increased quality for electric compact
After more than three years of racing, the Volkswagen ID.3 receives an important update. Beyond its slightly reworked styling, it’s mainly the German compact’s perceived quality that changes.
Launched in 2019, the Volkswagen ID.3 is the first to usher in the ID electric family. from Volkswagen… with some setbacks. Production has been delayed due to software problems, the Covid crisis and the war in Ukraine leading to shortages of semiconductors, essential for modern cars… Enough to put the German compact in difficulty for its early career. However, Volkswagen has hung on and recently announced that it has sold more than 500,000 models in its ID range. To continue this momentum, the manufacturer is now offering the ID.3 its first restyling.
Sportster outside
This update is quite important, especially in terms of style. The restyled Volkswagen ID.3 stands out with a new, sportier shield, thanks to air intakes on each side instead of small cells across the entire bottom of the bumper. The compact therefore loses a bit of its original “friendly face” for a more assertive design, without being as sporty as its Cupra Born cousin. The hood has also evolved, losing its black grain that was one of the criticisms and questions of customers. Thanks to this development, the ID.3 seems more “racy”.
In profile, we notice the appearance of a thin line of chrome above the glazing, standard on all versions. On the other hand, the stickers placed on the quarter panel are missing. The badges of the selected version (Pro, Pro S) become white and slightly offset, from the fender to the front doors. The VW and ID.3 logos are also white, front and rear. The badge on the front bonnet will soon light up in Europe due to changes in regulations. At the rear, the lights change in detail with an extended light signature. Part of the lights located in the tailgate, which were never lit, now light up.
On the outside, we also noticed the arrival of three new colors, in addition to those in the current catalog. The presentation color, called Dark Olivine Green, is an olive green with reflections. A sky blue and a black (darker than the Manganese Gray available since launch) will also be added.
Better inside
On board, the evolution is also remarkable. Volkswagen is trying to correct one of the ID.3’s major flaws: its manufacturing quality. The compact electric receives new materials, more useful. This is the case for upholstery, which accepts recycled materials that contain no animal material and therefore no leather. The dashboard and the door panels have been modified with foamed elements and double topstitching. A delicate light strip runs from the door trims to the dashboard. It is customizable with 8 standard colors and up to 30 colors thanks to functions on demand. Volkswagen keeps the two interior colors, white or black, but changes the materials used to erase the criticism. It’s clearly working, because the prototypes we discovered in the preview look even better.
In the center of the dashboard, a large 12-inch screen becomes standard, as for the ID.5. It works thanks to the latest version of ID. software, 3.2. It notably offers a route planner with consideration of the state of charge of the battery and suggestions for passing charging stations along the way if necessary. We also noticed the arrival in the series of a double cup holder in the central console, and the modular floor in the trunk to store the charging cables in a false bottom. It used to be optional.
Finally, backlit air conditioning buttons!
Volkswagen also listened to its customers from an ergonomic perspective. Finally the manufacturer offers ID.3 backlit air conditioning controls, which are sorely lacking at night in particular. These cursors are always digital and not very precise, like the buttons on the steering wheel. These tactile buttons will soon replace the “old-fashioned” physical keys, which are more popular with customers. But we will have to wait, because it is not planned for the ID.3 restyling according to VW spokespeople.
On the technical side, the revised ID.3 changes slightly. Power and battery capacity remain the same, with 204 hp in the rear motor and two 58 or 77 kWh batteries. A more powerful version of the GTX is expected by the end of 2023, such as the ID.4 and ID.5 GTX. Moving to software 3.2, on the other hand, makes it possible to get new functionalities such as the improved Travel Assist, the Park Assist with memory function or the head-up display.
Marketing and prices Volkswagen ID.3 restyled
The restyled VW ID.3 will be officially launched in March 2023. In the French market, it is now available for pre-order with two launch finishes “First” and “First Exclusive”. The first is available with a small 58 kWh battery only, from €46,750. It is 650 € more than the current model in the Active version, less equipped. The First offers, for example, Matrix LED headlights, dual-zone automatic air conditioning, a 12-inch screen and even an adjustable floor.
The First Exclusive finish offers the same battery capacity. The 58 kWh variant, available from €50,200, is based on the 5-seater Pro Performance variant, and notably features a panoramic roof and DCC. The First Exclusive 77 kWh is based on the four-seater Pro S version only. Shown at €55,600, it offers Travel Assist, a 360-degree camera or even Park Assist with a memory function.
Photos: Volkswagen.
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