I imagine that the politicians' purpose in removing the one-off tax and VAT on electric cars was to promote models such as the ID.3. Not too expensive, not too big, but still big enough for many families. A real people's car.
Who buys the ID.3?
The models closest to the ID.3 in size are the Korean top sellers Hyundai Kona and KIA e-Soul. The ID.3 does not appear to be a better car on paper, but has the advantage of being the first choice when thousands of Golf owners want to change cars. Although, some customers may not like that the ID.3 has rear-wheel drive. Most of us are used to driving with front-wheel drive. Hyundai and KIA are front-wheel drive. We think owners of early BMW i3s will find many similarities in the ID.3. Some might like to compare the ID.3 to rear-wheel drive versions of the Tesla Model 3.
Practical range
With a 58 Kwh battery, the range is 420 km according to WLTP. We had an outside temperature of around 6 degrees, salty and wet road surface and cold snow. After covering 171 km, the range indicator told us we had 209 km left. Theoretical range would thus be 380 km, which is in line with Volkswagen's range figure for winter driving: 300-350 km. We followed the Sunday traffic just below the speed limit. Had we continued in the same calm driving style, we could have easily driven 270-280 km before we would think about charging. It is fully on par with the best.
charging
The Volkswagen Group is developing its own charging network,
Simple seats
I saw the ID.3 for the first time at the Oslo Motor Show 2019. Then I was told that it was a prototype. I thought those seats looked really simple! So do the seats today ID.3. I didn't find many adjustment options, but the driver's seat gave me quite alright comfort - even after a couple of hours behind the wheel. I am quite tall. My better half is much shorter than me and thought the seat made her sit with her back slouched. An adjustable lumbar support could have improved her sitting comfort.
look and feel
The interior is minimalistic and modern. It is reminiscent of the BMW i3. The two screens and the gear selector on the dashboard. From the driver's position, it sits directly beyond the windscreen wiper. It happened that the windscreen wipers got a sweep before the hand found the gear selector. The choice of material in the interior is ordinary plastic, but it seems lavish due to the nice design, coordinated colors and blue mood lighting.
Like other modern cars, almost everything can be configured and there are several driving modes. I chose to follow the Sunday traffic in "Comfort" mode and switched off "Lane Assist".
On the road
A fresh breeze blew over the fields at Romerike. We could feel the wind taking hold of the relatively tall car. But it is easy to place on the road, and the bottom drag makes it easy to maintain a steady speed without using the cruise control. The noise level is pleasantly low, but I was not entirely satisfied with the interior acoustics. Ordinary speech disappears into space as in an unpadded vehicle. In addition, the cabin seems poorly soundproofed against the traffic outside. Since the engine sound is absent, the sound image can easily be replaced by unwanted noise. It gives a hint of cheap car feeling.
Switchable regenerative braking
The ID.3 is not designed for one-pedal driving. When driving with the gear selector in "D", the speed slows down very little when you let off the gas. This allows you to roll freely when the road permits. I miss this on cars with one-pedal drive. During free rolling, no – or very little – energy is recovered, but nothing is used either. By tilting the gear selector in "B", you get an artificial engine brake when you let off the gas. I am convinced that one can extend the range by switching between free rolling and artificial engine braking where appropriate.
Like other electric cars, the battery pack lies flat under the floor between the axles. The engine is located in the rear axle. The relatively small front engine compartment is filled with technology, electronics and service points.
Spatial conditions
It is not possible to save anything there. The trunk seems surprisingly deep and spacious compared to other electric cars. This makes it possible to stuff a couple of proper suitcases in without having to fold down the seats. On paper, the luggage compartment is as large as in the Golf. In the cabin, the ID.3 feels larger than the Golf. The forward A-pillars and the height under the roof give a good sense of space. Although felt space is larger than in the Volkswagen Golf, the practical space is about the same. The ID.3 scores on plenty of legroom in the back seat, but loses out in that it can neither tow a trailer nor load anything on the roof.
Security
The ID.3 has been tested in Euro NCAP's crash programme. It ended up with an 87% score for adults. That's the same as the Hyundai Kona, but far worse than the Volkswagen Golf (95%) and Tesla Model 3 (96%). The driver in ID.3 suffered chest injuries in a frontal crash against an asymmetric obstacle on the left. Fractures were also measured in the driver's ribs in the event of a side collision with a post. The ID.3 has a central airbag to ensure that the passengers collide with each other, for example in the event of a side collision. This one worked well. It was also highlighted that the automatic emergency stop worked and that all models have an automatic e-call system. Front and rear passengers are well protected against whiplash injuries.
Conclusion
Was it the politicians' goal that "everyone" should buy expensive cars such as Tesla, Audi and Jaguar? Hardly. But until now, the range of modern electric car models in the Golf class has been sparse. Sales so far indicate that the ID.3 fills a void. Not only because of the price, but also because it exudes common sense and good taste – simple and unpretentious.
Does the ID.3 have the same qualities that made the Golf a success when it appeared over 40 years ago?
Facts – Volkswagen ID.3 Pro
Weights and Measures
Length, width, height: 426 / 181 / 155 cm
Wheelbase: 277 cm
Net weight: 1719 kg (without driver)
Number of seats: 5
Max trailer weight: Not permitted
Luggage compartment: 385 litres
Roof load: Not permitted
Drivetrain
Battery pack: LC Chem 58 Kwh water cooled
Motor: Electric, located in the rear axle
Power: 204 HP
Torque: 310 Nm
Gearbox: Stepless.
Rear wheel drive.
Performances
Top speed: 160 km/h
0-100: 7,9 seconds
Range
WLTP: 420 km
Estimated summer: 350-420 km
Estimated winter: 300-350 km
Tires
Dimension: 215/55R18 T
Type: Spikeless winter
Brand: Viking Contact 7
About the car
Place of manufacture: Zwickau, Germany
Owner: Møller Bil
Rented via the Hyre app
Model: 2021
Mileage: New
Km driven: 171
Source: vw.no, vw.de
ID.3 photos
See
Cupra born
Cupra Born has a tougher appearance and seems more luxurious inside. The strange thing is that it does not cost more than the ID.3. Who wants to buy the ID.3 when you can get this for the same price? See more
