue lighting
Volkswagen ID.3 Infotainment system and steering wheel. Navigation being set up on infotainment system
Volkswagen ID.3 AR heads up display, road in front of vehicle and infotainment system. Telling driver to turn right

What is an ID 3 vehicle?

An ID 3 is a family EV hatchback from Volkswagen and one of the first of their new all electric range.

How much does the VW ID 3 cost?

The ID3 costs from £32,300 new.

Does VW ID 3 have CarPlay and Android Auto?

Yes, the ID3 can come with both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

Is VW ID 3 front or rear wheel drive?

As the motor is in the rear, the ID3 is a rear wheel drive EV hatchback.

What does the 3 in VW ID 3 stand for?

For their new ID electric EV range, Volkswagen is moving away from using set names for their models; but, instead into number versions. The ID, stands for Intelligently Designed, and the 3 in this case, means it's the 3rd in the lineup. With the ID 1 and 2 set for release later in the 2020's.

Where is the ID 3 made?

The Volkswagen ID3 is manufactured in a few places around the world. In Germany it is made at the Zwickau-Mosel Plant, and at the Transparent Factory in Dresden. The ID3 is also manufactured at Anting in China.

What type of car is a VW ID3?

The Volkswagen ID3, is an all electric EV Family Hatchback, similar to a Tesla Model 3.

Is ID3 fun to drive?

This is a little subjective; however, when you factor in it has Sports mode, loads of features such as park assist which park the car automatically for you, has a good suspension, and can go 0 - 60 in around 7 seconds - we like to think so.

Does the VW ID3 have park assist?

Yes, the VW ID3 can come with Park assistance with front and rear parking sensors. This system allows you to choose an open parking space that it has detected, and the car will park itself.

What is the range of the VW ID 3, or how far does VW ID3 go on a charge?

If you are wondering how many miles can the ID 3 do, you are in the right place. The ID3 can do around 261 miles on a full charge. This depends on the weather conditions, as colder conditions can drain the battery faster than warmer ones, and on your driving style.

Can ID 3 charge at 22kw?

Currently, no, the onboard charger is only rated for 11kW. It can use a higher kW on the road chargers as well though.

Can ID3 use a Tesla charger?

At the time of writing, this depends. Tesla is trialing a non-Tesla EV Supercharger Pilot scheme as of November 2021; where they open up their network to non Tesla cars to charge. This pilot scheme means that some EV charging stations, in some countries, allow the use of non-Tesla cars to use the chargers. You will need to download the Tesla App to find the nearest one to you.

How long does it take to charge an ID3?

The ID3's charge time on a AC 1-phase 7.2kW home charger will take around 9 hours 30 minutes to go from 0 - 100%. If you are using a AC3 11kW charger, then this time decreases to 6 hours 15 minutes to go from 0 - 100%. However, for the quickest charge, if you use the on the road DC3 100kW rapid chargers, it can take 35 minutes to go from 5% - 80%.

 

Black Electric Volkswagen ID3 driving through puddle, front view
Blue Volkswagen ID3 Charge Socket, person about to insert charging lead
Volkswagen ID3 Black interior, infotainment system, steering wheel and glove box view

What does the Volkswagen ID.3 compare to?

The Volkswagen ID.3 is a family hatchback and can be compared against the Nissan Leaf, Tesla Model 3, and the VW Golf. So, if you are wanting to know which car comes off better when it comes to the Volkswagen ID.3 vs Tesla Model 3 vs Nissan Leaf e+ vs Golf, or is the VW ID 3 the same size as a Golf, or just what is the size of the ID3? Then you are in the right place - let's find out.

Please note: The figures can vary depending on the model, and age or each car you buy. You should check your manual for your exact model for definitive figures for the car you own or want to.

Metric Volkswagen Id.3 Tesla Model 3 Nissan Leaf VW e Golf
Length 4,261mm 4,694mm 4,490mm 4,270mm
Height 1,568mm 1,443mm 1,530 - 1,545mm 1,450mm
Width 1,809mm 1,849mm 1,788mm 1,799mm
Boot space seats up 385 Litres 425 Litres 435 Litres 341 Litres
Boot space seats down / front boot (Frunk) 1,267 Litres 649 Litres 1,176 Litres 1,237 Litres
Battery charge time 9.50 hours on 7.2kW home chargers, and 0.35 Hours on 100kW rapid to 80% with on the road chargers 31.75 to 43.5hours at 220V, 0.6hours at 440V 6.75 hours at 6.6kW, and 0.75 hours with 46kW rapid to 80% with on the road chargers 17:00 hours at 2.3kW, 10.9 hours at 3.6kW, and 0.75H at 40kW
Electric battery range 261 miles 267 - 360 miles 168 - 239 miles 144 miles
0 - 60MPH 7.3 to 7.9 seconds 3.1 seconds 6.7 - 8.3 seconds 4 Seconds
Max Speed 99.42 mph 139.8 to 161.6 mph 89 mph 93 mph
Costs from £32,300 £42,500 £29,790 £20,280

 

What is the difference between the ID3 Models?

The ID3 Life costs from £35,835, and comes with the following features.

 

  • 120kW DC battery charging (Type 2: CCS)
  • 2 USB-C ports in the front and 2 USB-C charging ports on the centre console in the rear
  • Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
  • Air Care Climatronic air conditioning system
  • Alarm with interior protection
  • Alloy wheel tool kit
  • Andriod Auto and Apple CarPlay
  • Ambient lighting with exterior illuminated styling elements in the door handle recesses
  • Armrests for both front seats
  • Auto-dimming rear view mirror
  • Battery 320 A (49 Ah)
  • Car2X - intelligent vehicle networking
  • Centre console with illuminated storage compartment and sliding cover with two drinks holders
  • Charging cable mode 3, Type 2: 7.2kW 1-Phase/11kW 3-Phase (32A)
  • Comfort Package
  • Curtain and side airbags in front with centre airbag
  • Digital radio reception (DAB)
  • Disc brakes in front
  • Driver alert system with fatigue detection
  • Driver and front passenger airbag with front passenger airbag deactivation
  • Driver's and front passenger's seat height adjustment
  • Driving profile selection
  • Dynamic road sign display
  • e-call Emergency call service
  • e-Sim card for online connectivity
  • Electric auxiliary air heater
  • First aid kit, warning triangle and safety vest
  • Front Assist - Autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist monitoring
  • Heat-insulating glass windscreen
  • Heated front seats
  • Heated windscreen washer jets
  • ID. Light and Natural voice control
  • Infotainment package - Navigation system Discover Pro
  • Inserts of front seats and outer rear seats in ArtVelours microfleece
  • Interior Ambient lighting with 30 colour options
  • Isofix child seat preparation with easy-fit (for two outer rear seats, and front passenger seat), compatible with I-size
  • Keyless entry and starting
  • Lane Assist
  • Leather-wrapped, heated, multi-function steering wheel with touch control
  • LED headlights
  • LED rear combination lamps
  • Oncoming vehicle braking when turning including swerve support
  • Park assistance plus with front and rear parking sensors
  • Play and Pause brake and accelerator pedals
  • Power assisted steering with speed sensitivity
  • Proactive passenger protection system in combination with Front Assist
  • Radio
  • Rain sensor
  • Rear seat bench unsplit, backrest split folding with centre armrest
  • Rear tinted glass from B-pillar backwards, approx. 65% tinted
  • Rear view camera
  • Rear wheel drive
  • Remote electrically foldable door mirrors, puddle lights and reverse activated passenger's door mirror
  • Single-tone horn
  • Speakers in front
  • Standard electronic engine sound (Exterior sound actuator)
  • Standard wheel bolts
  • Steel wheels 18" in Aero style
  • Sun visors with illuminated vanity mirrors
  • Tyre pressure loss indicator
  • Tyres 215/55 R18
  • Warning signal and warning light for front and rear seat belts not fastened
  • Welcome light
  • Wheel trims
  • Wireless App-Connect
  • Wireless smartphone charger

Frequently Asked Questions about the Volkswagen ID.3

We have put together some frequently asked questions about the Volkswagen ID.3. These include:

What is the Volkswagen ID.3?

The Volkswagen ID.3 is an all-electric family hatchback - part of Volkswagen's new ID series of electric vehicles.

It offers you a range of advanced features, a comfortable interior, and a focus on sustainability.

How much does the Volkswagen ID.3 cost?

For the most up-to-date pricing, please see our dedicated Volkswagen ID.3 pricing page.

What is the range of the Volkswagen ID.3?

The Volkswagen ID.3 can travel up to approximately 261 miles on a full charge. However, this can vary based on driving conditions and your driving style.

Is the Volkswagen ID.3 fully electric?

Yes, the Volkswagen ID.3 is a fully electric vehicle (EV), meaning it runs solely on electric power and produces zero emissions.

How long does it take to charge the Volkswagen ID.3?

Using a standard AC 1-phase 7.2kW home charger, it takes around 9 hours and 30 minutes to charge from 0% to 100%.

With a DC3 100kW rapid charger, it can take as little as 35 minutes to go from 5% to 80%.

Does the Volkswagen ID.3 support Android Auto® and Apple CarPlay™?

Yes, the Volkswagen ID.3 is compatible with Android Auto® and Apple CarPlay™, allowing seamless smartphone integration.

What safety features does the Volkswagen ID.3 offer?

The ID.3 comes equipped with advanced safety features, including Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Assist, Front Assist with Autonomous Emergency Braking, and more.

What does the "3" in Volkswagen ID.3 stand for?

The "3" in ID.3 means it is the third model in Volkswagen's new ID series of intelligently designed electric vehicles.

Where is the Volkswagen ID.3 manufactured?

The Volkswagen ID.3 is manufactured at the Zwickau-Mosel Plant in Germany, the Transparent Factory in Dresden, Germany, and Anting Plant in China.

Is the Volkswagen ID.3 fun to drive?

While "fun" is very subjective, the Volkswagen ID.3 offers a Sport mode, park assist, and good suspension.

It can go from 0 to 60 mph in around 7 seconds, making it a very enjoyable driving experience.

Not sure if the Volkswagen ID3 is right for your needs?

If you are not sure if this family hatchback car is right for your requirements please contact us today and we will be happy to help you.

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