Volkswagen ID.3 review: range, battery & charging
The Volkswagen ID.3 currently offers a choice of two battery sizes – both promise enough range and charging capability to keep most buyers out of trouble
| Battery size | Range | Wallbox charge time | Rapid charge time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 58kWh | 265 miles | 9hrs 15mins (0-100%, 7.4kW) | 32 mins (10-80%, 120kW) |
| 77kWh | 347 miles | 12hrs 15mins (0-100%, 7.4kW) | 28 mins (10-80%, 170kW) |
At launch, the Volkswagen ID.3 was available with three battery options. But as of mid-2023, the smallest (45kWh) of those had been dropped. There are now just two powertrains available: the ID.3 Pro with the 58kWh battery, or the ID.3 Pro S with a larger 77kWh battery and a longer range. Both get a 201bhp rear-mounted electric motor.
There’s a smartphone app that you can use to control the car’s charging as well as the climate control, which allows for pre-heating on cold mornings or pre-cooling on hot ones. You can also check the level of the battery and how much range is left.
Volkswagen ID.3 range
You can’t currently order the ID.3 with the Pure Performance drivetrain; the 45kWh battery offered a range of around 215 miles, but was dropped shortly after launch.
The current cheapest ID.3 instead features the 58kWh battery; enough for around 265 miles on a charge, which beats the equivalent Nissan Leaf's 239 miles but falls behind the Kia Niro EV (285 miles) and MG4 EV Long Range (up to 281 miles). We think the smaller battery will suit most ID.3 buyers and is therefore our pick of the range thanks to its lower list price.
To get more range, you'll need to go for the expensive Pro S range topper as this boosts range to 347 miles with its larger 77kWh battery. There’s an Eco Assistance driving mode that can use sat-nav data to help you maximise range – for example, by telling you to lift off when a lower speed limit is approaching, saving a small amount of energy each time. An energy-efficient heat pump is also available for £970 across the range.
Charge time
The ID.3 is capable of up to 11kW AC charging from standard home wallboxes and up to 170kW charging from public rapid chargers, depending on the battery size you choose. Note that the 11kW figure for home charging is dependent on your premises having three-phase electrics – many UK properties don't.
In most cases, you'll be limited to a maximum home charging speed of 7.4kW, at which rate models fitted with a 58Wh battery will need just over nine hours to charge from empty to full, or around 12 hours for the 77kWh ID.3 Tour.
As suggested, how quickly you can top-up at a public rapid charger will depend on which version of the ID.3 you go for. Pre-facelift models had charging speeds of between 100kW and 135kW, but the newer ID.3s can replenish their cells even faster. Go for the range-topping Pro S and you’ll get 170kW charging – meaning a 10-80% charge takes as little as 28 minutes. The cheaper Pro version tops out at 120kW, performing the same 10-80% top-up in around 32 minutes.