Used Volkswagen ID 3 2020-present review

The Volkswagen ID 3 was the first-born child of the manufacturer’s all-electric ID series. Launched in 2020, it currently serves as VW’s family electric car, replacing the 2013-2020 Volkswagen e-Golf.

It’s built on a bespoke electric vehicle (EV) platform, meaning the model is green through and through, and there's not a petrol, diesel or hybrid variant in sight. Intriguing stuff, we know – especially now examples are common on the used market.

Power and performance: The entry-level choice is the Pure Performance. It has a 148bhp motor that enables a claimed 0-62mph time of 8.9sec. For most, this will feel quick enough, especially from a standstill where you can experience the instant acceleration electric cars are known for.

Next up is the Pro, which is available with three power outputs. In standard Pro form it has 143bhp, but if you opt for the Pro Performance variant it has 201bhp, delivering 0-60mph in an impressive 6.6sec during our testing. Above that, there's the Pro S, which powers the same 201bhp motor, but 0-62mph takes 7.9sec because it's heavier.

On facelift cars, the Pure is powered by a 168bhp motor, delivering 0-62mph in 8.2sec. Then there's 201bhp Pro, which can do 0-62mph in 7.6sec. The Pro S produces the same power output, but because of its bigger battery, manages 0-62mph in 8.2sec. The range-topping GTX has a 322bhp motor and can blast from 0-62mph in 5.7sec. To find out more about the ID 3 as a new car, you can read our full Volkswagen ID 3 review.

In terms of range, the Pure Performance has a 45kWh battery that delivers an official range of 217 miles, which is longer than what the e-Golf could ever offer. With the 58kWh battery in the Pro, the ID 3’s range rises to 226 miles, whereas the Pro S 77kWh can officially travel 336 miles on a single charge.

On facelift cars, the Pure has a 52kWh battery that delivers up to 241 miles officially, while the Pro has a larger 59kWh unit that can deliver up to 269 miles. For the Pro S, it has a 79kWh battery that powers it for 351 miles officially, while the performance-focused GTX gets the same battery, but thanks to a more efficient electric motor and inverter, can manage 371 miles officially.

It's worth noting that Volkswagen has frequently updated the ID 3's motor, battery and trim options throughout its life, so there's some give or take with the figures (different alloy wheel designs, for example, impact range). We'd recommend checking the range and power output of any version you're interested in buying.

Ride and handling: The ID 3 has an excellent turning circle and light steering, so manoeuvring it around town is a breeze. Beyond the urban sprawl, the steering is accurate and sensibly geared, so it’s not a flighty car to thread along B-roads.

It doesn't give much finger-tingling communication or weight build-up when cornering in the default Comfort driving mode, but if you select Sport mode, you get a bit of useful extra heft. Grip is decent and, for an everyday electric hatchback designed to get you from A to B with little drama, the ID 3 handles very well indeed.

A heavy battery requires a stiff suspension set-up to support it, so don’t expect the ID 3 to offer luxury car levels of ride comfort. It’s far from harsh but, around town particularly, it gets choppy over potholes and it fidgets a little on the motorway. It's still better than an MG4, but a Renault Megane is more forgiving.

As for the GTX, it gets adaptive suspension as standard, but its ride is firm. It's so stiff that you're bounced around in your seat – even when the road isn't especially bumpy. Other than the suspension and boost in power, it drives in a similar manner to the standard car. It's certainly no hot hatch, even if its sporty styling tries to convince you otherwise.

Interior and practicality: The interior of the ID 3 has a futuristic feel without being so revolutionary that it’ll scare anyone with an acute fear of change. There's a digital pod behind the steering wheel with a small but clear 5.3in display that shows the speed, range and sat-nav instructions, and a rotary-style gear selector on the side.

In terms of layout, the position of the driver’s seat in relation to the steering wheel and pedals is very good, leaving you sitting relaxed at the wheel. You get height and reach adjustment for the wheel as standard. If you want front seats with adjustable lumbar support, you’ll need to splash out on getting an example in Max or Tour trim.

All pre-facelift ID 3s come with a 10.0in infotainment touchscreen, which is a similar size to many of its rivals, but quite a bit smaller than the 15.0in display in the Tesla Model 3. Sadly, the infotainment software is nothing like as slick as the Model 3’s. It's trying to be, with fancy pictures of the car that twirl as you change screens, but it's all style over substance, proving laggy and confusingly laid out.

We will grumble at the lack of 'real' buttons, though. All the controls are touch-sensitive, including the temperature controls, which are touch-sensitive sliders that don’t even illuminate at night. Everything else is operated from the central infotainment touchscreen. We can't help wondering why it has to be so distracting to change anything on the move. Proper physical buttons and knobs – as found in many rival cars, including the Kia e-Niro – are so much easier to use.

With the 2023 facelift, VW offered a 12.9in touchscreen with a new infotainment system as an option (the GTX gets it as standard). This is a much better system than the old set-up because it gets updated software, a better layout and illuminated sliders. All cars from 2025 get the new system as standard.

Front and rear passenger space is excellent, with plenty of head and leg room available. The boot is about the same size as the one in the Volkswagen Golf, which is fine for the typical requirements of fitting in a buggy, the weekly shop or a couple of reasonable-sized suitcases. It gets a thumbs up from us.

Trims and equipment: In terms of trim levels, Volkswagen gives you a good amount to choose from. Life is sufficiently well equipped and, as standard, you get a multifunction steering wheel, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, adaptive cruise control, power-folding door mirrors, the front and rear parking sensors and a 10in infotainment system.

Stepping up to Family trim introduces some particularly useful kit including two-zone climate control, while Max trim gets all the goodies, including adaptive suspension and progressive steering as part of a Sports pack. It's more expensive, though, and so too is Tour trim, which is only available with the largest battery.

Facelift: The ID 3 was treated to a mid-life refresh at the end of 2023. This brought in some styling updates to the outside and tweaks to the interior, including the use of better-quality materials and the updating of the tech on the infotainment system.

"The ID 3's interior is too minimalist for my taste, but it's super practical and spacious. I'm 6ft2in and had no trouble with head or leg room." – George Hill, Used Cars Writer

If you're interested in finding a used ID 3, or any of the other electric cars mentioned here, head over to the Used Car Buying pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at a great price.

Used prices for the ID 3 start at around £8,000, which gets you a 2020 or 2021 example with around 100,000 miles on the clock. If you’re after a lower-mileage example, it’s worth budgeting at least £10,000. Even then, it represents good value, undercutting rivals like the Megane, MG4 and Model 3 on the used market.

At this price point, you’ll find plenty of 58kWh versions in entry-level Life trim. If you want the larger 77kWh battery, expect to pay upwards of £11,000.

For 2022 to 2023 models with reasonable mileage, prices start at about £11,000. Facelifted 2023 examples begin at roughly £16,000, while 2024 and 2025 cars start from around £20,000. Range-topping GTX versions command £30,000 or more.

Check the value of a used Volkswagen ID 3 with What Car? Valuation

Charging

The ID 3's charging speeds vary between 100kW and 185kW, depending on the battery. No matter the version, though, all models can achieve a 10-80% charge in around half an hour with a suitably powerful public charger. That's similar to the Megane, MG4 Long Range and Model 3.

Insurance and servicing

Insurance groups range between 20 and 34, depending on the version. This means the ID 3 will cost around the same to insure as the Megane and MG4, but more than the Model 3.

For two services as part of a 24-month service plan, Volkswagen will charge £744 (or £31 per month), which includes an inspection service, a battery health check, a pollen filter change, a brake fluid change and an MOT. By comparison, MG will charge £654.19 for a similar 24-month plan.

Warranty

From new, every ID 3 comes with a three-year, 60,000-mile warranty. That’s fairly typical in the class, but it's no match for Hyundai's five-year cover or Kia's seven-year offer. The ID 3's battery is guaranteed to maintain at least 70% of its energy capacity for eight years and 100,000 miles.

Safety

The ID 3 was awarded a full five-star safety rating when it was tested by Euro NCAP in 2020. All cars come with an extensive list of safety kit, too, with automatic emergency braking (AEB), lane-keeping assistance and traffic sign recognition given as standard.

Reliability

According to real-world owner reviews analysed as part of our annual What Car? Reliability Survey, the Volkswagen ID 3 isn't very dependable, with owners reporting frequent software glitches and more serious hardware issues like failing steering racks. Frustrations are often compounded by a dealer network that can struggle with complex repairs and long parts delays.

To find out more about used Volkswagen ID 3 reliability, head to our dedicated reliability page.

Motor and battery

We recommend choosing the Pro Performance models. These feature the 201bhp motor that delivers strong performance, along with the 58kWh battery that offers plenty of range.

Specification

Life is our preferred trim. It may be the entry-level trim on the pre-facelift models but it is well equipped. It's also the most prevalent on the used car forecourts.

Our favourite Volkswagen ID 3: Pro Performance 58kWh Life

There are a few rival electric cars that spring to mind as attractive alternatives to the Volkswagen ID 3.

There’s the Hyundai Kona EV and Kia e-Niro, for example. Both have great real-world ranges, spacious interiors and good levels of equipment. Price-wise, the Kona EV tends to sell for less than the ID 3 and e-Niro, which is worth taking into consideration.

It's worth taking a look at the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6 too. These are newer cars than the Kona EV and e-Niro, but they've now been around for a few years so prices are competitive. They're great to drive and spacious, while the big battery rear-wheel drive models have a long range.

The Nissan Leaf is a good alternative. You'll get decent performance and loads of standard kit, plus it's generally cheaper to buy than the ID 3 because it's been around for a bit longer. Later models badged e+ also get an impressive amount of range, although still not as much as the ID 3, e-Niro and Kona EV can offer. It's also not as comfortable to drive as those cars.

If you're interested in finding a used ID 3, or any of the other electric cars mentioned here, head over to the Used Car Buying pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at a great price.

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