SPOT.
Photo of a Volkswagen ID.3

Volkswagen ID.3

Beetle. Golf. ID.3: a third chapter, now with electric power driving the rear wheels.12

Researched October 30, 2026 from 36 sources

Also called

  • Elektro-GolfADAC's label for the ID.3 in its long-term test.3

At a glance

0200400
143–322 hpPower
0510
5.6–9.6 s0–100 km/h
0100200
160–200 km/hTop speed
0300600
275–545 N·mTorque
01,0002,000
1,730–2,000 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.23101213141516

Engine
Permanent-magnet electric motor; APP350 in Neo, APP550 in GTX211
Layout
Rear motor, rear-wheel drive; MEB, then MEB+ for Neo211
Gearbox
Single-speed direct drive13
Built at
Zwickau-Mosel & Dresden Transparent Factory, Germany; SAIC-VW Anting, China2

The story

Created to make EVs accessible, the ID.3 debuted Volkswagen's EV-only MEB platform. ID signifies intelligent design, identity and visionary technologies; 3 denotes the compact class and a new chapter after Beetle and Golf.14

2016: I.D. concept debuts in Paris20162019: MEB's first passenger car20192020: 30,000-car 1st Edition launches20202023: Facelift fast-tracked for cabin quality20232024: Pro S adds power on demand20242025: Pro: full side-impact points · 1,990 GTX FIRE+ICE editions announced20252026: ID.3 becomes ID.3 Neo · GTI targets a spring 2027 launch2026 Volkswagen e-Golf (Mk7, Europe) (Mk7): 2014–2020Mk7Volkswagen I.D. concept: 2016Volkswagen ID.3 (E11 / E12): 2019–presentE11 / E12 2014201620182020202220242026
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones2524
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
2014–2020Volkswagen e-Golf (Mk7, Europe) (Mk7)
2016Volkswagen I.D. concept
2019–presentVolkswagen ID.3 (E11 / E12)
2016I.D. concept debuts in Paris
2019MEB's first passenger car
202030,000-car 1st Edition launches
2023Facelift fast-tracked for cabin quality
2024Pro S adds power on demand
2025Pro: full side-impact points
20251,990 GTX FIRE+ICE editions announced
2026ID.3 becomes ID.3 Neo
2026GTI targets a spring 2027 launch
  1. 2016

    I.D. concept debuts in Paris

    The Paris I.D. concept previewed the ID.3; its steering wheel could retract into the dash for automated driving.25

  2. 2019

    MEB's first passenger car

    Unveiled at Frankfurt on September 9, the ID.3 became Volkswagen Group's first passenger car on the EV-only MEB platform.24

  3. 2020

    30,000-car 1st Edition launches

    September deliveries opened with the 1st Mover Club; App Connect and a head-up-display distance feature still awaited activation.26

  4. 2023

    Facelift fast-tracked for cabin quality

    A March facelift softened the cabin after complaints about ergonomics, tech and perceived quality forced Volkswagen to bring updates forward.27

  5. 2024

    Pro S adds power on demand

    The Pro S gained up to 228 hp, battery preconditioning and 175 kW DC charging; some markets could unlock extra power after purchase.8

  6. 2025

    Pro: full side-impact points

    Euro NCAP's Pro reassessment found marginal driver chest protection and fatigue monitoring that missed distraction, despite full side-impact points.29

  7. 2025

    1,990 GTX FIRE+ICE editions announced

    BOGNER helped turn the GTX FIRE+ICE show car into a planned 1,990-car series, saluting the Golf II Fire and Ice and its 1990 debut.10

  8. 2026

    ID.3 becomes ID.3 Neo

    Neo brought a new nose, physical steering wheel controls and APP350 drive; optional Connected Travel Assist could stop it at red lights.211

  9. 2026

    GTI targets a spring 2027 launch

    The announced GTI promises 322 hp, 545 Nm and 0–100 km/h in 5.6 seconds with Launch Control; WLTP range is forecast at up to 601 km.12

Every generation

  • Volkswagen e-Golf (Mk7, Europe)
    Mk72014–2020
  • Volkswagen I.D. concept
    Volkswagen I.D. concept2016
  • Volkswagen ID.3
    E11 / E122019–present

Power over the years

From 148 hp to 322 hp in 4 years.

0100200300400 20202022202420262028 hp 2021 · 148 hp · Pure Performance: 45 kWh, 348 km WLTP2024 · 228 hp · Pro S, 77 kWh (power on demand)2025 · 322 hp · GTX FIRE+ICE, more powerful option2026 · 168 hp · Neo, 50 kWh2026 · 188 hp · Neo, 58 kWh2026 · 228 hp · Neo 79 kWh, 630 km WLTP forecast2027 · 322 hp · GTI (announced for spring 2027) 322 hp GTX FIRE+ICE, more powerful option 148 hp Pure Performance: 45 kWh, 348 km…
28101112
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
2021148Pure Performance: 45 kWh, 348 km WLTP
2024228Pro S, 77 kWh (power on demand)
2025322GTX FIRE+ICE, more powerful option
2026168Neo, 50 kWh
2026188Neo, 58 kWh
2026228Neo 79 kWh, 630 km WLTP forecast
2027322GTI (announced for spring 2027)

Versions

11 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • Standard

    Pure Performance (Basis, City, Style)

    2021

    148 hp

  • Standard

    Pro (Life Pro)

    2021

    143 hp

  • Standard

    Pro Performance (Life, Style, Business, Family, Tech, Max)

    2020

    201 hp

  • Standard

    Pure Essential

    2025

  • Pro S / Tour

    Standard

    Pro S / Tour

  • ID.3 Neo (Trend, Life, Style)

    Standard

    ID.3 Neo (Trend, Life, Style)

    2026

  • Performance

    GTX Performance

    2024

    318 hp

  • Performance

    ID.3 GTI (announced)

    2027 (announced)

    322 hp
  • 1st / 1st Plus / 1st Max

    Limited

    1st / 1st Plus / 1st Max

    2020

    201 hp
  • GTX FIRE+ICE

    Limited

    GTX FIRE+ICE

    2025

  • Special

    ID.X experimental concept

    2021

    328 hp

How to spot one

Look for

  • Tall, narrow proportions, a short hood and stubby overhangs.19
  • The original nose has small cooling openings.22
  • Early cars have a broad black hood panel just below the windshield.7
  • Original cars have a two-tone rear.23
  • Upgraded early LED headlights bring a light bar across the nose.23

Year by year

  1. 2023: exterior

    The hood loses its black panel below the windshield; the revised front bumper has larger air intakes.27

  2. 2023: interior

    A softer dashboard and fabric door trim replace earlier hard surfaces.27

  3. 2024: cockpit

    A 12.9-inch screen and illuminated temperature/volume sliders arrive; the drive selector moves to a separate steering-column stalk.8

  4. 2026: Neo exterior

    A new nose gains a light bar; the black contrast roof and rear-pillar graphic disappear.2

  5. 2026: Neo interior

    Physical steering-wheel controls, four window switches and a 10.3-inch instrument display mark the new cabin.2

Don’t confuse it with

  • Photo of a Volkswagen ID.3
    ID.3
    Photo of a Cupra Born
    Cupra Born

    Cupra Born

    The Born uses more aggressive styling, copper exterior accents and CUPRA/SEAT-style headlights; its infotainment display is larger.23

Against its rivals

  • ID.3 vs MG4 Trophy Long Range

    Test range

    ID.3472 km
    MG4 Trophy Long Range377 km
    7
  • MG4 XPower

    ID.3 vs MG4 XPower

    0–100 km/h lower is better

    ID.35.7 s
    MG4 XPower3.9 s
    16
  • Tesla Model 3 Long Range RWD

    ID.3 vs Tesla Model 3 Long Range RWD

    Claimed range

    ID.3594 km
    Tesla Model 3 Long Range RWD702 km
    16

Prices

Value today $19.5K–$28.4K15

Price when newAuction saleValue today
$0$20K$40K$60K$80K 20202022202420262028 Value today: $19,500–$28,400 2021 · $42,250 · Germany base, Pro Performance2021 · $48,600 · Germany base, Pro S2021 · $39,624 · Austria Pure Basis list; €1≈$1.202023 · $53,588 · UK Pro S base; £1≈$1.252023 · $64,019 · UK Pro S as tested; £1≈$1.252025 · $38,575 · UK Pure Essential list; £1≈$1.252025 · $61,622 · Germany GTX FIRE+ICE; €1≈$1.10 2021 · $42,250 · Germany Pro Performance base, 2021 model year 2025 · $16,280 · 2020 1st Plus, 29704 km, VPauto, Rouen2026 · $13,200 · 2020 Pro Perf Life, 104,938 km; +€285; €1≈$1.10, VPauto2026 · $27,390 · 2025 Pure Life Max, 10,922 km; +fees; €1≈$1.10, VPauto Lyon2026 · $16,720 · 2021 Pro, 126,103 km; +fees; €1≈$1.10, VPauto Lorient $27.4K VPauto Lyon, 2026
71013171931323336
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
2021Launch price$42,250Germany Pro Performance base, 2021 model year
2021Price when new$42,250Germany base, Pro Performance
2021Price when new$48,600Germany base, Pro S
2021Price when new$39,624Austria Pure Basis list; €1≈$1.20
2023Price when new$53,588UK Pro S base; £1≈$1.25
2023Price when new$64,019UK Pro S as tested; £1≈$1.25
2025Price when new$38,575UK Pure Essential list; £1≈$1.25
2025Price when new$61,622Germany GTX FIRE+ICE; €1≈$1.10
2025Auction sale$16,2802020 1st Plus, 29704 km, VPauto, Rouen
2026Auction sale$13,2002020 Pro Perf Life, 104,938 km; +€285; €1≈$1.10, VPauto
2026Auction sale$27,3902025 Pure Life Max, 10,922 km; +fees; €1≈$1.10, VPauto Lyon
2026Auction sale$16,7202021 Pro, 126,103 km; +fees; €1≈$1.10, VPauto Lorient
2026Value today$19,500–$28,400

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 11 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 14 stories from its legend
    • “531 km at an average of 56 km/h”
    • “Three ID.3 racers, 550 hp each”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 3 generations

  • Market

    • 6 things to check before buying one
Read the full file in SPOT

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 36 sources
  1. First member of the ID. family is called ID.3 | Volkswagen Newsroom volkswagen-newsroom.com
  2. Volkswagen ID.3 - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  3. VW ID.3 nach 220.000 Kilometern im Dauertest: Batterie, Defekte, Ärger? adac.de
  4. Phasing out the e-Golf: Volkswagen prepares to launch the ID.3 at the Transparent Factory in Dresden | Volkswagen Newsroom volkswagen-newsroom.com
  5. ID. – the world premiere | Volkswagen Newsroom volkswagen-newsroom.com
  6. ID.3 1st deliveries begin in early September | Volkswagen Newsroom volkswagen-newsroom.com
  7. Volkswagen ID.3 vs MG4: 2023 twin test review | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  8. Major upgrade for the ID.3: pre-sales launch with Pro S model | Volkswagen Newsroom volkswagen-newsroom.com
  9. Euro NCAP | Volkswagen ID.3 euroncap.com
  10. Powerful, iconic and individual: ID.3 GTX FIRE+ICE show car enters series production | Volkswagen Newsroom volkswagen-newsroom.com
  11. The new ID.3 Neo - World Premiere | Volkswagen Newsroom volkswagen-newsroom.com
  12. The new ID.3 GTI - Media Workshop | Volkswagen Newsroom volkswagen-newsroom.com
  13. 2021 Volkswagen ID.3 Headlines VW's Electrified Future caranddriver.com
  14. Used Volkswagen ID.3 (Mk1, 2020-date) review | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  15. Der VW ID.3 ist ein solider Gebrauchtkauf – unsere Tipps autozeitung.de
  16. Volkswagen ID.3 GTX Performance 2025 review – an electric Golf GTI? | evo evo.co.uk
  17. Einstiegsmodell ID.3 Pure ab sofort bestellbar - Porsche Holding newsroom porscheholding-newsroom.at
  18. VW ID.3 Konfigurator: Mit Umweltprämie zum Anklicken auf 51.306 Euro auto-motor-und-sport.de
  19. ​Volkswagen ID.3 2025 review – Wolfsburg's everyday EV gets competitive | evo evo.co.uk
  20. The equipment versions | Volkswagen Newsroom volkswagen-newsroom.com
  21. VW's New ID.X High Performance Concept Drops ID.4 GTX's Hot Parts Into The ID.3 | Carscoops carscoops.com
  22. VOLKSWAGEN ID.3, ELECTRIC TURNING | CHAPTER 2 - Auto&Design autodesignmagazine.com
  23. CUPRA Born vs. Volkswagen ID.3: which is better? - cinch cinch.co.uk
  24. Volkswagen Golf Mk7 - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  25. Volkswagen ID.3 - the interior story | Interior Motives | Car Design News cardesignnews.com
  26. Volkswagen ID.3 för STCC 2024 avslöjad på Elmia-mässan — STCC stcc.se
  27. Belgian VW Club belgianvwclub.be
  28. Rekkevidderekord for ID.3 – 531 km uten ladestopp | Volkswagen kommunikasjon.ntb.no
  29. Volkswagen en Walt Disney Animation Studios bundelen krachten voor nieuwe Disney-film Zootopia 2 nieuws.volkswagen.nl
  30. Volkswagen Teases Return of Colorful Harlequin Models motortrend.com
  31. VOLKSWAGEN ID.3 204 ch Pro Performance Life Dark grey metallic | VPauto.fr vpauto.eu
  32. VOLKSWAGEN ID.3 170 ch Pure Life Max…, adjugé 24 900 € adjuge.io
  33. VOLKSWAGEN ID.3 145 ch Pro / N°:MV2603907…, adjugé 15 200 € adjuge.io
  34. VOLKSWAGEN ID.3 204 ch Pro Life Max Noir | VPauto.fr vpauto.fr
  35. VOLKSWAGEN ID.3 170 ch Pure Life Max Noir | VPauto.fr vpauto.fr
  36. VOLKSWAGEN ID.3 204 ch 1st Plus Gris médium / Toit noir | VPauto.fr vpauto.fr
  • volkswagen-newsroom.com
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • adac.de
  • autoexpress.co.uk
  • euroncap.com
  • caranddriver.com
  • autozeitung.de
  • evo.co.uk
  • porscheholding-newsroom.at
  • auto-motor-und-sport.de
  • carscoops.com
  • autodesignmagazine.com
  • cinch.co.uk
  • cardesignnews.com

Photo credits

Other car files