I.D. Concept The ID.3 was previewed as a
concept car called the
Volkswagen I.D., first shown at the
2016 Paris Motor Show. It was the first concept model of the new all-electric I.D. sub-brand. According to Volkswagen, the I.D. featured innovations such as virtual wing mirrors (using video cameras), "chocolate bar" battery design, and retractable
LiDAR sensors used for autonomous driving, not all of which made it to the production version. File:Volkswagen I.D. Concept, IAA 2017, Frankfurt (1Y7A2077).jpg|Volkswagen I.D. Concept at
IAA 2017 File:Geneva International Motor Show 2018, Le Grand-Saconnex (1X7A1688).jpg|Volkswagen I.D. Concept at
Geneva Motor Show 2018
Production model In May 2019, Volkswagen confirmed the production model based on this prototype was named Volkswagen ID.3, instead of the rumoured
I.D. Neo name, and officially presented at the
International Motor Show Germany in September 2019. The ID.3 is one of five new Volkswagen models based on the
MEB platform. Smaller cars bearing the ID.1 and ID.2 names are expected, and bigger models will range from ID.4 to ID.9. Volkswagen has also applied for trademark protection of an additional "X", supposedly for a
SUV. Reservations for the launch model of the ID.3 started on the 8 May 2019, which were set to be delivered in midyear 2020, It received 10,000 buyer reservations within 24 hours after pre-orders opened and 30,000 before the unveiling at IAA 2019. Retail deliveries began in Germany in September 2020. The cars are assembled at Volkswagen's
Zwickau factory, where the company expects the full plant capacity (330,000 cars per year) to produce electric cars based on the MEB platform for the Volkswagen Group from 2021 onwards. In 2021, an additional ID.3 production line was started at the
Transparent Factory in Dresden. In 2021, Volkswagen stated they were considering a
convertible version, releasing 2 design illustrations. File:2020 Volkswagen ID.3 1st Rear.jpg|Volkswagen ID.3 1st (rear view) File:VW ID.3 IAA 2019 JM 0695.jpg|Interior File:ID.3 Produktion Dresden.jpg|
Transparent Factory production line, Dresden
2023 facelift In March 2023, Volkswagen released the refreshed version of the ID.3. The facelift features a slightly redesigned front bumper and air intakes, as well as improved interior material quality. The ID.3 will be launched in
Australasia alongside the
ID.4,
ID.5 and
ID. Buzz in mid-2024. File:Volkswagen ID.3 (2023) IMG 7973.jpg|2023 Volkswagen ID.3 File:Volkswagen ID.3 (2023) Automesse Ludwigsburg 2023 1X7A0002.jpg|Rear view File:Volkswagen ID.3 (2023) Automesse Ludwigsburg 2023 1X7A0096.jpg|Interior File:Volkswagen ID.3 GTX DSC 9291.jpg|Volkswagen ID.3 GTX File:Volkswagen ID.3 GTX Auto Zuerich 2024 DSC 6892.jpg|Rear view File:Volkswagen ID.3 GTX Fire+Ice IAA 2025 DSC 2027.jpg|Volkswagen ID.3 GTX Fire+Ice File:Volkswagen, IAA 2025, Munich (20250909-P1050398).jpg|Rear view
2026 facelift (ID.3 Neo) In April 2026, Volkswagen presented a substantially revised version of the ID.3 under the new name
ID.3 Neo. The update includes a revised exterior design, a newly developed interior, an updated electric drive system, and an expanded range of driver assistance and infotainment technologies.
Specifications At launch, the European-market ID.3 was available with a choice of two models: "ID.3 Pro Performance" and "ID.3 Pro S". Both the Pro Performance and the Pro S shared the same
APP 310 traction motor, which has an output of and . The difference was in the storage capacity of the battery; the Pro Performance battery had a usable capacity of 58 kWh, while the Pro S battery was 77 kWh. A third model (tentatively named "ID.3 Pro") was planned to follow, with an output of . which was equipped with a smaller battery of 45 kWh and slightly upgraded output of . Three different battery choices are offered with the ID.3. The modules in the Pro Performance and Pro S are each high and wide. For the Pro Performance, the length is , while the larger Pro S battery is long. The 58 kWh version supports 120 kW DC charging. The 77 kWh variants have four and five seat options; the others seat five. All but the 77 kWh variant will have an optional panoramic roof that can be combined with a bike rack on a support hook at the back. In 2024 an upgrade will increase the battery capacity for the Pro S to 79 kWh, have 5 seats and the optional panoramic roof and bike rack. The drag coefficient of the car is 0.267, frontal area is 2.36 square metres, and the minimum turning circle is .
Trims It was first available in three different launch trim levels, namely ID.3 1st, ID.3 1st Plus and ID.3 1st Max, all based on the Pro Performance model (58 kWh battery).
Software issues In early 2020 it was announced that delivery of the ID.3 was going to be delayed until at least September 2020 due to software errors that VW had yet to be able to resolve. Some stripped-down cars were delivered in September with cloud-connected ones being delivered at the end of 2020.
Safety Awards • In January 2021, the ID.3 Pro Performance Life was named Small Electric Car of the Year by
What Car? magazine.
What Car? awarded the ID.3 five stars out of five in its review of the car. == Sales ==