You’ve heard of the ID.4 and maybe even driven one…
But what about the Volkswagen ID.3 — the EV Americans aren’t allowed to have?
We discuss the ID.3 — here is a transcript:
Intro
Welcome back to the VW ID Talk podcast. We’re your hosts, Wes and Jan, with Jan once again joining us from Czechia. It looks like a tourism ad behind him—what a beautiful place.
Remember, you can catch us on all major podcast platforms: Overdrive, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and of course on YouTube. Don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss anything. This is the third installment of our Forbidden Fruits series, and today Jan has the ID.3—a car we don’t get in North America but is familiar to European viewers.
First Impressions
Wes: Jan, what do you think of the car?
Jan: I actually love it. I’ve been driving it for a couple of days. I had the ID.4 the night before, so I had a good baseline to compare. I totally love this.
Wes: We both had low expectations since people have criticized the ID line, but that hasn’t been your experience?
Jan: Not at all. The car looks great—cute even. The wheels give it a cool stance, and the front design makes it look like the car is smiling. That was intentional, similar to the design of the ID. Buzz.
Specs and Performance
This version is the Pro with a 77 kWh battery, using the same hardware and software as earlier ID.4s, running Software Version 3. That means it includes the app store where you can download things like games. Surprisingly, the games run well, which makes charging stops more entertaining.
This particular ID.3 doesn’t have the newer APP 550 motor—it’s the same motor as the ID.4—but since the car is smaller and lighter, it feels quicker and more fun. Above this trim, you can get the GTX or GTX Performance with almost 300 or 326 horsepower, both rear-wheel drive and based on the APP 550 motor.
Exterior Walkaround
The headlights are essentially the same as the ID.4’s matrix lights, just slightly reshaped. The trunk opens by flipping the VW logo, and interestingly, the entire rear hatch is plastic to save weight. The trunk is smaller than the ID.4 but has a two-level setup for cables and accessories.
One quirk: this car has a manual trunk, so no hands-free kicking motion. The brake lights also form an “X” when illuminated, which is a nice touch for visibility.
Size Comparison
The ID.3 is close to a Golf in size, making it feel like an electric Golf. It has similar length and trunk space but slightly more interior room due to its longer wheelbase. It’s heavier, but the instant torque makes it dynamic. With wheels pushed out to the edges and no front motor, it has an impressively tight turning radius.
Interior
Inside, it feels like a downsized ID.4. The doors have plush materials, and the cubby fits large water bottles along with items required by law in Europe, like a reflective vest. The seats feature massage and extendable cushions. The center console is simpler than the ID.4’s, with less storage, but still functional.
The infotainment setup is familiar, though the vents are laid out more like the 2024 ID.4 Pro. This car also has a head-up display, which is especially useful on narrow roads. It projects lane boundaries onto the windshield, acting as a kind of visual lane-keep assist without the intrusive steering wheel vibration.
Infotainment and Software
The infotainment runs Software 3, which includes a store with games and dealer apps. Despite the hardware being modest, the games perform surprisingly well—chess, solitaire, memory puzzles, and even arcade-style games. Unfortunately, these features are disabled in North America.
Driving Impressions
The ID.3 feels smaller and lighter than the ID.4. It’s rear-wheel drive only, but nimble and fun to drive. With the newer APP 550 motor, it would be even more impressive. Compared to the Skoda Enyaq (L-Roq), which offers all-wheel drive, the ID.3 feels sportier but less versatile.
Back Seat
One surprise: the ID.3 is marketed as a four-seater. The rear has only two seat belts and a central cutout, so it’s not a five-passenger car.
Wrap-Up
Jan: I wasn’t expecting to like it this much, but I do. It’s a great car.
Wes: I’d probably still lean toward the ID.7 Tourer, but the ID.3 looks like a lot of fun.
Thanks for joining us. Don’t forget to subscribe, and let us know your thoughts. If you’re driving an ID.3 in Europe, share your experience. And if you’re in North America, tell us what small EVs, like the Chevy Bolt, could be alternatives for you.
Check out the VWIDTalk Podcast on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts ( Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overdrive and more).
The TTAC Creators Series tells stories and amplifies creators from all corners of the car world, including culture, dealerships, collections, modified builds and more.
[Image: YouTube Screenshot]
Become a TTAC insider. Get the latest news, features, TTAC takes, and everything else that gets to the truth about cars first by subscribing to our newsletter.
