Battery size: 50 - 58 - 79kWh
Max charge rate: 105 - 183 kW
Range: 259 - 307 - 391 miles (WLTP)
Introduction - new VW ID.3 Neo
Volkswagen's electric family hatch has had a refresh, and a new name. The new VW ID.3 Neo is a facelift of the existing ID.3, but you'd be forgiven for not noticing the difference. It definitely still looks like the familiar ID.3, only a bit... fresher. It actually gets a whole new front end that I think makes it look a bit more traditional VW, rather than the sci-fi, aerodynamic guinea pig that we've all gotten used to with the outgoing ID.3.
Slimmer headlights, a full-width light bar and of course that glowing VW badge are all still present, but you don't get the contrasting black panels and roof that were quite distinctive before. It's all body coloured and a bit less extrovert but still clean and modern.
It'll be interesting to see how this fares alongside the electric VW Golf that we're expecting in 2028 - which I imagine will be called the VW ID.Golf! Maybe that will replace this ID.3 Neo, or maybe they'll run alongside each other. We won't know for a while, but in the meantime this new VW ID.3 has gained some important tech upgrades including longer range and more user-friendly interior. Batch has also driven it in the UK – watch his video above or on our YouTube channel.
Range, battery and charging
The VW ID.3 Neo gets an updated version of the three-battery lineup that it had previously. You'll be able to choose between 50, 58 and 79kWh NMC batteries, which deliver WLTP range of 259, 307 and 391 miles of range. That's impressive, isn't it?! Remember when anything close to 300 miles of range felt like a huge achievement in a family EV, and now it's pretty routine to have a range of close to 400 miles?! That's progress, if you ask me.
It's also very competitive with rivals like the Nissan Lead, Kia EV4, Skoda Elroq and more, and actually makes the ID.3 one of the longest-range family EVs you can buy.
Rapid charging speeds are up to 105kW on those two smaller batteries, while the 79kWh VW ID.3 Neo gets charging speed up to 183kW. Good for a 10-80% charge in under 30 minutes on every ID.3 model, or to put it another way you can expect an additional 100 miles of range in around 30 minutes in the 50 and 58kWh ID.3 Neo models, while the 79kWh car will manage the same top-up in more like 15 minutes.
You also now get the option of vehicle-to-load (V2L) charging on the ID.3, so that you can charge your electrical devices from the car's battery. Want to run a mini fridge while you're camping, or charge your e-bike up while you're out in the car? Now you can! Nice.
Practicality and boot space
The boot space in the VW ID.3 Neo is the same as before, which is fine if not class leading. You'll get a buggy or a medium-sized dog in there no problem, but a Renault 4 and Ford Puma Gen-E both get bigger boots, as does the MG4, Kia EV4 and more, so the VW's boot space is a bit underwhelming compared with some smaller rivals. There's no frunk (which is what the storage space beneath the bonnet is called in an EV), as you get in the Puma and lots of other family EVs.
Still, it's got comfortable and spacious rear seats that feel really nice and airy. And while the floor feels high, it is easy to duck in and sort out child seats and belts, so if you can live with the middling boot size then the ID.3 Neo will be a really excellent family car.
Interior, styling and technology
The interior is pretty much new in the ID.3 Neo. It's all a bit more conventional, I'd say, with horizontal lines and nice, dense-feeling materials. Most importantly - buttons! There are buttons! The new steering wheel gets physical buttons rather than touch-sensitive or haptic panels, which is great. It's much more straightforward. There are even some physical buttons on the dash including simple rocker buttons to change the air-con temperature. And there are now conventional window switches, too! Hurrah. You don't have to hit a touch-sensitive button to control the rear windows. I think we can all agree that this is a great improvement.
Is it a simple interior? Yes, I'd say so. When you think about the colours and finishes that you get in the Nissan Leaf and Renault Megane, the ID.3 definitely feels more understated. But it's also easy to use, and that's really what everyone wanted in the ID.3 - those physical buttons really do make it more intuitive to use, so well done to VW for listening to customers and acting on it!
There's also a bigger 10.25-inch driver's display in the Neo, complete with the retro graphics that we've seen on the ID.Polo. That's very cool, if you ask me. I really like it, but then I do love a bit of a retro nod in a modern car. And, of course, you can have a normal, modern speed readout if you prefer.
The main infotainment touchscreen has grown to 12.9-inches, and is quicker and clearer, plus there's an app store so that you can download games and videos to watch while you're charging. Naturally, you get wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, sat-nav with charger search function, Bluetooth and over-the-air software updates. You can also now get a digital key with the ID.3 Neo, so that you can use your phone as your key - as well as a remote control for your climate control and charging stuff.
Motors and performance
The three different batteries in the ID.3 Neo all have different power outputs of 170, 190 and 231hp as you walk up the model range. That's good for 0-62mph in 8.6, 8.0 and 7.1 seconds respectively. Obviously, the VW ID.3 Neo is a facelift of the existing ID.3 so you get rear-wheel drive, and it sits on the familiar MEB platform. There's no four-wheel drive variant, at the moment, so if you want all-wheel drive in your family hatch then you might want to consider the MG4 XPower. Mind you, there is a hot VW ID.3 GTI on the way, so if you like the ID.3's no-nonsense attitude but want a spicier drive, the GTI could be for you.
There's also a new 'engine sound' for the Neo. The ID.3 always had an low-speed exterior whirring sound to warn pedestrians (as do all new EVs, by law) but now it gets a sportier noise that's engaged when you choose Sport mode.
If there was one area where the old ID.3 was difficult to criticise, it was the driving experience. It was always comfortable, composed and generally very pleasant to drive, and Batch found in his drive of it that the new ID.3 Neo feels like a polished development of that formula.
He drove the Style Launch Edition with its 58kWh battery and 190hp electric motor driving the rear wheels. It's not particularly quick, with 0-62mph taking around eight seconds, but then this isn't supposed to be a hot hatchback. A much faster ID.3 GTI is coming in 2027, and will become the first rear-wheel-drive GTI in Volkswagen's history.
The regular ID.3's performance is perfectly adequate. Acceleration is smooth rather than neck-snapping, but there's enough response for everyday driving and it suits the relaxed character of the car.
The steering is nicely weighted and accurate, while the brake pedal is also better judged than we've experienced in some Volkswagen Group EVs. It's quiet on the move, too, and generally feels like a very likeable and easy-to-live-with family hatchback.
The new rear-mounted electric motor should also improve efficiency. Batch wasn't able to put that claim properly to the test during his video, but as the previous ID.3 was always pretty efficient, we have high hopes for the Neo. We'll update this review when we've done a proper efficiency test.
Oh, I nearly forgot – for the first time the ID.3 Neo gets one-pedal driving. While cars like the Nissan Leaf has had this fantastic feature for years, many VWs haven't. The new ID.Polo gets it and so does the ID.3 Neo, and this makes me so happy as it makes city driving so much easier and more relaxing.
Pricing
The ID.3 Neo will be offered with an entry-level Trend trim in some European markets, but in the UK we'll only get Life trim, which is offered with all three batteries, while top-spec Style trim is only offered with the 58- or 79kWh pack. Life gets standard ambient lighting, keyless entry, and adaptive cruise control and costs from £33,030 with that smaller battery, or the 58kWh ID.3 Neo Life comes in at £35,495, or the 79kWh Life costs £36,995.
Meanwhile, stepping up to Style trim adds heated front seats, a heat pump for extra cabin heating efficiency (so you get better real-world range in winter), and extra illumination in the front badge and door handles. Prices run from £38,500 to £40,000 depending on whether you want the 58- or 79kWh model. There is also, for now, a Style Launch Edition on offer with a bunch of optional extras included, from panoramic roof to automatic parking assist. It's only offered with the 58kWh battery, and it costs from £39,750.
It's well equipped, then, and monthly deals are also very tempting. There are PCP deals out there with low interest and deposit, and leasing deals are also competitive even next to Chinese rivals like the Leapmotor B10 and Jaecoo E5. The ID.3 Neo does have a huge amount of competition, but if you like your cars straightforward, comfy and relaxing, this still has real merit over the alternatives.
Verdict
The ID.3 needed more range, a more user-friendly interface and better tech. And that's exactly what VW has given it! Pricing and monthly costs also stack up well against competition, so if you're after a really sensible, cushy electric family hatch with potential for great touring range, then I'd say the ID.3 Neo is right up your street. Click here to find out more about the ID.3 Neo and try it for yourself.
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