VW ID3 FULL REVIEW- BETTER than a GOLF?

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BIG THANKS TO SALES MANAGER LEE EVANS AT INCHCAPE VW CHELTENHAM FOR LENDING ME THIS ID3 AT EXACTLY THE SAME TIME JOURNALISTS WERE DRIVING THEM FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE UK. TO BUY YOURSELF AN ID3, VISIT THEIR WEBSITE - THEY CURRENTLY HAVE THE CAR IN GREY IN THE THUMBNAIL IMAGE IN STOCK AND AVAILABLE NOW;
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This really is the most important video I am going to make in a very long time. I arrived back from Germany the night before, didn't sleep very well with excitement and got to Cheltenham bright and early to get the big question answered, is the ID3 the car that will kill the Golf, just like the Golf killed the Beetle all those years ago?
On reflection the wiper stalk moves down rather than up to avoid obscuring the gear selector.
On the first range test I got my numbers a bit messed up while driving but the conclusion was the same, it definitely used around 25% more range than expected.
When I described the steering as vague, I meant it lacked communication rather than any slackness, it felt very direct.
Here is a VW Solutions finance quote based on 10k per year and over 48 months:
1st Edition
1st Edition Pro Power 204PS 1-speed automatic 5 Door
Duration
48 months
47 monthly payments of
£488.97
Deposit contribution
£0.00
Customer deposit
£3,587.80
Retailer cash price
£35,880.00
Retailer cash price includes subsidy of
£3,000.00
Acceptance fee*
£0.00
Optional final payment
£14,624.10
Option to purchase fee**
£10.00
Total amount payable
£41,203.49
Total amount of credit
£32,292.20
Representative APR %
5.8% APR
Rate of interest p.a.
5.74% fixed
Average miles per year
10,000
Excess mileage (per mile)***
9p
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[@volkswizard]

Thanks for watching this video! There are a few comments I need to make - firstly the driver's seat wasn't in my driving positioin when I got in the back, I'd forgotten I'd moved it to film dash, the point still stands rear leg room is generous due to MEB platform's packaging. While the car pushes gently into understeer in most situations, you can overspeed the rear wheels easily, especially in the wet though ESC soon tidies this up. There is lots of trick lighting inside and out but too light during test to review it unfortunately. Much like the A2, sitting so far back from the windscreen means the A pillars can obscure vision especially an issue at junctions, this will take some adapting to. I described the ride as firm but it's not harsh at all, even Sport mode is will judged for our roads. I got jumbled up with range while driving on motorway but end result was the same, it was out by 25% The issue is that the WLTP combined range is calculated through driving at various speeds, not just motorway which is by far the least efficient way of travelling in an EV due to drag. The car has lane assist, adaptive cruise, and traffic sign recognition. It uses the traffic signs and the GPS data to control the vehicle's speed. Road and wind noise on the motorway is very well supressed, there is just a distant flutter from somewhere near the A pillars, possibly the mirrors. Rear brakes are drums but they are painted black so not especially visible. This is because regen braking means they don't do much work and under braking and all weight shift forward anyway.

[@marw8383]

don't get too hung up on the 'actual miles vs miles remaining'. I've had an e-Golf for 2 years (the best car I've ever had) - sometimes the same journey goes against me in that equation, some day for me (who knows...). The point I'm trying to make is that it averages out, but generally I get a little less than the full charge says. You live with it and start to realise the quirks and all the variables that affect the range. (doesn't like strong wind or rain). Once, directly after charging for 3 hours to full charge, I picked up my wife from work - a warm day, no aircon, about 16 miles round trip, mid-day, mixture of B roads and a bit of fast A27 dual carriageway. When I arrived home, I was +1 of the original car mileage charge estimate! who knows.... but you get to know the quirks. And if you can make it work, go for an EV. As I say, the best car I've had (admittedly I don't go on long journey's). but e-Golf a great piece of engineering, and probably get the Id.3 at some stage.

[@chrisrichmond403]

The ID.3 has been my first proper test drive of a EV . The one we have on the Isle Of Man is the same except it has the darker dash / steering wheel what in my opinion looks better , the rest was the same including exterior Colour . In my review I did for a online web / FB page for EV’s on the IOM I wrote and I mean it I did not want to hand the car back .. It’s perfect for me as my only vehicle what does also double up with taking my parents out and about . So if I could afford one I would purchase one . It’s a brilliant vehicle & I was very impressed by it .

[@pauldarlington9157]

Some old school comments on here by people who have probably not seen the ID3. The quality of the interior is not low grade when you experience it and I like the look. The Golf now looks soooooo old.

[@volkswizard]

It's weird Paul, the interior is for sure minimalist but I can't see why that's bad. If you've ever been in a modern Porsche and had your head go all funny from the array of buttons on the centre console you'll know that's not good. I've been in a number of cars of late and been disappointed by interior quality but ID3 isn't one of them.

[@oldtomcat2460]

@@volkswizard And there is another point. The choice of the interior materials is not only because of price, but also because of the CO2 footprint. They try to hand the car over to the buyer with a zero CO2 balance, using solar and wind electricity, and compensating for the unavoidable CO2 loads by supporting certified CO2 avoidance schemes. And the softer plastics cause several times more of CO2 in production than the harder stuff.

[@steve00alt70]

yea i now look at the mk7 golfs interior it looks a tad outdated when you compare it to the ID3 minimilist just makes it look newer.

[@jakehammond7972]

I can’t speak for sitting in one, but material quality seems on par with a polo. I’m 3 years away purchasing as just bought a tsi 90ps polo match dsg. When time does come hopefully initial depreciation is quite steap, and price is more like 30-32k initially like a gtd or r-line dsg golf. My thoughts are also confirmed for the range, this is no problem day to day. I often go to Dorset once a year from south Shropshire, which is on m5 from junction 6 to 25. Before the motorway though there’s a few roundabouts at end of 60 mph roads so a chance to use regen. I’m keeping and ear out to see if VW have an equivalent to Audi on demand in which I can hire one for a while. Overall I really like the car and hope to have one, as being a fan of VW I really want to say I had a mk1 id3.

[@malcolmscott4150]

Well there’s a surprise I was expecting to not like the id3 as underwhelmed by look of id4 but white steering wheel apart I would love it as a daily commuter with an occasional B road blast it seemingly coped well with - Cupra version also looked very tempting - infrastructure and range anxiety would annoy though for anything longer distance but then if I had a hot hatch in the garage for that I’d be happy. Great insight Andrew and video :)

[@JLo1960]

Have to say Andrew, it looks tight in the rear. You're "decent kneeroom" looks about the same as a Polo. Not good enough for a car bigger than a Golf. As for changing the way the wiper stalk works, why?. If Volkswagen want people to accept this car shouldn't it be familiar to use in its controls?. I think Volkswagen need to ask people what they want as opposed to what they (Volkswagen) think they want. Finally, £39,000!!!. I can't see the quality for that kind of money. Having said all that I appreciate your excellent review. Thanks.

[@volkswizard]

Hi Frank, when I started driving I corrected what I said as it was only then I realised I'd moved the seat to a better position to film in which meant it was further back from when I first tried it.

[@gpk6458]

My last car had the wiper stalk this way around, maybe VW is now aligning with other manufacturers here? It's actually better this way round IMO, as flicking the stalk up once for a wipe is easier than flicking it down, for some reason.

[@columlynch4229]

Sorry Frank but I think your nitpicking. I test drove one and I was totally bowled over. I sat in the back and I had lots of space and I'm 6ft 4ins tall. The wipers are a little odd but not an issue. Well done VW. They have come a long way since dieselgate.

[@columlynch4229]

Sorry Frank but I think your nitpicking. I test drove one and I was totally bowled over. I sat in the back and I had lots of space and I'm 6ft 4ins tall. The wipers are a little odd but not an issue. Well done VW. They have come a long way since dieselgate.

[@simonhorsfield2436]

Don't forget the fule should be at least half the cost of petrol when using public chargers and should be much less if you can charge at home overnight - important to look at the total costs of ownership.

[@haydensmith888]

Another brilliant Video, I must say this car does interest me a lot. I had an E-Golf and absolutely loved it but every long journey we did was an absolute pain planning charging and unreliable charging stations and stopping often and for an irritating length of time. I ended up buying a Golf Gti TCR and going back to ICE! Also this ID.3 is £39k before government grant!? I thought the whole idea of this car was finally an affordable EV?

[@roboconnor1777]

Andrew, you used to service my cars in Wythall. I am picking up our new ID3 this week after the last 8 years in BMWs (including an electric i3 for the last 2 years). Looking forward to getting back in a VW and paying 1.5p a mile to drive it. Great video, good to see you still flying the VW flag

[@peterwatson9047]

Can you feel the rear drive aspect at all? We have a Golf mk7 GTD which handles quite well in a dull way and a BMW 230i which handles really really nicely and feels pleasurable and very neutral, even when not pushing on.

[@volkswizard]

Good question - yes! In the wet it will flick a few degrees into oversteer before the ESC kicks in. In the dry pulling out of junctions quickly on lock will cause a rear tyre to spin up slightly and squeal. There is also a degree of throttle adjustability with no overspeeding of the tyres as the rear of the car under load marginally steers the cars due to flex in bushes, chassis and tyre sidewall. I have also felt understeer too however. The torque delivery is pretty fierce and tyres are narrow and eco compound so it's inevitable.

[@mconnah1]

No mention of the reduction in running costs... fuel and maintenance. You need to be a long term owner to appreciate that...

[@polopowered]

Great video Andrew. I think it looks great, It makes the Golf 8 look old already. The coolant under the bonnet is to cool the batteries.

[@volkswizard]

Thanks PP! I didn’t know the batteries used a liquid coolant so that’s v interesting👍

[@CaroAbebe]

volkswizard , yes, it’s used to keep the batteries healthy. Purely air cooled batteries depreciate a lot faster.

[@Muppetkeeper]

It did make me chuckle when he said it was transmission fluid.

[@steffanhoffmann8937]

Contrary to some of the negative comments I've read here? An OUTSTANDING vehicle.

[@volkswizard]

Glad you like it Steffan. As ever with big changes there is reluctance to accept the inevitable, hence why the Beetle overlapped with the Golf for many decades. The big difference is that the Golf was better in nearly every way than a Beetle while the ID3, while clever doesn't do the job of being a car that much better than a Golf, and if being car involves the ability to refuel at will within a few mins, then it fails there entirely. Only time will tell where this goes but ID3 was a more credible Golf replacement than I expected.

[@CaroAbebe]

Refuelling times will get shorter, but on long distance journeys I for one do need breaks. If you can charge at home, the standard situation for most EV drivers is this: you charge at home while you’re doing something else, you only charge away from home when you do longer journeys. No trips to a petrol station required, which I find a very appealing prospect.

[@steffanhoffmann8937]

@@volkswizard understood fella thx for the feedback.

[@Cjbx11]

I’m not sure about the interior design it looks a bit messy and I think the Golf interior looks much better. The car looks a bit like one of those cars that you would see in a 1970s Si-Fi show set in the future. My biggest concern however about this car and other electric cars is that technology tends to move at a lightning pace these days and we are still at relatively early days for fully electric cars. I just feel that while this car may be cutting edge now they are asking pretty hefty price for a car that in 4 or 5yrs time may well be massively outdated with newer models with better batteries, faster charging times and more refinement. They may also be a fair bit cheaper in a few years as new technology often comes at a premium price.

[@hollyshaw1984]

It reminds me of a Citroen C3 in that colour. I think it’s too expensive to persuade people to change to electric. I wouldn’t buy one. It looks like a girly car. The white steering wheel reminds me of the fiat 500! In a couple of years there will be a whole load of them for sale with makeup stained steering wheels like you see in the fiat 500 market.

[@Festoolification]

Horror show of a colour scheme, maybe the materials for the seats as well. You need some very good residuals to justify a £40K price tag fora medium sized hatchback and lifetime well beyond the lease period..

[@nielsvandenkieboom5034]

Prices start at €36k. it's also available in black, white and grey. The interior can be purchased in a black and black/grey combination as well. I don't like the way he has it in this video either, plus I won't get the ID3 as I have a Model 3 Dual Motor on order. But, the ID3 does really look a lot better in a more conventional spec.

[@chrisdavies1288]

Thanks for the insight. I wonder what the range will be in a winter day and how warm the cabin will be after 10 to 15 mintues. To me it is a good starting point but second hand values and new battery packs are the big question marks.

[@michaelgoode9555]

We get 4.2 miles/kWh on motorways and closer to 5 miles/kWh on urban. As with all EV's motorway speeds kill range and urban boosts range, directly opposite to petrol cars. The solution for us is to drive at 60 on the motorways which is not an issue go en thst there is plenty of traffic moving at or less than 60. Cranking the a/c or the heating does acfect range. Range is not an issue for us as we charge on cheap rate overnight electricity. Anybody doing 150 miles or less a day can easily manage with an ID.3 even in the depths of winter. We're having Michelin Cross Climate 2's fitted on Thursday. I expect them to affect range slightly but nothing to cause us concern at all.

[@darrencottrell5541]

Great and engaging review as always Andrew. I admire the planet saving ethos of electric, though I’m in your camp when it comes to anxiety over range and practicality. Cold frosty mornings will have a hit on the batteries and it is then that the heating, heated seats and steering wheel come into their own, further depleting range. Cost is another factor despite government grants and overall fuel saving, whether PCP or otherwise. Combustion engine for me for a while to come but appreciate the detailed insight. Take care.

[@volkswizard]

Thanks as ever Darren. I can see the appeal but it doesn't really suit me because I do some unpredictable journeys along with regular commuting. I also hate motorway service stations with a passion and try and avoid buying extortionately priced fuel from there at all costs and I am sure the same will happen with fast charging too if it hasn't already which will undo many of the cost savings. The other issue is how long will the government subsidise the buying of cars that don't provide them with that precious fuel duty. Soon there will be a critical mass of EVs where this will need to be addressed and the savings won't be so appealing (I worked it out roughly as 1/3 of the cost of a diesel per mile to fuel at home). Once again thanks for your positive contribution and see you for the next one!

[@darrencottrell5541]

Thanks Andrew, fully concur and thanks for taking the time to reply with such detail. Great channel and deserving of a bigger audience. You’ll get there mate. Take care buddy.

[@oldtomcat2460]

About those cool mornings: not much to worry about when you charge the car at home overnight. You can programme it so that the interior and the steering wheel and seats are heated up at the time you want to leave, this all coming from the wallbox, and you can start very comfortable with a fully loaded battery (or the more advisable 80%).

[@dominicrusho]

Great car, but I feel it would be improved with a V12 and a manual gearbox

[@YusufGinnah]

🤣😅 Excellent! I concur my good sir... 👍🏼

[@MrFlyingguy]

waiting for you to deliver your verdict on this....and you cover every angle....good review.. hope you get to 50k subs soon

[@volkswizard]

Thanks man! Much appreciated. I always feel like I've missed things out but it's impossible to cover it all even in 35 mins. Glad you enjoyed it anyway, big thanks re 50k 👍

[@simonreeves2017]

I think there is now no doubt that EVs are the future of the private car market. Many people still complain that EVs are too expensive; I went EV in September 2019 with a BMW i3, I'm saving money over my previous car (Mercedes C200 estate). The Merc cost me £325 a year in road tax, the i3 is £0. The Merc cost me £260 a month in petrol, the i3 costs £12 a month in electricity (charging at home on Octopus Go tariff). The Merc needed servicing, the i3 needs a new cabin filter and the brakes bleed every 2 years according to BMW - this is over-the-top in my view. The i3 is smooth, quiet and has the ability to pre-condition the cabin; fabulous on a frosty winters morning, car is warm and all frost melted, no misty windows.

[@volkswizard]

Thanks Simon for sharing your experience, genuinely what you said made me think "actually is it now the time to do it?"

[@rayliu7762]

Not sure if I missed it (I might have skipped a few secs) but did you give any quick thoughts and comparison to the e-Golf? Yes the e-Golf has lower range and in a way its a in-between electric vehicle half stuck in the last decade, especially with its tech, but my own biggest hurdle (aside from the price) is the move away from tactile physical controls in the dashboard. In a way, VW could have put in a bigger battery in the Golf and it would have sold, but I do feel like you, its too early to adopt to the ID3. Almost like to think about it when there is a ID3.5 (ID3 mk2?) in a few years time so they can iron out a few things.

[@volkswizard]

Hey Ray, no mention of e-Golf. I think the massive gains in range for ID.3 render e-Golf a bit of a dinosaur as range is everything and only get's less as car ages so best to start of with as much as possible. I do like e-Golf though and it will have sufficient range for many. Not sure they could but a bigger battery in as architecture doesn't necessarily allow it while ID.3 is on a bespoke EV platform. I think the user interface changes are not such an issue as many think having used them a fair bit now, climate really is not that bad. Having driven a Porsche recently with too many buttons I love the clean minimalist lool. You'll love the steering wheel buttons as there is a distinct haptic vibration to them in operation even though they are not individual buttons.

[@duringthemeanwhilst]

the real life 0-62 is much quicker than the advertised 7.3 seconds.

[@IvarMinken]

He could have done a little bit of homework covering the basics of electriv cars before trying to make a review. Range: The car learns arfer some miles what your driving style is. Hence the range estimate will start off pretty conservative and end up predicting your consumption pretty well after some time. If you give the car the route you are going to take, the knowlegde it gathers from the map will also contribute to a very presice prediction of range and consumption.

[@andrewmcivor42]

Very interesting review. I can see an id3 appealing to a lot of people. I've never been a fan of electric cars, but the id3 is an excellent attempt. I feel the technology will get better & better - I wouldn't change my Golf 7.5 R estate for one, but in the future, who knows? I don't do a lot of town driving though. I also miss traditional round instrument dials (even digital ones), but that's a purely personal thing. On a slightly shallow note (this won't be an issue for most folk, I know), but I would never buy a car that didn't have a premium audio option - both my R & my previous Golf 7 GTD had the Dynaudio soundpack - when the day comes that you can have something like that in an electric car, without having to choose between listening to music or getting home, then I'll seriously consider one😂. Shame it's so expensive though (although this is something that will improve, given time, I'm sure), as my Wife would have thought about one to replace her Up! Beats TSi - think she'll go for an Up! GTi or a Seat Ibiza instead though... If only VW had a fuel cell car like this, I've always preferred the idea of a fuel cell electric car, rather than pure electric. I can't help wondering how Governments will cope without the tax revenue from fuel too.... All in all, the id3 is an excellent attempt (best yet - I far prefer it to a Tesla, for example) & will certainly be as significant a car as the original Beetle & Mk1 Golf were for VW. Not quite there for me yet though. One other thing - I'm not sure how much use an id3 would be in the North of Scotland with rear wheel drive during the winter? Front/4 wheel drive with winter tyres rules for me (although I suppose a 4 wheel drive id3 might be the way that VW go with a sporty version..). Excellent real world review - big thumbs up for that👍👍👍

[@rkan2]

fuel cell? You mean hydrogen with it's 3x ineffiencies (electrolysis, pumping and transporting)? 4 wheel drive has nothing to do with winter conditions - how bout you get some winter tires, so you can also stop..

[@andrewmcivor42]

@@rkan2 I have a full set of winter tyres on a separate set of wheels. As for fuel cell, that's your opinion & you're welcome to it.

[@SpikeXtreme]

Do you know if the ID3 has active temperature controlled air cooling/heating for the battery ...linked to the AC perhaps? Nice review btw.

[@josefv-y8m]

Yes as option

[@cholleron]

Great review as always. I’m a massive Volkswagen fan owning an Arteon and Golf 8. Big motorway driver so not sure the ID3/4 will replace the Arteon just yet.

[@nickbitten6037]

Second video on this car. Like your presenting style as usual but this car is too expensive for a bloke of current limited means. Would a used E-Golf be more practical? Anyway, will see how it unfolds. Please keep up the good work.

[@volkswizard]

Thanks Nick! e-Golf is good but far less range and doesn't have the clever packaging as under the bonnet is a lot of wasted space. Plus it's not rear wheel drive and that's what makes the ID3 drive so sweetly

[@andyhall8937]

Great video Andrew, not sure what the clunking was when you went into a tight turn? Clearly a special car but it’s almost like you need to do mega miles for it to payback which it’s unlikely to do. Now if it was indium grey it might sway me!!

[@volkswizard]

Camera equipment was clunking in centre console. I'd like to think some would find the environmental benefits worth paying for put probably not. I think the soothing driving experience is worth a fair bit over a Golf though, genuinely. I do like the flat grey one in the thumbnail pic background, not sure they do a normal grey though but you never know!

[@ajarvis92]

I saw one in MK the other day, looks nice from the outside but looks cheap inside?! Great video as ever! 🙂

[@volkswizard]

Genuinely didn’t think cheap inside. Material quality is decent, build seems ok, it’s just very paired back and minimalist which is a positive or a negative depending on your perspective

[@bcol127]

volkswizard I don’t think the colour of the interior helps with the cheap look in videos. I’m sure it looks far nicer in the flesh.

[@marks-0-0]

Thats like saying a Golf interior is cheap. I believe its built with the same level of build quality in mind as a Golf.

[@rasherbasher8203]

Fantastic review as always. 40k 🤔

[@volkswizard]

Thanks RB! £36500 is what you pay, goverment pays £3k but who knows how long for

[@MichaelMcDonald1971]

Quick question from Canada 🇨🇦... Can it pre-heat or cool the interior when it's plugged in? When it's -25°C i really don't want to sit on a cold hard seat.

[@volkswizard]

That's yes, pile risk minimal : "Imagine you get into your ID.3 and the interior temperature is just right. Not a problem because you can pre-heat your car in advance using the We Connect app. The process can optionally also start when you unlock the driver's door or get into the car. Upholding the slogan: get in and enjoy the comfort."

[@MichaelMcDonald1971]

@@volkswizard I wonder how the cold will affect range as well? With the defrost on and cold sapping battery power.

[@CaroAbebe]

Michael Mc Donald, well, the cold always affects EV range, and not just because of the heating. Make sure to get yourself an EV with a heat pump, they’re way more efficient with regard to heating and cooling.

[@MichaelMcDonald1971]

@@CaroAbebe Thanks for the advice, I'm just starting to look at them seriously. I plan on changing my car in the spring.

[@malt2585]

Very informative video, personally I’ll be waiting a little longer as I only do motorway driving to work. Nevertheless the ID3 looks great can’t wait for the sportier version. 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@volkswizard]

Me too, the WLTP range is combined so hard to work out how much of that was motorway work, back in the day there was a 75 mph figure which was always loads worse than the 56 mph one so nothing has changed when it comes to efficiency even with electric power as drag is the enemy

[@jakehammond7972]

There will be a 77 kWh version, which for regular distance might be good.

[@Rosso101]

Great video! It’s always an event what you review a new VW! Keep them coming!

[@volkswizard]

Thanks man!

[@MrDogstarr]

Love it, it looks just like a normal car, I don't want a spaceship, can't wait for a ID3 GTi!

[@volkswizard]

🤘🏽

[@sparkford04]

Cheers Andrew , Great to hear thoughts on the Golf mk 8 comparison. Looks a similar size to my missus's Polo 2.0 GTi

[@johnbishop3581]

Another great review. I think the machanics are good but can't get used to the front shape too stunt for me.👍

[@robc5955]

Thanks for the review, I like it even though I’m not convinced electric moves us forward to reducing co2 emissions overall, the interior colour is awful but as you said that can be changed, it’s the cost that puts me off and I do wonder what happens to these when the battery starts degrading in years 7-10.

[@volkswizard]

I've seen the Harry Metcalfe video about the Co2 costs of electricity and it was eye opening but I didn't want to go there. I don't think many owners will be that bothered, they are more concerned about driving around at 1/3 cost of petrol (if charged at home)

[@leighalderton1851]

I haven't seen Harry's video yet, but most people compare CO2 from electricity generation to tailpipe emissions. They conveniently forget to mention the CO2 emissions caused by oil extraction, transportation, refining, and transportation of petrol/diesel to the fuel station. There is CO2 emissions from the production of all cars, but VW claim that the ID3 is carbon neutral during production, through renewable energy usage and carbon offsetting.

[@marksmith3469]

Are you tempted to lease one andrew woud be very cheap to run and use your clubsport at the weekend

[@volkswizard]

It's £500 per month PCP over 4 years and seems to drop £20k over that time (you pay £24k over the term plus £3.5k deposit) so that buys a lot of fuel. I reckon new GTE might be the one as I can do my commute on electricity (old GTE was about 10 miles too short) and I still have petrol just in case. And guess what, similar price to ID3!

[@legendpete8422]

The cost simply doesn’t make financial sense when you compare it to a Golf. Also when you sit in it, it doesn’t feel like a £35000 car. Too much cheap plastic.

[@Riceyminimad]

Yeah too cheap looking for me. I paid 32k for my golf gti and there's no comparison!

[@jh5kl]

i m just going to comment on one mentioned issue, people stop parroting 'cheap' plastic, plastic is not cheap just because its hard ffs, neither are people capable of judging its cost by the tip of the fingers

[@Riceyminimad]

@@jh5kl everyone's entitled to an opinion 🤷‍♂️

[@richardlees9080]

I wish they would stop using the piano black plastics on the exterior. It scratches way to easily.

[@eecommencal265]

Great review. Thank you.

[@cjchaworth]

Mine’s coming on Tuesday - first electric car - looking forward to it.

[@peterurquhart7191]

To me it’s a crazy price ! The Chinese will bring out something similar for about £40k !

[@kevdavies3445]

great review like it but infrastructure is a problem

[@nordfresse]

I think you should get a proper camera with a lens that doesnt distort the object as much. Kinda pointless talking about design while filming the car with a fisheye lens.

[@volkswizard]

The GoPro was in wide mode, I'll try and avoid that in the future

[@jrushen4235]

Great video. looks like an appliance. Not as cosy as the Golf. Big downside would be the huge torque to the rear wheels on snow covered roads. Thanks for uploading.

[@willpickman2763]

Looks cheap inside, i would want a lot more for £39,000, ill definatly be stickingc to fossil fuels

[@billx4266]

I would like to see you review a cupra born....

[@TheShepTV]

I could maybe warm to the exterior looks of the car. Maybe. But the inside is so cheap looking. Those seats look like something from an old peoples home. I cant be the only one that wants an electric car that looks identical to its ICE counterpart just with the drivetrain swapped out.

[@JimboJammy]

Looks a bit too 'Citroen' for my liking which is a horrible insult to the class and my love of VW. I love the idea of a decent electric car from VW, but I'd much rather any new or special tech this has was put into a new e-Golf. The Golf beats this thing hands down in the looks, interior quality and style department. Apart from the infotainment and the quite nice steering wheel, the interior reminds me of my mum's old Micra! Great review though and I did chuckle and think of Project R8 when you mentioned your sensible driving and speed limits :D

[@volkswizard]

Thanks again JBJ!

[@chrispenn715]

Why make it wider than a Golf? Manufacturers insist on making every new car bigger - its impossible for two cars to pass one another on many urban roads because they are so fat!

[@n057828]

They should of not used mk8 golf parts miss opportunity to deliver vws ID! Mk2 ID?

[@alanwishart9653]

Those mirrors look familiar from my old Golf R...

[@davidhall7744]

Seeing them side by side, the ID3 makes the Golf 8 look dated already (which it was already as VW had simply bolted on the front end of a Passat onto a 7.5 by the looks of it). What about the quality? From most reveiws ive seen on the mk8 and ID3 there appears to be a definite downturn by VW in that area.

[@ram64man]

The id3 is not the next step - until vw start to listen to the criticism and fix the id3 shortcomings, horrible Infotainment, it needs to be a physical push button not gestures, especially on the hazard and. Volume, this is where the e-golf got things right. But also fix the bugs you hit a bump and it freezes Offer full leather seats and alternative fabric colours if we’re paying for it why can’t we choose as it’s gray with on everything it sucks , not just the edge in one of the worst colour tan/red I’ve ever seen in a vw brand , give us the option of a painted roof not just black , window switches for all windows not that daft press two buttons to control one feature that should have been standard. Better paint colours where’s the dark red, where’s the British racing green, or the polo’s salmon , ditch the touch buttons on the wheel, an optional sunroof we can open , if skoda can offer one on the id4/enyaq

[@davidkaye8712]

The era of the iphone car, sad times.

[@davefitzpatrick4841]

Why is it sad, EVs are easier to drive ( especially sports wise, no waiting for the right revs or dropping it down a gear , the power in a EV is just constantly there ). Cheaper to run, cheaper to service, cheaper to tax (£0.00) although the later will change at some point ! Unless you've driven a EV for a while you really haven't got a clue what you are missing ! I'll never go back to ICE , once you drive a EV ICE cars just seem unnecessarily complicated and regressive !

[@gerbre1]

Did he say 'cumbustion engine cars are more efficient anyway'?

[@volkswizard]

Did I? If so depends on the context, more efficient at higher speeds maybe?

[@steve00alt70]

Cant wait till they come out

[@rxbstvr_cars1794]

Fabulous review as always!

[@volkswizard]

Thank you 🤗

[@Riceyminimad]

Not keen on the interior 🤢

[@volkswizard]

Darker colour might help, I didn't have an issue with material quality

[@XENONEZZ2]

Good review...but the car ...would much rather buy a Tesla 3 ....far more value for money..www.tesla.com/en_gb/model3/design#battery

[@volkswagonaudiuk]

£38,190 No thanks, it looks like a Electric Polo class car not good, Plus Digital Dash looks a bit Buck Rodgers and not like a hard wearing car Dash at all, Very cheap looking interior and seats are bland, Vw never used hard plastics in Dash in past because it says cheap...............

[@Tracertme]

Long live the EV RIP the Car...

[@benderdiver]

A grovaling rat review only looking at what he thinks is good I’m keeping my two golfs I had ego E golf for two days it was superb why but I couldn’t get a new one is the I’d made by citron

[@NoNamePDG]

various shades of gray... so you are telling me 50 shades of grey in a VW. sign me up

[@chris-vn6sw]

He sounds like Chris Eubank ! Milking the video, got bored after a minute and that’s being generous..

[@mconnah1]

Please read the manual before doing a review, otherwise I’d like the blind leading the blind...

[@reds005]

The Speedo and gear selector remind me of those little blue, disabled vehicles that you don’t see anymore. Trying too hard.

[@patrickbateman6885]

Just looks like a bigger Golf with a low quality interior at a high price all it has is better performance big deal I’m not gonna go pay however much more it is than a golf for performance

[@jwester7009]

Never changing my Golf for something as ugly as this. Everything is wrong with the design. The front looks like a blown up VW Up (a car that looks like trolley). Also it has a reference to a Fiat Multipla if you look at transition from the bonnet to the windscreen. From the side it looks like it is suppose to represent a very fat person (a little bit like Eric Cartman from South Park). In the back it looks like you are standing outside looking into a cave the way the roofline is designed. And the colour scheme is all wrong with nothing matching. It's illegal to use a phone while driving. Yet the instrumentation inside the car is designed like a smart phone. This is also why I'll never buy the Golf 8. In my view the ID.3 is the ugliest car on the market in 2020

[@barryb1490]

J Wester I agree around the touch screens, going in to menus to adjust air con etc must be a significant distraction.

[@alexclifford8961]

Video is 20 minutes too long and you need to work on your production. Sound is terrible.

[@simonthompson9380]

Great honest review Andrew. A lot about the car makes sense. It does seem to require a rethink about how you use and importantly recharge. That will come I am sure with time. I do like the outside design, the inside less so. A bit like my thoughts on the golf 8. would like to see the interior in a darker finish. The main issue for most I am sure will be price. Thanks.

[@randomsurfer3963]

Nice review, personally I prefer the look of the Golf, if there was an equivalent new E-Golf 8 I'd go for it, but I can't seem to like this visually. On a different note, I've watched plenty of videos of electric cars and it's becoming clear that they allow for much safer overtaking with that instant response, assuming that doesn't imply one takes more risks overtaking of course.

[@ianchambers2731]

I’m coming to the conclusion my next car will be electric, although I’ll make my current petrol car stretch a few years yet! Waiting for the Cupra El-Born. That’ll be the one

[@allosaurusfragilis7782]

Im moving that way as well. A mii electric or similar, for all those short trips. But like you im still hanging on to my v6 as well.

[@doalwa]

I could really see myself driving this car in a few years time. I think VW knocked it out of the park, I just wish battery technology comes down in price in the coming years...I hope economies of scale also applies here.

[@sh5581]

Reminds me a little of the Citroen C3 Picasso, particularly the side profile.

[@Roscoep3]

Exactly what I was thinking before seeing your comment! The colour and graphics don't help.

[@pdabin]

Awesome. Great review. Thanks for the b road excitement test.

[@Hiltsuk1]

Great review I’ve drove some electric cars absolutely love them

[@volkswizard]

Same here Jason!

[@SentientIronHeart]

Volswagen needs to do something about these interiors, it look worse by every new car they make.

[@Tom_banx]

Great video Andrew. I’m hoping to get my hands on one soon for my own verdict but this is very detailed and honest so it won’t be far away. I think for now the 1.5 e-TSI Golf is the perfect middle ground for the buyers in this position but it’ll only ever swing towards the ID3. People moan about ‘interior quality’ - firstly: I define ‘quality’ as fit and finish and robustness of components which is entirely different to material quality. I’d imagine build is to the same high VW standards but yes, the material quality is cheap for £39k. But this isn’t a conventional car, people must remember the wealth of (new) engineering sitting underneath them where scale has not yet been achieved. I imagine it will get better over time. PS... the new Ray Bans work 😎

[@JamesSmith-uv9og]

I think VW will sell a lot of these

[@volkswizard]

Let's see! The fact dealers have cars in stock you can buy today doesn't bode well but I think it will take time for people to appreciate or even know it exists.

[@andylees136]

Hell of a lot of cash. Until electric car prices drop significantly then people really ain't going switch over from petrol/diesel.

[@helenchapman9140]

The Golf Mk8 is longer than the id3.

[@malcolmhedges7346]

Without wanting to appear critical of the reviewer I would urge anyone who is interested in buying this or any other EV to look at the specialist reviews on KZbin (although having the context here of an ICE is interesting). The ID. 3 is one of the most efficient EV's on sale at the moment but there are nuances that will affect your experience with the car. The series models will be cheaper and come with less standard kit. If you intend to undertake longer journeys then 100kw charging is helpful (research the charging curves of various EV's), for me essential). A heat pump will extend your range in the winter but I do not believe they will be standard on series cars. The 77kw car is able to charge at 125kw but again the charge curve here is important (think of it as miles added per minute). The gauge estimating range is called a guess o meter for good reason and predicts based on previous journeys and driving style. So if you have been on short journeys around town (where EV's are very efficient) in the week and plan on a longer journey on the motorway (where EV's are less efficient) you will not achieve the displayed range. Range is also impacted by temperature, anything south of double figures will impact it (hence the heat pump. Charging stations come in different speeds. No good going to Tesco for a 7kw charge on a journey, you want a 100kw charger. VW's build out with Ionity is very slow in the UK (loads in Germany funny enough) and very expensive outside of first edition where charging is bundled into the upfront cost. Finding a charger with the hugely buggy software is nowhere near as easy as it is with other EV's (well, Tesla). In 3 years of BMW i3 driving I have found the charging network to be fine, but I do a lot of planning. Many people may not want to. Instavolt is your friend (although I have not corrobarated if VW have tested the ID. 3 on this network, oh yes your car may plug in and not work). I also drive a Tesla model 3 and the charging experience is seamless and the benchmark for other manufacturers. I could go on, you get the drift. Great car but early purchasers are beta testers (or as VW call them, first movers, at least they gave 3 months rent for free). Give them a bit to sort it out and Ionity to build up from their current 11 chargers in the UK and all will be well. We would never go back to ICE.

[@gerrycollins2335]

If your lifestyle permits a fully electric car, it's well designed and fairly practicable. But replacing all buttons with a touch screen is a fad which will rapidly be phased out once drivers realise how annoying it is.

[@Danrobertson89]

The Tesla battery estimation is a lot more intelligent, when you programme in a destination it takes in to account elevation changes, regen and speed limits, so the estimated battery consumption is always within a few %.

[@ClarionCaww]

Lovely review thanks!

[@volkswizard]

Glad it was helpful!

[@stevehulbert]

Nice to see your thoughts on this, now having 2 versions now, I'm blown away with the 2 versions I have access to, I detected from your smile that you also enjoyed the drive lol😂

[@ronpower7790]

The pseudo futuristic minivan look outside and inside would turn me off. The Skoda Eniaq is a bit more classic in that regard...while I would not give up on an regular instrument layout.

[@johnw65uk]

Not sure you can review a car that’s been lent for 24hrs. Need weeks of use and there are some inaccuracies in this because of that.

[@CaroAbebe]

Thanks for this review, a non-EV driver’s take on the ID.3 is very interesting. Range anxiety does get better, that much I do know. I own a diesel, but I’ve been driving electric on and off for two years now, and I still remember freaking out when my first rented EV told me I had 40 miles of range left when I needed to do 25 uphill in coldish weather 🤦🏾‍♀️ Luckily, someone had told me to use eco mode and let the car decide which speed would be best. I did, and was astonished that the car did nearly 60m/h most of the way, and still I arrived without problems. Range anxiety did get better after that, but I think I’d have to own an EV to get a real feel for what my car can do rangewise.

[@volkswizard]

Great feedback, thanks Caro👍

[@jayburrell]

Great test as always certainly something to think about 👍

[@MostEasterlySteve]

Really interesting video, many thanks! What's the noise level like at speed? Running refinement is important to me (wind/road noise is always more intrusive than engine noise), so how well insulated is the ID3 in your opinion?

[@volkswizard]

It’s quiet, bit of wind noise flutter from mirrors. Similar to Golf 7. I did comment on that in original takes but had to slash bits out in the edit

[@graham.w89]

What's the thud sound like something is falling over when you are driving it enthusiastically ?

[@volkswizard]

Camera equipment in the HUGE centre console storage bins. Thanks for watching to the end 🙌🏻

[@chtoffy]

Nice review ! It still sucks when you live in the city and leave your car outside for the night. It's kind of difficult to throw a 50m electric cable across the street.

[@volkswizard]

Thanks! In London charging points are quite common by the roadside now so there is a way but it will take time to get everywhere

[@chtoffy]

@@volkswizard Not quite there on the Continent ;-)

[@fabiod9972]

Fantastic video! Will you try the Golf Gte Mk8 in the future?

[@-Dash-]

I`m not buying into the whole EV thing. I think its a bad idea in the long run. When you consider the environmental damage to build them and the electricity to run them has to be produced. Batteries will fail, motors will wear, the cars could become almost worthless very easily relatively quickly (10 years?) I dont believe they are easily recycled either. Time will tell, but I am not going to be investing.

[@mxachary]

MeesterDash recycling is critical, otherwise you simply trade atmospheric emissions for solid waste on land. But check out the side by side comparison and EVs are definitely less polluting overall

[@itstheterranaut]

I'm not buying into the whole ICE thing. I think its a bad idea in the long run. When you consider the environmental damage to build them and the fossil fuels to run them has to be produced. Engines will fail, tyres will wear, the cars could become almost worthless very easily relatively quickly (10 years?) I dont believe they are easily recycled either. Time will tell, but I am not going to be investing.

[@CaroAbebe]

MeesterDash, whereas extracting the oil, transporting, refining and burning it, not to mention the wee accidents that have happened over the years, is environmentally friendly and sustainable, you mean?

[@murrynathan]

I’m disappointed he didn’t let us hear the ID3’s exhaust notes.

[@acelectricalsecurity]

There's a guy on you tube who has the etron, what a load of rubbish that is, fault after fault. And no one can fix the thing, Audi don't even reply to his emails any more, I wonder if this is any better.

[@volkswizard]

I saw that and I don't really trust his opinion too much as he didn't know the car has a normal 12v battery like an ICE car to run the normal electrics which is different to the battery used to drive the car. He wondered how he could have a flat battery when it had been on charge - answer - it's a different battery!

[@relaycampervan]

I'd like the R version when it arrives.

[@andrewmcivor42]

That would be worth a review, for sure😂

[@volkswizard]

Only problem with sporty ones is that they will be less efficient which means less range, hopefully bigger battery will mitigate that

[@jakehammond7972]

I know VW are working to make an id3 r using tech from idr racer

[@pokest225]

Cupra El Born.

[@andrewmcivor42]

@@pokest225 Cupra Elborn looks interesting