VW ID3 Pro S long-term test | Looks divide but efficiency impresses

‘I really hate the look of that car’ was a surprise statement from a passerby while on a trip out the coast last week.  I’m not sure if he was taking directly to me or just announcing his feelings to the world but he was talking about the ID 3.

I thought it was a bit of a harsh statement, sure the wheels on our model definitely divide opinion and arguably its sister car the Cupra Born is better looking, but I don’t think there’s anything to hate about the ID 3’s looks. The shape is optimised for aerodynamics and the proportions are less conventional, with emphasis put on optimising passenger space.

Maybe he just didn’t like the colour. He was wearing a vest and walking a pit bull, so I didn’t ask. 

The ID 3 is Volkswagen’s third major chapter in its history, hence the name, the other two being the Beetle and Golf. It was Volkswagen’s first purpose-built electric vehicle, built on the modular electric drive (MEB) platform. Now that platform underpins the ID 4, ID 5 and ID 7, as well as the ID Buzz van, plus a range of models from other VW Group brands. Volkswagen is aiming to sell 20 million vehicles built on this platform by 2029. 

The ID 3 is also rear engine and rear-wheel drive, like the original Beetle, with the motor and gearbox located on the rear axle. That together with the Pro-S’s larger battery means the car weighs in at a hefty 1,935 kg, the Pro model being 1,815 kg. For comparison a diesel Volkswagen Golf weighs 1,500kg. 

The car generally caries its weight well, it has light steering and a tight turning circle which helps in town and has more than enough power for a car of this type. However on a twisty or bumpy road is where you feel the weight. Too much acceleration from a junction or lifting off the accelerator mid corner will make you aware of the car hefty rear end. Our car is equipped with Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) - or adaptive dampers - so driving it in Sport mode firms up the suspension, which improves things a little. 

During the trip the ID 3 was returning a consistent 4.0mi/kWh which means a useable 300-mile range can be expected without any drama.

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Benefits of augmented reality

It’s not often you hear the phrase 'augmented reality' anymore. However, a quick online search reveals there are still plenty of companies offering the service. Rewind several years and it was the buzz word on Fleet News as we added app controlled, digitally interactive content into our magazines. 

Augmented reality is an interactive experience that combines the real world and computer-generated 3D content. It might sound a bit sci-fi, but it is integrated into the head-up display on our ID3 as part of the optional £770 Interior Package. It’s the first time I’ve seen or used it in a vehicle. 

In the ID3, augmented-reality (AR) is a head-up display which projects information about speed and other vehicle functions, as well as navigation instructions onto the windscreen. For the driver, these instructions appear as though they are several metres in front of the vehicle – but are clearly recognisable and easy to differentiate from other road markings and signs. It’s controlled by a processing unit called the AR creator which uses data from the front camera, radar sensor and navigation map to position information correctly, meaning it can appear and disappear on the screen at the correct time and appears to move with the vehicle. 

In addition, the system also shows information such as the distance to your destination and also the battery’s charge level. 

For the most part it doesn’t seem any different to any other head up display, however, it’s most noticeable when using the navigation system. The AR technology projects large blue virtual direction arrows on the road surface in front of you. These arrows are integrated into the ‘real life’ environment and are displayed where you would drive or need to turn. The purpose of course is to help the driver keep their eyes on the road.  

In addition to the direction arrows the ID3s navigation system is also connected to the ID light, a light bar which sits at the base of the windscreen across the top of the dashboard which shows an animated blue line for left or right turns. The ID light has the functions too like a pulsing green light for incoming calls and a red flashing light if an emergency stop is needed. 

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VW ID3 Pro S joins our fleet

The ID3 was the first electric vehicle based on Volkswagen’s MEB platform in 2019 and has now been refreshed. Volkswagen says that numerous suggestions from customers were taken on board and implemented as improvements when designing and updating to this second generation ID3. 

The second-generation car gets a sharper exterior design, higher-quality, animal-free and sustainable interior materials, Volkswagen's latest-generation assist systems including the intelligent Electric Vehicle Route Planner to make the charging experience more straightforward and the latest software which is able to receive over-the-air updates.  

The range of colours has also been extended and now includes Dark Olivine Green which is the colour of choice for our long-term test car. 

It is powered by the same rear mounted electric motor from the first generation of the ID3, which produces 204PS of power and torque of 310Nm. Two battery sizes are available: 58kWh (Pro) and 77kWh (Pro S). The larger battery gives the ID3 Pro S a range of up to 339 miles (WLTP) and in the ID3 Pro, the 58kWh battery offers a range of up to 265 miles. 

The Fleet News Electric Car and Van Tool estimates a real-world range for our ID3 of around 260 miles. We'll be looking forward to seeing how it performs.

With a charging capability of up to 170kW our Pro S test car can be charged from five to 80% within 30 minutes. 

Pricing for the ID3 Pro S starts at £43,185. Our car is equiped with a number of options, boosting the price to £49,590. Chief among these are the £2,095 Driver Assistance Pack Plus, which includes blind spot monitor, 360-degree camera and keyless entry, and the £1,750 Exterior Pack. The latter includes Matrix LED headlights, an illuminated front grille and tinted rear windows.

Volkswagen refers to the ID3 as compact car however it measures 4.26 metres long, 1.81 metres wide and 1.56 metres high, which is on par with the Golf. The ID3 Pro S is only a four-seater, due its larger battery, which may put off some drivers. A small cubby area sits where the middle rear seat would have been, but it does at least offer increased space for the two rear passengers.  

Thanks to its ‘wheel at each corner’ design the cabin is very roomy with plenty of arm, leg and head room for all. The boot has a capacity of 385 litres; this increases up to 1,267 litres with folded-down rear seat backrests and has handy under boot storage for the charge cable. 

So far, the ID3 has been a pleasure to live with, I’ll cover more in detail over the coming months with the car.