This car is super efficent.. And a silent cabin is gold for me. WV .. Impressive!

Drove one on Friday, ordered one on Saturday 😊

0-62 in officially 7.3s and TB clocked it at 6.89s

Thank you for this amazing review. I will pick mine up today, so your opinion has made me want it even more.

James "mate" , don't go down country lanes your not familiar with and start looking In the rear of the car while driving to see if the interior is as big as a VW Passat ! It's not the time or the place, 2 secs after you looked forward you met another car coming towards you ! Do all the "touchy feely" stuff when stationery. Ps, your doing REALLY well on avoiding the "B" word, brilliant !

Good review. Just to clarify that the 1st Edition in the UK, only the Plus, does not have Qi charging for the phone. It does come with runflat tyres, the Active Matrix headlights are phenomenal (which you could not experience in such sunny daylight) and having had an e-Golf - the ID.3 is better - more cargo space, more range, more room, better turning circle, better equipment (the heated seats, steering wheel), faster DC charging, better battery management, etc.. I miss the spectacles holder in the roof though.

Loved the panel gaps quip! LOL!

Finally just watched it James. Thank you for your thoughts on the car. You’ve given me something to think about here for sure. Pricing I’m getting back from some of the dealers via Carwow are really good. Some are offering £7500 off the list price. This includes the gov grant. So my first quote from one of the dealers was £25,450 for the base spec Life model. Comes with loads of standard kit still and the 58kWh usable pack. If I was to put £5k down as a deposit it would be £200 per month on a 4 year PCP. I don’t think that’s too shabby at all. Bjorn Nyland can’t understand why the car isn’t selling more than it currently is. Maybe it’s due to the pandemic. The efficiency of this thing is really really good from what I’m hearing. Please let me know your thoughts James?

Spoke to an owner of one as we were charging at Cambridge extra services, he is getting 250 miles a charge with reasonably conservative driving (65 on motorway and within speed limits on other roads)

Nice review, thanks for sharing. The car is hot and probably best ev to buy right now. For the rear wheel drive, it's fine in any condition as long as its has the right tyres. If there are snow and ice u need winter tyres or all season one and never need of unnecessary 4wd., that's actually applies for all cars.

Great review, I pick mine up after Christmas.

Great video. I am liking the id3 more and more as time goes by. I still think SEATs version looks better but I am a VW badge fan.

0-62, as tested is 7,3 seconds

£36k is too much and spoils it. Let's hope for drops in prices soon. Thanks for the review.

Thanks. Very thorough. Enjoyed the digressions (E Golf comparison, etc.) Sorry the ID3 isn't coming to the States. VW thinks we only drive SUVs.

Thanks for the review...I look forward to having a drive in the iD3...I don’t know what it is but there is something about the styling I am not keen on but it seems like a great car and promising for the future of the VW Group cars.

Great video James. In my pre EV days have had a Golf and a Polo and really liked VW. Have been in Leafs last 7 yrs, but I am very tempted back towards the ID3, had all I like in a VW and is now a near 60kWh EV 🤔 price tag a bit high , but not too bad as you say for its residual value. They’ve got 2 now down road at local VW garage so gonna have to at least have a spin.

Just back to watch your review for a second time James. We were all set to buy a used Soul and then somebody reminded me of the ID.3. I find myself torn between the two. Let's see what Jonathan and the eco-cars team can magic up.

I loved that you mentioned that this is a car for those looking for something this size, whether they're looking for petrol, diesel or electric - or words to that effect. This is a new phenomena (I watch far too much EV youtube and you're the first to nonchalantly mention it) that the ID3 and 4 own by themselves and I believe these pioneering models have opened up a whole new chapter of affordability, just-forget-about-it useable range, the assurance of a well respected brand, and traditional/non-whacky design. I think they're going to eventually struggle to get hold of enough chemicals to meet the sales demand. I'm off to buy some Volkswagen shares.

This a well equipped First Edition which comes in at £36k after the plug in grant. Spec a new Golf GTE to the same level and it comes out at £35k!! Lower priced models are available mid October 👍

If this is having any issues I assume you wont have problem finding local dealer/service unlike some other major EV manufacturers.

Not able to sleep due to a sodding cold so I'm watching old vids. As you know James we bought a 2 year old 1st Edition and after 10 months we are really really pleased with it. My only slight negative is that I would have preferred smaller rims as the 19 inchers are way too easy to kerb. In the summer we did top 300 miles range but in the winter it is a smidge over 200. All very good. We've also now had the software updated to version 3.2 and the niggles have gone. Can I suggest thst you recommend the ID.3 to Jonathan. He's a bit less enthusiastic than you are. 😉

Great review. I used to love VAG cars until a horrendous experience reliability wise with a Mk5 Golf made me vow never to have one again. I would buy one of these in a heartbeat if I was in the market to change.

My company car is a petrol VW Golf. My company wants to go fully electric. So, I'll definitely be interested in one of these.

Given the price an e Golf can be had for these days I am not sure it is worth so much more. I don't like the styling on video but you say it looks better in the metal, good news. Thanks for an interesting review.

Thanks for the review James. Always enjoy the matter of fact reviews from Kate and yourself. Best car available now imo is the Polestar 2. With electric motors it seems a bit cheap to bung a near £40k car out with 2wd when awd can be had for very little weight penalty. I can understand cars like the e208 and Corsa, the MG range, etc. (which impress me a lot) but when you move to premium brands you expect more than just the badge and some impressive but let's be honest, mass produced (thus cheap) electronic bells and whistles. I wouldn't like the car industry to trade like the designer clothes industry. The first function of a car is to perform it's job as transport, not as entertainment.

James. On the front styling. They were going to make it sharper/steeper and more rounded at the front but couldn't make it work with the crash protection needs, so had to settle on extending it out more, which gives it a 'kind of' nose or chin point!

I think your right on most comments and pro's. It's pretty efficient.

Looking forward to the ID4 coming to the US. Can't think of buying anything before at least giving that a test drive.

The price will come down as it’s a 1st edition model

Excellent review - as always. Really in-depth and helpful. Any chance you could do a Citroen DS3 Crossback E-Tense review? Same platform to the Corsa-E and Peugeot 208-E, I’d be interested to see your thoughts.... 👍👍👍

Great review as always! Looks like a really promising EV from VW, looking forward to seeing them start popping up on public roads. What's your opinion on the rear drum brakes? Personally as long as they do their job - which I don't doubt they do - I have no problem with them. But them being fitted to the ID3 & ID4 seems to have gotten quite a few people up in arms seeing them purely as a cost cutting measure by VW.

James I share your concern with regards the rear wheel drive in the cold winter, don't forget alot of the weight will be over the rear of the car compared to an ice BMW with all the weight up front and just a prop to the rear diff. I would prob run a set of winter tyres over the colder months however.

Snow tyres James in winter they all use them in Germany and even with all of the BMWs and MERCEDES rear wheel drive they get around easily

The only issue might be the Adaptive Control which uses GPS instead of Speed Limit Sign Recognition. When Bjorn tested it on a Dual Carriege Way the cars speed dropped from 60 to 40 because a nearby road had a 40mph speed limit on it.

I ordered mine end of November 2021. It is going to be quite a wait though, probably middle of 2022.

Regen to low even in "B", no seatbelt hight adjustment and those silly touch 2 step buttons on the wheel for the cruise control. That's what i came up with as negatives after a 45min testdrive. Headroom in the back is okish but i'm 188cm (6ft 2in) and i could not sit fully upright. In the front it's really spacious. The driving is absolutly fine, very quite and comfortable and easily enough power. But. I think, the e-Golf might just be a little bit more refinded :) But overall a really good EV with superb range AND charging. Should be fine for most users. ID.4 looks to be even better

Great video 👍

Great review looks a great EV

First review I have seen of this car that did not have software issues whilst on test which does not bode well for the first customers, although you were informed some features were not available on the launch vehicles which is down to the software issues well publicised before launch. I am glad I did not pursue my interest in this car pre launch. I will wait for the Skoda and the Seat versions and hope that the issues with software have been rectified by their launch date. Have to say both of the sister versions appear visually more appealing than the ID3.

Just a note to any one wanting one. There are surplus ist addition id3 available. As a lot of us prebookers pulled out due to bad communication with vw uk.

Thanks for the review what was your Efficiency on that drive?

I have an E Golf and I agree it's a brilliant EV

VW AND TESLA TO BRING ELCTRIC CARS TO MASSES --THIS CAR IS A WINNER. ! GREAT VID 10/10

James, thanks for a great review -- I'm so envious since we can't get 'em here in the US -- but you forgot to show us what's under the hood! In the e-Golf it's the motor and related gubbins. Does ID.3 have a frunk, or is it all battery -- or what? We need to be told!

Hi. Have you still got the MGZS? Just wondered how you were getting on with it. I have just leased the e2008 GT line and it's nice to drive although the range is disappointing at the moment but could be down to the colder weather and also that I live in quite an hilly area.

My parents just ordered one. They beat me to getting an EV! Really hard to beat the range, features, and price of the Life Pro Performance model. Especially since the grant has been changed. They’re moving from years of having a Polo.

Looks better than I thought, but bit pricey, well done on video.

Nice review guys. Im a little surprised the range is lower than that of the cheaper Kia E-Niro for a similarly sized vehicle. I know the ID4 is coming but it looks like that will be £10k more expensive. It’s good to hear that the cabin space is so generous, does the boot pass the push chair test?

Good reviews, nice to hear someone not bashing interior quality or the touch screen! Will look into one of these when my lease of the Citigo-e expires. Or the iD4.

Did you try getting the car seat in there at some point? I'm trying to work out if this'll be big enough for a new family?

Good review but they say it’s due a massive tech upgrade in the new year so think I’d wait. For such a big bonnet you’d think they’d have a small Porsche style luggage area.

On my radar, this, but I think I might be more into the ID4 or the Skoda Enyaq. Will see - still got 18 months on my Zoe 50 lease.

Interesting, but if i wanted a workhorse i would look at a used electric car ( £36k is too much for us mere mortals) . By the way, enjoyed the MG5 vid recently.

Although I haven't seen it in the flesh, the front is the best angle for me.

Love the review James! Always count on you guys for an honest appraisal. I like the front for 2 reasons: 1. You can tell it's an EV whereas the egolf you needed a magnifying glass to tell it apart from the GTE. 2. One of the reasons you see great efficiency is the lack of silly fiddly details and features that break the aerodynamics.

Those touch controls are a bit odd, to be honest. If you have dedicated switch for something, why not make it more tactile?

This will be my first EV when the time comes.

0-62 speed on the 204Ps models is 7.2 not 9, I can only assume the one in this video was the lower Ps model. Also distance ratings over 300 miles are for the 77Kwh Models Mainly the "Tour Pro S".

I’m with you James - the front is not beautiful but I could get over it, and I’d prefer a few real knobs esp for climate control. Apart from that, and it’s a bit pricey (after 3 years of “affordable’ hype!) it looks like a bloody good effort from VW.

Is rear wheel drive an issue. BMW issue is little weight in the rear but that will have the weight of the batteries and the motors so wouldn't front wheel drive be more prone to low grip with no weight on the front?

The “buttonless” buttons are haptic buttons where no movement but a sensation of a push.

Is the real world driving with aircon or heating on? I’m concerned with no heat pump. What is the reality? Currently drive a plug in hybrid Bmw , turn the heating on and range disappears...

Has a lot of good points, agree about the front end what is that weird looking panel across the back of the bonnet? Plus still too expensive at the moment for its market sector, needs to be £30k. At £30k it totally works., at £36, I’d stretch to a M3 SR+, supercharger network can’t be beaten.

What do you think is the nicer car a Kia Soul ev or the ID3 ?

I'm Liking it a lot, can't wait for the Skoda Enyaq to hit the showrooms and the ID3 equivalent.

The passenger seat is height adjustable in RHD Plus???

Better than the Model 3 in my opinion. Better value too.

Unlike a BMW the ID.3 has the weight of its engine over the rear wheals. A good combination for winter grip.

@8:29 My Prius Plugin has as similar keyless entry sensor and is just as quick... but it's a 14 plate. It doesn't fold the mirrors though :(

Great car 👏🏻👏🏻😃

For ev efficiency is coasting better than regen ?

One huge negative, for many people, is that it's a VW. Thanks for the review, James.

Thanks for another great review James. It’s been a long time coming but this looks like a really impressive new BEV - which you’d hope as the first ground up BEV produced but the world’s largest car manufacturer. Two things I really like. 1. It’s a full family sized hatchback. I’ve got a Kona electric which I love but I don’t want to drive an SUV/crossover by choice. I’d prefer a good old fashioned Golf sized hatch and if it’s god more interior space so much the better. 2. As highlighted in your video and those of Bjorn Nyland - it’s got great efficiency. This is so important when the majority of the UK is stuck with 50kW rapids. I’d love something like a Polestar looks wise but with mediocre efficiency and a bigger battery, I don’t want to have to spend an hour plus potentially on multiple occasions on long journeys having to stop and charge. This looks like it’s hit the sweet spot. Definitely on the wish list!

Rear drive electric cars have excellent traction, especially when going uphill, because the weight of the batteries shifts backwards. Front wheel drive electric cars have terrible traction going uphill, because the battery weight is shifted to the rear, leaving the front end without enough weight.

I'll keep my top of the range e-208 and £10k. Sure my car has a lower range but if I'd really needed more, I could save even more money and get the Zoe.

Very clever technology and I can appreciate it but it's not for me. I'll wait to see how the technology develops over the next decade.

To everyone whining about the price: This is the 1st edition which is premium. Every car maker does the same, including Tesla: they start by releasing a premium version because early adopters usually don't mind paying a bit more to be early, then they feed in successively cheaper models. Tesla did it with the S, with the X and with the 3. Everyone does that because it makes economic sense. So, consider that the 1st edition is at the top of the price range and compare it to what Tesla mode 3 performance cost at launch. Suddenly the ID.3 is actually not expensive at all. WTF, people! This is a 205 hp top of the line car, comparable to a GTI from a few years back and everyone is whinging on about how it's not as cheap as a 1.3 Polo with no extras? I understand that there are a lot of people who have some kind of psychological need to diss EV's whenever they see one, but try to get with the program. You're welcome to join the rest of us in the 21st century. Also, VW has a table comparing total cost of ownership over 5 years and the ID.3 is cheaper than the Golf 1.5 per kilometer, so there's that.

All EVs should come with a Type 2 and a granny cable, no excuse just greed

so you will be swapping your Tesla 3 for an ID3....

Interesting video but about time you invested in a gimbal to steady the camera.

Looking forward to a video where you stop bashing the model 3. VW ID3 looks like a Great car and will certainly appeal to many

Granny cable is not supplied with the ID.3.

The only thing I dislike about it, is the thick C-pillar with the strange painted pattern on it.

Did you see what miles per kWh was on a motorway

I'm not happy with VW as I registered my interest after my 48 hr eGolf test drive but not heard from the dealer since - oh well. No ID3 for me :-( I love tight turning circles as my Smart fortwo has tightest turning circle on the market. I'm still impressed with Honda e. Love that tech mirror cameras :-)

Vw please please offer a different roof trim to a lighter colour like you do with other models , black is so dark and claustrophobic and with no sunroof option on 77kw pro s trims it feels like your being short changed

James, based on what you know now about the ID.3 and owning a Model 3, what would you buy if choosing now?

36 large! crazy price!!

At that price its not going to be my introduction to EVs.

Hmmmm....think we'll stick with our Soul EV...

The reason the range appears to be so good is because it was a warm day, run the test again in Jan/Feb and it'll be lower. As an owner of an e-Golf I see that effect every year.

Wonder if the Golf/e-Golf will go the way of the Dodo once they have the full range and the countries start their bans on new Petrol/Diesel vehicle sales. Charging you can get up to 103kW as has been shown by Battery Life who owns one. Rear drive for Petrolheads who are coming into the future and those who love driving. Looking forward to the Enyaq or ID.4 or both when the arrive where I live in a couple years. Can also change the colour theme in the car which is cool.

They have set there sights high , does it compete with tesla ? it will certainly be built better no doubt !

Travelling on country lanes 50-60mph flatters the range. On a motorway you will get sub 200 miles.

Love the rounded front. The boy racer spoiler at the back I could do without tho' 😊

The price is expensive but as a tall hatchback the ID3 will compete with the Tesla Model Y which will be more expensive than the Model 3.

RWD might not be anywhere near as bad on ID3 as a BMW etc, as the weight distribution will be very different (more of the weight over the rear axel on the ID3, due balance of battery and rear motor).

Fir that price it is simply quite possibly the best EV around. And yes, it beats the Soul if you as me.

Good to hear a positive review on the iD3, perhaps if I had heard this and not listened to all that shouted negative publicity before the launch about software issues, cost, cheapness of interior and range etc. I would have stuck to my plan to change from our much loved e-golf to the iD3 instead of getting a Tesla model 3?