Volkswagen ID.3: A City Car with Impressive Range

If the ID.4 claims more of an electric SUV niche, the ID.3 rather creates the impression of a city car. However, this is a deceptive impression, because the battery capacity allows you to travel about 320 kilometers on a single charge quite safely. The specification states as much as 420 kilometers, but let’s be realistic – it will hardly be that beautiful in real life. However, a reserve of 300 kilometers is enough to reach practically any point in Latvia, and a version with a more capacious battery is also available, which will allow you to add another 100 kilometers. It can be said that the ID.3 is like the electric counterpart of the good old “Golf” – ideal for young families with one or two children.

A loving family member

Sitting in the driver’s seat of the ID.3, a feeling of deja vu arises – somewhere I have seen all this before… Ah, that’s right – “Cupra Born”! Considering that both cars are produced by companies of the same corporation, it is only natural that they are so similar. Inside, the design differs only in the details, but from the outside, “Born” may look a little more sporty and aggressive, while the ID.3 clearly positions itself as a bearish family car. The Born is a bit more expensive, but there is a less than 30 horsepower more powerful version available. On the other hand, the ID.3 got even more cosmic-looking wheel rims than “Born”, which makes the car extremely stylish. Cousins ​​in a word, but different in character.

Like the Cupra, here we have a small instrument panel behind the steering wheel, which shows the most important readings, while the center console has a larger screen for adjusting various car settings and controlling the media system. Everything here is convenient, understandable and simple, which cannot be said about climate control and audio system volume control. I don’t know who thought it would be very convenient to control these two functions – heating and music volume – by stroking touch-sensitive strips on the front panel. No, it’s not convenient! In fact, it’s pointless, because every now and then you pull your finger either too hard or too weak, and the expected result is missing. Making it annoying and tizzy, better put the old right buttons back in place.

But otherwise everything is fine in the cabin. The seats are comfortable, there are also many different compartments in the front for bottles and all kinds of other things. A good solution for wireless charging of the phone – there is a separate pocket for the phone, in which it holds firmly and does not slide back and forth. The speed switch is located at the steering wheel – a knob that, when turned, activates driving or reverse mode. I have to shoot a bit, because at first I was confused which way to turn to go forward or back. But it’s a trifle, living doesn’t get in the way.

There is no shortage of dynamics

Although the ID.3 looks like a comfortable and leisurely family car, only the first part of the assumption is true. Yes, it’s comfortable, but it can be very clunky when needed. As befits an electric car, it has enough dynamics to run with a BMW at traffic lights, so you won’t have to worry about overtaking. Three driving modes are available: economy, comfort and sport, but between the latter two, it’s honestly quite difficult to feel the difference. Maybe because already in comfort mode the car is quite spry.

If it’s about comfort and capacity, then two people will feel comfortable in the back, the third, unless it’s a child, could have a seat. As befits a modern car, the rear passengers also have access to their own phone charging socket. The trunk is not huge, but the car itself is not a giant either. There are two compartments, the lower one can store the charging cable and other small things.

Driving the “Volkswagen ID.3” is pleasant, however, there are a few things that get a bit on your nerves. I have already mentioned the climate control control, but there is also completely unnecessary economizing on the window regulators. If until now the driver of a normal average car had access to four knobs, with the help of which each of the four windows could be opened / closed, now there are only two plus kbibulis, which can be used to switch to either the front or rear windows. A rather inconvenient solution, because every now and then it happens that you want to open the side window on the driver’s side, but the rear window opens because you forgot to switch the little knob. Small thing, but annoying nonetheless.

Let’s talk about money

All in all, a very pleasant car, which may not be the most suitable for long trips, but for driving the children to school, driving to work or visiting Madonna’s grandmother at the same time. In terms of dimensions, a good middle ground has been found, so that you feel comfortable in the city and also on the highway, you don’t look like a little poor thing that no one takes for full.

The good news is that the ID.3 is also quite competitive in terms of price, as it costs from 40,000 to 45,000 euros, depending on the configuration. Using state support, we can remove 4,500 euros from this amount, and then we get a fairly reasonable figure. The already mentioned “Cupra Born” will be about five thousand more expensive, the same applies to the “Renault Megane e-Tech” in the same category. A reasonable compromise option.

FACT

“Volkswagen ID.3”

Engine: electric motor

Power: 150 kW / 204 zs

Torque: 310 Nm

Drive: rear

Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h: 7,4 sek.

Battery: 58 kWh

Distance per charge: ap 400 km

Cena: no 40 000 EUR

LIKED IT

Exterior design Driving characteristics and dynamics Phone charging compartment

DIDN’T LIKE IT

Window opening system Touch-sensitive surface for heat and volume control I would like the speedometer display to be a little bigger

2023-10-29 02:56:00
#family #fun #testing #Volkswagen #ID.3