First real EV with pluses and minuses
So many people, so many opinions. Volkswagen has experienced that again after the introduction of the ID3. Although the car looks relatively simple, it turns out to be a controversial model. This is mainly due to the software and hardware choices that the brand made, whereby the implementation did not always go smoothly. The ID3 has now been driving around for a number of years and its owners have received a number of major software updates. So the question arises: what do real users now think of their ID3?
The Volkswagen ID3 was available with different engine powers and three battery packs with different capacities. The entry-level model had a 45 kWh package and a 145 hp engine. This engine variant is also available with a 58 kWh battery and, if desired, this package supplies power to a 204 hp electric motor. The top model has this powerful engine in combination with a battery pack of no less than 77 kWh. Volkswagen has now simplified the range of the ID3 and announced a new ID3, the first units of which are expected to be delivered in June.
Space, comfort and interior ID 3
The Volkswagen ID3 must be ‘the electric Golf’ and is most reminiscent of it in terms of dimensions. This owner actually made the switch from an e-Golf and shares his findings. “The first impression of the car is good. Good seats, lots of space and above all a very spacious feeling in the interior. The panoramic roof takes it a step further. Compared to the e-Golf you are a bit higher and I actually like that. Yes, the quality of the interior is somewhat lower than the e-Golf, especially due to the use of hard plastic, but I certainly don’t find it disturbing.”
It is not the only owner who is happy with the interior space, the owner of this ID3 from 2020 is also enthusiastic. “What a space! You sit very well both in the front and in the back. I myself am of average height, I have a colleague of 2 meters and 130 kg, who could still adjust the driver’s seat well for his stature. The trunk space is comparable to that of a Golf, which is sufficient for me.”
The finish of the interior has already been touched upon, several owners have an opinion on this. The next user compares it to a previously driven Tesla Model 3. “The build quality is better (than the Tesla, ed.), the whole is solidly put together and there are no visible deviations between the panels.” The use of materials cannot withstand everyone’s scrutiny. “A lot is written on the internet about the use of non-premium materials in the car. I can endorse this, it is largely hard plastic and looks cheap. A bit strange for a car worth 45,000 euros, but it doesn’t bother me personally.” This also applies to the driver of an ID3 1st: “Where there is a lot of whining about the finish, I actually think this one is okay. Of course, a soft dashboard and door panel are more pleasant, but they are creak-free, do not scratch and at least look modern.”
Controls and infotainment
Another oft-read criticism comes from the service. Volkswagen said goodbye to most physical buttons and gave touch-sensitive panels in return. The brand was criticized for this, so that the updated ID3 has more physical buttons again. Not a superfluous luxury, as the user reviews testify. “The sliders are unlit and don’t respond well in my opinion. This also applies to the touch-sensitive surfaces on the steering wheel. They are not real buttons and so they will never be able to match this feeling,” writes a less satisfied user. “The cruise control and the other buttons on the steering wheel aren’t great. They are kind of touch buttons, I didn’t need that. What’s wrong with normal buttons?”, another chimes in.
For other users, the operation mainly requires getting used to. “When you open the CLIMA menu, you can directly choose ‘Clear view’, ‘Warm hands’ or ‘Fast cooling’ in the ‘Smart Climate’ tab. So you don’t have to set up various components separately. It now works well for me personally, via the screens and also with the voice control.” It is one of the few positive things about the voice control. “The voice recognition is ridiculous,” writes one driver from the very beginning, “we literally laugh every time we try to set the navigation with a voice command. Time and time again he comes up with the strangest reactions, which often have nothing to do with the navigation.”
How does the ID3 drive?
So far, experiences with Volkswagen’s electric volume model have been mixed, owners are almost unanimously positive about driving the ID3. Especially when driving quieter. “A lot has been said and written; what a nice torque and power, wherever and whenever you want. You whiz down the road with only some light wind and tire noise; what a silence.” The handling also scores highly, as the owner of this ID3 Life describes. “In terms of handling, this is a huge difference with my previous MPVs. They became a bit floaty on the highway, which is like a block on the road.”
Anyone who likes sporty driving is less able to handle an ID3 than with, for example, a smooth Golf, according to this owner. “An ID3 is simply too high to match the driving experience of a VW Golf with sports suspension,” he writes, continuing: “If you look purely at the handling, the chassis of the ID3 is certainly as stable and I can look just as fast around corners like the GTD. I’m less afraid to push the limits with the ID3 because of the higher weight, but it hasn’t given me any surprises yet.”
Several owners also note the high car weight. “Because of the weight of about 1,800 kilograms, you notice that the car has difficulty with gentle corners at high speed. The car wants to go straight ahead, so to speak, and you force it to steer into the bend. You also notice that you are carrying a lot of weight when braking.”
Faults, annoyances and points for attention
The ID3 is known as a relatively malfunction-prone car, which is partly endorsed by owners. Particularly in the beginning, users complained about malfunctions and slowness of the infotainment system, which we also saw with the Volkswagen Golf 8. After various updates, these annoyances have largely disappeared, with version 2.1 being the deciding factor for many owners.
“In the end I am very happy with the car despite several faults, slow software (navigation, etc.) and I was once with an empty 12V battery. Next week the car will get the final software 2.1 and then everything should be ok. As an ID.3 1st driver you are a driving lab for VW and that doesn’t feel right,” said the owner of an ID3 1st 58 kWh. After receiving the update, he writes: “No more problems with software 2.1, the enjoyment has begun.” These experiences are quite similar to another ID3 1st rider. “The first 30,000 km had a lot of malfunctions. I knew the software wasn’t finished and some features would be added, but I didn’t expect this. After the major updates it seems good, so reliability still given a number of stars.”
All in all, roughly the same applies to the Volkswagen ID3 as to the eighth generation Golf. The software was mediocre and got better over time, the operating concept requires so much getting used to for a number of users that it continues to frustrate even after years of driving. One thing matters: their criticisms have not fallen on deaf ears. In the updated ID3, a large part of the aforementioned annoyances has been addressed, so that new owners have a number of physical buttons at their disposal. New round, new opportunities?
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– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl