The Brits Drove a Production-ready Version of Volkswagen's EV Wonder Car

Those of you living in North America can kiss any chance of buying a Volkswagen ID.3 goodbye, as the automaker’s first-of-many, MEB-platform electric will not make it across the pond. Larger, more U.S.-friendly models will follow.

For Brits, however, orders open next month, with deliveries beginning in September. To say the ID.3 compact electric hatchback is an important product for VW would be an understatement. VW’s staked much of its future on an electric shift heralded by this vehicle, the first of its MEB-underpinned models. An ongoing software issue already plagues this little car.

Autocar recently got its hands on a production-ready ID.3. What did they discover?

With 201 horsepower at launch (a weaker model follows) and rear-wheel drive, the ID.3 boasts battery capacities of 48kWh, 58kWh, and 77kWh. After hitting the pavement at VW’s extensive Wolfsburg test track, the publication assembled a list of pros and cons.

Snippets from Autocar‘s first drive review:

The high floor means you’re somewhat perched and the thinly upholstered seats are more upright than those in a conventional combustion-engined hatchback. Boot capacity is also compromised by the packaging of the electric motor at the rear, which gives it a high loading lip, although its 385-litre capacity is 35 litres more than that offered by the latest Golf.

…

Although the build quality is up to the high standard we expect from VW, the materials are not. There are some agreeable slush-moulded plastic elements atop the dashboard but there is also a lot of hard plastic throughout the cabin. It is a clear cost-cutting move used to help offset the high costs of the battery.

…

It was heavily damped and possessed firm rebound qualities but it felt nicely settled, with good absorption on the roads around VW’s headquarters in Germany, although it was occasionally caught out by more severe transverse ruts and broken bitumen, which tended to penetrate its otherwise abiding sense of calmness.

Those are some of the drawbacks, with the latter gripe being the product of the 20-inch wheels and low-profile rubber bestowed on the well-equipped tester. As we’ve told you already, certain tech functions (the App Connect function needed to run Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, some head-up display functions) fell victim to a software issue that’s yet to be resolved. The car’s going on sale just the same, with updates issued at a later date.

It seems there was more to like that hate with the ID.3. Autocar described its cabin as “commodious and pleasantly airy throughout,” and praised its “urgent” takeoffs.

“The sharp tip in response makes the ID 3 feel a lot lighter than its claimed 1720kg (3,792 lb) kerb weight suggests, providing it with quite vigorous off-the-line and roll-on acceleration,” the review states. Brake pedal feel is reportedly consistent and confidence-inspiring when the drive model selector is set to “Battery” (regenerative braking) mode. The car’ll coast forever in Drive mode, too, it seems.

Wind and tire noise are “well suppressed,” and a lack of engine up front affords the car an “outstanding” turning circle (33.5 ft, one foot less than a 2019 Ford Fiesta) and “wieldy character.” With maneuverability in spades, a low center of gravity, and motor mounted atop the rear axle, the ID.3 is said to handle in a composed, predictable manner, with body roll kept under control by firm dampers (adaptive, on this particular test car).

As this is just a first drive, accomplished over a few hours (at most), the car’s more minor flaws, should they exist, wouldn’t have had much of an opportunity to emerge. A longer-term test would bring any gremlins to the surface. On the surface, however, it seems the ID.3 is a tight, competent hatchback that isn’t a chore to drive.

Food for thought as VW embarks on its big electric push.

[Image: Volkswagen]