2023 Volkswagen ID.3: Prices, specs and release date

• Facelifted electric hatchback brings tweaked looks and a revised interior
• Exterior revisions are minor but include new headlights and rear lights, as well as new paint options
• Interior tweaks – including infotainment updates – are minor and no change to battery options
• On sale in late Spring 2023. UK prices and specs not yet confirmed

Volkswagen is refreshing its ID.3 electric hatchback, with revised looks and paint choices, and minor upgrades inside. It’s all relatively subtle, but the success of the ID.3 suggests that perhaps a dramatic overhaul isn’t needed. That said, changes to the previously disappointing infotainment system are minimal.

The VW ID.3 was first introduced in 2019 as the car to spearhead Volkswagen’s leap into the electric car market, and the first of its ID-badged electric cars that now include the larger ID.4 SUV and the ID.Buzz minivan. A rival for strong competition that includes the Peugeot e-208 and Hyundai Ioniq 5, the ID.3 needs to stay fresh to keep customers interested.

The new look is intended to be more ‘mature’, according to VW, with a focus on sharper style, upgraded eco-friendly materials and quality. The company wants the ID.3 to be seen as a premium option against its rivals.

2023 Volkswagen ID.3 prices and release date

UK specs and prices for the facelifted VW ID.3 haven’t been announced yet, but expect it to go on sale in late Spring or early Summer.

If the trim levels mirror the pre-facelift car, prices are likely to rise slightly to reflect the upgraded equipment and materials. Currently the entry-level Business model starts at £39,425, so an estimation of around £41,000 for the facelifted model seems reasonable. That would make it around £10,000 more than  the Peugeot e-208, but more affordable than the Hyundai Ioniq 5, which starts at £43,390.

2023 Volkswagen ID.3 styling, interior and technology

You’d be forgiven for thinking not much has changed with the styling of the new Volkswagen ID.3, but compare new and old side by side and you’ll spot a few differences. Most obvious are the headlights, which are powered by LEDs as standard and have animations that play when the car is unlocked. VW says it looks like the car is opening its eyes and waking up. If you have a car with the optional keyless access feature, the headlights swivel towards you as you approach the car.

IQ.LIGHT matrix headlights are an optional extra, which are made up of 18 LEDs that can individually turn on and off. This allows them to illuminate the road on full beam, while keeping oncoming traffic in shadow to avoid dazzling the drivers.

The front bumper has been redesigned, moving away from the slightly cutesy looks of the outgoing model. The new look is sharper and makes use of wider openings to cool down various components and improve air flow over the front wheels. The bonnet looks longer, because designers removed a black strip under the windscreen

There are also new paint options, including the Dark Olivine Green seen in these photos. That takes the total number of standard colours to 10, with 30 available as an option.

The VW ID.3’s infotainment system hasn’t been particularly praised by customers or reviewers, with complaints that it prioritises looks over usability. Perhaps surprisingly then, the changes for the facelifted model are relatively slight.

The digital instrument panel in front of the driver stays the same, measuring 5.3 inches across. While customers in Europe will get a 12-inch central screen as standard, the layout needs to be adjusted for right-hand-drive models. For now, then, UK customers will get a screen measuring 10 inches across. Next year, however, a new 12.9-inch screen will be introduced for all new Volkswagen ID.3s, including in the UK.

The VW ID.3’s system will have a new generation of software and be able to receive over-the-air software updates, and will support Android Auto and Apple CarPlay for smartphone integration. The menu system and layout has been changed in a bid to improve clarity.

The standard in-built navigation system has had some upgrades to improve route planning when scheduling in charging stops during longer journeys. VW says it will take into account charging speed at different chargers along the way, and will factor that into overall journey times. For example, it may suggest two stops at fast charger as a better option than a single stop at a slower charger.

An optional augmented reality head-up display will project driving information like speed and navigation directions onto the windscreen, appearing to the driver as if it were 10 metres ahead of the car.

Material quality inside the ID.3 has been a key focus for VW’s engineers, and upgrades include new foam-backed surfaces for a softer feel. A fabric called Artvelours Eco will be available on the door trims and seat covers, and contains 71% recycled plastic material. All interior equipment is vegan friendly with no animal products used.

2023 Volkswagen ID.3 engines, performance and fuel economy

The battery and electric motor options on the Volkswagen ID.3 remain unchanged in the facelifted model. That means a choice of two batteries with either 58kWh or 77kwH, giving a battery range of 265 miles and 339 miles, respectively. Volkswagen says that a smaller battery is planned for the future. Charging speeds are up to 120kW or 170kW, depending on which battery you go for.

A single 204PS electric motor powers the VW ID.3’s rear wheels, with torque of 310Nm.