Volkswagen may have only began its new all-electric future less than three years ago with the ID.3, but now the German automaker has presented what is effectively the second generation of its electric Golf-sized family hatchback.
According to VW’s own admission, the most recent, chunkier ID.3, which will go on sale in the UK in late spring with pricing likely to start around £41,000, is largely the result of having “very carefully” listened to the ID.3 community. Volkswagen asserts that 300,000 ID.3s have been sold since deliveries began in the third quarter of 2020, indicating the size of that group.
This facelift was initially planned by VW for 2024, but because to the overwhelming positive response to the EV’s interior and software practically immediately after launch, the company has accelerated the new upgrades. The improvements are so profound that even Volkswagen now refers to the ID as being in its “second generation”3.
One of the main areas of criticism when the ID.3 was its digital and driver interfaces. No surprise then that VW has made improvements in the field. First, what hasn’t changed is the digital instrument panel, which is still 5.3-inches across, and the rocker switch at the side of the steering wheel for gear selection remains in place. There are, however, changes to the infotainment setup, but they are not as widespread and comprehensive as many would have wished. At least not on this occasion. Further IT upgrades will arrive in 2024 simply because while VW could bring the core facelift forward by 12 months or so, the techie stuff is on a fixed deadline and isn’t available till next year.
