Volkswagen ID.3: New look and interior for 2023

For 2023, the Volkswagen ID.3 electric car receives aesthetic updates, and especially a revamped interior with an improved infotainment system.

At launch, Volkswagen regarded this vehicle as the third most important milestone in its history after the Beetle and the Golf. But it must be admitted that sales are not keeping up. In France, the ID.3 has only registered 3,285 units over the 11 months of 2022, barely making it into the Top 15 of electric models. In Europe, even with Germany’s support, the compact isn’t even in the Top 10.

Because the Volkswagen ID.3 suffered from poor publicity at its debut, delivered with an incomplete multimedia system awaiting updates. Even today, the brand has admitted to failing on this point, via the new CEO Thomas Schäfer.

A Corrected Front End

First evolution, the exterior of the Volkswagen ID.3 features a more aggressive front bumper. With its side air intakes, aerodynamics are improved, enhancing range by 2% (approximately +8 to 11 km). The version with a 77 kWh battery would thus reach about 568 km of range. In the initial visuals, the rest of the bodywork doesn’t appear to change.

The restyling will primarily concern the interior, aiming for a more elegant appearance. Ventilators will be more discreet, soft surfaces should dress the dashboard, streamlined door panels, while the central foot space disappears for more legroom. Regarding multimedia, the Volkswagen ID.3 will remove the right dropout of the instrumentation and increase the size of its central touchscreen to 12 inches. It seems that the brand is somewhat Tesla-izing it.

The software will evolve, with system 3.0 bringing ergonomic and visual improvements. However, a complete hardware change is expected only in 2024, according to the CEO.

The Volkswagen ID.3 at unchanged prices?

The manufacturer states that the ID.3 is already available in pre-configured versions in Germany – not visible as of this Friday after consultation – at the same starting price of €43,995. This would indicate that the current entry-level price of €46,100 in France – in the 58 kWh version with Life trim – is unlikely to change.

However, bad news: production and deliveries will only begin in fall 2023. The good news is that all customers who have ordered their model will receive the new version, even if they opted for the current one.

Also read: Test Renault Megane E-Tech EV60: an impressive electric!