Volkswagen ID.3 Review, Specs & Performance

Volkswagen ID.3 in a nutshell

ENGINES AND PERFORMANCE FOR THE VOLKSWAGEN ID.3

The Volkswagen ID.3 as a car lease is available with three different battery choices. They are the 58kWh in the ‘Pro-Performance’, the 77kWh in the ‘Pro S’ and there will be a 45kWh battery.

The battery powers an electric motor producing 201 bhp with the more powerful battery returning 341 miles of range. The 58kWh battery will return 260 miles, and the 45kWh battery has a potential of 205 miles.

As with all electric cars, all of the power is available instantly, so the ID.3 delivers a quick getaway from traffic lights. Drivers will be able to enjoy a 0 to 37 mph sprint time of just 3.5 seconds.

The power is delivered using a single-speed transmission so there are no traditional gears.

EQUIPMENT AND HANDLING FOR THE VOLKSWAGEN ID.3

Handling in the Volkswagen ID.3 is excellent thanks to the low centre of gravity.
The new electric contract hire car is heavier than the VW Golf and taller too but that does not translate to the handling, which is responsive and assured.

The suspension is nicely balanced to deal with rough road surfaces and the steering delivers good feedback with the car offering a rewarding experience in urban areas. And since there is no engine in the front, the turning circle is impressively small, and manoeuvring is easy.

Volkswagen has decided not to use one-pedal driving with the ID.3, unlike most of its rivals. It's still an easy car to control and some braking energy is harvested to top up the battery.

The interior is stylish and futuristic with a few physical controls so drivers will focus on the digital screens. Standard equipment includes all-round parking sensors, LED headlights and satnav. Other models feature tinted windows, illuminated door handles and a rear-view camera - a real boon for parking.

The charging time for the battery is impressive with the 58kWh model having its battery recharged to 80% in just 30 minutes.

The VW ID.3 is about the same size as the Golf but has a new design language. The rear-mounted electric motor means the body is short and the platform delivers lots of space in the cabin. Indeed, compared with the latest Mk8 Golf, the digital technology is very impressive.

Drivers get a tablet-style instrument display, along with a floating centre screen and there's impressive ambient lighting that can be controlled with voice commands. There's a rocker switch that drivers use to select drive or reversing gears. It's all very futuristic and comfortable.

Standard safety features include pedestrian detection and autonomous emergency braking. The ID.3 has the maximum five stars rating from Euro NCAP when crash tested and there's active cruise control to help keep the car and its occupants safe. It's a practical car to lease with a boot size of 385 litres which will extend to 1,267 litres with the rear seats folded flat.

The Volkswagen ID.3 has been a long time coming and the first impressions are that this is a great car, it's ideal for families with a lot to recommend it.

Depending on your commute, there's a battery size to match but this is a well-designed and well-made electric car, as you would expect, and it is a futuristic and stylish offering that really could change the way lots of us look at the potential of contract hire EV's and decide that the ID.3 really is the electric car for us.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE VOLKSWAGEN ID.3

Why not have a look at the ID.3 on the official Volkswagen UK company website? Or why not look at some of these similar car lease deals from First Vehicle Leasing: Nissan Leaf and the Hyundai Kona Electric.