7 Reasons to Buy a Volkswagen ID.3 Right Now

Key Points

• The Volkswagen ID.3 has a sleek and visually pleasing futuristic design.
• The ID.3 has a well-handling and dynamic powertrain despite its lower horsepower.
• The ID.3 is designed with practicality in mind, offering ample space for passengers and cargo.
• The ID.3 has a great range for its size and battery capacity, with up to 341 miles of range on a single charge.
• The ID.3 has spacious passenger seating and a fairly large trunk for a compact EV.

Are you looking for reasons to buy a Volkswagen ID.3? The ID.3 is quite an exciting EV, packing full-sized features into a subcompact hatchback. This EV isn’t just built for being sporty, however, there is enough room to accommodate a small family.

The ID.3 unfortunately is a European-exclusive vehicle from VW, so this guide will cover some great features of the car as well as some suitable North American alternatives.

What Is the Volkswagen ID.3?

The ID.3 is an all-electric hatchback designed for the European market. It features some notable cabin updates and quality-of-life improvements to the electronics suite seen in the VW EV line.

This all-electric hatchback is a sporty and efficient daily driver. It also boasts a fair amount of range for its size. While it is unlikely the North American market will ever see the ID.3, it remains a solid choice for European EV owners.

Specs

Reasons to Buy a Volkswagen ID.3

Here are seven of our favorite reasons to buy a Volkswagen ID.3.

Reason #1: The Futuristic Design

The ID.3 bears the same futuristic and sleek design ethos that has been seen with the likes of the ID.4. You get an aesthetically pleasing vehicle with a 10-inch infotainment screen available by default. The exterior is reminiscent of the VW Golf, keeping a compact and sporty vehicle in mind.

This might not be one of the biggest reasons to buy a Volkswagen ID.3, but it ranks quite high. If you’re purchasing a new vehicle, it certainly helps to get one that has pleasing looks on both the interior and exterior.

Reason #2: The Dynamic Powertrain

The ID.3 is a rear-wheel drive EV, meaning you get nimble handling despite the lower horsepower. When you consider the Pure trim only has around 148 horsepower, it is shocking how well the vehicle can be controlled.

Steering is a breeze and light to the touch, meaning you get a responsive and smooth driver. The ID.3 lacks some of the more refined features, like an air-cushioned suspension, but it drives extremely well. The ID.3 isn’t going to set record laps at the track, but it certainly makes for a comfortable daily driver.

Reason #3: It Is Practical

The United States has quite a love for the sports utility vehicle. However, compact hatchbacks like the ID.3 fill a similar niche. You get plenty of space in the rear truck for cargo, with even more available when folding back the seats.

One of the great reasons to purchase a Volkswagen ID.3 just comes down to its practicality. If you don’t have a need for a massive vehicle, it offers many of the same benefits with a much smaller footprint. You aren’t going to be hauling furniture, but you could comfortably seat a family of five.

Reason #4: It Has a Great Range for Its Size

The ID.3 comes in a variety of trim levels, with the Pure, Pro, Pro Performance, and Pro S all being selectable. Each of these has differing battery capacities, but the range is still quite ample despite this.

The Pure has the lowest battery capacity, registering at 45kWh. You’ll get around 205 to 220 miles out of a single charge when selecting the lowest trim level. The highest trim level, the Pro S, comes with a fairly sizable 77kWh battery that provides up to 341 miles of range on a single charge.

Reason #5: The Interior Is Quite Spacious

Despite the smaller size, the ID.3 boasts up to 13.6 cubic feet of storage in the trunk. The hood of the vehicle doesn’t tuck away a front trunk. Instead, it hosts the auxiliary battery and other components.

While the exterior stylings of the ID.3 are heavily influenced by the Golf, it has a lot more internal room for passengers. If you’ve got three kids seated in the back of the ID.3, they aren’t going to be fighting for their own personal space.

The spacious interior and ample trunk space are just one of many reasons to buy a Volkswagen ID.3.

Reason #6: VW’s Choice of Driver-Assistive Technologies

The ID.3 comes with a standard complement of driver-assistive technologies, no matter the trim level selected. It comes with pedestrian monitoring, which is helpful for dense urban areas. You’ll also have access to automatic emergency braking.

One of the most notable reasons to buy a Volkswagen ID.3 comes down to the driver fatigue alert. While most new EVs will come with features like lane-keep assists, very few are monitoring the alertness of the driver.

Reason #7: The Pricing Is Just Right

The ID.3 is an affordable pick, no matter the trim level chosen. Pricing is going to greatly differ from country to country, but the MSRP for the Pure trim level starts at around $39,000. The top-level model only goes up to around $50,000, which puts it right alongside competitors like the Tesla Model 3.

While there are certainly more affordable options on the market, few are packing together the sort of features VW has opted for with the ID.3. Its lower cost and general affordability are just some of the reasons to buy a Volkswagen ID.3.

Alternatives to the Volkswagen ID.3

The ID.3 is a great little compact EV, but it isn’t available in the United States. For our North American readers, here are three great alternatives to the ID.3 available for purchase today.

Tesla Model 3

The Tesla Model 3 is the most direct comparison to the ID.3 and comes with simply more of everything. You get a better total range, regardless of the model you choose. Performance is also hard to top from the Model 3, with great handling and nimble acceleration.

The Model 3 can’t readily use the same charging ports seen with the vast majority of EVs on the market today. That said, you get access to the Tesla Supercharger network, which readily dots the United States. The Model 3 is the most popular EV in the United States, and for good reason.

Kia Niro EV

The Niro EV isn’t the most exciting EV, but it is highly practical. Kia’s crossover SUV isn’t lacking in features and comes with a full suite of driver-assistive technology to help keep you safe on the roads.

Where it really comes up lacking against the ID.3 is range. Despite having two different trim levels available, the Niro EV doesn’t really gain range or performance increases. So, you can safely choose the lowest trim level, but you’re still getting around 250 miles of range on a single battery charge.

Hyundai IONIQ 5

The Hyundai IONIQ 5 is a cousin of sorts to the Niro EV, but with a few added twists. The IONIQ 5 isn’t the most nimble vehicle, as you’ll often see with EVs below $50,000. However, you get access to one of the best warranties in the industry.

The IONIQ 5 is a dependable daily driver, and comfortably seats five. Hyundai has taken to EVs in a spectacular manner, with the IONIQ 5 showing what years of research and refinement can do.

While you aren’t going to be impressed by the acceleration, the great range and driver-assistive tech should keep you satisfied.

Closing Thoughts

The Volkswagen ID.3 is one of those rare EVs that the North American market will never see. Despite this, it is a solid choice for European drivers. You get access to common electric infrastructure as well as an EV that benefits from VW’s eye for detail.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©Sport car hub/Shutterstock.com.