Volkswagen ID.3
Used Car Review

Overview

Thinking about making the switch to electric? The Volkswagen ID.3 might be exactly what you need. This all-electric family hatchback brings VW’s reputation for solid build quality into the electric age. It’s designed for drivers who want zero emissions without compromising on space, comfort, or that familiar Volkswagen feel.

The ID.3 represents VW’s serious commitment to electric vehicles, built on their dedicated MEB electric platform. This isn’t just a petrol car with batteries bolted on. Everything from the spacious cabin to the smooth, quiet driving experience has been designed around electric power from the ground up. It competes head-to-head with other premium electric hatchbacks, offering more space and refinement than many traditional rivals like the Nissan Qashqai or Kia Sportage in the family car segment.

What makes the ID.3 special is how normal it feels to drive and live with. There’s no learning curve or compromise in daily usability. The interior feels modern and airy, with VW’s trademark solid build quality throughout. While the initial purchase price reflects its premium electric technology, the running costs are impressively low, and the real-world range means you can genuinely use it for everything from school runs to longer family trips.

What's the Volkswagen Id3 Like to Drive?

The Volkswagen ID.3 comes with different battery and motor combinations, but all deliver smooth, instant electric performance. The entry-level 107kW (145hp) Life Pro version feels nippy in town and perfectly adequate for motorway cruising. The instant torque delivery means overtaking is effortless, with no gear changes or engine noise to worry about. The 0-60 time of around 8.5 seconds feels quicker in real-world driving thanks to that immediate electric response.

Where the ID.3 really impresses is in its refinement and ride quality. The low centre of gravity from the floor-mounted battery gives it a planted, stable feel on the road. The steering is light for parking but weights up nicely at speed, giving you confidence on country lanes and motorways alike. The suspension strikes an excellent balance, soaking up bumps and potholes while keeping the car composed through corners. This electric hatchback feels mature and well-engineered, prioritising comfort and usability over outright sportiness.

How Comfortable Is the Volkswagen Id3?

Step inside the ID.3 and you’re greeted by a genuinely impressive cabin that feels light, airy, and modern. The dashboard design is clean and uncluttered, dominated by a central touchscreen that controls most functions. The materials feel solid and well-chosen, with soft-touch surfaces where it matters. The seats are supportive and comfortable, offering good adjustment range to help you find the perfect driving position. The elevated seating position gives you a commanding view of the road ahead.

One of the ID.3’s biggest strengths is how quiet and refined it is inside. Without an engine, road trips become incredibly peaceful experiences. The infotainment system includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, making smartphone integration seamless. Climate control is efficient and quiet, and the cabin feels spacious for both front and rear passengers. Higher trim levels add premium touches like ambient lighting and upgraded upholstery that enhance the already impressive sense of quality and sophistication.

The Volkswagen ID.3 succeeds in making electric driving feel completely normal and accessible. It delivers the solid build quality, refined ride, and practical cabin space that VW customers expect, wrapped in efficient electric technology. The real-world range is genuinely usable for most people’s daily needs, and the charging infrastructure is improving rapidly across the UK.

Nicholas Zapolski Car Expert

Is the Volkswagen Id3 Expensive to Run?

This is where the ID.3 really shines compared to petrol alternatives. Electricity costs significantly less than petrol per mile, with typical home charging costing around 7-10p per mile compared to 15-20p for a similar petrol car. If you can charge at home overnight on a cheaper tariff, running costs drop even further. Public rapid charging is more expensive but still competitive with petrol prices. Insurance groups are reasonable for a car of this performance and value.

The main consideration is the higher purchase price compared to equivalent petrol cars. However, electric vehicles are exempt from road tax, and many areas offer free or discounted parking for EVs. Company car drivers benefit from extremely low Benefit in Kind tax rates. Servicing costs are lower too, as electric motors have fewer moving parts than petrol engines. When you factor in the excellent car finance deals available for electric vehicles and government incentives, the total cost of ownership often works out favourably compared to petrol alternatives.

Volkswagen Id3 Practicality & Boot Space

The ID.3 is surprisingly practical for a mid-sized hatchback. The 385-litre boot easily handles the weekly shopping, school bags, or holiday luggage for a family of four. The rear seats split and fold to create a larger cargo area when needed. Inside the cabin, there are plenty of storage cubbies for phones, drinks, and everyday items. The lack of a transmission tunnel means rear passengers get more foot space than in many traditional cars.

For families, the ID.3 hits the sweet spot between size and usability. The rear seats comfortably accommodate two adults or three children, making it ideal for most family situations. The high roofline means good headroom throughout. Where it shows its limits is against larger family cars or SUVs if you regularly carry lots of passengers or cargo. However, for typical family use, the ID.3 offers an excellent balance of space, efficiency, and manoeuvrability compared to other used Volkswagen cars in the range.

The Volkswagen ID.3 represents a mature, well-executed approach to electric family motoring. It successfully combines VW’s traditional strengths in build quality, interior space, and driving refinement with genuinely impressive electric efficiency and range. The cabin is spacious and comfortable, the ride is smooth and quiet, and the real-world usability matches or exceeds many petrol alternatives.

You choose the ID.3 because you want to go electric without compromising on the practical, everyday usability that matters for family life. It’s perfectly suited for everything from daily commutes to weekend trips away. If you’re ready to make the switch to electric and want a car that feels familiar and dependable, the ID.3 should be high on your list. The combination of low running costs and flexible Bad Credit Car Finance Guide options makes electric motoring more accessible than ever.