Volkswagen Gives The Electric ID.3 Some Updates For 2023

After the success of the first Volkswagen ID.3 electric hatchback, VW has come back with an updated facelift model aimed at the budget EV sector.

The Volkswagen ID.3 electric hatchback was launched back in 2019 and VW wanted it to become an instant hit like the Golf and Polo models. The main issue they saw was that uptake was slow due to a few reasons. Number one was the nations charging architecture and the second issue was the fact that the ID.3 remained a particularly high-cost vehicle. 

Volkswagen subsequently has gone back to the drawing board with its ambitious ID.3 hatchback and wants to take a shot at cracking the budget EV market, with the second generation ID.3 having some interesting changes. 

With more affordable Chinese competitors looming as the MG4, BYD Atto 3 and Ora Funky Cat, VW is keen to ensure they have a vehicle placed within the same sector to ensure customers aren't poached away.

So what has changed with the 2023 Volkswagen ID.3 second generation?

First off, the exterior has had some subtle changes to make the ID.3 look a bit sharper. The front and rear areas have been updated to give the car a sleeker look and it has gained brand-new front headlights. The rear brake lights have been updated to show an X shape light and the tail-light clusters have been reshaped to look more modern.

The ID.3 has gained a brand new paint called 'Dark Olivine Green' which looks brilliant and would be our first choice for the car's colour. If you have Matrix-LED headlights specced with your ID.3 you also get a new welcome and goodbye animation from these as you approach or leave the car. Fancy.

Claas-Lennard Stohr, the guy at VW in charge of the ID.3s design has said he wants to move away from the first generations "cute" design and make the ID.3 feel more grown up, as he recently said:

"It’s still a friendly model but the sharper bumper and the surfacing on the bonnet means it’s more grown-up, a little more mature. That’s the look we’ve been aiming for"

The ID.3 dimensions haven't changed. It still measures 4.26 metres in length and 1.81 metres in width. Since the first generation model, the ID.3 has sat between a Golf and Polo overall length. But thanks to the MEB Platform, interior space is fairly roomy with it being closer to a Passat inside. The boot remains at 385 litres and 1,267 litres when you fold the rear seats.

If you didn't like the first-gen infotainment system, you will be disappointed to learn this isn't changing and is staying the same for now. If you were expecting a full overhaul of the software the second generation won't offer it. However, you can still use Android Auto and Apple CarPlay (which most people opt for anyway).

Volkswagen has said the central infotainment display will be 12.9 inches as standard from 2024 at least, as it is currently shipping with a 10-inch screen. They do say bigger is better.

Battery sizes and charging speeds aren't changing. You still get a choice between two 58kWh and 77kWh capacities, which offers up to 265 and 339 miles respectively. VW says a third option will be coming soon which will be smaller than the 58kWh and offer around 200 miles. This will be a more affordable version if you have no interest in shelling out for the 58kWh model.

Volkswagen probably doesn't want to poach sales from their own recently announced ID.2all electric supermini hatchback, so we imagine the ID.3 is being placed in a strategic position to ensure it's a 'step up' from the ID.2all. 

Volkswagen expects the second generation ID.3 model to go on sale in late spring 2023.